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Grading levels
Colour-coded grading sheets for every grade from your first assessment through to Shodan. Conditioning, stances, strikes, blocks, kicks, kata and kumite requirements for each belt.
Back to Belt Progression Kyu grading sheets
What each grading tests
Colour-coded by belt. Conditioning, stances, strikes, blocks, kicks, kata and kumite for every grade from your first assessment to 1st Kyu.
White + Yellow Tip
9th Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
Initial period
Min. classes (this grade)
6
Cumulative classes
6
Assessment criteria
9th Kyu is an encouragement rank awarded at instructor discretion. There is no formal grading. Students are assessed on:
- Positive effort and attitude
- Consistent attendance
- Respectful dojo behaviour
- Instructor recommendation
Yellow Belt
8th Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
2 months
Min. classes (this grade)
12
Cumulative classes
12
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 5
- Sit-ups: 5
- Plank: 30 sec
- Shiko Dachi: 30 sec
Stances (Dachi)
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Chudan Tsuki
- Jodan Tsuki
- Mae Uraken Uchi
- Yoko Uraken Uchi
- Shita Tsuki
Blocks (Uke)
- Jodan Age Uke
Kicks (Geri)
- Hiza Geri
- Kin Geri
- Mae Geri
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- Mae ni Oi Tsuki
- Ushiro ni Jodan Age Uke
- Mae Geri stepping into Zenkutsu Dachi
Partner Work
- Not required
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: None
- Bunkai: Not assessed
- Sanchin: Not required
- Jiyu Kumite: Not assessed
Orange Belt
7th Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
3 months
Min. classes (this grade)
15
Cumulative classes
27
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 10
- Sit-ups: 10
- Plank: 1 min
- Shiko Dachi: 1 min
Stances (Dachi)
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Chudan Tsuki
- Jodan Tsuki
- Mae Uraken Uchi
- Yoko Uraken Uchi
- Shita Tsuki
- Age Empi Uchi
- Mawashi Empi Uchi
Blocks (Uke)
- Jodan Age Uke
- Uchi Uke
Kicks (Geri)
- Hiza Geri
- Kin Geri
- Mae Geri
- Kansetsu Geri
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- Mae ni Oi Tsuki + Gyaku Tsuki
- Ushiro ni Jodan Age Uke
- Ushiro ni Uchi Uke
- Mae Geri kara Oi Tsuki in Zenkutsu Dachi
Partner Work
- Basic Yakusoku Kumite (one-step)
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: None
- Bunkai: Not assessed
- Sanchin: Not required
- Jiyu Kumite: Not assessed
Green Belt
6th Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
6 months
Min. classes (this grade)
30
Cumulative classes
57
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 15
- Sit-ups: 15
- Plank: 1 min 30 sec
- Shiko Dachi: 1 min 30 sec
Stances (Dachi)
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi
- Neko Ashi Dachi
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Chudan Tsuki
- Jodan Tsuki
- Mae Uraken Uchi
- Yoko Uraken Uchi
- Shita Tsuki
- Age Empi Uchi
- Mawashi Empi Uchi
- Shuto Uchi
- Haito Uchi
Blocks (Uke)
- Jodan Age Uke
- Uchi Uke
- Harai Uke
Kicks (Geri)
- Hiza Geri
- Kin Geri
- Mae Geri
- Kansetsu Geri
- Mawashi Geri
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- Forward in Shiko Dachi with Oi Tsuki
- Backwards in Shiko Dachi with Harai Uke
- Mae Geri + Gyaku Tsuki in Zenkutsu Dachi
- Pull front foot back into Sanchin Dachi with Jodan Age Uke + Gyaku Tsuki
- Both individually and combined
Partner Work
- Basic Yakusoku Kumite (one-step)
- Yakusoku Kumite variation (two-step)
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: Geki Sai Dai Ichi
- Bunkai: 1 application from Geki Sai Dai Ichi
- Sanchin: Not required
- Jiyu Kumite: Light Jiyu Kumite
Blue Belt
5th Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
6 months
Min. classes (this grade)
30
Cumulative classes
87
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 15
- Sit-ups: 15
- Plank: 1 min 30 sec
- Shiko Dachi: 1 min 30 sec
Stances (Dachi)
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi
- Neko Ashi Dachi
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Chudan Tsuki
- Jodan Tsuki
- Mae Uraken Uchi
- Yoko Uraken Uchi
- Shita Tsuki
- Age Empi Uchi
- Mawashi Empi Uchi
- Shuto Uchi
- Haito Uchi
Blocks (Uke)
- Jodan Age Uke
- Uchi Uke
- Harai Uke
- Hiki Uke
- Chuge Uke
Kicks (Geri)
- Hiza Geri
- Kin Geri
- Mae Geri
- Kansetsu Geri
- Mawashi Geri
- Yoko Geri
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- Forward in Sanchin Dachi with Gyaku Tsuki
- Backward in Sanchin Dachi with Jodan Age Uke
- Sanchin Dachi: Gyaku Tsuki + Mae Geri (forward and backward)
- Forward in Shiko Dachi with Mawashi Empi
- Backward in Shiko Dachi with Harai Uke
Partner Work
- Yakusoku Kumite using GSI opening moves
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: Geki Sai Dai Ichi
- Bunkai: 2 applications from Geki Sai Dai Ichi
- Sanchin: May perform with group, not tested
- Jiyu Kumite: Light Jiyu Kumite
Purple Belt
4th Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
9 months
Min. classes (this grade)
45
Cumulative classes
132
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 15
- Sit-ups: 15
- Plank: 1 min 30 sec
- Shiko Dachi: 1 min 30 sec
Stances (Dachi)
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi
- Neko Ashi Dachi
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Chudan Tsuki
- Jodan Tsuki
- Mae Uraken Uchi
- Yoko Uraken Uchi
- Shita Tsuki
- Age Empi Uchi
- Mawashi Empi Uchi
- Shuto Uchi
- Haito Uchi
Blocks (Uke)
- Jodan Age Uke
- Uchi Uke
- Harai Uke
- Hiki Uke
- Chuge Uke
Kicks (Geri)
- Hiza Geri
- Kin Geri
- Mae Geri
- Kansetsu Geri
- Mawashi Geri
- Yoko Geri
- Ushiro Geri
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- Forward Sanchin Dachi + Gyaku Tsuki
- Backward Sanchin Dachi + Jodan Age Uke
- Sanchin Dachi: Gyaku Tsuki + Mae Geri
- Forward Shiko Dachi + Mawashi Empi
- Backward Shiko Dachi + Harai Uke
- Suri Ashi forward and backward
- Suri Ashi side to side
- Suri Ashi with hand techniques
Partner Work
- Yakusoku Kumite using GSI opening moves
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: Geki Sai Dai Ichi
- Bunkai: 3 applications from Geki Sai Dai Ichi
- Sanchin: May perform with group, not tested
- Jiyu Kumite: Light Jiyu Kumite
Brown Belt
3rd Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
9 months
Min. classes (this grade)
45
Cumulative classes
179
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 25
- Sit-ups: 25
- Plank: 2 min
- Shiko Dachi: 2 min
Stances (Dachi)
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi
- Neko Ashi Dachi
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Chudan Tsuki
- Jodan Tsuki
- Mae Uraken Uchi
- Yoko Uraken Uchi
- Shita Tsuki
- Age Empi Uchi
- Mawashi Empi Uchi
- Shuto Uchi
- Haito Uchi
- Shotei Uchi
Blocks (Uke)
- Jodan Age Uke
- Uchi Uke
- Harai Uke
- Hiki Uke
- Chuge Uke
- Mawashi Uke
Kicks (Geri)
- Hiza Geri
- Kin Geri
- Mae Geri
- Kansetsu Geri
- Mawashi Geri
- Yoko Geri
- Ushiro Geri
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- Mae ni Shiko Dachi de Oi Tsuki
- Ushiro ni Shiko Dachi de Harai Uke
- Mae Geri + Gyaku Tsuki in Zenkutsu Dachi
- Forward Shiko Dachi + Mawashi Empi
- Backward Shiko Dachi + Harai Uke
- Suri Ashi in Neko Ashi Dachi (forward/backward)
- Suri Ashi (all directions) with hand techniques
- Suri Ashi in Neko Ashi Dachi (side to side)
- Moving with kicking (instructor discretion)
Partner Work
- Yakusoku Kumite using GSI opening moves
- Arm drags
- Basic Kakie
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: Geki Sai Dai Ni
- Bunkai: 2 applications from Geki Sai Dai Ni
- Sanchin: May perform with group, not tested
- Jiyu Kumite: Light Jiyu Kumite
Brown & White
2nd Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
9 months
Min. classes (this grade)
50
Cumulative classes
230
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 25
- Sit-ups: 25
- Plank: 2 min
- Shiko Dachi: 2 min
- Kote Kitae
Stances (Dachi)
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi
- Neko Ashi Dachi
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Chudan Tsuki
- Jodan Tsuki
- Mae Uraken Uchi
- Yoko Uraken Uchi
- Shita Tsuki
- Age Empi Uchi
- Mawashi Empi Uchi
- Shuto Uchi
- Haito Uchi
- Shotei Uchi
Blocks (Uke)
- Jodan Age Uke
- Uchi Uke
- Harai Uke
- Hiki Uke
- Chuge Uke
- Mawashi Uke
Kicks (Geri)
- Hiza Geri
- Kin Geri
- Mae Geri
- Kansetsu Geri
- Mawashi Geri
- Yoko Geri
- Ushiro Geri
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- All previous required moving basics
- Additional at instructor discretion
Partner Work
- Yakusoku Kumite using GSI opening moves
- Arm Drags
- Kakie with own application x 2
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: Saifa
- Bunkai: 2 applications from Saifa
- Sanchin: Gi jacket on, basic light shime
- Jiyu Kumite: Light Jiyu Kumite
Brown & Black
1st Kyu grading requirements
Min. training time
9 months
Min. classes (this grade)
50
Cumulative classes
280
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 25
- Sit-ups: 25
- Plank: 2 min
- Shiko Dachi: 2 min
- Kote Kitae
Stances (Dachi)
- Musubi Dachi
- Heiko Dachi
- Zenkutsu Dachi
- Shiko Dachi
- Sanchin Dachi
- Neko Ashi Dachi
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- Chudan Tsuki
- Jodan Tsuki
- Mae Uraken Uchi
- Yoko Uraken Uchi
- Shita Tsuki
- Age Empi Uchi
- Mawashi Empi Uchi
- Shuto Uchi
- Haito Uchi
- Shotei Uchi
Blocks (Uke)
- Jodan Age Uke
- Uchi Uke
- Harai Uke
- Hiki Uke
- Chuge Uke
- Mawashi Uke
Kicks (Geri)
- Hiza Geri
- Kin Geri
- Mae Geri
- Kansetsu Geri
- Mawashi Geri
- Yoko Geri
- Ushiro Geri
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- All previous required moving basics
- Additional at instructor discretion
Partner Work
- Yakusoku Kumite using GSI opening moves
- Arm Drags
- Kakie with own applications x 3
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: Saifa
- Bunkai: 4 applications from Saifa
- Sanchin: Gi jacket off (males), medium-intensity shime
- Jiyu Kumite: Light Jiyu Kumite
Shodan grading sheet
Black belt
Shodan is the first black belt, not the end of training. It tests mastery across all accumulated kihon, all grading kata, Sanchin with Shime, and Jiyu Kumite. Detailed requirements for Nidan and above are outlined at grading.
Black Belt
Shodan grading requirements
Min. training time
9 months
Min. classes (this grade)
50
Cumulative classes
330
Conditioning
- Push-ups: 30
- Sit-ups: 30
- Plank: 2 min
- Shiko Dachi: 2 min
- Kote Kitae
Stances (Dachi)
- All assessed stances
Strikes (Tsuki / Uchi)
- All assessed hand techniques
Blocks (Uke)
- All assessed blocks
Kicks (Geri)
- All assessed kicks
Ido Geiko (Moving Basics)
- All previous moving basics, performed to black belt standard
Partner Work
- Yakusoku Kumite using GSI opening moves, with takedown on last movement
- Arm Drags
- Kakie with own applications x 3
Kata, Bunkai, Sanchin & Kumite
- Kata: GSI, GSII, Saifa, Sanchin
- Bunkai: Applications from all grading kata
- Sanchin: Gi jacket off (males), strong-intensity shime
- Jiyu Kumite: Jiyu Kumite, more intense, longer rounds
All requirements are minimums. Advancement always depends on demonstrated skill, attitude, understanding and instructor approval. A grade reflects genuine progress, not attendance alone.