What abilities and traits are displayed at the various levels of black belt?

Question

If I'm a style founder, how can I tell if someone is ready to be a:

1st degree black belt?

2nd degree?

3rd degree?

4th degree?

5th degree?

6th degree?

7th degree?

8th degree?

What traits and characteristics would be displayed? Is it just about fighting? Board & brick breaking? Character? Teaching? Exposure to other arts? Internal energy work? Pressure points? Chi projection? Do you think a 6th degree striker should also be a 1st degree grappler and visa versa?

Think like this: when you think of a 4th degree black belt, you imagine someone who is or who can.....? When you think of a 3rd degree black belt, you think of someone who is or who can.....?

Answer 1

All of that will greatly vary depending on your own standards , this is why the ranking systems are so different from system to system , and you can notice many times that in some styles the skill level of a 5th degree in one style equals to a 1st degree in another style , so this depends on the curriculum and emphasis that each style puts into each degree of learning.

Answer 2

From what I have observed and seen in some styles and organizations usually first degree through third is based on your skills and amount of knowledge about your art and your ability to demonstrate those skills to others in your art.  It also means that you have only mastered the basics in most traditional martial arts.  Fourth and fifth degree seem to be more along the lines if you have your own school, developing students and teaching students about your martial art and exhibited the ability to produce a black belt in that style that meets the acceptable standards for that art and organization that you are in.  With respect to technique and your art you understand it to the point that you can look at others and analyze what they are doing right or wrong, help them correct it and further enhance their own skills and ability to master the basics as well as at yourself and do the same for yourself.   Sixth and up generally means that you are well schooled and trained in your art to the point that you are involved with making decisions regarding policies, standards, and ensuring that the integrity of your art and organization are being maintained as well as helping to oversee and monitor the promotion of those black belts after first or second degree.  This is all pretty general of course and with respect to actual technique most legitimate masters in that sixth or higher level are older so their physical skills may at times show some deterioation or affects of age.  However, it is their knowledge, and still present skill and ability to do many things as well as explain and teach them along with their demeanor that set them apart to the point that you can tell who they are and that they are for real.

Answer 3

I could write a book trying to answer your question in full. I suggest you simplify your question.  Best of Luck!