This one’s a little long….
I’d like to start this by sharing an old mindset that was prevalent when I started training in the 1980’s to explain why we have chosen a different approach at Alexander’s Martial Arts. The old “accepted wisdom” was that that 1 in 100 would make it to Black Belt. It was akin to freshman orientation in college. They tell you to look to your left and to your right and recognize those people will not be with you when you graduate. That approach was demoralizing. It made me wonder why they failed so badly at producing Black Belts (or graduates for that matter).
Our Approach to Building Black Belts
We have adopted a different approach that intentionally BUILDS BLACK BELTS. Rather than washing out people who didn’t have the character traits to earn a Black Belt before they walking into the school, we teach those character traits as part of the curriculum (kind-of the “Mr. Miyagi” teaching method).
For starters, here’s a couple of definitions that will support this discussion. A “Black Belt School” is a martial arts school that has a specific curriculum and support systems in place to help students purposefully progress from White Belt to Black Belt. And “SMART” in “SMART GOALS” stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
What it Means to Be a Black Belt School
The concept of a “Black Belt School” vs a “regular” martial arts school requires a shared commitment between the students and instructors. Students set the goal of earning a black belt. Staff and instructors commit to teaching the appropriate physical and personal development skills to reach Black Belt. And to support students through challenges. It’s a shared commitment and responsibility between the student and their instructors (as opposed to a situation where the material may all be presented, but it’s wholly up to the student to learn it).
Setting Appropriate Goals
Because earning a Black Belt is a multi-year process, we divide the goal into measurable steps. At Alexander’s we employ a monthly progress check system that tracks attendance and measures proficiency as part of the system. Each month we focus on a portion of the curriculum needed for the next rank and specific performance qualities like form, balance, speed, power, focus, accuracy, and intensity. If we find a student needs help in one area or another, we offer extra-help sessions. This helps to catch the student up so they can stay on track to their next milestone. Putting some responsibility on our team to evaluate students often and to offer support to help students stay on track!
How Goal Setting Relates to Earning a Black Belt & How SMART Applies
Besides being a proven way to develop strong Black Belts, this process teaches the fundamentals of goal setting. They can can be applied to other goals on and off the mat! Being part of a black belt school naturally supports SMART GOALS because this approach to martial arts training is structured, measurable, and progressive by design. Here’s how it lines up with each part of SMART:
Specific
Black belt schools set clear expectations for what you’re working toward. You learn named techniques, forms (katas), self-defense skills, sparring strategies, and character traits like discipline and respect. Instead of a vague goal like “get better at martial arts,” students aim for specific milestones such as mastering a form or earning the next belt.
Measurable
Progress is easy to track. Attendance, belt levels, stripe tests, physical benchmarks (flexibility, endurance), and instructor evaluations all provide concrete ways to measure improvement. Advancement is earned, not guessed.
Achievable
Goals are broken into manageable steps. Rather than jumping straight to black belt, students progress through ranks that match their current skill level. This scaffolding keeps goals challenging but realistic, which builds confidence and motivation.
Relevant
Training goals connect directly to meaningful outcomes—self-defense, physical fitness, mental focus, perseverance, and self-confidence. For many students, these skills transfer to school, work, and personal life, making the goals genuinely worthwhile.
Time-bound
Belt testing cycles, class schedules, and training timelines create natural deadlines. Students know roughly how long they must prepare for the next evaluation, encouraging consistent practice and accountability.
We Don’t Teach Just Martial Arts…
At Alexander’s we don’t just teach martial arts. We model how to set goals, work steadily toward them, and reflect on progress. That structure mirrors the SMART framework and helps students develop lifelong goal-setting skills, both on and off the mat. And because it has been part of our school culture for over 30 years, your family will be part of a positive peer group that understands and supports your goals. 🥋
Alexander’s Martial Arts
https://www.facebook.com/AlexandersMartialArts
51 Nance Rd.
Madison, AL
256-837-8624
