PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS

COMB 404/405
Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced Shotokan Karate

Instructor
Eric Larson

Revised 9-16-02
CONTENTS

Belt Ranks

8th Kyu - Yellow

7th Kyu - Blue

6th Kyu - Green

5th Kyu - Purple

4th Kyu - Purple

3rd Kyu - Brown

2nd Kyu - Brown

1st Kyu - Brown

1st Dan - Black

OTHER PAGES

Course Syllabus

Introductory Information

Promotion Requirements

Ten No Kata

Basic Combinations and Sparring Techniques

Self-Defense

Kata

Karate Uniforms

Japanese Karate Terminology

Suggested Books and Videos

Karate Main Page

COMB 404/405

Home

 

BELT RANKS

9th Kyu

White

8th Kyu

Yellow

7th Kyu

Blue

6th Kyu

Green

5th Kyu

Purple

4th Kyu

Purple - 1 Stripe

3rd Kyu

Brown

2nd Kyu

Brown - 1 Stripe

1st Kyu

Brown - 2 Stripes

1st Dan

Black

WHITE TO YELLOW BELT REQUIREMENTS (8th Kyu)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 26 class sessions.
3. Minimum of four months continuous training.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Competence in the following:

a. Stances:

Natural (Informal Attention, Informal Attention with Feet Turned Out, Open Leg),
Front Stance, Back Stance, Horse Stance.

b. Hand Positions:

Regular Fist, Sword Hand, Hammer Fist.

c. Hand Techniques:

Straight Punch, Front Lunge Punch, Reverse Punch, Three-Level Punch.

d. Kicks:

Front Snap Kick, Side Thrust Kick, Round Kick.

e. Blocks:

Upper Block, Downward Block, Inside Block, Outside Block, Sword Hand Block.

f. Kata:

Heian Shodan.

g. Sparring Techniques:

Ten No Kata Omote and Ura.
Basic Five-Step Sparring (2 techniques).
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 YELLOW TO BLUE BELT REQUIREMENTS (7th Kyu)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 26 class sessions since last promotion.
3. Minimum of eight months total training time.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Increased proficiency in all lower belt requirements.
6. Competence in the following:

a. Stances (Dachi):

Natural (Shinzen-tai): Informal Attention (Heisoku), Informal Attention with Feet Turned Out (Musubi), Open Leg (Hachiji); Front Stance (Zenkutsu), Back Stance (Kokutsu), Horse Stance (Kiba), Cat Leg (Neko-ashi)

b. Hand Techniques (Te-uchi/zuki):

All yellow belt requirements; Back Fist Strike (Uraken), Jab (Kizami).

c. Kicks (Geri):

All yellow belt requirements; Front Thrust Kick (Mae Kekomi), Side Snap Kick (Yoko Keage).

d. Blocks (Uke):

All yellow belt requirements.

e. Kata:

Heian Nidan.

f. New Techniques From Kata:

Side Strike with Hammer Fist (Sokumen Uchi-Komi), Sweeping Block (Nagashi Uke), Side Snap Kick (Yoko Keage), Back Fist Strike (Uraken Uchi), Vertical Spear Hand Punch (Nukite Tate Zuki), Pressing Palm Block (Osae Uke), Reinforced Block (Morote Uke).

g. Sparring Techniques (Kumite):

Ten No Kata Omote and Ura.
Basic Five-Step Sparring (2 techniques).
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 BLUE TO GREEN BELT REQUIREMENTS (6th Kyu)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 26 class sessions since last promotion.
3. Minimum of one year total training time.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Increased proficiency in all lower belt requirements.
6. Competence in the following:

a. Hand Techniques (Te-uchi/zuki):

All lower belt requirements.

b. Kicks (Geri):

All lower belt requirements; Crescent Kick (Mikazuki), Reverse Crescent Kick (Gyaku Mikazuki).

c. Blocks (Uke):

All lower belt requirements.

d. Kata:

Heian Sandan.

e. New Stances From Kata (Dachi):

Feet Together Stance (Heisoku Dachi).

f. New Techniques From Kata:

Side Elbow Strike (Yoko Empi Uchi), Vertical Sword Hand Block (Tate Shuto Uke), Swinging Punch (Tsuki Age Zuki), Rear Elbow Strike (Ushiro Empi Ate).

g. Sparring Techniques (Kumite):

All lower belt requirements; Semi-free One-Step Sparring.
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GREEN TO PURPLE BELT REQUIREMENTS (5th Kyu)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 26 class sessions since last promotion.
3. Minimum of one year and four months total training time.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Increased proficiency in all lower belt requirements.
6. Competence in the following:

a. Hand Techniques (Te-uchi/zuki):

All lower belt requirements.

b. Kicks (Geri):

All lower belt requirements. Hook Kick (Kagi), Back Kick (Ushiro).

c. Blocks (Uke):

All lower belt requirements.

d. Kata:

Heian Yondan.

e. New Stances From Kata (Dachi):

Crossed Leg Stance (Kosa Dachi).

f. New Techniques From Kata:

X-Block (Juji Uke), Horizontal Elbow Strike (Mawashi Empi Uchi), Horizontal Sword Hand Strike (Yoko Mawashi Shuto Uchi), Back Fist Strike (Uraken Uchi), Wedge Block (Kakiwake Uchi), Rising Knee Strike (Hiza Age-Ate).

g. Sparring Techniques (Kumite):

All lower belt requirements; Semi-free One-Step Sparring.
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 PURPLE TO PURPLE BELT with 1 STRIPE (4th Kyu)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 26 class sessions since last promotion.
3. Minimum of one year and eight months total training time.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Increased proficiency in all lower belt requirements.
6. Competence in the following:

a. Hand Techniques (Te-uchi/zuki):

All lower belt requirements.

b. Kicks (Geri):

All lower belt requirements; Lead Leg Snap Kicks (Front, Side, Round and Hook) (Mae Ashi Keage).

c. Blocks (Uke):

All lower belt requirements.

d. Kata:

Heian Godan.

e. New Stances From Kata (Dachi):

Flowing Water Position (Mizu-Nagare Kamae), L-Stance (Renoji Dachi).

f. New Techniques From Kata:

Hooking Block (Kake Uke), Crescent Kick (Mikazuki Geri), Augmented Swinging Punch (Morote Koho Tsuki Age), Downward Sword Hand Strike (Gedan Shuto Uchi Komi),Sweeping Block (Nagashi Uke), Hi-Low Block/Throw (Gedan Barai-Jodan Soto Uke).

g. Sparring Techniques (Kumite):

All lower belt requirements; Semi-free One-Step Sparring.
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PURPLE with 1 STRIPE TO BROWN BELT (3rd Kyu)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 26 class sessions since last promotion.
3. Minimum of two years total training time.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Increased proficiency in all lower belt requirements.
6. Competence in the following:

a. Hand Techniques (Te-uchi/zuki):

All lower belt requirements.

b. Kicks (Geri):

All lower belt requirements.

c. Blocks (Uke):

All lower belt requirements.

d. Kata:

Bassai Dai.

e. New Stances From Kata (Dachi):

Open Leg Natural Stance (Hachinoji Dachi).

f. New Techniques From Kata:

Straight Punch (Choku Zuki), Grasping Block (Tsukami Uke), Low Level Thrust Kick (Gedan Kekomi), Two-Handed Upper Level Block (Morote Jodan Uke), Scissors Strike (Hasami Uchi), Mountain Punch (Yama Zuki), Scooping Block (Sukui Uke).

g. Sparring Techniques (Kumite):

All lower belt requirements; Jiyu Kumite.
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 BROWN TO BROWN BELT with 1 STRIPE (2nd Kyu)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 26 class sessions since last promotion.
3. Minimum of two years and four months total training time.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Increased proficiency in all lower belt requirements.
6. Competence in the following:

a. Hand Techniques (Te-uchi/zuki):

All lower belt requirements.

b. Kicks (Geri):

All lower belt requirements.

c. Blocks (Uke):

All lower belt requirements.

d. Kata:

Kanku Dai.

e. New Stances From Kata (Dachi):

None.

f. New Techniques From Kata:

Downward Punch (Otoshi Zuki), Two Level Kick (Nidan Geri).

g. Sparring Techniques (Kumite):

All lower belt requirements; Jiyu Kumite.
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 BROWN w/1 STRIPE TO BROWN BELT w/2 STRIPES (1st Kyu)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 26 class sessions since last promotion.
3. Minimum of two years and eight months total training time.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Increased proficiency in all lower belt requirements.
6. Competence in the following:

a. Hand Techniques (Te-uchi/zuki):

All lower belt requirements.

b. Kicks (Geri):

All lower belt requirements.

c. Blocks (Uke):

All lower belt requirements.

d. Kata:

Tekki Shodan or Jion.

e. New Stances From Kata (Dachi):

None.

f. New Techniques From Kata:

Hook Punch (Kagi Zuki), Close Punch (Ura Zuki), Returning Wave Kick (Name-Gaeshi);Palm Heel Strike (Tei-Sho Uchi), Forearm Dropping Strike/Block (Gai-Wan Otoshi Uchi/Uke).

g. Sparring Techniques (Kumite):

All lower belt requirements; Jiyu Kumite.
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 BROWN w/2 STRIPES TO BLACK BELT (1st Dan)

1. Recommendation by instructor.
2. Minimum attendance of 30 class sessions since last promotion.
3. Minimum of three years total training time.
4. Demonstration of proper etiquette and respect for others during training.
5. Increased proficiency in all lower belt requirements.
6. High level of competence in the following:

a. Hand Techniques (Te-uchi/zuki):

All lower belt requirements.

b. Kicks (Geri):

All lower belt requirements.

c. Blocks (Uke):

All lower belt requirements.

d. Kata:

Student should prepare one favorite kata, to be performed at a high level of competence, from the following: Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Empi or Tekki Shodan; Student should be prepared to demonstrate any of the above katas plus all five Heian katas, at examiner's choice.

e. New Stances From Kata (Dachi):

None.

f. New Techniques From Kata:

Upward Swinging Punch (Jodan Furi Zuki).

g. Sparring Techniques (Kumite):

All lower belt requirements; Jiyu Kumite.

 

 PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS FOR RANKS ABOVE 1st DAN WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE INSTRUCTOR AS THE NEED ARISES.

 

 NOTE: Students who have studied other styles of martial arts are welcome. However, because rank indicates mastery of techniques specific to a particular style, you may not automatically transfer your rank in one style to another. All students who have not previously attained rank in a recognized school of SHOTOKAN karate must begin at the white belt level. The instructor realizes, however, that many styles of karate are similar. For students with previous ranking in other martial art styles, time requirements for promotion may be waived and promotion made upon demonstration of mastery of all required knowledge. Such promotion will be based solely upon the discretion of the instructor and only after a sufficient period of training in which the student demonstrates proper attitude, etiquette and moral character.

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Course Syllabus | Introductory Information | Promotion Requirements | Ten No Kata
Basic Combinations and Sparring Techniques | Self-Defense Techniques | Kata
Karate Uniforms | Japanese Terminology | Suggested Books
COMB 404/405 | Karate Club | About the Instructor | Links  | Karate Main Page | Home