Alan, I am glad that you began your post with majority as with the use of that word you are at least accepting that some Grading systems must be at the very least okay.

I agree with you on so many things. Especially with regards to Muaythai as a Sport and the fact that the Ring is what matters to a Training Camp.

Training Camp = Sport = Ring Fighting.

However many people actually run Martial Art Schools, with the priorities of

1. Self-Defence,
2. Improved Self-Confidence,
3. Improved Fitness,

and then...

4. Competition.

If you are a member to a school with a good reputation, and a well developed structure then you maybe able to grade should you firstly chose to, and secondly are of the level required.

Lets be fair. There are many martial art techniques that will not work in the ring. However there are equally ring techniques that would not work in a self-defence situation.

It would not be advisable to use a 'Left-Inside Low Kick' when in a situation.
However against an opponent with poor conditioning to their legs this can be effective over 5x3 mins ( 15 Mins! ) to helping open up another possible finishing technique.

A Sport Muaythai Camp may spend very little time practising a Back-Kick aimed at someone that is stood behind them, as their opponent is going to be facing them.

A Martial Arts School, may practise this. It may also require this to be perfected before a Grading. Then only to a student that can perform this technique correctly ( shown by their Grade status ) will they then be shown a more difficult/advanced technique onwards from the Back-Kick.

It is only a loose example.

Any school that runs Gradings purely for financial gain, will get no where. Most people are not stupid and will only chose to take them if they see them

These benefits are building their skills and confidence and knowledge in gradualy stages. For example many people lack confidence Free-Sparring. So at my school

1. White Beginner = No Sparring
2. Yellow = No Sparring - First Exam and many students are very nervous
3. Orange = 1 Round of Sparring
4. Green = 3 x 1.5 ( 4.5 Mins ) N - Class
5. Blue = 3 x 2 ( 6 Mins ) c - Class
6. Purple = 5 x 1.5 ( 7.5 Mins )
7. Brown = 3 x 3 ( 9 mins ) - K-1
8. Advanced Brown = 5 x 2 ( 10 Mins ) - B Class
9. Black = 5 x 3 ( 15 Mins ) Full Rules - Elbows/Knees to the head - A Class

This many people ( not everyone ) would think makes sence, is progressive and will understand how this can benefit a student. Many people that pass the Black Grade admit that it was the hardest thing that they have ever achived and that they would never have believed that 2 years prior they would have been able to pass that test.

Gradings can also teach about other inportant things. I have written exams that have to be passed for each grade.

Diet and Nutrition
Sports Injuries and Remedies
Basic First Aid
Corner Skills
Referee Skills
Correct use of Weight Training Equipment
Correct Running Skills

etc....

There is much more too. If you are Sport orientated only, great hit a Muaythai Camp. But there are many Martial Art schools that also have successes in the ring too, while also teaching other aspects in a Martial Arts manner.

www.warrington-kickboxing.com - have a look at my latest news page, the details are up there of a recent Blackbelts grading and what he had to do to pass.

Finally, at W.K.S. the Blackbelt exam is FREE �£�£�£�£ so not many pennies made there I can assure you. That way only those students truely eligable take the exam.

Maybe Gradings do have a place....