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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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