Grading Requirements
As a beginner you will wear a white belt - the colour of innocence and purity.
After a suitable time, when you have a grasp of a set of prescribed techniques, you will be ready to be examined for the next step up the karate ladder.
You will be examined for your first true "grade" - the 9th Kyu, Orange belt. If successful, you will learn a new set of techniques to prepare you for your red belt (8th Kyu) grading examination.
Every time you learn one set of techniques and are promoted to a higher grade you have a new set of techniques to learn.
Each belt has it's own set of techniques and skills to learn.
Click on the relevant bar below to see the required techniques for each belt.
9th KYU - ORANGE BELT
Kihon
Choku Zuki (Straight punch) (10 times)
Chudan Oi Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Chudan Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke (step back 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke (step forwards 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Uke (step back 5 times)
Mae Geri Chudan (step forwards 5 times)
Mae Geri Jodan (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Gohon Kumite (Five Step Sparring)
Jodan and Chudan levels
Kata
Kihon Kata
8th KYU - RED BELT
Kihon
Choku Zuki (step forwards and backwards 5 times)
Oi Zuki Jodan (step forwards and backwards 5 times)
Oi Zuki Chudan (step forwards and backwards 5 times)
Age Uke (step forwards and backwards 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke (step forwards and backwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke (step forwards and backwards 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi (step forwards and backwards 5 times)
Mae Geri Chudan (step forwards 5 times)
Mae Geri Jodan (step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage from Kiba Dachi (5 times on both sides)
Kumite
Gohon Kumite (Five Step Sparring)
Jodan and Chudan levels
Kata
Heian Shodan
Any previous Kata of the Examiner's choice
7th KYU - YELLOW BELT
Kihon
Ren Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki (step back 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Gyaku Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Gyaku Zuki (step back 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi (step forwards 5 times )
Mae Geri Chudan (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Mae Geri Jodan (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Sambon Kumite (Three Step Sparring)
Jodan, Chudan, Mae Geri
Kata
Heian Nidan
6th KYU - GREEN BELT
Kihon
Sanbon Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi (step forwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Gyaku Zuki (step back 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Nukite (step forwards 5 times)
Mae Ren Geri (Jodan, chudan) (Turn, step forwards 5 times)
Mawashi Geri (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Sambon Kumite (three step sparring)
Jodan, Chudan, Mae Geri
Kata
Heian Sandan
Any previous Kata of the Examiner's choice
5th KYU - PURPLE BELT
Kihon
Sanbon Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uraken (step forwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (step back 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite (step forwards 5 times)
Mae Ren Geri (Chudan, Jodan) (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Mawashi Geri (Turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Kihon Ippon Kumite (One Step Sparring)
1 x Jodan, 1 x Chudan, 1 x Mae Geri Chudan, 1 x Yoko Geri Kekomi
Kata
Heian Yondan
Any previous Kata of the Examiner's choice
4th KYU - PURPLE BELT WITH 1 STRIPE
Kihon
Sanbon Zuki (step forward 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (step back 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite (step forwards 5 times)
Mae ren Geri, (Chudan, Jodan) (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Mae Geri Chudan, Oi zuki, Gedan Barai (turn, Step forwards 5 time)
Mawashi geri, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Ushiro Geri, (Turn, Step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage, step over Yoko Geri Kekomi in Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi, step over Yoko Geri Keage in Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Kihon Ippon Kumite (One Step Sparring)
2 x Jodan, 2 x Chudan, 2 x Mae Geri Chudan, 2 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 2 x Mawashi Geri
Kata
Heian Godan
Any previous Kata of the Examiner's choice
3rd KYU - BROWN BELT
Kihon
Sambon Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step forwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite (step forwards 5 times)
Mae ren Geri (Chudan, Jodan) (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi, Gyaku Zuki, (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Mawashi Geri, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki, (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Ushiro Geri, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage, step over Yoko Geri Kekomi in kiba Dachi (Both sides 3 times)
Same leg on the spot: Mae Geri to the front, Yoko Geri Kekomi to the side, Ushiro Geri to the rear (step back 3 times)
Kumite
Kihon Ippon Kumite (One Step Sparring)
2 x Jodan, 2 x Chudan, 2 x Mae Geri, 2 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 2 x Mawashi Geri 2 x Ushiro Geri (both sides, (Left and Right)
Jiyu Ippon Kumite (Semi Free Style)
1 x Jodan, 1 x Chudan, 1 x Mae Geri, 1 x Mawashi Geri
Kata
Tekki Shodan
Any previous Kata of the Examiner's choice
2nd KYU - BROWN BELT WITH STRIPE
Kihon
Sambon Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step Back 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step forwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Kizami Zuki, back leg Mae Geri step back Gyaku Zuki (step backwards 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite (step back 5 times)
Mae Geri, Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (Turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Mawashi Geri, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step forwards 5 times)
Ushiro Geri, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage step over Yoko Geri Kekomi in Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Same leg on the spot: Mae Geri to the front, Yoko Geri Kekomi to the side, Ushiro Geri to the rear, Mawashi Geri to the front (3 times)
Kumite
Kihon Ippon Kumite (One Step Sparring)
2 x Jodan, 2 x Chudan, 2 x Mae Geri, 2 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 2 x Mawashi Geri, 2 x Ushiro Geri (both sides, (Left and right)
Jiyu Kppon Kumite (Semi Free Style)(Both sides) (Left and Right)
2 x Jodan, 2 x Chudan, 2 x Mae Geri, 2 x Mawashi Geri
Kata
Bassai Dai
Any previous Kata of the Examiner's choice
1st KYU - BROWN BELT WITH STRIPES
Kihon
Sambon Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step forwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Kizami Zuki, back leg Mae Geri step back Gyaku Zuki (step Back 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mawashi Ger, Nukite (step forwards 5 times)
Mae Geri, Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Gyaku Zuki, Mawashi Geri, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki (step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage, Yoko Geri Kekomi, (same leg) from Kiba Dachi (Both sides 3 times)
Same leg on the spot Mae Geri Chudan to the front, Yoko Geri Kekomi to the side, Ushiro Geri to the rear, Mawashi Geri to the rear (3 times)
Kumite
Kihon Kumite (One Step Sparring)
2 x Jodan, 2 x Chudan, 2 x Mae Geri, 2 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 2 x Mawashi Geri, 2 x Ushiro Geri
Both sides (Left and Right)
Jiyu Ippon Kumite (Semi Free-style Sparring)
2 x Jodan, 2 x Chudan, 2 x Mae Geri, 2 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 2 x Mawashi Geri, 2 x Ushiro Geri
Both sides (Left and Right)
Kata
Bassai Dai
Any previous Kata of the Examiner's choice
1st DAN - BLACK BELT (Shodan)
Kihon
All Kihon and combination techniques are performed from Jiyu Dachi
Sanbon Zuki [jodan, chudan, chudan] (step forwards 5 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 5 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step forwards 5 times)
Uchi Ude Uke , Kizami Zuki, back leg Mae Geri step back Gyaku Zuki (step back 5 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mawashi Geri, Nukite (step forwards 5 times)
Gyaku zuki, Mae Geri, Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan barai (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi Jodan from Zenkutsu Dachi, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 times
Gyaku zuki, Mawashi Geri Jodan, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 time)
Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage, Yoko Geri Kekomi (same leg) from Kiba Dachi (Both sides 3 times)
Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, step back Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki, step forwards Mawashi Geri, Uranken, Oi Zuki (step forwards then turn and repeat)
Zenkutsu Dachi Shomen, (kicking with the same leg)
Mae Geri to the front, Yoko Geri Kekomi to the side, Ushiro Geri to the rear, Mawashi Geri to the front (3 times each side)
Kumite
Gohon Kumite (Five Step Sparring)
Jodan and Chudan
Kihon Ippon (One Step Sparring)
1 x Jodan, 1 x Chudan, 1 x Mae Geri, 1 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 1 x Mawashi Geri, 1 x Ushiro Geri: both sides
Jiyu Ippon Kumite (Semi Free Style Sparring)
1 x Jodan, 1 x Chudan, 1 x Mae Geri, 1 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 1 x Mawashi Geri, 1 x Ushiro Geri
Jiyu Kumite (Free Style Sparring) against two consecutive Dan grades.
Kata
Candidates choice from
Bassai Dai - Kanku Dai - Jion - Empi - Jitte
Plus examiners choice from Heian / Tekki
2nd DAN - BLACK BELT (Nidan)
Kihon
All kihon and combination teckniques are performed from Jiyu Dachi
Kizami Zuki, Mae geri, Jun zuki (step forwards 3 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Kizami Mae-Geri, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 3 times )
Uchi Ude Uke Kokutsu-Dachi, Kizami Zuki, back leg Mae Geri step back, Gyaku Zuki (step forwards 3 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 3 times)
Shuto Uke, from kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mawashi Geri, Nukite (step forwards 3 times)
Gyaku Zuki , Mae-Geri, Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki Gedan Barai (turn, step forwards 3 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi Jodan, Zencutsu Dachi, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step-forwards 3 times)
Gyaku zuki, Mawashi Geri, Jodan, Urankan, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (turn, step forwards 3 times)
Mae Geri Chudan, (same leg) Mawashei Geri Jodan, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 3 times
Mawashi Geri Jodan, (same leg ) Yoko Geri kekomi Chudan, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki (turn step forwards 3 times)
Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki (turn, step forwards 5 times)
Yoko Geri Keage, Yoko Geri Kekomi (same leg) from Kiba Dachi (Both sides 3 times)
Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, step back Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki, step forwards Mawasshi Geri, Uranken Oi Zuki (turn, step forwards 3 times)
Zenkutsu Dachi Shomen (kicking with the same leg)
Mae Geri to the front Yoko Geri Kekomi to the side, Ushiro Geri to the rear, Mawashi Geri to the front. 3 times each side
Kumite
Kihon Ippon (one step sparring)
2x Jodan, 2x Chudan, 2x Mae-Geri, 2x Kekomi, 2x Mawashi Geri, 2x Ushiro Geri: both-sides
Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (semi free style sparring)
2x Jodan, 2x Chudan, 2x Mae Geri, 2x Kekomi, 2x Mawashi Geri, 2x Ushiro-Geri: both sides
Jiyu Kumite (free-style sparring) against 3 consecutive Dan grades
Kata
Candidates choice from
Bassai Sho - Kanku Sho - Tekki Nidan – Gankaku - Hangetsu
Plus examiner choice of Heian / Tekki
3rd DAN - BLACK BELT (Sandan)
Kihon
All kihon and combination teckniques are performed from Jiyu Dachi
Kizami Zuki, Mae Geri, Sanbon Zuki (step forwards 3 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Kizami Mae Geri, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step back 3 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step forwards 3 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Kokutsu Dachi Kizami Zuki, Back leg Mae Geri Step Back Gyaku Zuki (step back 3 times)
Shuto Uke, from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mawashi Geri, Nukite (step forwards 3 times)
Gyaku Zuki, Mae Geri, Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (turn step forwards 3 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi Jodan, Zencutsu-Dachi, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (step-forwards 3 times)
Gyaku zuki, Mawashi Geri, Jodan, Uranken, Gyaku-Zuki, Gedan Barai (turn step forwards 3 times)
Mae Geri Chudan, (same leg) Mawashi Geri Jodan, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (turn, step forwards 3 times)
Mawashei Geri Jodan, (same leg) Yoko Geri Chudan, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (turn, step forwards 3 times)
Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki, (turn, step forwards 3 times)
Kizami Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Geri, Gedan Barai (turn step forwards 3 times)
Yoko Geri Keagei, Yoko Geri Kekomi (same leg) from Kiba Dachi (Both sides 3 times)
Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, step back Gedan Barai, Gyaku Zuki, step forwards mawashi, Urankan, Oi Zuki
Zenkutsu Dachi Shomen (kicking with the same leg)
Mae Geri to the front Yoko-Geri Kekomi to the side, Ushiro Geri to the rear, Mawashi Geri to the front; 3 times each side
Kumite
Gohon Kumite (Five Step Sparring)
To Jodan and Chudan levels
Kihon Ippon (one step sparring)
2x Jodan, 1x Chudan, 2x Mae Geri, 2x Kekomi, 2x Mawashi Geri, 2x Ushiro Geri: both-sides
Jiyu Ippon Kumite (semi free style sparring)
2x Jodan, 2x Chudan, 2x Mae Geri, 2x Kekomi, 2x Mawashi-Geri, 2x Ushiro Geri: both sides
Jiyu Kumite (free style sparring) against 3 consecutive Dan grades
Kata
Candidates choice from
Soachin – Tekki Sandan – Nijushiho – Chinte – Jiin
Any previous Kata of the examiner's choice
