Belt mandates
This information can be used as a guide to help you prepare for your advancement to the next level of study. Information listed in each grading level focuses on the most current techniques necessary for advancement but remember, it’s cummulative. You must be able to demonstrate all kihon, kata and kumite learned at past levels.
5th kyu - Yellow belt
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)
- Strikes
basic standing punch
lunge punch
reverse punch
front kick
- Blocks
low block
inside middle block
outside middle block
high block
- Stances
front stance
horse stance
Students must be able to apply the above techniques and stances to simple moving or stepping combinations.
Kumite (sparring)
3 or 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 attention.
Techniques must be delivered with good control. “Visual/physical awareness and good posture” (zanshin) must be present at all times.
After the 3 to 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.
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kata for this level:
- Taikyoku shodan
- 27 movements
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.
Note: All shotokan kata should start and finish in exactly the same spot if all stances, stepping and turning are executed properly.
4th kyu -- Orange belt
Physical presentation
A karate-ka must have a clear understanding of all technques presented. Maximum speed is not required but power must be applied to all techniques. Hip rotation 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)
- Strikes
kizami tsuki (jab)
nukite (spear hand)
yoko geri kekomi (side thrust kick)
yoko geri keage (side snap kick)
- Blocks
shuto (sword hand)
- Stances
kokutsu dachi (back stance)
Students must be able to apply the above techniques and stances to basisc 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 (see 5th kyu requirements).
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 (side evasion), while showing a strong counter punch delivered on target and with good control.
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kata for this level:
- Heian Shodan
- Heian Nidan
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.
Note: All shotokan kata should start and finish in exactly the same spot if all stances, stepping and turning are executed properly.
3rd kyu -- Green belt
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)
- Strikes
mawashi tsuki (hook punch)
empi (elbow strike)
tettsui (hammer fist)
uraken (back fist)
mawashi geri (round house kick)
kagi-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 (see 5th kyu requirements). A strong 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 while showing strong counters using kicks, punches and strikes delivered on target and with good control.
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kata for this level:
- Heian Sandan
- 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.
Note: All shotokan kata should start and finish in exactly the same spot if all stances, stepping and turning are executed properly.
2nd kyu -- Blue belt
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)
- Strikes
haito (inside ridge hand)
teisho (palm heel strike)
kizami geri (front kick from front leg)
ushiro geri (back kick)
- Blocks
uchi gedan barai (inside low block)
- Stances
sanchin dachi (hour glass stance)
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 (see 5th kyu requirements under sanbon 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
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Required kate for this level:
- Heian Yodan
- 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.
Note: All shotokan kata should start and finish in exactly the same spot if all stances, stepping and turning are executed properly.
1st kyu -- Brown belt
Physical presentation
A clear understanding of all techniques presented. Maximum speed and power is a pre-requisite 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)
- Strikes
ura-mawashi geri (back hook kick) - basic understanding only
ashi barai (foot sweep)
- Blocks
a basic understanding of “guiding blocks” for redirecting attacks as opposed to stopping them
- 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 (see 5 kyu requirements). 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 asked for by the instructor. Proper distance from target should be “touch karate gui” 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:
- Heian Godan
- 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.
Shodan - 1st degree black belt
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. They 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 (pre-arranged forms)
A strong understanding of timing and application must be visible throughout the kata’s performance. Balance, posture, use of embusin and speed of kata must play a large part in presenting the student’s interpretation of the kata to others.
Required kata for this level:
- Bassai dai
- Tekki shodan
- 1-5 kyu level kata
Nidan - 2nd degree black belt
Kihon
A student must be able to demonstrate complete confidence and control while performing all “kihon waza”. Kinetic principles must be prevalent throughout all applications. Combinations must be performed confidently and intensely at all times. Proper timing, distance and composure are essential for all techniques demonstrated with a partner.
Kumite
A thorough understanding of “ippon kumite” utilizing tai sabaki must be demonstrated with confidence. Take down techniques should be explored with complete control of the partner through all stages of technique.
Jyu ippon kumite will be demonstrated (with proper formalities) allowing the sutdent to explore the theories of go-no-sen, sen-no-sen, and sen. Composure, tactics, technique and control will be the main areas of concentration at this level.
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Timing and presentation should be focused on at this level during the kata performance. Kinetic principles must be shown at all applicable stages. A demonstration of basic bunkai using a portion of the kata is expected. Which part of the kata used for bunkai will be determined during the grading by the evaluation committee.
Required kata for this level:
- Kanku dai
- Tekki nidan
- 1-5 kyu level kata
Sandan - 3rd degree black belt
Kihon
At this level less emphasis is placed on individual technique. Concentration will be in the area of combination development and the student’s ability to react to new or different situations within those combinations. A karate-ka might be asked to present a combination of their own and asked to lead the group through the mechanics involved.
Kumite
A thorough understanding of ippon and jyu ippon kumite utilizing all areas of strategy and technique must be demonstrated with confidence. Holding and controlling techniques to compliment counter applications should be explored. Circular motions, techniques and manipulation (if done correctly) can be applied with linear concepts to enhance results. Techniques must incorporate proper kime at all times.
Kata (pre-arranged forms)
Emphasis at this level will be placed on proper technique and bunkai applications through a majority of the kata presented. The karate-ka must be able to demonstrate the bunkai and be prepared to explain the reasoning applied to the scenario.
Required kata for this level:
- Jion
- Advanced kata of choice
- 1-5 kyu level kata
Essay requirements
An essay must be written and handed in to the evaluation committee before the grading begins. Guidelines and subject matter will be announced 1 month prior to grading date. Students will be given the option to choose a topic from a pre-defined list. The essay must be typed and single spaced with numbered content pages. The essay must also have a title page and a bibliography for any books that were referenced.
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