Dan Gradings
SHODAN SYLLABUS
KIHON (BASICS)
| 1 – San bon zuki (Stepping forward) | Forward stance |
| 2 – Age uke + mae geri + Gyaku zuki (Stepping Back) | Forward stance |
| 3 – Soto ude uke + Empi uchi + Uraken uchi + Gyaku zuki (Stepping forward) | Forward/Kiba dachi/Forward stance |
| 4 – Uchi ude uke + Kizami zuki + Gyaku zuki (Stepping Back) | Forward stance |
| 5 – Gedan barai + Gyaku zuki (Stepping forward) | Forward stance |
| 6 – Shuto uke + Nukite (Stepping Back) | Back/Forward stance |
| 7 – Mae geri | Forward stance |
| 8 – Ni dan geri (Back leg first) | Forward stance |
| 9 – Ren geri (Front leg first) | Forward stance |
| 10 – Yogo geri keage | Kiba dachi stance |
| 11 – Yoko geri kekomi | Kiba dachi stance |
| 12 – Mawashi geri (Two kicks – front leg first) | Forward stance |
| 13 – Ushiro geri (Back kick) | Forward stance |
Notes: The student must show dynamic combination of form, kime, speed and flow
KATA
The student must perform their favourite kata selected from Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai,
Hangetsu, Empi or Jion as well as Heian 1 to 5 and Tekki Sho-dan.
KUMITE – Jiyu Ippon Kumite (Semi-free single blow sparring).
Predetermined formal attack and defence from fighting stance
1 – Jo-dan oi zuki attack
2 – Chu-dan oi zuki attack
3 – Chu-dan mae geri attack
4 – Yoko geri Kekomi attack
5 – Mawashi geri attack
6 – Ushiro geri attack (Back kick)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
At the discretion of the grading panel.
NIDAN SYLLABUS
KIHON (BASICS)
| 1 – Kizami zuki + step forward san-bon zuki (Stepping forward) | Fighting stance |
| 2 – Age uke + chudan Soto ude uke (Same hand) + Gyaku zuki (Stepping back) | Fighting stance |
| 3 – Oi zuki + (Double step) Gyaku zuki moving forward | Fighting stance |
| 4 – Gedan barai (Stepping back) | Fighting stance |
| 5 – Kizami zuki + Mae geri back leg + Oi zuki (Stepping Forward) | Fighting stance |
| 6 – Shuto uke + Kizami geri + Nukite (Stepping back) | Fighting stance |
| 7 – Step back and do Age uke + Mawashi geri + Uraken uchi + Oi zuki (Stepping forward) | Fighting stance |
| 8 – Yoko geri keage with one foot + Yoko geri kekomi with other foot in same direction | Kiba dachi |
| 9 – Continuous combinations of Yoko geri kekomi + Gyaku zuki | Fighting stance |
| 10 – Continuous combinations of Mawashi geri + Gyaku zuki | Fighting stance |
| 11 – Continuous combinations of Ushiro geri + Uraken uchi + Gyaku zuki | Fighting stance |
KATA
The student must perform his or her Tokui Kata (Favourite Kata). In addition the following katas must be performed: Heian 1 to 5, Tekki Sho-dan, Tekki Ni-dan, Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Hangetsu, Empi and Jion
KUMITE – Jiyu Kumite
SANDAN
KIHON
| 1 – Kizami zuki + step forward san-bon zuki (Stepping forward) | Fighting stance |
| 2 – Age uke + chudan Soto ude uke (Same hand) + Gyaku zuki (Stepping back) | Fighting stance |
| 3 – Uchi uke (Kokutsu dachi) + Kizami zuki + Gyaku zuki (Zenkutsu dachi) (Stepping forward) | Fighting stance |
| 4 – Shuto uke + Kizami geri + Nukite (Stepping back) | Fighting stance |
| 5 – Mawashi geri + Uraken uchi + Oi zuki (Stepping forward) | Fighting stance |
| 6 – Mae geri + Yoko geri kekomi + Mawashi geri (alternate feet) + Gyaku zuki (Stepping forward) | Fighting stance |
| 7 – Mae geri + Yoko geri kekomi + Ushiro geri (same foot) step back (Both feet) | Fighting stance |
KATA
The student must perform his or her Tokui Kata (Favourite Kata). In addition the following katas must be performed: Heian 1 to 5, Tekki Sho-dan, Tekki Ni-dan, Tekki San-dan, Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jitte, Hangetsu, Empi, Gankaku and Jion
KUMITE – Jiyu Kumite
TOKUI WAZA
A written paper (Thesis) describing the candidates own research on karate (Tokui Waza – Special technique) must be handed in together with the grading application. This thesis should be approximately two pages long. The examinee will be tested on this technique.
YONDAN
KIHON
| 1 – Kizami zuki + step forward san-bon zuki (Stepping forward) | Fighting stance |
| 2 – Uchi uke (Kokutsu dachi) + Kizami zuki + Gyaku zuki (Zenkutsu dachi) (Stepping back) | Fighting stance |
| 3 – Shuto uke + Kizami geri + Nukite (Stepping forward) | Fighting stance |
| 4 – Mae geri + Yoko geri kekomi (Step back) + Gyaku zuki (Both feet) | Fighting stance |
| 5 – Mae geri + Yoko geri kekomi + Ushiro geri (same foot) step back (Both feet) | Fighting stance |
| 6 – Gyaku zuki – Idomokuhyo: punching at different points by examiner’s direction | Fighting stance |
KATA
The student must perform his or her Tokui Kata (Favourite Kata). In addition the following katas must be performed: Heian 1 to 5, Tekki 1 to 3, Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jitte, Hangetsu, Empi, Gankaku, Jion, Bassai-sho, Kanku-sho, and Chinte.
KUMITE – Jiyu Kumite
TOKUI WAZA
A written paper (Thesis) describing the candidates own research on karate (Tokui Waza – Special technique) must be handed in together with the grading application. This thesis should be approximately two pages long. The examinee will be tested on this technique.
GODAN
| 1 – Gyaku zuki – Idomokuhyo: punching at different points by examiner’s direction | Fighting stance |
KATA
The student must perform his or her Tokui Kata (Favourite Kata). In addition the student must have a working knowledge of all 25 JKA kata’s.
KUMITE – Jiyu Kumite
TOKUI WAZA
A written paper (Thesis) describing the candidates own research on karate (Tokui Waza – Special technique) must be handed in together with the grading application. This thesis should be approximately two pages long. The examinee will be tested on this technique.