The final step to complete SHODAN rank.
🔥 Personal Transformation
Every black belt journey is unique. Whether you started for confidence, fitness, focus, or fun—you’re now transformed. You’ve proven to yourself that you can finish what you start, and that’s a life lesson you’ll carry forever.
🧑‍🏫 Responsibility to Teach and Lead
At Allegheny Shotokan, black belt comes with responsibility. You’re not done learning. You’ve just earned the right to begin again at a higher level.
The final step in your Shodan test is to give back and teach an official class as a black belt.
Teaching a class after earning your black belt is important for several reasons—both for your own growth and for the development of your dojo or martial arts community. Here’s why it matters:
1. Deepens Your Understanding
When you teach, you’re forced to break down techniques and concepts clearly for others. This often helps you understand them more deeply yourself. You’ll spot things you missed when you were just a student.
2. Gives Back to the Dojo
Your instructors and fellow students helped you earn your black belt. Teaching is a way of giving back to that community and helping others progress just like you did.
3. Builds Leadership and Confidence
Leading a class builds leadership skills, confidence, and presence. It’s one thing to perform a technique, and another to explain, correct, and inspire others.
4. Keeps You Sharp
Teaching forces you to stay on top of your fundamentals. You’ll be reviewing basics, remembering katas, and staying engaged with all levels of training.
5. Develops Patience and Communication
Explaining something to a beginner takes patience and strong communication. Those skills benefit you not just in martial arts, but in life.
6. Continues the Tradition
Martial arts is about more than belts, it’s about passing on knowledge and keeping traditions alive. Teaching is how art survives and evolves.
Your task is to create your own lesson plan from scratch from your years of experience and teach a Monday 7:00 PM class. This must be completed within 1 month of your exam.
The only prerequisite is incorporating one of Master Funakoshi’s 20 precepts into the lesson.
Shotokan Nijū kun (Shotokan 20 Principles)
1. Karate-do begins with Rei and ends with Rei. (Rei means courtesy / respect)
2. There is no first strike in karate.
3. Karate is an aid to justice.
4. First know yourself then know others.
5. Spirit comes first, technique second.
6. Always be ready to set your mind free.
7. Misfortune comes out of laziness accidents arise from negligence.
8. Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.
9. It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.
10. Put Karate into your everyday life any you will find its subtle secrets.
11. Karate is like boiling water, without heat, it returns to its tepid state.
12. Do not think that you have to win – rather that you do not have to lose.
13. Make adjustments according to your opponent.
14. The outcome of the battle depends on how you handle weakness and strength.
15. Think of hands and feet as swords.
16. When you leave home, there are a million enemies waiting for you.
17. Beginners must master low stances and posture, natural body positions are for advanced students.
18. Practice prescribed sets of techniques exactly; actual combat is another matter.
19. Do not forget the employment of withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique.
20. Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful, in your pursuit of karatedo (the Way of karate).
Creating a martial arts lesson plan helps keep your classes organized, focused, and fun. Whether you’re teaching kids or adults, beginners or advanced students, a good plan sets the tone for progress and discipline. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
🔹 Choose a Theme or Focus
Pick 1 main goals for the day. For example:
- Kicking techniques
- Self-defense drills
- Kata or forms practice
- Sparring strategy
- Discipline and etiquette
🔹 Break the Class into Sections
A typical class might follow this structure:
âś… Warm-Up (10 min)
- Light jogging, jumping jacks, push-ups
- Dynamic stretches
- 4 stations
âś… Basics / Kihon (20 min)
- Punches, kicks, blocks, stances
- Focus on form, power, and repetition
âś… Skill Focus / Drills (20 min)
- Teach and practice new techniques or combos
- Partner drills or pad work
- Self-defense scenarios
âś… Cooldown / Reflection (5 min)
- Light stretching
- Quick review of what they learned
- Answering questions
- End with a bow and positive message
🔹 Include Life Lessons (20 precepts)
- Respect
- Focus
- Perseverance
- Humility
Earning a black belt at Allegheny Shotokan is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a symbol of discipline, tradition, and dedication within one of the most respected martial arts families in the U.S.
Here’s the deeper significance:
🥋 Legacy and Lineage
Allegheny Shotokan is part of a rich martial arts tradition under the guidance of Shihan Bill Viola Sr., who helped shape modern sport karate. Earning a black belt here means you’re now part of that legacy—a living link in a chain of martial artists that spans decades.
🧠Mastery of Mind and Body
At Allegheny Shotokan, black belt isn’t just about physical skill. You’ve shown:
- Mental focus
- Emotional control
- Consistent discipline
You’ve trained not only your body but your spirit and mind, which reflects the true martial way.
🏆 Recognition of Dedication
Becoming a black belt here is not handed out lightly. It reflects:
- Years of commitment
- Hard work through every rank
- Overcoming setbacks and challenges
You’ve proven yourself through tournaments, gradings, and countless hours of training.
#blackbeltinlife