A belt that comes undone mid-roll or mid-kata is one of the first little frustrations every new student hits. Good news: once you've done it a few times, tying it right takes about ten seconds. Here's the way we teach it at Patriot.
Step by step
- Find the center of the belt and hold it flat against your stomach, just below your belly button.
- Wrap both ends around your waist, cross them behind your back, and bring them back to the front.
- Even up the two ends so they hang the same length down the front.
- Cross the left end over the right, then tuck it up underneath BOTH layers of belt and pull it snug.
- Take the end that is now on top, cross it over the other to form a loop, and thread it through the loop.
- Pull both ends firmly out to the sides. The knot should tighten into a flat, horizontal knot.
Tips that make it stick
- Keep the ends even. Uneven ends are the number one sign the belt is about to come loose.
- Snug, not strangling. Firm enough to survive a hard round.
- A correct knot sits horizontal. If it twists vertical, you missed a layer in step 4.
- Retie it the second it loosens. It's good gym etiquette and it keeps your head in class.
Don't sweat it if it takes a few tries. Every black belt in the building tied a crooked belt on day one. Grab any coach before class and we'll walk you through it.