Belt Levels
and Testing Requirements
One of the first things you will probably notice when looking in on karate class is that there are several different coloured belts adorning the white uniforms. The colour of each belt corresponds to the level of experience and ability of the individual wearing it. Everyone begins wearing a white belt. From white they progress through the respective levels of yellow, orange, green, purple, brown and black. We use the Japanese term kyu to refer to the coloured belts and dan to refer to black belts.
Examinations are held four times per year. They are always scheduled to fall on a weekend. The chief examiner is Master Yaguchi who flies in from Denver, Colorado especially for the grading.
We have the opportunity to train with Master Yaguchi in special seminars held just prior to gradings. Everyone is encouraged to participate in these extra classes.
Requirements for KYU Level Testing
Rank/Belt Colour | Basics | Kumite | Kata |
---|---|---|---|
other text here | |||
10-9 Kyu White |
Lunge punch, rising block, forearm block, downward block, knife hand block, front kick, front stance, back stance |
3 attack sparring | Heian Shodan |
8 Kyu Yellow |
Same As Above | Same As Above | Heian Nidan |
7 Kyu Orange |
Same As Above | Same As Above | Heian Sandan |
6 Kyu Green |
Add To Above blocking and counter punch, side thrust kick, side snap kick, straddle stance |
1 attack sparring showing shifting |
Heian Yondan |
5 Kyu 1st Purple |
Add To Above triple punch, counter punches with all blocks, front kicks in succession |
Same As Above | Heian Godan |
4 Kyu 2nd Purple |
Same As Above | Same As Above | Tekki Shodan |
3 Kyu 1st Brown |
Add to above roundhouse kicks |
Same As Above | Bassai-Dai |
3 Kyu 2nd Brown |
Add to above roundhouse kicks with counterpunch |
1 attack sparring using kicks and punches as counters |
Bassai-Dai |
3 Kyu 3rd Brown |
Add to above side and roundhouse kicks in succession |
Same As Above | Bassai-Dai |
Requirements for KYU Level Testing
A | B | C | D |
---|---|---|---|
Tekki Nidan | Tekki Sandan | Bassai-Sho | Gojushiho-Sho |
Bassai-Dai | Jion | Kanku-Sho | Gojushiho- Dai |
Kanku –Dai | Gankaku | Sochin | Unsu |
Hangetsu | Jutte | Chinte | |
Empi | Nujishiho |
Requirements for the Dan Level (Black Belt) Testing
Rank | Basics | Kumite | Kata | |
---|---|---|---|---|
other text here | ||||
Shodan 1st Dan |
Various combinations of blocks, punches, kicks and stances as required by examiner | Free style sparring | Examinee’s choice plus one of Shitei group selected by examiner | |
Nidan 2nd Dan |
More complex combinations as above but fewer in number | Same As Above | Examinees choice -One from A or B above - plus one from A selected by examiner | |
Sandan 3rd Dan |
Same As Above Plus Ability to instruct | Free style sparring or Self-defense | Examinees choice -one from A, B or C above - plus one from A or B selected by examiner | |
Yondan 4th Dan |
Same As Above Plus Demonstration of special research into fighting | Same As Above | Same As Above | |
Godan 5th Dan |
Same As Above Plus Demonstration of further special research into fighting | Same As Above | Heian Godan | |
Rukudan 6th Dan |
Instructor level certification and very long time training Plus Recommendation of ISKF Chief Instructor or Shihan-kai | |||
Shichidan 7th Dan |
Same As Above | |||
Hachidan 8th Dan |
Same As Above | |||
Kudan 9th Dan |
Same As Above | |||
Judan 10th Dan |
Same As Above |