Grading Requirements

Below is the grading criteria for each grade.

Dan Gradings

1st Dan Black Belt

All begin from free-style Kamae.

1. Kizame Tsuki, Oi Tsuki, Gyaku Tsuki.
2. Mae Geri, Oi Tsuki, Gyaku Tsuki.
3. Yoko Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
4. Mawashi Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
5. Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
6. Mae Geri, Yoko Geri, Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
7. Mae Geri, Oi Tsuki, Gyaku Tsuki step back Gedan Barai, Gyaku Tsuki, Mawashi Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
8. Same leg. Mae Gei, Yoko Geri, Ushiro Geri, all whilst maintaining balance.

Kata:- Candidate may choose from, Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Jion or Hangetsu.
Examiner Chooses from Any Heian Kata or Tekki Shodan.
Kumite:- As previous Grading plus:- Ju Kumite.

2nd Dan

1. Mae Geri, Oi Tsuki, Gyaku Tsuki.
2. Yoko Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
3. Mawashi Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
4. Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
5. Mae Geri Chudan, same leg Mawashi Geri Jodan, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
6. Mawashi Geri Jodan, same leg Yoko Geri Kekomi Chudan, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
7. Mae Geri, Yoko Geri, Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
8. Mae Geri step forward, move front foot back, use rear leg Yoko Geri, Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.
9. Same leg, Mae Gei, Yoko Geri, Ushiro Geri, all whilst maintaining balance.

Kata:-Candidate may choose from, Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Ni Ju Shiho, Tekki Nidan, or Jitte.
Examiner Chooses from:-Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Jion or Hangetsu.
Kumite:-Ju Ippon Kumite-Any 5 attacks, not pre-arranged.
Ju Kumite.

3rd Dan

Any 1st or 2nd Dan combinations plus:-

1. Kizame Tsuki, Gyaku Tsuki, Mawashi Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki, step back Gedan Barai, Gyaku Tsuki, rear leg Mae Geri and step back Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.

Kata:- Candidate may choose from, Sochin, Unsu, Gankaku, Chinte, or Goju Shiho Sho.
Examiner Chooses from:- Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Ni Ju Shiho, Tekki Nidan, or Jitte.
Kumite:- Kaisho Ippon Kumite-pre-arranged attacks as for 1st Dan grading.
Ju Kumite.

4th Dan.

Any 1st or 2nd Dan combinations plus:-

1. Kizame Tsuki, Oi Tsuki, Gyaku Tsuki, Ren Tsuki, step back Age Uke, Soto Uke, Gedan Barai and Uchi Uke with same arm, Kizame Tsuki, Gyaku Tsuki, four turning Gyaku Tsuki attacks, turn behind with Haito Uchi, Mawashi Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki, back leg Mae Geri and step back, Yoko Geri Keage to side and return to stance, and finally step forward with Mawashi Geri, Ushiro Geri, Uraken, Gyaku Tsuki.

Kata:- Candidate may choose from, Rohai, Wankan, Tekki Sandan, or Goju Shiho Sho with practical demonstration of requested applications.
Examiner Chooses from:- Sochin, Unsu, Gankaku, Chinte, or Goju Shiho Sho.
Kumite:- Kaisho Ippon Kumite-any 5 attacks, not pre-arranged.
Demonstration of between 3 and 5 favourite kumite combinations.
Ju Kumite.

5th Dan.

As previous grading plus a 1500 - 2000 word thesis on any aspect of Karate- Do.

Kata:-Candidate may choose from, Any Kata from Shodan syllabus and above.
Candidate may choose from any 2 Kata from Shodan syllabus and above.
Demonstration of applications will be requested of any techniques from performed Katas.
Kumite:-Demonstration of between 3 and 5 favourite kumite combinations.
Ju Kumite.

6th Dan.

A written Karate CV and a 1500 - 2000 word thesis an any aspect of Karate-Do.

Kata:- As previous grading.
Kumite:- As previous grading.