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7 Responses to 'What rank is required in a martial art to teach?'

1. chuck5101 - July 29th, 2010 at 4:56 pm

   unfortunately none, jus get you a business license and open up bob karate kick a$$ school, but there are a few legitimate organizations that have regulations, again unfortunately ppl leave these organizations to open up bob’s karate kick a$$ school… sorry cant stand mcdojo’s (an eloquent term i learned from here for many schools i have visited)

2. kyle h - July 30th, 2010 at 1:15 am

   That depends greatly on what the martial art is and if being accepted into major martial arts unions/federations are importan to you. If you just want to teach just look knowedgeabl to your potential customers. As a rule of thumb I woud say at least 3rd or 4th degree black belt.

3. A5150Ylee - August 2nd, 2010 at 11:44 am

   Most martial arts require you to start teaching lower belts under the study of the dojo master. (so either red or brown depending on the art). To open a dojo, usually the 3rd degree black belt is needed, but again it depends on which art you are working on and how much leadership you have shown on your way to black belt (and beyond).

4. Jon - August 5th, 2010 at 5:13 pm

   First: It depends on the art
   Second: It usually depends on:
   A. Your rank
   B. How long and (Or) how successful you have been
   Third: If you don’t get support from a parent school of some sort, you might need some money to open your own place.

   As for ranking, this is what I have personally experienced:
   KMA (Korean Martial Arts)- Most instructors are anywhere from 1st degree black belt and above. My first instructor was a third degree, and the assistant was a first degree (His side-kicking wife :p). I believe he was practicing the art for about 10 years or so. I am currently practicing two arts under a person who has a second degree black-belt in both arts, and has been a first degree or above since he was 20 (He is now 29).
   CMA (Chinese Martial Arts)- The general rank for a sifu is I believe a black sash. I contend that it usually takes many years to not only get the sash, but to teach as well. Most sifus have 10+ years of experience.
   Japanese Martial Arts- Karate styles usually have independent teachers that are at least the second degree black belt level, and if higher (And this applies to the above arts too): There is sometimes other instructors of slightly lower rank as well.
   Judo/Kyokushin Karate- I haven’t heard of anyone teaching by themselves below black, but I’ve heard some vauge stories about brown belts teaching at this level with little to no supervision if they are talented.
   Muay Thai- There’s no ranking system (With the exception of those organzations that incorporate Krabi Kobong) per se, but rather your ability is determined by how long, and how successful you have been in the ring. Most instructors in Muay Thai that don’t start early are usually in their late 20s-above, with some exceptions based on ability of course.
   Brazilian Martial Arts:
   BJJ- Black belt of course. Again, I have heard vaguely about brown belts working under supervision, but the standard is the black belt. Wearing a black belt in BJJ is usually a good indicator of skill: It’s no easy task walking up that tree.
   Capoeira- Regional/Comtemporonea are the styles that usually have a ranking system. Angola rarely has one.
   When you hit the rank called “Monitor,” it is the beginning of teaching under the supervision of someone of higher rank. Monitor level II brings you more responsibility, and after that you reach instructor rank. There are some very good insturctors that have their own schools, but the standard rank for opening a Capoeira school is “Professor.” After professor, you move up into contra-mestre (Or “Mestrando”), and then to mestre (Which is the general rank in which you can open your own organzation with various schools under it), where there is usually three degrees to the title of “Grao-Mestre.” It takes a lot of time to reach high rank in Capoeira. The average professor practices the art between 8-15 years! If you do well, you can get the first two cords (Out of a possible 10-15 cords) in a year! Plus you have to know how to play the music, know some of the history, in addition to being a good person in a roda the higher you go up.
   Good luck should you decide to open your own school.

5. Jasin - August 8th, 2010 at 9:25 am

   Its different in each style, it really is.

   In Taekwondo you have to have at least a 1st degree blackbelt to be a “sabumnim” which is korean for “Instructor”.

   In pekiti tersia you have to have at least five years of training to become certified and you have to have the rank of lakan guro or better.

   In the united states a Judo instructor has to belong to at least 1 of the 3 National Organizations (USA Judo (aka USA Judo), USJA, or USJF) and has to have 6 years of expierence.

6. lee49202 - August 10th, 2010 at 5:12 pm

   To run a sanctioned dojo in most Okinawan styles you must be at least san-dan.

7. R. Lee - August 13th, 2010 at 10:30 am

   It is mostly 3rd degree BB with instructor’s license

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