GRADING SYLLABUS


The grading syllabus is a guide to your ability. Some students will take all the information in with very little problem. For others it can seem like a maze or a minefield. Look at each part carefully and............." TAKE YOUR TIME".

There is no need to rush you have all of your life to learn. As an example it took me eight years to gain my first black belt. I trained 2, 3 times a week minimum I practiced at home as well. It was another 4 years before Nidan and twelve more years to Sandan and a further seven years to Yondan. The point is, it doesn't matter, you will get out of it only what you put in.

Remember there is no rush everyone learns at a different rate. The techniques in this grading syllabus are not the end. You will learn many other techniques but the following will give you a good grounding in your karate training. I would advise that first time viewers read through the syllabus to the end. You will see that many techniques are duplicated through the various grades. As indicated in the Kata's and Technique's pages the principal ten basic technique's the Kihon Kumite's and the Kata's are of prime importance in our grading syllabus. They form the basis of our Karate.

One more point which is very important to our particular association, style, school whatever you wish to call it is the fact that we do allow for diversity.

You wont see every one doing things "exactly" the same. Every one is built differently and I have thought long and hard about this and have come to the conclusion that it is not practical for everyone to try and do the same thing. As long as the basic movement is in keeping with the underlying principals of our Karate training then I for one am happy. My principal instructor took this view and its one I am quite happy to carry on with.

This does not mean of course that you can do things any old way. Kata will be performed as correctly as possible. I have seen so, so many people try and make their techniques work only to find that they suddenly have to adapt. My contention is that if you have that built in adaptation already in place i.e. you are happy with your own bodies ability to do the technique you will then have more chance of making it work. Please read through to the end. The last section is important to everyone.

I'm sure I will look at this later and wonder what the heck I'm on about but I hope that you the student will get the general drift of my comments.

Remember the secret is to practice, practice, practice.

This list is long so please be patient, you can always highlight the section you want and print it.

10TH KYU Juniors only Red & White Belt

  • From A Natural Standing Position
  • Bow
  • Front punch - Jab (Fists held up in front of the face)
  • Upper Block - Open Hand (Shield your eyes from the sun)
  • Side Block - Open Hand (Wave to a Friend)
  • Down Block - Open Hand (Brush dust from your sleeve)
  • Knee Strike (Knee Strikes Hand)
  • Front Leg Kick (Weight on the back leg)
  • Front Stance (Forward leaning stance)
  • Horse riding Stance (Weight evenly spread)
  • Cat Leg Stance (Weight mainly on the back leg)
  • Juniors should be introduced to the clock Kata's & Go Saru
  • (5 Cheeky Monkeys)(See Kata description)

9TH KYU RED BELT

  • Kihon, Tsuki, & Keri (Basic Techniques)
  • All Students must show that they can correctly tie their Belt (Obi)
  • Previous grade plus:
  • Sonabazuki Punch From Uchi Hachiji Stance.
  • Jodan Uke
  • Soto Uke
  • Gedan Barai
  • Uchi Uke

    (These techniques, are also to be performed in front stance, stepping forward and turning. (Mawatte)
     
  • Maegeri
  • Tobikomizuki Tobigyakazuki
  • Renrakuwaza (Combination Techniques)
  • Maegeri Tobikomizuki
  • Maegeri Tobigyakazuki
  • Uke (Blocks)
  • Uke Waza
  • From standing position step in to Hidari zen kutsu dachi (left forward stance) with Jodan Uke (upper level block), step forward with Soto Uke (middle level block outer), step forward with Uchi uke (middle level block inner), step forward with lower level block (Gedan Barai) Turn (Mawatte) with Gedan Barai (lower level block) in Hidari gamae (left stance). Repeat the sequence on the opposite side Mawatte (turn) Gedan Barai then return to your original position.

     
  • KATA: KYU-MON (9 step)
     
8th Kyu Yellow belt

Kihon, Tsuki, & Keri (Basic Techniques)

  1. Junzuki, turn in Jodan Uke -- Straight punch, head block Left & Right.
  2. Gyakazuki turn in Gedan Barai -- Opposite punch, rear block Left & Right
  3. Maegeri -- Front Kick
  4. Sokuto- Fumikomi -- Knee kick (edge of foot)
  5. Surikomi-Maegeri -- One step front kick

Renrakuwaza (Combination Techniques)

  1. Chudan -- Maegeri -- Tobikomizuki -- Front kick, snap punch
  2. Chudan -- Surikomi -- Maegeri - Tobikomizuki -- One step front kick & snap punch
  3. Chudan -- Maegeri -- Gyakazuki -- Front kick opposite punch
  4. Chudan -- Surikomi -- Maegeri -- Gyakazuki -- One step front kick & opposite punch


Uke (Blocks)

  1. Chudan-Soto Uke-Gyakazuki -- (Middle) outer block opposite, punch.
  2. Chudan-Uchi Uke-Gyakazuki -- (Middle) inner block, opposite punch.


Uke Tsuki Waza.

The same as Uke Waza but, with the inclusion of Gyakazuki (reverse punch) after each block.
 

  • KATA (FORM)
  • KIHON KATA (Taikyokyu Shodan)
  • SENIOR GRADE ONLY

Techniques that are supplementary to this grade.

  • Shuto Uchi
  • Uraken
  • Shuto Uke
  • Mawashigeri (Gedan)
  • Sokutogeri (Show foot shape)
  • Kingeri
  • Nukite
  • Uke tsuki Waza (Blocking and punching form)

7TH KYU ORANGE BELT

Kihon, Tsuki, & Keri (Basic Techniques)

  1. Junzuki no Tsukkomi
  2. Gyakazuki no Tsukkomi
  3. Mawashigeri


Renrakuwaza (Combination Techniques)

  1. Maegeri -- Mawashigeri -- Gyakazuki
  2. Surikomi -- Maegeri -- Mawashigeri -- Gyakazuki

  • Uke (Blocks)

Sanbon Gumite

  1. Chudan Soto Uke-Maegeri -- Gyakazuki
  2. Chudan Uchi Uke -- Empi (Yoko Empi)
  3. Chudan Maegeri -- Uke Ipponme -- Gyakazuki
  4. Chudan Maegeri -- Uke Nihonme -- Gyakazuki

Kata (Form)

PINAN NIDAN

SENIOR GRADE ONLY

Techniques that are supplementary to this grade
 
  • Mawashizuki
  • Juji Uke
  • Jo Ge Uke
  • Ushirogeri
  • Hiza


6th Kyu GREEN BELT


Kihon Tsuki (Basic Techniques)

  1. Kette -- Junzuki
  2. Kette -- Gyakazuki
  3. Tobikomizuki
  4. Surikomi -- Mawashigeri -- Chudan
  5. Surikomi -- Sokuto -- Chudan

 

Renrakuwaza (COMBINATION TECHNIQUES)

  1. Maegeri -- Sokuto Fumikomi -- Gyakazuki Chudan
  2. Surikomi Maegeri -- Sokuto Chudan -- Gyakazuki Chudan

SANBON GUMITE

UKE (BLOCKS)

  1. Jodan Uke Ipponme, Nihonme
  2. Chudan Soto Uke, Ipponme
  3. Chudan Maegeri Ipponme

KATA (FORM)

  1. PINAN SHODAN
  2. PINAN SANDAN *

(*indicates a knowledge of the Kata)

KIHON KUMITE

Ipponme

JI YU KUMITE (FREE FIGHTING)

SENIOR GRADE ONLY

Techniques that are supplementary to this grade
 

  • Hiraken
  • Nagashizuki, gyakazuki
  • Uke
  • Uchi Uke, Soto Uke, Gyakazuki
  • Empi - Hiji (All levels)

    OHYO GUMITE (SEMI - FREE FIGHTING)

    Ipponme

5TH KYU BLUE BELT
 

KIHON TSUKI (BASIC TECHNIQUES)
 

  1. Kette Junzuki
  2. Kette Gyakazuki
  3. Kette Junzuki No Tsukkomi
  4. Kette Gyakazuki No Tsukkomi
  5. Nagashizuki
  6. Ushirogeri Hiza
  7. Sokuto Chudan
  8. Nidan Geri Jodan


RENRAKU WAZA (COMBINATION TECHNIQUES)
  1. Mawashigeri Chudan -- Ushirogeri Hiza -- Gyakazuki Chudan
  2. Surikomi Sokuti Fumikomi -- Ushirogeri Hiza -- Uraken Jodan


SANBON GUMITE

UKE (BLOCKS)

1. Jodan Uke Ipponme, Nihonme.

2. Chudan Soto Uke and Uchi Uke Ipponme, Nihonme.

3. Chudan Maegeri Uke Ipponme, Nihonme.

KATA (FORM)

1.

2. PINAN YONDAN*

KIHON KUMITE

Ipponme, Nihonme.

JI YU KUMITE (FREE FIGHTING)

SENIOR GRADE ONLY

Techniques that are supplementary to this grade
  • Teisho
  • Tettsui
  • Tobiger
  • Kake Uke
  • Gyaku (Ushiro Mawashigeri)

OHYO GUMITE (SEMI - FREE FIGHTING)

Nihonme


4TH KYU PURPLE BELT

KIHON TSUKI (BASIC TECHNIQUES)

  1. Kette junzuki
  2. Kette Gyakazuki
  3. Kette Junzuki No Tsukkomi
  4. Kette Gyakazuki No Tsukkomi
  5. Nagashizuki
  6. Mawashigeri Chudan
  7. Ushirogeri Chudan
  8. Sokuto Chudan


RENRAKU WAZA (COMBINATION TECHNIQUES)

  1. Maegeri Chudan -- Nagashizuki Jodan -- Gyakazuki Chudan
  2. Surikomi Maegeri Chudan -- Nagashizuki Jodan -- Mawashigeri Chudan
  3. Maegeri Chudan -- Sokuto Fumikomi -- Ushirogeri Hiza -- Gyakazuki Chudan


SANBON GUMITE

UKE (BLOCKS)

  1. Jodan Uke Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme.
  2. Chudan Soto Uke and Uchi Uke Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme.
  3. Chudan Maegeri Uke, Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme.


KATA (FORM)

1. PINAN YONDAN, PINAN GODAN*

KIHON KUMITE

Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme.

JI YU KUMITE (FREE FIGHTING)SENIOR GRADE ONLY

Techniques that are supplementary to this grade

  • Kage Zuki
  • Yama Zuki
  • Nagashi uke
  • Te Osae Uke
  • Mikazuki Geri (Soto - Ura)
  • Basic First Aid

OHYO GUMITE (SEMI - FREE FIGHTING)



Sanbonme


3RD KYU BROWN BELT

KIHON TSUKI (BASIC TECHNIQUES)

  1. Kette Junzuki
  2. Kette Gyakazuki
  3. Kette Junzuki NoTsukkomi
  4. Kette Gyakazuki No Tsukkomi
  5. Nagashizuki
  6. Surikomi Mawashigeri Jodan
  7. Surikomi Sokuto Jodan
  8. Ushirogeri Chudan
  9. Nidan Geri Jodan


RENRAKU WAZA (COMBINATION TECHNIQUES)

  1. Surikomi Maegeri Chudan -- Nagashizuki Jodan -- Mawashigeri Jodan
  2. Maegeri Chudan -- Sokuto Chudan -- Ushirogeri Chudan -- Gyakazuki Chudan
  3. Zenshinshite Jodan -- Chudan Renzuki -- Surikomi Maegeri Chudan -- Mawashigeri Chudan -- Gyakazuki Chudan


SANBON GUMITE

UKE (BLOCKS)

  1. Jodan Uke, Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme.
  2. Chudan Soto Uke Uchi Uke Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme.
  3. Chudan Maegeri Uke, Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme.

    KATA (FORM)

    1. KU SHANKU

    2. NAIHANCHI *

    KIHON GUMITE

    Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme, Roponme.

    JI YU KUMITE (FREE FIGHTING)

    SENIOR GRADES ONLY

    Techniques that are supplementary to the 3rd Kyu grade
  • Age Zuki
  • Awase Zuki
  • Kake Uke
  • Teisho Jodan - Teisho Chudan
  • Haito
  • Osotogari
  • Ippon / Nihon Zuki
  • Ude Uke
  • Ashi Barai
  • Fumikomi
  • Tobikomizuki, ashi Barai, Gyakazuki


Arm Locks & Escapes

Breaking Techniques

OHYO GUMITE (SEMI - FREE FIGHTING)

Ipponme, Nihonme Yonhonme

Students must have an ability to teach from this grade

 


2ND KYU BROWN BELT

KIHON TSUKI (BASIC TECHNIQUES)

  1. Kette Junzuki
  2. Kette Gyakazuki
  3. Kette Junzuki No Tsukkomi
  4. Kette Gyakazuki No Tsukkomi
  5. Nagashizuki
  6. Surikomi Mawashigeri Jodan
  7. Surikomi Sokuto Jodan
  8. Ushirogeri Chudan
  9. Nidan Geri Jodan


RENRAKU WAZA (COMBINATION TECHNIQUES)

  1. Surikomi Maegeri chudan -- Nagashizuki Jodan -- Mawashigeri Jodan
  2. Maegeri Chudan -- Sokuto Chudan -- Ushirogeri Chudan --Gyakazuki Chudan
  3. Zenshinshite Jodan -- Chudan Renzuki -- Surikomi Maegeri Chudan -- Mawashigeri Chudan -- Gyakazuki Chudan


SANBON GUMITE

UKE (BLOCKS)

  1. Jodan Uke, Ipponme Yonhonme Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme,
  2. Chudan Soto Uke and Uchi uke Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme,
  3. Chudan Maegeri Uke Nihonme, Yonhonme, Ropponme Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme,


KATA (FORM)

1.

2.

KIHON GUMITE

Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme, Roponme, Shihonme. Hachihonme.

JI YU KUMITE (FREE FIGHTING)

SENIOR GRADES ONLY

Techniques that are supplementary to the 2nd Kyu grade

  • Ippon Kenzuki
  • Nakadaka Ippon Ken Zuki
  • Mawashi Uke
  • Kakato - Ensho Geri


OHYO GUMITE (SEMI - FREE FIGHTING)

Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme
 

 

1ST KYU BROWN BELT

KIHON TSUKI (BASIC TECHNIQUES)

  1. Kette Junzuki
  2. Kette Gyakazuki
  3. Kette Junzuki No Tsukkomi
  4. Kette Gyakazuki No Tsukkomi
  5. Nagashizuk
  6. Surikomi Mawashigeri Jodan
  7. Mawashigeri Jodan
  8. Ushirogeri Chudan
  9. Surikomi Sokuto Jodan

RENRAKU WAZA (COMBINATION TECHNIQUES)

  1. Zenshinshite Jodan -- Renzuki Chudan -- Maegeri Chudan --Mawashigeri Chudan --Ushirogeri Chudan -- Gyakazuki Chudan
  2. Surikomi Jodan -- Renzuki Chudan -- Surikomi Maegeri chudan -- Mawashigeri Chudan -- Ushirogeri Chudan -- Uraken Jodan
  3. Zenshinshite Jodan -- Renzuki Chudan -- Maegeri Chudan --Nagashizuki Jodan -- Gyakazuki Chudan -- Mawashigeri Chudan


SANBON GUMITE

UKE (BLOCKS)

  • Jodan Uke, Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme, Roponme
  • Chudan Uke Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme, Roponme
  • Chudan Maegeri Uke, Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme, Roponme

    KATA (FORM)

    1.

    2.

    KIHON GUMITE

    Ipponme, Nihonme, Sanbonme, Yonhonme, Gohonme, Roponme, Shihonme. Hachihonme, Kyuhonme, Juhonme

    JI YU KUMITE (FREE FIGHTING)SENIOR GRADES ONLY

    Techniques that are supplementary to the 1st Kyu grade
  • Kakuto Uke
  • Kaki Wake Uke
  • Tate Zuki


OHYO GUMITE (SEMI - FREE FIGHTING)

Gohonme, Ropponme, Nanahonme, Hachihonme
 



SHODAN

To test for Shodan you must demonstrate the full grading syllabus. A pass mark of 82% is required. This will usually be done over a period of a few weeks as it is impossible to cover the whole syllabus in one night. This may seem a little daunting at first but if you study the syllabus closely you will see that many of the moves are replicated through the different grades.

The reason for this approach is that as a Dan grade you would be expected to know all the syllabus anyway. If you don't know it how can you teach it?

KATA:

  • BASSAI
  • NIDAN


For Nidan you will require these extra Kata

KATA:

  • NISEISHI,
  • WANSHU,
  • ROHAI

Prospective candidates for Nidan must have a proven record of teaching and be able to teach consistently up to the 2nd Kyu grade. They must have at least 3/4 years experience as a Shodan with a consistent record of both teaching, training & attendance. They should be able to interpret and show the basic techniques and the basic bunkai of the Katas.

SANDAN

Prospective candidates for Sandan must have a full knowledge of the grading syllabus and be able to interpret the Katas. They must also show an ability to create their own Bunkai from any Kata of their choice They must have at least 4/5 years experience as a Nidan with a consistent record of both teaching, training & attendance.

A candidates for Sandan must be proposed by the technical panel of the U K Bushido Karate Kai & have the approval of the Chief Instructor. All Dan grades must be approved and ratified by the President U K Bushido Karate Kai

KATA:

  • JITTE,
  • JION,
  • JIIN
  • YONDAN
  • USEISHI
  • SUPERINPEI
  • TENSHO


All prospective Dan grades must have shown an ability to teach and to lead by good example.

They must at all times seek to promote safe practice and a harmonious and friendly atmosphere both within the Dojo and outside.

A Dan grade should not have to be asked to assist the club, they should do so automatically and willingly.

They should always help their fellow students to progress in any way they can remembering that they where once kyu grades.

They should constantly practice and refine their own technique and ensure that what they pass on to their fellow students is of the highest order both in training and advice.

A Dan grade should never stop training, evolving and exploring their technique and should always seek out advice from senior Instructors.

Any person attaining a Dan Grade should never lose sight of the fact that they where once beginners. Conceit and arrogance of any kind is a luxury that, no Karate student can afford to have. There is no place for inflated egos or conceit within Karate.

On a final note please remember that Dan Grade or Black Belt is not a code for the word "God". When you reach black belt level you are still just a human being.

A wise person never seeks praise for their abilities. Any fool can tell you what you would like to hear.