Senior Gradings
KYU SYLLABUS
The systematic kyu grading method is designed to prepare the karate student for the black belt exam. It allows the student to set goals and provides them with a platform to test their acquired skills.
The syllabus is divided into 3 main sections: Kihon (basics), Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring)
In addition, karate-ka are expected to develop skills to enhance their ability to defend themselves effectively. These additional requirements include grappling techniques and counter measures against assailants who grip, grab, strangle and hold.
Each kyu level gets progressively more challenging, and once completed, yields a sense of accomplishment, success and satisfaction.
The step from brown belt to black belt is very significant in the life of a karate-ka, but the true martial artist looks upon the Shodan (first level) as the beginning and not the end of the journey. Once attaining the coveted black belt, karate-ka should assess themselves continually and strive for self-development.
The black belt should endeavour to become a worthy representative of the art of karate.
8th KYU SYLLABUS
KIHON (BASICS)
1 – Oi zuki (Lunge punch) | Forward stance |
2 – Age uke (Rising block) | Forward stance |
3 – Soto ude uke (Outside inward forearm block) | Forward stance |
4 – Uchi ude uke (Inside outward forearm block) | Forward stance |
5 – Gedan barai (Downward block) | Forward stance |
6 – Shuto uke (Sword hand or knife hand block) | Back stance |
7 – Mae geri (Front kick) | Forward stance |
8 – Yogo geri keage (Side snap kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
9 – Yoko geri kekomi (Side thrust kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
Notes:
• Techniques 1 to 5 and 7 are performed moving forwards for 3 or 5 steps
• Technique 6 is performed moving backwards
• Techniques 8 and 9 are performed moving sideward
• The student must show good form
KATA (FORMS)
The Student must perform Heian Sho-dan (Kata number 1)
KUMITE (SPARRING)
Go-hon kumite (5 step sparring). Basic attack and defence in forward stance
1 – Jo-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to face)
2 – Chu-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to stomach)
Notes:
• Defender steps backwards 5 times and blocks with appropriate block
• After 5th block, the defender counters with gyaku zuki (Reverse punch)
• Recommended block for attack 1 is age uke. Attack 2 is blocked with
soto ude uke
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Karate – ka must demonstrate :
1) Scarf hold 2) Bunkai (application) of move 4 Heian Shodan 3) 20 Push ups
4) 40 Sit ups
7th KYU SYLLABUS
KIHON (BASICS)
1 – Oi zuki (Lunge punch) | Forward stance |
2 – Age uke (Rising block)) | Forward stance |
3 – Soto ude uke (Outside inward forearm block) | Forward stance |
4 – Uchi ude uke (Inside outward forearm block) | Forward stance |
5 – Gedan barai (Downward block) | Forward stance |
6 – Shuto uke (Sword hand or knife hand block) | Back stance |
7 – Mae geri (Front kick) | Forward stance |
8 – Yogo geri keage (Side snap kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
9 – Yoko geri kekomi (Side thrust kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
Notes:
• Techniques 1 to 6 are performed moving forwards and backwards for 3 or 5 steps
• Technique 7 is performed moving forward
• Techniques 8 and 9 are performed moving sideward
• The student must show good form and kime (focus)
KATA (FORMS)
The Student must perform Heian Sho-dan and Heian Ni-dan (Kata number 2)
KUMITE (SPARRING)
Go-hon kumite (5 step sparring). Basic attack and defence in forward stance
1 – Jo-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to face)
2 – Chu-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to stomach)
Notes:
• Defender steps backwards 5 times and blocks with appropriate block
• After 5th block, the defender counters with gyaku zuki (Reverse punch)
• Recommended block for attack 1 is age uke. Attack 2 is blocked with soto ude uke
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Karate – ka must demonstrate:
1) Scarf hold 2) Side body control 3) Shoulder throw 4) Escape from wrist holds
5) 20 Push ups 6) 50 Sit ups
6th KYU SYLLABUS
KIHON (BASICS)
1 – San bon zuki (Triple punch – jodan, chudan, chudan) | Forward stance |
2 – Age uke + Gyaku zuki (Rising block + Reverse punch) | Forward stance |
3 – Soto ude uke + Gyaku zuki (Outside inward forearm block + Reverse punch) | Forward stance |
4 – Uchi ude uke + Gyaku zuki (Inside outward forearm block + Reverse punch) | Forward stance |
5 – Gedan barai + Gyaku zuki (Downward block + reverse punch) | Forward stance |
6 – Shuto uke + Nukite ( Knife hand block + Spear hand) | Back/Forward stance |
7 – Mae geri (Front kick) | Forward stance |
8 – Yogo geri keage (Side snap kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
9 – Yoko geri kekomi (Side thrust kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
Notes:
• Techniques 1 to 7 are performed moving forwards or backwards at examiner’s discretion.
• Techniques 8 and 9 are performed moving sideward
• The student must show good form, hip action, kime and power
KATA (FORMS)
The Student must perform Heian Sho-dan, Ni-dan and San-dan (Kata number 3)
KUMITE (SPARRING)
Ki-hon ippon kumite (Basic single blow sparring). Predetermined formal attack and defence in forward stance
1 – Jo-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to face)
2 – Chu-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to stomach)
3 – Chu-dan mae geri attack (Front kick to stomach)
Notes:
• Each attack is performed twice – once on the right, once on the left. Defender must effectively block and counter each attack. Attention should be paid to correct distancing.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Karate – ka must demonstrate:
1) Side body control 2) Shoulder throw 3) Escape from wrist holds 4) Cross body control 5) Bag work: Gyaku zuki, Mae geri 6) 25 Push ups 7) 60 Sit ups
5th KYU SYLLABUS (Blue belt)
KIHON (BASICS)
1 – San bon zuki (Triple punch – jodan, chudan, chudan) | Forward stance |
2 – Age uke + Gyaku zuki (Rising block + Reverse punch) | Forward stance |
3 – Soto ude uke + Gyaku zuki (Outside inward forearm block + Reverse punch) | Forward stance |
4 – Uchi ude uke + Gyaku zuki (Inside outward forearm block + Reverse punch) | Forward stance |
5 – Gedan barai + Gyaku zuki (Downward block + reverse punch) | Forward stance |
6 – Shuto uke + Nukite ( Knife hand block + Spear hand) | Back/Forward stance |
7 – Mae geri (Front kick) | Forward stance |
8 – Ni dan geri (Two front kicks – back leg first) | Forward stance |
9 – Yogo geri keage (Side snap kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
10 – Yoko geri kekomi (Side thrust kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
11 – Mawashi geri (Roundhouse kick) | Fighting stance |
Notes: The student must show good form, hip action, kime, power and speed
KATA (FORMS)
The Student must perform Heian Sho-dan, Ni-dan, San-dan and Yon-dan (Kata no. 4)
KUMITE (SPARRING)
Ki-hon ippon kumite (Basic single blow sparring). Predetermined formal attack and defence in forward stance
1 – Jo-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to face)
2 – Chu-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to stomach)
3 – Chu-dan mae geri attack (Front kick to stomach)
Notes: Each attack is performed twice – once on the right, once on the left. Defender must effectively block and counter each attack. Attention should be paid to correct distancing.
ADDITONAL REQUIREMENTS
Karate – ka must demonstrate:
1) Cross body control 2) Guard position 3) Cross lapel choke 4) O Soto Gari
5) Bag work: Gyaku zuki, Oi zuki, Mae geri, Mawashi geri 6) 30 Push ups 7) 60 Sit ups
4th KYU SYLLABUS (purple belt)
KIHON (BASICS)
1 – San bon zuki (Triple punch – jodan, chudan, chudan) | Forward stance |
2 – Age uke + Gyaku zuki (Rising block + Reverse punch) | Forward stance |
3 – Soto ude uke + Empi uchi + Uraken uchi + Gyaku zuki (Outside inward forearm block + elbow strike + backfist strike+ Reverse punch) | Forward/kiba/forward stance |
4 – Uchi ude uke + Kizami zuki + Gyaku zuki (Inside outward forearm block + Jab punch + Reverse punch) | Back/Forward stance |
5 – Gedan barai + Gyaku zuki (Downward block + reverse punch) | Forward stance |
6 – Shuto uke + Nukite ( Knife hand block + Spear hand) | Back/Forward stance |
7 – Mae geri (Front kick) | Forward stance |
8 – Ni dan geri (Two front kicks – back leg first) | Forward stance |
9 – Yogo geri keage (Side snap kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
10 – Yoko geri kekomi (Side thrust kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
11 – Mawashi geri (Roundhouse kick) | Fighting stance |
Notes: The student must show good form, hip action, kime, power, speed and flow
KATA (FORMS)
The Student must perform Heian Katas 1 to 4 and Heian Go-dan (Kata number 5)
KUMITE (SPARRING)
Ki-hon ippon kumite (Basic single blow sparring). Predetermined formal attack and defence in forward stance
1 – Jo-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to face)
2 – Chu-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to stomach)
3 – Chu-dan mae geri attack (Front kick to stomach)
Notes: Each attack is performed twice on each side. Defender must effectively block and counter each attack. Defender is expected to use a different block and counter for each attack. Time duration between block and counter should be short.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Karate – ka must demonstrate:
1) Guard position 2) Cross lapel choke 3) O Soto Gari 4) Mount position
5) V lock 6) Bag work: Oi zuki, Kentsui uchi, Yoko geri, Mawashi geri
7) 35 Push ups 8) 70 Sit ups
3rd KYU SYLLABUS (brown belt)
KIHON (BASICS)
1 – San bon zuki (Triple punch – jodan, chudan, chudan) | Forward stance |
2 – Age uke + Gyaku zuki (Rising block + Reverse punch) | Forward stance |
3 – Soto ude uke + Empi uchi + Uraken uchi + Gyaku zuki (Outside inward forearm block + elbow strike + backfist strike) | Forward/Kiba/forward stance |
4 – Uchi ude uke + Kizami zuki + Gyaku zuki (Inside outward forearm block + Jab punch + Reverse punch) | Back/Forward stance |
5 – Gedan barai + Gyaku zuki (Downward block + reverse punch) | Forward stance |
6 – Shuto uke + Nukite (Knife hand block + Spear hand) | Back/Forward stance |
7 – Mae geri (Front kick) | Forward stance |
8 – Ni dan geri (Two front kicks – back leg first) | Forward stance |
9 – Ren geri (Two front kicks – front leg first) | Forward stance |
10 – Yogo geri keage (Side snap kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
11 – Yoko geri kekomi (Side thrust kick) | Kiba dachi stance |
12 – Mawashi geri (Roundhouse kick) | Fighting stance |
Notes: The student must show dynamic combination of form, kime, speed and flow
KATA (FORMS)
The Student must perform Heian 1 to 5 and Tekki Sho-dan
KUMITE (SPARRING)
Jiyu ippon kumite (Semi-free single blow sparring). Predetermined formal attack and defence from fighting stance
1 – Jo-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to face)
2 – Chu-dan oi zuki attack (Lunge punch to stomach)
3 – Chu-dan mae geri attack (Front kick to stomach)
4 – Yoko geri Kekomi attack (Side thrust kick)
5 – Mawashi geri attack (Roundhouse kick)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Karate – ka must demonstrate:
1) Mount position 2) V lock 3) North South hold down 4) Yoko shi ho 5) Hip throw 6) Bag work: Kentsui uchi, Uraken uchi, Yoko geri, Ushiro geri
7) 40 Push ups 8) 80 Sit ups
2nd KYU SYLLABUS (brown belt)
KIHON (BASICS)
1 – San bon zuki | Forward stance |
2 – Age uke + Gyaku zuki | Forward stance |
3 – Soto ude uke + Empi uchi + Uraken uchi + Gyaku zuki | Forward/Kiba dachi/ Forward stance |
4 – Uchi ude uke + Kizami zuki + Gyaku zuki | Back/Forward stance |
5 – Gedan barai + Gyaku zuki | Forward stance |
6 – Shuto uke + Kizami geri + Nukite | 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 | Fighting stance |
Notes: The student must show dynamic combination of form, kime, speed and flow
KATA (FORMS)
The Student must perform Heian 1 to 5, Tekki Sho-dan and favourite kata selected from Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Empi, Hangetsu or Jion.
KUMITE (SPARRING)
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
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Karate – ka must demonstrate:
1) North South hold down 2) Yoko shi ho 3) Hip throw 4) Blood choke 5) Air choke 6) Escape from grab to throat and bear hug 7) Arm bar from mount 8) Ashi barai 9) Bag work: Uraken uchi, Haito uchi, Ushiro geri, Ushiro mawashi geri 10) 45 Push ups 11) 90 Sit ups
geri attack
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Karate – ka must demonstrate:
1) North South hold down 2) Yoko shi ho 3) Hip throw 4) Blood choke 5) Air choke 6) Escape from grab to throat and bear hug 7) Arm bar from mount 8) Ashi barai 9) Bag work: Uraken uchi, Haito uchi, Ushiro geri, Ushiro mawashi geri 10) 45 Push ups 11) 90 Sit ups
1st KYU SYLLABUS
KIHON (BASICS)
1 – San bon zuki | Forward stance |
2 – Age uke + Gyaku zuki | Forward stance |
3 – Soto ude uke + Empi uchi + Uraken uchi + Gyaku zuki | Forward/Kiba dachi/ Forward stance |
4 – Uchi ude uke + Kizami zuki + Gyaku zuki | Back/Forward stance |
5 – Gedan barai + Gyaku zuki | Forward stance |
6 – Shuto uke + Kizami geri + Nukite | 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 | Fighting stance |
13 – Ushiro geri (Back kick) | Fighting stance |
Notes: The student must show dynamic combination of form, kime, speed and flow
KATA (FORMS)
The Student must perform Heian 1 to 5, Tekki Sho-dan and favourite kata selected from
Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Empi, Hangetsu or Jion.
KUMITE (SPARRING)
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
Karate – ka must demonstrate:
1) Around the clock control 2) Escape from grab to throat and bear hug
3) Arm bar from mount 4) Ashi barai 5) All throws from previous gradings
6) Blood choke 7) Air choke 8) Bag work: All kicks and hand techniques from
previous gradings 9) 50 Push ups 10) 100 Sit ups