What Can I Expect When I Start Training in the Green and Red Belt classes?

If you’re reading this, chances are you may have just got your freshly minted Green Belt having recently graduated from Blue Belt. If so, congratulations, and you can take pride in taking the next step towards your Black Belt (or beyond) goal.  It also means you have attended classes for approximately 6 to 8 months, and you’ve now got a good grasp of the basic kicks, blocks and hand techniques. The next phase of your training offers the chance to expand and fine tune your skills, start to learn basic Hyungs (Forms), spar with a partner, as well as learn more Korean terminology. Lots to think about!

So it’s understandable if you may be feeling a little nervous about what to expect. Firstly, you’re not alone if you feel a little worried. Change and any transitions are always difficult, whatever the activity and level.

Hopefully this blog may help to alleviate any apprehensions you may be feeling. Our experienced Red and Black Belt students have been through those exact feelings, and here’s what they said when some were asked their thoughts.

Is there anything you were worried about when you first started going to the Green and Red belt classes?

• The first time I did a Form I was completely lost. It took a few weeks to build some confidence.

• It’s challenging to go from being top of the class to feeling like you haven’t got a clue what you’re doing.

• I was definitely wary of sparring, and just felt completely out of my depth.

• I think I was worried that the standard suddenly jumps, so it’s easy to make comparisons without understanding how long everyone else has been training.

• The expectation is also higher so you have a lot of basic stuff to consistently get right.

• It’s a bit daunting that everyone knows each other in the advanced classes so you feel you have to find your place.

• It’s not just that you don’t know what you’re doing, but it can feel that everyone else knows it, and it can be hard to remember that even the most senior ranks have also been in that position.

• So I would say from my perspective, I was worried about whether I would be able to keep up with the pace and level of the advanced class. As I’m not the most confident anyway, it was like being the new kid at school all over again.

What can help you to settle and get your confidence back? What advice would you give new students coming up?

• It’s helpful to keep reminding yourself that you’re not expected to pick up the new stuff straight away, and you’ll get there.

• Whilst scary, I liked training with more senior people.

• I felt like I was learning a lot by watching the Red Belts. I loved watching the forms even before I started learning them.

• Turns out I didn’t need to worry as I was made to feel very welcome, and as new Green Belt, things didn’t move as fast as I’d feared.

• All the Instructors were very kind and patient and understand what I find challenging. That means I was being pushed, but not ridiculously hard while also being encouraged.

• The advice I would give is try not to worry. As a new Green Belt, the pressure is not on you at all. You don’t have to know all the little details just yet, just gain an understanding of the patterns and the principles of the moves.

• I would say the main thing is to trust in your Instructors! They know how to get a balance between pushing you but also being encouraging at the same time.

• You’ll never be asked to do something way beyond what is appropriate or safe. Have faith that your Instructors will guide you. Just follow what you’re being asked to do (as well as sneakily looking around and copying what the Red Belts are doing), and you’ll be fine.

• Sparring wasn’t as scary as I thought. The Red Belts were really supportive and gave good tips on what I should be doing.

• I still struggle to pick up the Korean, but everything is said in English as well. And you have to learn it eventually, so it’s a good way to start getting used to the commands.

Main Takeaways

• There’s no doubt that the Green and Red Belt classes are a step up in terms of syllabus, pace and Korean terminology, but that’s the whole point of progressing through the belts, as otherwise you would feel stuck and held back if you stayed in the Beginner Class. Some recent syllabus changes mean that the more complex Hyungs are now learned at Red Belt level, and the Advanced Classes are a good way to start soaking up (and maybe trying out) some of the moves by watching and taking in what the senior students are doing.

• Sparring can seem daunting, but there is no expectation to be proficient or skilled the first time you put your sparring gear on. Rest assured, your Instructor will keep you safe, and the senior Red Belts are also experienced enough to support you when you’re partnered up with them.

The main things to keep in mind as you meet the new challenge, are:

• Show up to class regularly and maybe think about increasing your training to a couple of times a week (students have said this helps to consolidate what they are learning and it leads to more consistent progress).

• Do your best and have a ‘Black Belt Attitude’ (the same standard of attitude, respect and etiquette still apply across all our classes).

• Listen to your Instructor. Trust in them to guide you and to keep you safe, motivated and challenged.

You can’t fail if you keep this in mind, and before you know it you will be thriving and shifting your focus to setting your next challenge; your Black Belt assessment! Good luck!

With thanks to the students for agreeing to answer my questions - Kyo Sa Nim Carol Plummer