How to Earn a Judo Black Belt

Judo, when translated, means gentle ways. While employing the throws and moves of the fighting martial arts program, Judo also incorporates mental and spiritual components. These additional techniques serve to maintain the fighter's inner focus and balance, while helping to psyche out the opponent with mental games. To earn a black belt, the Judo student must master both the physical techniques and inner development.

Instructions

1. Learn and follow the rules of the dojo. While Judo masters stress physical discipline and are as fit as any other athlete, they also demand an intellectual training period, backed up with spiritual practices to define the whole athlete. The student's ability to follow direction, develop personal discipline and obey the rules of the dojo all are taken into consideration when black belts are awarded.

2. Keep your cool when sparring. Strikes are illegal in Judo competitions and eliminated from the traditional teaching of the sport. Judo is a self-defensive sport and students are taught to be non-aggressive.

3. Practice the self-defensive moves in Judo, such as pulling, grabbing and throwing. Like other martial arts forms, Judo incorporates a colored belt system to designate the hierarchy and level of training a student has achieved. The black belt shows that a student has mastered the moves and, as far as the master is concerned, is only just beginning the real training to become a Judo master.

4. Trust your sensei, or teacher, to know when you have earned a black belt. Show respect to your teacher and your fellow students and you can get a black belt faster than the bully in the class who can throw every opponent in the first few minutes of sparring.