Gradings are held through out the year. Refer to the calendar page for dates. Students are required to attend at least 20 – 30 classes between gradings in order to qualify for their next belt. Participation at events such as camps, seminars, beach sessions and tournaments count as bonus classes and help towards your required attendance particularly when class numbers are behind.
In accordance wih attendance, a standard of techniques, kata and physical conditioning must also be met for each grade. Check your grade requirements below. Instructors will approach potential candidates and notify them that they’re ready to grade. Please remember that gradings are a privilege. It is poor dojo ettiquette to ask or refuse your instructor over gradings.
Senior Syllabus for Adults.
White Belt
Attendance requirement: 20 classes
A) Techniques
- Kihon (Basics)
(1) Ettiquette.
Able to wear a dogi correctly. / Bow in and out. / Stand in the following stances: - Fudo dachi / Sanchin dachi / Zenkutsu dachi / Kiba dachi / Kamae dachi
(2) Te Waza (hand basics) - Able to perform the Basic punches, blocks and strikes.
(3) Keri (Kicks) - Able to perform all of the basic kicks.
- Ido (Moving Basics)
In Zenkutsu Dachi: Moving forward and backward, Turning—combined with one technique (Tsuki, Keri, Uke)
eg: Zenkutsu Dachi + Seiken Oi Tsuki or Gyaku Tsuki - Kata
Taikyoku Sono Ichi & Ni, Sokugi Taikyoku Sono Ichi- Conditioning
- Flexibility: Head reaches the floor from a seated position with legs open.
- Push-ups: 20
- Jumping Squats: 20
- Hand Stand: 20 seconds (supported by another person)
- Bo jumps: 3 (jumping over a wooden staff and back while holding it.)
- Jump (Tobi Geri): to a target the level of your own height
Kumite / Sparring
(1) Yakusoku Kumite: Block only against attack;
Hand block against tsuki / leg block against tsuki / hand block against keri / leg block against keri
(2) Jiyu Kumite: 1 minute X 2 rounds
Criterion: Reigi (Composure, attitude) / Kamae (readiness) / Kiai
Orange Belt / 10th & 9th Kyu
Attendance requirement: 20 classes
A) Techniques
* Kihon (Basics) (1) Tachikata (Stances) Kokutsu Dachi, Nekoashi Dachi
* Ido (Moving Basics) Kokutsu Dachi: Moving forward and backward, Turning eg: Kokutsu Dachi + Chudan Uchi Uke Repetition of same technique: eg: Zenkutsu Dachi + Seiken Oi Tsuki twice,
Zenkutsu Dachi + Seiken Chudan Sanbon Tsuki / Jodan uke, soto uke + gyaku tsuki
* Kata Taikyoku Sono San, Sokugi Taikyoku Sono Ni & San
B) Conditioning * Flexibility: same criterion as for white belt, with improvement from that level. * Push-ups: 30 * Jumping Squats: 30 * Hand Stand: 30 seconds * Bo jumps: 5 * Jump (Tobi Geri): Your own height + 10 cm
C) Kumite (1) Yakusoku Kumite: Block only against attack; Hand block against tsuki / leg block against tsuki / hand block against keri / leg block against keri
(2) Jiyu Kumite: 1 minute X 4 rounds. * Criterion: Reigi / Kamae / Kiai
Blue Belt / 8th & 7th Kyu
Attendance requirements: 8th Kyu 20 classes / 7th kyu 30 classes
A) Techniques
* Kihon (Basics) (1) Tachikata (Stances) Kakeashi Dachi
(2) Tsuki (Punches / Strikes) Tettsui, Nukite, Shotei
(3) Uke (Blocks) Morote Uke, Mawashi Uke, Shuto Mawashi Uke
(4) Kokyu Ho (Breathing Technique) Ibuki
* Ido (Moving Basics) Kokutsu Dachi Shuto Mawashi Uke, Enkei Gyaku Tsuki Sanchin Dachi: Moving forward and backward, Turning — eg: Sanchin Dachi +Seiken Chudan Gyaku Tsuki Kiba Dachi: Moving sideways to front & back (Mae Kosa, Ushiro Kosa), Turning — eg: Kiba Dachi Jun Tsuki, Tettsui Combination: (Uke and Attack) — eg: Zenkutsu Dachi + Jodan Uke – Seiken Chudan Gyaku Tsuki Combination (Tsuki and Keri) — eg: Zenkutsu Dachi + Mae Geri Seiken Chudan Tsuki
* Kata Pinan Sono Ichi & Ni, Sanchin
B) Conditioning * Flexibility: Shoulders touch the floor in a seated position with legs open. * Push-ups: 40 * Jumping Squats: 40 * Hand Stand: 40 seconds * Bo Jumps:8 * Jump (Tobi Geri): Your own height + 15 cm
C) Kumite (1) Yakusoku Kumite: Uke Kaeshi (Block and Retaliation); Opponent attack, Block, Retaliation using a variety of attacks, blocks & reactions. Eg: hand, hand, hand / hand, hand, leg / hand, leg, hand / leg, hand, hand / hand, leg, leg / leg, leg, hand / leg, hand, leg / leg, leg, leg (2) Jiyu Kumite: 1 minute X 6 rounds. Criterion: Reigi / Kamae / Kiai / Speed / Power / Stamina (Kokyu) / Uke Kaeshi
Yellow Belt / 6th & 5th Kyu
Attendance requirements: 30 classes
A) Techniques
* Kihon (Basics) (1) Tsuki (Punches / Strikes) Koken Uchi, Haito Uchi, Morote Tsuki
(2) Uke (Blocks) Koken Uke, Haito Uchi, Jyuji Uke
* Ido (Moving Basics) Kaiten Ido (Spinning) — eg: Kiba Dachi + Kaiten Tettsui Dako Ido (45 Degree Angle) — eg: 45 Degree Kiba Dachi + Gedan Barai
* Kata Pinan Sono San & Yon, Yantsu, Tsuki No Kata
B) Conditioning * Flexibility: Same as for blue belt with notable improvement. * Push-ups: 50 * Jumping Squats: 50 * Hand Stand: 50 seconds * Bo Jumps:10 * Jump (Tobi Geri): Your own height + 20 cm
C) Kumite (1) Yakusoku Kumite: Uke Kaeshi (Block and Retaliation); Opponent attack, Uke, Retaliation using a variety of attacks, blocks & reactions. Eg: hand, hand, hand / hand, hand, leg / hand, leg, hand / leg, hand, hand / hand, leg, leg / leg, leg, hand / leg, hand, leg / leg, leg, leg (2) Jiyu Kumite: 1 minute X 8 rounds. * Criterion: Reigi / Kamae / Kiai / Speed / Power / Stamina (Kokyu) / Uke Kaeshi
Green Belt / 4th & 3rd Kyu
Attendance requirements: 30 classes
A) Techniques
* Ido (Moving Basics) Basic step work in Kumite No Kamae: Okuri Ashi, Fumi Ashi, Kosa, Oiashi (Sagari)
* Kata Pinan Sono Go, Taikyoku Sono Ichi, Ni & San (Ura), Gekisai sono ichi, Tekki Sono Ichi
B) Conditioning * Flexibility: Chest touches the floor in a seated position with legs open. * Push-ups: 60 * Jumping Squats: 60 * Hand Stand: 60 seconds * Bo jumps:15 * Jump (Tobi Geri): Your own height + 30 cm
C) Kumite (1) Yakusoku Kumite: Uke and Uke Kaeshi combination in Kumite No Kamae, Step work
(2) Jiyu Kumite: 1 minute X 10 rounds. Criterion: Reigi / Kamae / Kiai / Speed / Power / Stamina (Kokyu) / Uke Kaeshi / Rhythm / Combination (Balance between hand techniques and kicks) / Step work
Brown Belt / 2nd & 1st Kyu
Attendance requirements: 40 classes
A) Techniques
* Ido (Moving Basics) Kumite No Kamae Step work moving in various angles
* Kata Pinan Sono Ichi – Go ‘Ura’, Tensho, Saifa, Gekisai Sho, Tekki Sono Ni
B) Conditioning * Flexibility: Chest touches the floor in a seated position with legs open. * Push-ups: 100 * Jumping Squats: 100 * Hand stand: 90 seconds * Bo jumps: 20 * Jump (Tobi Geri): Your own height + 30 cm (Tobi Ushiro Geri or Tobi Ushiro Mawashi Geri, right & left)
C) Kata: 2 kyu: Pinan sono ichi – go (Ura) Gekisai sono ni, Saifa 1 Kyu: Gekisai sono san, Tekki sono ni, Tensho
(2) Jiyu Kumite: 1 minute X 12-15 rounds. Criterion: Reigi / Kamae / Kiai / Speed / Power / Stamina (Kokyu) / Uke Kaeshi / Rhythm / Combination (Balance between hand technique and kicks) / Stepwork
D) Tameshi Wari More than the IKO Tournament Rule Standard
E) Goshin Jitsu (Self-Defense): 1. pushing 2. single wrist grab 3. double wrist grab 4. lapel grab 5. double lapel grab 6. frontal choke 7. rear choke 8. headlock 9. bear hug 10. tackle