Posted by: Galen
The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 10/03/05 12:46 PM
Hello all.
I know that there was a post about the Ultimate Black Belt Test a while back, but I was reviewing the website and the level of anger and outrage to which I was moved was so profound, I wanted to post here and see what the current school of thought is on this subject.
Here is the website:
http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.comThere is just so much wrong with this, I can hardly force my fingers to type this post.
Now, I must admit, this guy is a genius at selling snake oil, but as for integrity, credibility and anything else I hold dear, this is a travesty, plain and simple.
I hold off on going into specifics, just to see if there is any interest in discussing this topic. If not, Ill let i drop and seeth in quiet rage.
Galen
Posted by: Bushi_no_ki
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 10/04/05 01:46 PM
Galen, I just don't have it in me to get pi$$ed at these things anymore, but I see exactly what you're talking about. To me, it's just another website you'd expect to see as an infomercial on late night tv.
Posted by: PierrePressure
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 10/07/05 06:29 PM
I read a part of the testing requirements page, and now I'm just confused about the whole thing. Is it a over-the-internet promotion scam just to get your black belt, or is it a program that encourages martial artists to set goals and keep track of their progress using this website community? I honestly don't know what it is. Weird.
Posted by: AshiharaStudent
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 10/25/05 10:06 AM
In the UK we call this a 'Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme'
Posted by: Narf
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 03/04/06 10:18 PM
I know someone who's doing this...it's just this challenge that black belts from others schools can take. They don't give out black belts. It's a sort of "individual journey". You list a bunch of goals to achieve, set out to achieve them, and do a ton of martial arts training.
Posted by: pepto_bismol
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 03/10/06 04:05 PM
WOW I can't believe you posted this. I just saw what I believe to be their last demonstration at my instructors school a few weeks ago. The group has some really good martial artists and they have a really good attitude but they are so close it is almost like a cult.
When we saw their demonstration my instructor did one form, we saw some FAST self defence and some of the UBB people did forms, my favorite was some guy doing some kind of phillipino stick fighting.
Anyway guys this might as well be a good time to introduce you to my instructor check out is profile and tell me what you think. (he was there since team 1 :P)
http://www.ultimateblackbelttest.com/contact_view.asp?contact_id=40EDIT: Wow I just read your posts about how the UBBT is a scam. These guys are some of the toughest guys I know, nothing close to a scam. Any $ they made went to a house they built for somebody in hurricane Katrina. And what it is, is a group of people who already have black belts in one style or another and form a kind of club where they train, hike, do seminars, teach people etc.
You are outraged by this?
I can see you now
"they built a house for a victim in hurricane Katrina... THOSE [censored]!"
lol seriously read some more info at the site before you start accusing everything of being a scam.
Posted by: Ukraine
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 03/10/06 11:11 PM
In my club you have to be 16 or older to acieve the black belt. By the way the ultimate black belt test is
Posted by: Hiyoshimaru
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 10/18/06 06:34 PM
I'm sorry to whoever I offend by this, but it seems to me, this is a load of crap, 1st and foremost, the martial arts are not a publicity stunt, and it's not about advertising or fancy photography. I forget what book I was reading, but my favorite quote from it said "The most dedicated schools are always the hardest to find." In my opinion a true teacher generaly doesn't take the time for flashy graphics or perfectly lit photographs. Simply the setup of the site is annoying to me, and the "Vision".
my second point is equally frustrating to me. This is from the requirements page
one full day of living in a wheelchair, one full day blind, and one full day mute are required by all candidates.
Acts of Kindness and Compassion
Each candidate must perform and log 1000 acts of kindness and compassion in his or her UBBT Workbook (or in an on-line Acts of Kindness web site. In addition to this requirement, each candidate must be the catalyst for 50,000 (minimum) acts of courtesy, kindness, and respect from their students and/or community. Candidates may choose to use Tom Callos` Random Acts of Kindness Program (available through NAPMA) or the first booklet in the Six Tasks Character Development Program (available through MAIA) or a program of their own creation.
who does this? These are all great things to do, but true learning of these things doesn't happen because it's "required" it happens because you make it happen, I simply don't like where this looks like it's coming from, these should be signs that you are trying to grow in compassion, not a forced way of learning it.
However, I was impressed with the testimonies, things like
"Coach is one of the most innovating thinkers the martial arts has seen in a long time. He has inspired me to push myself harder than ever and to be the role model for my students that I want them to be for society. He has lead me to a new path and because of that we are revamping our curriculum. Thanks coach for all you have done!" Todd Harris
are pretty encouraging as far as good training goes, so I don't know, I guess that shows some integrity in whoever's doing this thing, so honestly, I think that it is a pretty big publicity stunt, and that whoever's doing this isn't really genuine, but maybe I'm wrong.
Posted by: PowerofYoi
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 03/10/07 11:47 PM
words that come to mind: sick, unreal, cult.. and wouldn't buying a black belt be easier? Though that would just be going with the same general idea, now wouldn't it? (Eyes roll)
buying
Posted by: Ironfoot
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 05/07/07 11:42 AM
"You may you music if it directly pertains to your presentation."
Nice editting. Are they as precise in everything? And remember to always carry your iPod when travelling in bad neighborhoods.
Posted by: wristtwister
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 05/07/07 09:17 PM
Galen,
You and I seldom if ever agree on anything, but this "group" is right out of the "cults are us" shopping guide. I was especially interested in the portion that allowed you to choreograph your own test so you couldn't fail it.
Funny, but in 45 years of training, I don't remember the "kindness" seminars or logs being required. That particular trait is acquired through the sharing of technique through years of training, not by "logging in" 1000 acts of kindness so you could turn in a journal documenting your good nature.
Everything I read on that website would appeal to someone who was unsure of themselves, thought MA should develop "kindness" rather than fighting skills, and wants to shape the world to look like they see it.
I do a lot of kind things, treat people well, and do a lot of work to help the community, but I don't attach that to anything I do at the dojo. This bunch gives me the idea that they're a cult, pure and simple... and you walk into it "eyes wide shut" with your wallet out.
Posted by: gotscrewed
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 11/12/08 03:33 AM
Just want to let you all know....
I have met the man - sounds good from afar, but he is far from good. He certainly does not practice what he preaches and I know he has screwed those that have attempted to help him out of money he promised... what do you think he is getting out of your "enrollment fee" in his phony programs. If he was a real man, he would own his past and rectify his wrongs.... Instead, he is a coward that avoids it.
Posted by: TKD-Skippi
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 12/16/08 01:45 PM
nah, this is nothing like the duke of Edinburgh awards. this is more along the lines of Scientology with a kung fu movie basis instead of star trek movie basis.
the log of kind acts is not a total load of crap , as far as personal development goes. MA's can help to develop you as a person, of course, but paying some whack job to let you into his MA cult seems kinda silly
Posted by: E.V.
Re: The Ultimate Black Belt Test - 11/15/10 07:49 PM
Whats with the 100 Action movie goal? Since when do you need to be featured in a movie to be a true black belt?
I think the acts of kindness should be disregarded weather or not they have the right reason in mind/heart what ever act of kindness they preform is still positive and Im all for that. Its better if they did it just to do it and not because it's required but which ever gets the job done really is good.