K.C. LaVallee’s High Points From Summit
I was impressed when I heard Mr. Cokinos speaking about our purpose in promoting black belts. Students entrust us with their time and their bodies in order to promote themselves to black belt. I think it is important that we all work harder to get our students to the place they need to be.
It is important to put time into our students. Also, we have to have a plan. If students have a game plan, their chances of performing well are higher, provided they put in time and effort.
If you were a student of mine, I would grade you in five different areas when it comes to black belt promotions: attendance and commitment, spirit and energy (it is our job as coaches to pull it out of them), knowledge and skills, fitness (flexibility, strength and stamina) and lastly, martial arts protocol. These have to be explained to students so they know how to achieve them, and this is done right from the beginning, when they go in for their first round of testing.
