UBBT Test Clarification from Coach Tom (Essay and Comments to Pre-Frame / Remind Testers)

The Curriculum for the UBBT 7: Written June 29, 2009 by Tom Callos

Intent:

In the UBBT I’m looking for each participant to undergo, during the course of the project, a physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation. This transformation is brought about by hard physical work, the stretching of activities and abilities, the regular practice of deep and purposeful meditation, and whatever else it takes to show your students and the martial arts world what you/we are capable of.

In other words, just continuing on with your current behavior, your normal training routine, and conducting “business as usual,” is not going to cut it. I’m expecting a year’s worth of daily work where you apply yourself to your training and projects as if this event were your own personal Olympics.

To actually earn rank in the UBBT (and chances are you will not) you will have to be an exceptional participant. The passing grade for new rank is now given by a board of UBBT Alumni and Master Teachers. They will access a participant’s progress by watching and reading journal entries, studying the member’s Project Portfolio, and seeing the participant in-person at least once during the test.

Non-Negotiable Requirements

First off, remember this: It’s our mission to define and re-define what it is to be a black belt in today’s world. I’m looking for men and women mature enough, forward-thinking enough, to smart enough to put themselves on the line serve as an example to the international martial arts community.

What a “black belt” is, is open to interpretation, but in my mind the following points are non-negotiable: 

1. A black belt in the UBBT process will not quit; not under any circumstances –not because of health or injury or heated-disagreement or relationship or financial issues or anything –except possibly death. A member may stumble, trip up, fall down, or even fall apart, but the one thing we will teach everyone who sees or hears about this program is about perseverance. If nothing else, being a black belt is about dogged determination and the ability to find a way. There is always a way when you’re committed.

2. The test, as much as it may appear to be about YOU, is not just about you. The UBBT is as much about everyone in your “sphere of influence” as it is about you.

I fully expect members of the UBBT, especially 3rd dan and above, to engage dozens, if not hundreds (and possibly even thousands) of other people in their testing process. HOW a test is not just about “you” –is the unknown. But this idea is, I believe, one of the most important contributions the UBBT will make to the martial arts world.

On a side note: You can certainly find lots of black belt tests that are only about the individual, but the UBBT is a different animal.

3. Whatever is hardest for you in the UBBT, is the test. What kind of test would it be if it was all a breeze? Can’t discipline yourself to write journal entries? That’s part of the test. Can’t quit stuffing your face with junk food? That’s part of the test. Afraid to fly? Afraid to fail? Don’t like something or someone on the test? That’s the test. Got hurt, so now you can’t train? THAT is the test –and how you conduct yourself shows whether you are the kind of black belt we can all point to as an example of the best the martial arts can produce –or not.

4. You are a teacher –by your example. By being in the UBBT, you have to acknowledge and act upon the idea that you are a teacher to tens-of-thousands of people (people who will be watching you on-line). Act accordingly, as you have a chance to raise the standards of what it is to be a black belt, worldwide.

5. You had better come prepared at the final exam to show some very fine martial arts. It doesn’t matter if you do aikido or kenpo, “American Free-Style” or taekwondo or judo, you have an entire year to prepare for a 20 minutes presentation, it had better be the best performance you’ve ever given. I don’t care if you’re 65 or sit in a wheelchair or if you 20 year old in your prime, you’d better come to the final event in the best shape of your life. If that isn’t the case, you come anyway –but don’t expect to “pass.”