1
5th kyu - Yellow belt (minimum 6 months regular training)
Physical presentation
A student must have a clear understanding of all techniques presented. Maximum
speed and power is not a prerequisite to graduation, although strong spirit and
concentration is mandatory. Full upper and lower body separation is acceptable at this
level only.
A karate-ka (participant) must be able to count to 10 in Japanese without verbal
hesitation. They must also demonstrate a basic understanding of dojo etiquette attitude
and formalities at all times.
Kihon (basics)
1. Strikes
basic standing punch (face, chest, stomach)
lunge punch
reverse punch
front snap kick
2. Blocks
low block
inside middle block
outside middle block
high block
3. Stances
front stance
horse stance
Students must be able to apply the above techniques and stances while stepping.
Kumite (sparring)
5-step pre-arranged sparring
Students must be able to initiate the basic “steps for preparation” before the exchange
of techniques can begin. These steps would include: facing each other at attention,
preparing proper distance, formal bowing, setting into stance and announcing intention.
Techniques must be delivered with good control. “Visual/physical awareness and good
posture” (zanshin) must be present at all times.
After the 5 attacks are completed, the defender must show strong counter punch
delivered on target with good control. Students must give a strong kiai (shout) when
requested by the instructor.
2
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kata for this level:
1. Taikyoku Shodan/Nidan and Heian Shodan
2. 27 movements and 8 step
At this level, students must demonstrate a complete understanding of all movements
within the kata. Maximum speed and power are not a concern at this time, but proper
timing must be followed.
Emphasis should be placed on good posture and good stances; strong execution of
technique; proper stepping, turning and foot placement; energetic kiai and zanshin.
3
4th kyu - Orange belt (minimum 6 months after 5th kyu)
Physical presentation
A karate-ka must have a clear understanding of all techniques presented. Maximum
speed is not required but power must be applied to all techniques. Hip rotation/vibration
must be applied. Strong effort, spirit and concentration must be shown at all times.
Upper/lower body separation is acceptable, but a reduction is recommended.
A karate-ka must also demonstrate a basic understanding of dojo etiquette, attitude and
formalities at all times.
Kihon (basics)
1. Strikes
kizami tsuki (jab)
nukite (spear hand)
Mae geri kekomi, yoko geri kekomi (front and side thrust kick)separate
yoko geri keage (side snap kick)
2. Blocks
shuto (sword hand)
3. Stances
kokutsu dachi (back stance)
Students must be able to apply the above techniques and stances to basics moving or
stepping combinations. Foot and hand positioning must be correct to illustrate readiness
for making contact with intended target. For example, front kick -- toes pulled back, foot
in line with shine bone.
Kumite (sparring)
3 step pre-arranged sparring (sanbon kumite)
Students must be able to perform all requirements for initiating and completing sanbon
kumite
Techniques must be delivered on target with good control. “Visual and physical
awareness and good posture” (zanshin) must be present at all times. Distance from
target is not a main concern at this time.
After the 3 attacks are completed, the defender must be able to counter using tai sabaki
(10 step), while showing a strong counter punch delivered on target and with good
control.
4
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kata for this level:
1. Heian Nidan
2. 27 Movements
At this level, students must demonstrate a complete understanding of all movements
within the kata. Speed and power is not demanded at this time, but proper timing must
be followed. Emphasis should be placed on good posture and good stances; strong
execution of technique; proper stepping, turning and foot placement; energetic kiai and
zanshin.
5
3rd kyu -Green belt (minimum 8 months fron 4th kyu)
Physical presentation
A karate-ka must have a clear understanding of all techniques presented. A
combination of speed and power is needed and strong spirit and concentration is
mandatory. Hip rotation should be evident in all techniques. A reduction of upper and
lower body separation must be seen, but it does not yet need to be eliminated
completely.
A karate-ka must also demonstrate a good understanding of dojo etiquette, attitude and
formalities at all times.
Kihon (basics)
1. Strikes
empi (elbow strike)
tettsui (hammer fist)
uraken (back fist)
mawashi geri (round house kick)
kage-zuki (hook punch)
Students must be able to apply the above techniques and stances to basic moving or
stepping combinations. Foot and hand techniques must be aimed at a specific target to
illustrate a karate-ka’s ability to control hand/eye co-ordination.
Kumite (sparring)
3 step pre-arranged sparring (sanbon kumite)
Students must be able to perform all requirements for initiating and completing sanbon
kumite. An understanding of the theories of go-no-sen (attack-block-counter) must be
seen at this level.
Techniques must be delivered on target with good control. Visual and physical
awareness and good posture (zanshin) must be present at all times. Distance from
target should be no more than 3 inches.
After the 3 attacks are completed, the defender must be able to counter using tai sabaki
(10 step) while showing strong counters using kicks, punches and strikes delivered on
target and with good control.
6
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kata for this level:
1. Heian Sandan
2. 1 to 3 other kata of the instructor’s choice
At this level, students must demonstrate a complete understanding of all movements
within the kata. Speed and power should be offered, and proper timing must be
followed. Emphasis should be placed on good posture and good stances; strong
execution of technique; proper stepping, turning and foot placement; energetic kiai and
zanshin.
7
2nd kyu -- Purple belt (minimum 12 months from 3rd
kyu)
Physical presentation
A karate-ka must have a clear understanding of all techniques presented. Maximum
speed and power must be applied and strong spirit and concentration is mandatory.
Upper and lower body separation should be eliminated and the use of basic kime
(focus) principles must be attempted. A karate-ka must also demonstrate a good
understanding of dojo etiquette, attitude and formalities at all times.
Kihon (basics)
1. Strikes
haito (inside ridge hand)
teisho (palm heel strike)
kizami geri (front kick from front leg)
ushiro geri (back kick)
2. Blocks
uchi gedan barai (inside low block)
3. Stances
sanchin dachi
Students must be able to apply the above techniques and stances to shifting and
stepping combinations. Foot and hand techniques must be aimed at a specific target to
illustrate a karate-ka’s ability to control hand/eye co-ordination.
Kumite (sparring)
1 step pre-arranged sparring (ippon kumite)
Students must be able to perform all requirements for initiating and completing ippon
kumite. The theories of sen-no-sen (simultaneous attack and counter) should be
practiced but proficiency is not mandatory at this time.
Techniques must be delivered on target with good control. Visual and physical
awareness and good posture (zanshin) must be present at all times. Distance from
target should be no more than 1 inch.
After the attack is completed, the defender must be able to counter using tai sabaki
while showing strong counters using kicks, punches and strikes delivered on target and
with good control
8
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kate for this level:
1. Heian Yodan
2. 1 to 4 other kata of the instructor’s choice
At this level, students must demonstrate a complete understanding of all movements
within the kata. Maximum speed and power should be attempted at all times and proper
timing must be followed.
Emphasis should be placed on: good posture and balance; strong execution of
technique; proper stepping, turning and foot placement; energetic kiai; zanshin and
kime.
9
1st kyu Brown belt (minimum 30 months from 2nd kyu)
Physical presentation
A clear understanding of all techniques presented. Maximum speed and power is a prerequisite to graduation, along with strong spirit and concentration. Upper and lower body
separation is no longer acceptable and complete kime (focus) must be seen. Dojo
etiquette must be strictly followed and the sampai-kohai system must be fully
understood and implemented at all times. A student should have a strong basic
understanding of Japanese terminology.
Kihon (basics)
1. Strikes
ura-mawashi geri (back hook kick) - basic understanding only
ashi barai (foot sweep)
2. Blocks
a basic understanding of “guiding blocks” for redirecting attacks as opposed to
stopping them
3. Stances
neko hachi dachi (cat stance)
Students must be able to apply the above techniques and stances to advanced shifting
and stepping combinations. Students must be able to show their ability to pick an exact
target with any strike with full speed and power. Foot and hand techniques are aimed at
a specific target to illustrate a karate-ka’s ability to control hand and eye co-ordination.
Kumite (sparring)
1 step pre-arranged sparring (ippon kumite)
Students must be able to perform all requirements for initiating and completing ippon
kumite. At this level students must be able to complete an entire ippon kumite routine
without the assistance of the instructor to call out preparation or attack. The theories of
sen-no-sen should be understood and the theories of sen (counter before attacker
strikes) should begin exploration.
Techniques must be delivered on target, with good control. Visual and physical
awareness and good posture (zanshin) must be present at all times. Proper kime
(focus) must be present on all techniques. No pulling back of punches or strikes unless
10
asked for by the instructor. Proper distance from target should be “touch karate gi” or
“skin touch”. Under no conditions should impact or contact by made with your partner.
After the attack in completed, the defender must be able to counter using tai sabaki
while showing strong counters using kicks, punches and strikes delivered on target and
with good control. The defender could be asked by the instructor to counter using a
combination of techniques.
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kata for this level:
1. Heian Godan
2. 1 to 5 other kata of the instructor’s choice
At this level, students must demonstrate a complete understanding of all movements
within the kata. Maximum speed and power are essential with proper timing. The
student must know the bunkai (breakdown) for all the major movements or
combinations in the kata and be able to offer an explanation or demonstration if
requested.
11
1st. DAN GRADING REQUIREMENTS
Physical presentation
A student must have a clear understanding of all kihon, kata, and kumite concepts presented
throughout all 6 kyu-belt grading requirements. The ability to apply total concentration in the
areas of basic technique (waza), zanshin, kime, spirit, and timing is mandatory. A karate-ka
should have a good working knowledge of Japanese language in reference to karate technique
and concepts. He/she must also demonstrate a strong understanding of dojo etiquette, attitude,
and formalities to others through confidence and personal understanding. Techniques, emotions,
and “ego” must also be under constant control, illustrating the “modern budo” essence of self
preservation and cooperation over aggression.
Shodan Requirements
A minimum of 30 months of regular training at 1st kyu is required to test for shodan. Minimum
age of 16 years old.
Kihon
A student must be able to demonstrate through application, the mechanics and the “order of
operation” for each technique presented at all levels of intensity. He/she must show a basic
understanding of the kinetic principles involved in setting karate techniques into motion, for
example:
 Hip / lock principle
 Tight / release principle
 Extension principle
Karate-ka must be able to illustrate basic combination techniques with a partner using proper
timing, distance, kime, and zanshin. “Go-no-sen” and “sen-no-sen” would be explored at this
stage.
Kumite
A thorough understanding of ippon kumite (including formalities) must be demonstrated with
confidence. Tai sabaki should be explored, and all techniques must be delivered to a viable
target.
Kata
A strong understanding of timing and application must be visible throughout the kata
performance. Balance, posture, use of embusem, and speed of kata must play a large part in
presenting the student’s interpretation of the kata to others. Required kata:
1. Bassai dai
2. Tekki shodan
3. 1-5 kyu level kata