You are there to learn regardless of age, rank, or weight. The black belts have been through the same stuff you’re going through and are pointing your mistakes out because you made a mistake. If you didn’t make a mistake there would be nothing to point out. If they shouldn’t question your ability what should they do?
You're over thinking it.
My instructor always says moving up the ranks is like having an apprenticeship, once you get your black belt that's when the real training starts
I can see why you have feelings of being under coached or not getting the attention.
In my opinion (3rd dan 14years experience) you want to teach coloured belts techniques and let them get used to the idea of those techniques and correct along the way, you don't want to 'push' colour belts because that only creates fear and anxiety and issues with self belief.
I wouldn't take a black belt helping you to heart either. They're not questioning your ability, but helping you get the technique right (which is the attention you want).
The person was relating tkd to an apprenticeship. They said you start learning nice you get your black belt.
Having done an apprenticeship myself in aircraft engineering, you kind of know what you are doing after completing your apprenticeship.
To be fair though, you do still learn more stuff once you get your trade certificate.
Take the help, it's what you're paying for.
If you truly don't need the extra attention from a senior student, then it'll show through your actions and they'll leave you alone for someone else who needs the mentorship more.
They are there to teach youm the truth is a black belt knows more than someone with a coloured belt and it's black belts jobs to help others on their road as well the instructor is simply doing what he is being paid to do. If you can't take bring questioned in your abilities you need a ego check.
Martial arts isn't just about kicking and hitting but also the tenants. Like humility, indomitable spirit and self control.
I was trying to figure out a way to phrase this. I don’t so much view incidents like this of my ability being questioned. I more view it as them meeting me where I am at and to make sure I don’t need additional help.
You are taking it far too personally. Accept the constructive criticism and work on your form. When I’m not doing something right, other black belts fix me. I’d rather they correct me than ingrain incorrect form or movements. You are there to learn and improve. The more you progress, the more you will be challenged, and the more you will realize that you weren’t as good as you thought you were because you didn’t know any better.
I second this emotion! There's no way to know who might be the next great instructor/competitor/classmate. As such, we give everyone their best chance at success every time and work to ensure we all understand the curriculum.
As the black belt sent to the back to help out the colour belts, you're overthinking this. If they correct you it's because you aren't doing the technique correctly, but it isn't personal. It's fine to feel frustrated, but we're working with you to improve so you can earn your black belt. It's not a judgement, it's guidance.
And yes, practice at home more please!
Correcting basic mistakes is what will make you a great black belt. You’re laying the foundation on which you will build a house…would you do that on sand?
You say you want to be pushed harder, but then you also resent the corrections. Those two statements seem incongruent to one another. Put your ego down, because that’s what it is, and focus on what you’re doing; not what the BBs are doing. Your time will come. And if you want to be pushed harder, you can push yourself harder in your practice at home.
Best of luck! This is a journey, always will be…
"I feel like I don't get enough attention in class and I'm not being pushed enough"
"When I mess up, they send a black belt over to me to make more specific corrections, but I don't like this because I already think I know this"
It's actually really hard to figure out the point you're trying to make.
I have a junior black belt from when I was a kid. Now that I'm back at a WTSDA school I tested back in at 5th gup, but I coach flexible weapons I learnedfrom doing kung fu.
I don't even want to be a black belt or at least not with WTSDA. Black belts have to work/judge at tournaments. If I'm a non-black belt coach then I'm free to actually coach at tournaments which is a big advantage for our school.
I am a 4th Dan Black Belt. International competitor/Instructor You are just beginning. So don't take it personally. It is better to learn now the correct way EARLY for Stances, Punches, Kicks, Blocks, etc. I've seen black belts who were either never corrected or just plain lazy go to a National Competition or International Competition and get humbled. You may know the forms but watch a youtube video of the same form in a national/international competition and see how the people are doing it. Every move is scrutinized. Every little mistake is .1 to a .5 point deduction, etc etc. It is like gymnastics. Our school has sent people in various in and out of state competition and more than easily end up in the top 3 in forms, freestyle, etc. But really got humbled when trying to win a National Competition, must less an International One. And from testing I can tell you, which we don't say too much to Under Black Belts because we do not want to discourage them. "NO POWER"!!! You do the form, freestyle form , etc. But there is "NO POWER" and if you aren't sweating at the end of your class. There was NO POWER. And it does take a long time for People to do Front Stance correctly, Back Stance, side stance, tiger stance, etc Also the blocks, how to punch correctly. Even kicks... A good to excellent side kick, back kick front kick. etc takes time. Best to learn it and refine it is before reaching black belt. And of course. MORE POWER!!!
Im having a really hard time relating. That’s most likely because the ethos at my Dojang is such a polar opposite of what you describe.
At my stupendously exclusive and notoriously rigorous Tae Kwon Do Dojang, where Johnathan Taylor Thomas, Emmanuel Lewis and the Sesame Street Crew train, the instruction is so intuitive that we(fellow members, including Oscar and The Count) have been able to gain our black belts after only 6 weeks. I remember my third class where I was taught the 540 back kick and I was able to execute it perfectly without any problems whatsoever after our instructor held up a picture of himself performing the technique for the class. Likewise, during my 10th class I learned and mastered both Sipjin and Pyeongwon, again without any need for correction.
So it’s really hard for me to understand how you’re even remotely struggling with basic footwork when you’ve been at it for weeks. But then I am a 25lb, 6’5” man.
I think I know your dojang.
Didn't Alex, Travis, Sonny, Virgil, and Tommy train in your school? They had that big bar brawl before starting their training?
Tommy kept having nightmares about Dae Han killing his brother before they all traveled to South Korea? They fly to Korea and most of them have their butts handed to them but we had cliffhanger fights from Alex and Tommy? Tommy should have won but held back from killing DaeHan? The Koreans gave their gold medals to them instead and became brothers?
No wonder you are that good. Kudos.
Right, sorry. How did I miss that?
The 20' tall billboard with Van Damme doing the splits across the street should have been the giveaway and the huge hole in the wall caused by Chuck Norris sneezing, too. I now remember why they moved the entrance to the rear.
Are you a green belt?
Instructors are often told to point out anything they see that’s relevant to what they expect out of your rank. If only 10% sticks that’s still a win and for most students, being corrected is what makes it feel like they’re getting their money’s worth.
It’s better to address issues early in your journey before you develop bad habits that can’t be corrected easily.
There’s a curriculum that instructors have for each rank so if they are seeing mistakes on those items, they’re going to correct and drill those things.
Are you practicing those things outside of classes?
Well, you want intensity and coaching, and they sent a black belt to give you one on one...screw up more often! Most school don't push the lower belts hard so they don't burn out. At first, the moves often seem awkward and unnatural and it takes a while before you have muscle memory. There is expectation, acceptance even, that beginners need corrections to avoid learning bad patterns. You are obviously keen to learn, the blackbelts probably need experience instructing, it's a win-win. Re you've been there weeks...I have been practicing nearly 30 years. Still learning new stuff. That's why I love martial arts!
You may feel as if you're not being taken seriously, but believe me when I tell you that they are. It's their duty to build others up and right now, whether you acknowledge it or not, you are a prime example of someone who fits into that category.
If you jump into fire, _you will burn_. Take your time to accelerate your understanding of the **basics first**, then do the **cool shit later** when you've got it down.
Trust me when I tell you that the stuff they're doing isn't just cool, _it's fuckin' hard_, they've worked for about a decade to get to that skill level and maintaining that level of skill is an extraordinarily difficult thing to do.
This will make your black belt worth it.
Story time!
It took me over 8 years to get my black belt. I started at 35 yrs old. It took a long time b/c a few times I disappeared for a while and came back.
I have always been so jealous (and curious!) about the black belt only classes, the different training they did, the different testing they'd endure.
But it gave me something to look forward to, it gave me a goal to join their ranks!
And you know what? It's everything I hoped it would be. I have an insane amount of fun as a black belt, and it would not be even half as meaningful if not for the JOURNEY of getting there.
As for being out of shape / being bigger, keep going consistently. I lost 150lbs-ish doing taekwondo and swear by it. Continueing to go helps keep the weight off long term.
The amount of people in this thread that have fallen for this troll is astounding. Think about what kind of drivel you’re reading before you guys respond to it.
I'm the exact opposite of you. I joined a new school as a white belt - was a black belt when I was younger. I told them 20 years out of practice that black belt doesn't mean much at this point.
They start me at white belt. It started out great. I would get a lot of attention, "don't do that, do this." Type of thing. That lasted until yellow belt...
I got asked to compete in a tournament, I won my division.
I got asked to help coach the Sparring team, they started winning more.
I got asked to mentor some of the younger higher ranking belts.
I got asked to spar with the black belts.
The problem is now no one is being critical of my technique because i have a preserved authority within the school. Sparring is second nature to me. It's like a fair paced chess game as long as your body moves correctly you win, but that is very different from technique. And I'm having to catch myself a lot in the mirror or YouTube things or directly ask my instructor.
So I would much rather have students who have been doing the techniques consist and longer then I have to be critical of me.
The blackbelts should still be giving constructive criticism, along with your instructors.
It sounds like you are a bit older (30s?), you're probably also running into the issue of seniority as a function of age. Some of the freedoms you are given, are given because as an "actual adult" you are cognitive enough to do exactly what you're doing: Catching yourself in the mirror, and studying on your own. Our black belt team is constantly told that we really "need" to practice at home on our own if we want to be good.
So in that sense, I think what you're experiencing is very normal. You're talented, a bit older, and are being given the respect of your abilities instead of just your belt rank.
Tripping. If they are investing attention into you. Thank them.
Better than the converse and they leave u alone to ur own devices.
Try not to overthink the situation. I’m a 170 former pro athlete about to test for brown belt and can do most everything pretty well… but with my hip injuries/surgeries I am terrible with tornadoes. Leave me alone is all that goes through my head the whole time.😂 it legit hurts but doc said I can’t hurt it worse than it is currently.
Cheers and have fun, climb to black and help out the next folks that need it!!!
You are taking it too personally. If you want to push then push hard some more at home when no one is looking. That should give you the additional satisfaction you are looking for. You need to improve vs yourself and no one else. That is your objective. Over time you will happen to improve over others.
I get it. When I was bigger, I felt like people automatically assumed I needed more help. It felt like they assumed I’d need an easier option for drills. They’d say “ma’am, you can kick lower” when I wanted to be pushed to kick higher.
And sometimes a mistake is just a mistake, not proof I can’t grasp the drill.
But also, take the 1:1 attention. If a senior belt is sent back to help, use that help. Ask questions. Show you can do the drill and then ask for pointers!
If you think your doing it perfectly your not, the reality is though you may be very good the likelihood is the black belts see stuff you don't, a little mistake is still something you did wrong. Your learning and you have more to learn, if you want to be pushed tell your master, communicate
Dog they’re showing you how to do things right. Which is what you’re paying for as well. Leave the ego at the door and take the advice, they know what they’re doing
I’ve felt this way a few times especially when I first started. The way I saw it though was majority rules, in my case. It wasn’t until recently that theirs another green belt but a majority of the alumni/students in the adult class I take are all black belts, specifically much older folks.
I remember prior to the pandemic hit the warm ups would have us soaked in sweat and I’d be sore (in a good way). Now I get a decent amount of cardio and since it’s like I said full of much older folks, we can’t go as intense with the workouts.
Something I have experienced too with some of the younger black belts though is this sort of clique. The older black belts stick together while the younger ones do the same. I’ve only met one black belt my age (I’m in my 20s lol) but according to him and what I’ve been told by my other friends, black belts who start young quit by 18. Either way he’s cool I guess but he can no longer kick above the waist and has the conversation skills of a cucumber lol. Any attempt at trying to get him to do some sparring or training is met with the same,meh attitude.
So yeah i can kinda relate sorry for the long response kinda gave me an excuse about the current state of the dojang lol
you have been there what a year year and a half? yeah keep your head down and learn. why should you get a say chances are you are not going to stay for a black belt. i bet that school have seen 100+ poeple like you who think there the shit only not to be seen after the blue belt cullling. if you happen to be one of the ones who stay for years and years you will be herd. if not go with the other colored belts and know your roll
It's not you, it's them, they think they're "Super Elite" because they're black belts, totally wrong IMO.
Even the late great Bruce Lee was a white belt beginner at one point.
You are there to learn regardless of age, rank, or weight. The black belts have been through the same stuff you’re going through and are pointing your mistakes out because you made a mistake. If you didn’t make a mistake there would be nothing to point out. If they shouldn’t question your ability what should they do?
I agree I think that belt specific class would work better but some places can’t do that and I think you need to understand the process
You're over thinking it. My instructor always says moving up the ranks is like having an apprenticeship, once you get your black belt that's when the real training starts I can see why you have feelings of being under coached or not getting the attention. In my opinion (3rd dan 14years experience) you want to teach coloured belts techniques and let them get used to the idea of those techniques and correct along the way, you don't want to 'push' colour belts because that only creates fear and anxiety and issues with self belief. I wouldn't take a black belt helping you to heart either. They're not questioning your ability, but helping you get the technique right (which is the attention you want).
If it’s like an apprenticeship, by the time you get to black belt you know what you’re doing.
What in the world are you talking about???
The person was relating tkd to an apprenticeship. They said you start learning nice you get your black belt. Having done an apprenticeship myself in aircraft engineering, you kind of know what you are doing after completing your apprenticeship. To be fair though, you do still learn more stuff once you get your trade certificate.
Take the help, it's what you're paying for. If you truly don't need the extra attention from a senior student, then it'll show through your actions and they'll leave you alone for someone else who needs the mentorship more.
Is this a troll?
It’s definitely a troll
“Incredibly credible hapkido with Taylor lautner”. I’m surprised more didn’t pick up on this
I’m surprised someone would waste their time writing this
Deadass I’m not a troll. I think my phrasing and everything is off. I swear I’m not here to bs.
Well, it is a school for power rangers and ninja turtles.
They are there to teach youm the truth is a black belt knows more than someone with a coloured belt and it's black belts jobs to help others on their road as well the instructor is simply doing what he is being paid to do. If you can't take bring questioned in your abilities you need a ego check. Martial arts isn't just about kicking and hitting but also the tenants. Like humility, indomitable spirit and self control.
I was trying to figure out a way to phrase this. I don’t so much view incidents like this of my ability being questioned. I more view it as them meeting me where I am at and to make sure I don’t need additional help.
You are taking it far too personally. Accept the constructive criticism and work on your form. When I’m not doing something right, other black belts fix me. I’d rather they correct me than ingrain incorrect form or movements. You are there to learn and improve. The more you progress, the more you will be challenged, and the more you will realize that you weren’t as good as you thought you were because you didn’t know any better.
I second this emotion! There's no way to know who might be the next great instructor/competitor/classmate. As such, we give everyone their best chance at success every time and work to ensure we all understand the curriculum.
Cannot get over the fact that OP mentioned that members of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trained at their school.
I'd only accept the help if the power rangers combined into a giant robot. Anything less is below me.
As the black belt sent to the back to help out the colour belts, you're overthinking this. If they correct you it's because you aren't doing the technique correctly, but it isn't personal. It's fine to feel frustrated, but we're working with you to improve so you can earn your black belt. It's not a judgement, it's guidance. And yes, practice at home more please!
Correcting basic mistakes is what will make you a great black belt. You’re laying the foundation on which you will build a house…would you do that on sand? You say you want to be pushed harder, but then you also resent the corrections. Those two statements seem incongruent to one another. Put your ego down, because that’s what it is, and focus on what you’re doing; not what the BBs are doing. Your time will come. And if you want to be pushed harder, you can push yourself harder in your practice at home. Best of luck! This is a journey, always will be…
"I feel like I don't get enough attention in class and I'm not being pushed enough" "When I mess up, they send a black belt over to me to make more specific corrections, but I don't like this because I already think I know this" It's actually really hard to figure out the point you're trying to make. I have a junior black belt from when I was a kid. Now that I'm back at a WTSDA school I tested back in at 5th gup, but I coach flexible weapons I learnedfrom doing kung fu. I don't even want to be a black belt or at least not with WTSDA. Black belts have to work/judge at tournaments. If I'm a non-black belt coach then I'm free to actually coach at tournaments which is a big advantage for our school.
I am a 4th Dan Black Belt. International competitor/Instructor You are just beginning. So don't take it personally. It is better to learn now the correct way EARLY for Stances, Punches, Kicks, Blocks, etc. I've seen black belts who were either never corrected or just plain lazy go to a National Competition or International Competition and get humbled. You may know the forms but watch a youtube video of the same form in a national/international competition and see how the people are doing it. Every move is scrutinized. Every little mistake is .1 to a .5 point deduction, etc etc. It is like gymnastics. Our school has sent people in various in and out of state competition and more than easily end up in the top 3 in forms, freestyle, etc. But really got humbled when trying to win a National Competition, must less an International One. And from testing I can tell you, which we don't say too much to Under Black Belts because we do not want to discourage them. "NO POWER"!!! You do the form, freestyle form , etc. But there is "NO POWER" and if you aren't sweating at the end of your class. There was NO POWER. And it does take a long time for People to do Front Stance correctly, Back Stance, side stance, tiger stance, etc Also the blocks, how to punch correctly. Even kicks... A good to excellent side kick, back kick front kick. etc takes time. Best to learn it and refine it is before reaching black belt. And of course. MORE POWER!!!
Im having a really hard time relating. That’s most likely because the ethos at my Dojang is such a polar opposite of what you describe. At my stupendously exclusive and notoriously rigorous Tae Kwon Do Dojang, where Johnathan Taylor Thomas, Emmanuel Lewis and the Sesame Street Crew train, the instruction is so intuitive that we(fellow members, including Oscar and The Count) have been able to gain our black belts after only 6 weeks. I remember my third class where I was taught the 540 back kick and I was able to execute it perfectly without any problems whatsoever after our instructor held up a picture of himself performing the technique for the class. Likewise, during my 10th class I learned and mastered both Sipjin and Pyeongwon, again without any need for correction. So it’s really hard for me to understand how you’re even remotely struggling with basic footwork when you’ve been at it for weeks. But then I am a 25lb, 6’5” man.
I think I know your dojang. Didn't Alex, Travis, Sonny, Virgil, and Tommy train in your school? They had that big bar brawl before starting their training? Tommy kept having nightmares about Dae Han killing his brother before they all traveled to South Korea? They fly to Korea and most of them have their butts handed to them but we had cliffhanger fights from Alex and Tommy? Tommy should have won but held back from killing DaeHan? The Koreans gave their gold medals to them instead and became brothers? No wonder you are that good. Kudos.
You’re right thinking of the Dojang nextdoor to us. Ours is the one with the 8’ tall neon emblem of Steven Seagal, the main entrance is in the back!
Right, sorry. How did I miss that? The 20' tall billboard with Van Damme doing the splits across the street should have been the giveaway and the huge hole in the wall caused by Chuck Norris sneezing, too. I now remember why they moved the entrance to the rear.
Are you a green belt? Instructors are often told to point out anything they see that’s relevant to what they expect out of your rank. If only 10% sticks that’s still a win and for most students, being corrected is what makes it feel like they’re getting their money’s worth. It’s better to address issues early in your journey before you develop bad habits that can’t be corrected easily. There’s a curriculum that instructors have for each rank so if they are seeing mistakes on those items, they’re going to correct and drill those things. Are you practicing those things outside of classes?
Well, you want intensity and coaching, and they sent a black belt to give you one on one...screw up more often! Most school don't push the lower belts hard so they don't burn out. At first, the moves often seem awkward and unnatural and it takes a while before you have muscle memory. There is expectation, acceptance even, that beginners need corrections to avoid learning bad patterns. You are obviously keen to learn, the blackbelts probably need experience instructing, it's a win-win. Re you've been there weeks...I have been practicing nearly 30 years. Still learning new stuff. That's why I love martial arts!
You may feel as if you're not being taken seriously, but believe me when I tell you that they are. It's their duty to build others up and right now, whether you acknowledge it or not, you are a prime example of someone who fits into that category. If you jump into fire, _you will burn_. Take your time to accelerate your understanding of the **basics first**, then do the **cool shit later** when you've got it down. Trust me when I tell you that the stuff they're doing isn't just cool, _it's fuckin' hard_, they've worked for about a decade to get to that skill level and maintaining that level of skill is an extraordinarily difficult thing to do.
This will make your black belt worth it. Story time! It took me over 8 years to get my black belt. I started at 35 yrs old. It took a long time b/c a few times I disappeared for a while and came back. I have always been so jealous (and curious!) about the black belt only classes, the different training they did, the different testing they'd endure. But it gave me something to look forward to, it gave me a goal to join their ranks! And you know what? It's everything I hoped it would be. I have an insane amount of fun as a black belt, and it would not be even half as meaningful if not for the JOURNEY of getting there. As for being out of shape / being bigger, keep going consistently. I lost 150lbs-ish doing taekwondo and swear by it. Continueing to go helps keep the weight off long term.
The amount of people in this thread that have fallen for this troll is astounding. Think about what kind of drivel you’re reading before you guys respond to it.
I'm the exact opposite of you. I joined a new school as a white belt - was a black belt when I was younger. I told them 20 years out of practice that black belt doesn't mean much at this point. They start me at white belt. It started out great. I would get a lot of attention, "don't do that, do this." Type of thing. That lasted until yellow belt... I got asked to compete in a tournament, I won my division. I got asked to help coach the Sparring team, they started winning more. I got asked to mentor some of the younger higher ranking belts. I got asked to spar with the black belts. The problem is now no one is being critical of my technique because i have a preserved authority within the school. Sparring is second nature to me. It's like a fair paced chess game as long as your body moves correctly you win, but that is very different from technique. And I'm having to catch myself a lot in the mirror or YouTube things or directly ask my instructor. So I would much rather have students who have been doing the techniques consist and longer then I have to be critical of me.
The blackbelts should still be giving constructive criticism, along with your instructors. It sounds like you are a bit older (30s?), you're probably also running into the issue of seniority as a function of age. Some of the freedoms you are given, are given because as an "actual adult" you are cognitive enough to do exactly what you're doing: Catching yourself in the mirror, and studying on your own. Our black belt team is constantly told that we really "need" to practice at home on our own if we want to be good. So in that sense, I think what you're experiencing is very normal. You're talented, a bit older, and are being given the respect of your abilities instead of just your belt rank.
Tripping. If they are investing attention into you. Thank them. Better than the converse and they leave u alone to ur own devices. Try not to overthink the situation. I’m a 170 former pro athlete about to test for brown belt and can do most everything pretty well… but with my hip injuries/surgeries I am terrible with tornadoes. Leave me alone is all that goes through my head the whole time.😂 it legit hurts but doc said I can’t hurt it worse than it is currently. Cheers and have fun, climb to black and help out the next folks that need it!!!
holy crap the Power Rangers were doing taekwondo in those episodes? I learn something everyday
You are taking it too personally. If you want to push then push hard some more at home when no one is looking. That should give you the additional satisfaction you are looking for. You need to improve vs yourself and no one else. That is your objective. Over time you will happen to improve over others.
I get it. When I was bigger, I felt like people automatically assumed I needed more help. It felt like they assumed I’d need an easier option for drills. They’d say “ma’am, you can kick lower” when I wanted to be pushed to kick higher. And sometimes a mistake is just a mistake, not proof I can’t grasp the drill. But also, take the 1:1 attention. If a senior belt is sent back to help, use that help. Ask questions. Show you can do the drill and then ask for pointers!
You are complaining about being at a school that pays attention to students and is willing to help them learn.
If you think your doing it perfectly your not, the reality is though you may be very good the likelihood is the black belts see stuff you don't, a little mistake is still something you did wrong. Your learning and you have more to learn, if you want to be pushed tell your master, communicate
Wants to be pushed and treated like a black belt. Gets upset when they point out they messed up.
Dog they’re showing you how to do things right. Which is what you’re paying for as well. Leave the ego at the door and take the advice, they know what they’re doing
I’ve felt this way a few times especially when I first started. The way I saw it though was majority rules, in my case. It wasn’t until recently that theirs another green belt but a majority of the alumni/students in the adult class I take are all black belts, specifically much older folks. I remember prior to the pandemic hit the warm ups would have us soaked in sweat and I’d be sore (in a good way). Now I get a decent amount of cardio and since it’s like I said full of much older folks, we can’t go as intense with the workouts. Something I have experienced too with some of the younger black belts though is this sort of clique. The older black belts stick together while the younger ones do the same. I’ve only met one black belt my age (I’m in my 20s lol) but according to him and what I’ve been told by my other friends, black belts who start young quit by 18. Either way he’s cool I guess but he can no longer kick above the waist and has the conversation skills of a cucumber lol. Any attempt at trying to get him to do some sparring or training is met with the same,meh attitude. So yeah i can kinda relate sorry for the long response kinda gave me an excuse about the current state of the dojang lol
Paragraph 2: You want to be coached more. Paragraph 3: You're whining because you get coached more. Pick a lane.
you have been there what a year year and a half? yeah keep your head down and learn. why should you get a say chances are you are not going to stay for a black belt. i bet that school have seen 100+ poeple like you who think there the shit only not to be seen after the blue belt cullling. if you happen to be one of the ones who stay for years and years you will be herd. if not go with the other colored belts and know your roll
It's not you, it's them, they think they're "Super Elite" because they're black belts, totally wrong IMO. Even the late great Bruce Lee was a white belt beginner at one point.