Belt Testing Failure is Good

Belt Testing Failure is Good

September 2020 was special for our after school karate students in Sugar Hill and Buford, GA. For the first time since COVID-19 began and life as we know it halted, select students had the opportunity to participate in our belt testing.

Failing Belt Tests

It may surprise you to know that Dustin failed belt testing several times. Our after school karate students in Buford heard the story. He failed belting more than a few times, often comparing himself to other students. That was the problem. He was comparing himself to others and not competing against himself. His instructor saw something in Dustin and knew he could do better. While Dustin failed those many times, he began to work harder and harder, truly earning his new belt.

Belt Testing Requirements for Legacy MMA After School Karate Students

While area after school programs just rely on behavior during after school classes along with knowing curriculum to belt test, we require a bit more. We also don’t pass just pass students for revenue-generating purposes.

In order for Legacy MMA after school karate students to belt test, they have to earn it at our school, but also outside of our school. Yes, students know to know the belt level curriculum, but they need to go beyond that. And even then, our students have to TRULY know the curriculum and have executed perfectly. 

Legacy MMA Students are Respectful

Respect is incredibly important. We expect our students to be respectful here, at home, at school, at practice—everywhere. We talk to parents and we learn whether students are well behaved and show respect everywhere. Our students say, “yes ma’am” and “yes, sir.” 

You can Spot Legacy MMA Students in a Crowd

It’s true. You can spot our students because our students are well behaved. They aren’t perfect, but students who have been with us for a long time are well behaved. They have self-control and show incredible self-discipline.

Failing Karate Belt Tests

Dustin will tell you that he likes failing kids during belt tests. It doesn’t happen often, but when he does fail a student, it’s for good reason. Failure helps identify areas of improvement. Our parents know that quitting is not an option. Our students know that quitting is not an option. So our students and parents know the areas students need to improve the most. We work with our students and parents to develop well-rounded children.

If you ask Dustin to tell you a success story, he’ll say that he has lots because that’s what Legacy MMA does—transforms students. And sometimes that starts with failing belt tests. It starts by showing areas of improvement and working with students and parents.  Some of our student success stories include pro football players or students who are now teachers after serving in the military. One thing they all have in common is that they are product, honorable members of society giving back in big ways

Now we didn’t fail students during this round of belt testing. But we’ll test again and not all students will be selected to test and not all will pass. But we know that with every failure comes an even bigger win.