WTKO UK & Ireland Grading Syllabus with Criteria RSKC Ridgeway Shotokan Karate Club This booklet contains all the information you need to know to take your grading from white belt (10th kyu through to 1st kyu. Use this booklet to help you prepare for your grading. 1
Contents WTKO Grading Syllabus with Criteria 3 10th kyu to 8th kyu 4 7th kyu 5 6th kyu 6 5th kyu 7 4th kyu 8 3rd kyu 10 2nd kyu 11 1st kyu 13 Shodan 14 Nidan 15 2
WTKO UK & Ireland Grading Syllabus with Criteria Students should not just practice the syllabus, you will be asked to perform additional techniques, kata, the examiner may ask the student questions on karate to test your spirit and knowledge, all that is asked of you is to give your very best. The criteria and Applied Karate techniques are important for development. Applied Karate examples are listed at the back of the syllabus and will be taught as part of student development The examiner may do one of the following, pass you, fail you, or defer a grade, or even double grade. 3
Beginner 12th Kyu, 12th 11th Kyu From Shizentai From Heisoku Dachi Choku Tsuki x 10 Mae Geri x 10 Age Uke x 10 Gedan Barai x 10 Attacker choku tsuki x 10 Defender Age Uke x 10 11th 10th Kyu From Shizentai From Heisoku Dachi Choku Tsuki x 10 Mae Geri x 10 Age Uke x 10 Gedan Barai x 10 Attacker choku tsuki x 10 Defender Age Uke x 10 Everything by count 4
10th kyu to 9th kyu The grading Syllabus criteria must be read and applied from this point onward showing improvement in technique, standard plus all points raised at each level. From shizentai - choku tsuki x 10 From heisoku dachi - mea geri x 10 Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward oi tsuki chudan Back age uke Forward soto uke Back gedan barai From zenkutsu dachi gyaku tsuki x 10 Gohon kumite (Jodan) to count Heian Shodan to count Grading Criteria: You must be able to demonstrate all the basic moves Turn correctly from your stance Perform Kihon Kata correctly showing blocking and punches in correct form with good front stance Perform 5 step Kumite correctly with Kiai and good stances 5
9th kyu 8th Kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward oi tsuki chudan Back age uke Forward soto uke Back shuto uke Forward uchi uke Back gedan barai Forward mae geri Forward yoko geri kiage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Gohon kumite (Jodan & chudan) Heian Shodan Grading Criteria: As per 9th Kyu standard showing improvement Perform Keage and Kekomi kicks Perform Heian Shodan with good stances and Kokutsu dachi Shuto Ukes Improved 5 step Kumite good stances and show speed and strong attacks and blocks 6
8th - 7th Kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward oi tsuki chudan Back age uke Forward soto uke Back shuto uke Forward uchi uke Back gedan barai Forward mae geri Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri kiage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Gohon kumite (jodan & chudan) Heian Sandan Grading Criteria: Kihon: All stances are correct in basics Development of strong punches and blocks with correct technique Keage and Kekomi kicks improved, should be aiming for chudan level with the knee position and foot position correct Kata: Heian Nidan to be preformed with correct form Hips on blocks hanmi (halfway) and shomen (front) in Kata and basics Good stances Kumite: 5 Step Kumite: Strong Punches and blocks with correct stances and feet moving inwards to outwards Good speed and power 7
7th - 6th Kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward oi tsuki chudan Forward gyaku tsuki Back age uke gyaku tsuki Forward soto uke gyaku tsuki Back shuto uke Forward uchi uke gyaku tsuki Back gedan barai gyaku tsuki Forward mae geri Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri kiage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Gohon kumite (jodan, chudan & mae geri) Heian Sandan Grading Criteria: Kihon: Stances developed with good strong punches and blocks Full use of hips on blocks and punches Perform Reverse punch correctly, use hip rotation Movement in stances with speed and correct form Keage and Kekomi improved kicking belt height minimum, defining snapping and thrusting with the leg 8
Kata: Perform Heian Sandan correctly Good Kiba dachi in the Kata with a smooth flow, speed and power in techniques Hips to be shown correctly on punches and blocks. Kumite: 5 Step with Mae geri kicking chudan and at the opponent. Good stances and feet movement Good target counters and attacks 9
6th - 5th Kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward oi tsuki chudan Forward gyaku tsuki Back age uke mae geri Forward soto uke yoko empi Back shuto uke nukite Forward uchi uke gyaku tsuki Forward gedan barai gyaku tsuki Forward mae geri oi tsuki Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Kihon ippon kumite (jodan, chudan & mae geri) Heian Yondan Grading Criteria: Mae Geri kicking with the ball of the foot pointing out Keage and Kekomi must show speed, power, and good technique at chudan level (min belt height) Demonstrate Mawashi geri with the correct basics of the kick (Knee raised from side and movement from hip rotation extending the leg to chudan using the ball of the foot). Demonstrate good back stance (70% weight on back leg) Heian Yondan to be preformed with good stances and posture, Timing, correct, with strong kime, fast and slow movement identified Kumite: Speed, Distance, SUN DOME 30mm from opponent, hips correct on attacks and defence Good Kime and focus. Any Applied Karate must be convincing, full use of Hip, Technique, Stance, Kiai. 10
5th - 4th kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward oi tsuki chudan Forward gyaku tsuki Back age uke mae geri Forward soto uke yoko empi Back shuto uke nukite Forward uchi uke gyaku tsuki Forward gedan barai, hift back uchi uke, drive forward gyaku tsuki Forward mae geri oi tsuki Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Forward ushiro geri Kihon ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mea geri & mawashi geri) Heian Godan Grading Criteria: Kihon: As per Green belt Mae Geri kicking with the ball of the foot pointing out Keage and Kekomi must show speed power and good technique at chudan level min belt height Demonstrate Maswashi geri with the correct basics of the kick (Knee raised from side and movement from hip rotation extending the leg to chudan using the ball of the foot). Demonstrate good back stance but all with sharpness 11
All Kicks preformed Chudan level with Speed Demonstrate good back stance but all with sharpness All Kicks preformed Chudan level with Speed Kata: Heian Godan with correct form speed and power, timing, with hip rotation, Kime Show fast and slow movements looking in correct areas Kumite: Speed, Distance, SUN DOME 30mm from opponent, hips correct on attacks and defence Any Applied Karate must be convincing, full use of Hip, Technique, Stance, Kiai. Good Kime and focus. 12
4th - 3rd Kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward sanbon-zuki Back age-uke mae-geri. Forward soto-uke yoko empi Back shuto-uke nukite Forward uchi-uke gyaku-zuki Forward gedan barai, hift back uchi uke, drive forward gyaku tsuki Forward mae-geri chudan mae-geri jodan (ren-geri). Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Forward ushiro geri Forward kaiten shinagara uraken gyaku tsuki Forward jodan shuto uchi Kihon ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mea geri, mawashi geri) Tekki Shodan Grading Criteria: Kihon: All as per Green belt Mae Geri kicking with the ball of the foot pointing out Keage and Kekomi must show speed power and good technique at chudan level min belt height Demonstrate Maswashi geri with the correct basics of the kick (Knee raised from side and movement from hip rotatation extending the leg to chudan using the ball of the foot). 13
Demonstrate good back stance but all with sharpness All Kicks preformed Chudan level with Speed Kata: Tekki Shodan with correct form speed and power, hold Kiba dachi stance Must look first at key points and Nami Ashi correct Any Applied Karate must be convincing, full use of Hip, Technique, Stance, Kiai. Kumite: Speed, Distance, SUN DOME 30mm from opponent, hips correct on attacks and defence Good Kime and focus. Must be Sharper, Power. 14
3rd - 2nd Kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward sanbon-zuki Back age-uke mae-geri. Forward soto-uke yoko empi, uraken Back shuto-uke mae geri nukite Forward uchi-uke kizami tsuki gyaku-zuki Forward gedan barai, hift back uchi uke, drive forward gyaku tsuki Forward mae-geri chudan mae-geri jodan (ren-geri). Forward mawashi geri gyaku tsuki Forward yoko geri keage yoko geri kekomi (same leg in zenkutsu dachi) Forward ushiro geri Forward kaiten shinagara uraken gyaku tsuki Forward jodan shuto uchi Jiyu-ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mae, mawashi, yoko, ushiro) Bassai Dai Grading Criteria: Kihon: Sharpness on movement with Kime and hip rotation Good technique on stances, kicks, blocks and punches. Full Hip rotation All Kicks performed Chudan level both sides with speed and power correctly Centre of Gravity mastered, good balance 15
Kata: Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai, Empi (Preferred Kata) preformed correctly with good use of hips in Kata Focused with correct form and timing All Heians Correct and polished All with Sharpness Kumite: Show good technique Speed, Kime,Timing and distance with hip rotation Snap counters after full extension and kime with sun dome to opponent Correct use of target areas Any Applied Karate must be convincing, full use of Hip, Technique, Stance, Kiai 16
2nd - 1st Kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward sanbon-zuki Back age-uke mae-geri. Forward soto-uke yoko empi, uraken Back shuto-uke mae geri nukite Forward uchi-uke kizami tsuki gyaku-zuki Forward mae geri mawashi geri (ren-geri). Forward mawashi geri gyaku tsuki Forward yoko geri keage yoko geri kekomi (same leg in zenkutsu dachi) Forward ushiro geri gyaku tsuki Forward kaiten shinagara uraken gyaku tsuki Forward jodan shuto uchi Forward yori ashi gyaku tsuki step forward gedan barai yori ashi gyaku tsuki gedan barai Jiyu-ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mae, mawashi, yoko, ushiro) Tokui-gata. Choose from: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Enpi. Examiner imposes kata from: Heian Shodan Godan, Tekki Shodan Grading Criteria: Kihon: All basics perform with understanding of technique and spirit Sharpness on movement with Kime and hip rotation Good technique on stances, kicks, blocks and punches. Full Hip rotation All Kicks performed Chudan level both sides with speed and power, kime correctly 17
Kata: Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai, Empi (Preferred Kata) preformed correctly with good use of hips in Kata Students should be able to perform all 4 Katas but optional 1 for grading only Focused with correct form and timing and kime with smooth movements All Heians Correct and polished with understanding of movements All with Sharpness and Spirit and Six Elements of Kata evident Kumite: Show good technique Speed, Kime,Timing and distance with hip rotation Snap counters after full extension and kime with sun dome to opponent Correct use of target areas, Sun Dome 30mm at full speed and power with snap back to Gamae Must show full conviction and spirit, this is essential 18
Shodan Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai (Everything x 4) Forward sanbon-zuki Rotate forward 360 gyaku-zuki chudan Back age-uke mae-geri gyaku-zuki. Forward soto-uke enpi uraken (in kiba-dachi) gyaku-zuki (zenkutsu-dachi). Back shuto-uke (kokutsu-dachi) mae-geri (front-leg) nukite (zenkutsu-dachi) Forward uchi-uke kizami-zuki gyaku-zuki Mae-geri chudan mae-geri jodan nidan-geri (two-level jumping) Forward mae-geri yoko-geri kekomi (same leg) From kiba-dachi. Yoko-geri keage change leg yoko-geri kekomi. Forward mawashi-geri gyaku-zuki Forward ushiro-geri gyaku-zuki Forward double jodan shuto-uchi (from outside then inside) Jiyu-ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mae, mawashi, yoko, ushiro) Tokui-gata. Choose from: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Enpi. Examiner imposes kata from: Heian Shodan Godan, Tekki Shodan 19
Nidan All from jiyu kamae.(everything x 4) Forward kizami-zuki sanbon-zuki Forward kizami-zuki mae-geri oi-zuki Back age-uke forward mawashi-geri uraken oi-zuki Forward ushiro-geri uraken gyaku-zuki Forward gyaku mawashi-geri Forward ura mawashi-geri gyaku-zuki. Facing examiner: mae-geri, yoko-geri keage, ushiro-geri Gyaku-zuki distance control Jiyu-kumite. Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Enpi. 20
Sandan From jiyu kamae. Forward kizami-zuki gyaku-zuki choku-zuki oi-zuki gyaku-zuki (gohon renzoku oi-komi 5 tsuki one step plus yori-ashi),mawatte. Forward age-empi (kokutsu-dachi), mawashi-empi (zenkutsu-dachi), yoko-empi (kibadachi) Forward gyaku mawashi-geri mawashi-geri (same leg) Forward ura mawashi-geri gyaku-zuki Forward mae-geri oi-zuki, mawashi-geri uraken, ushiro-geri gyaku-zuki. Facing examiner: mae-geri, yoko-geri, ushiro-geri, mawashi-geri Jiyu-kumite. Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Enpi. 21
Yondan Examinee must have mastered all karate techniques, can understand their principles, apply them fully and be able to give general instruction. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique. Jiyu-kumite or (by prior arrangement with examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui-waza with a partner. Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Bassai-dai, Jion, Enpi, Kanku-dai, Hangetsu, Jitte Godan Examinee must have attained an exceptionally high level of karate technique and displayed originality in their karate. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique. Jiyu-kumite or (by prior arrangement with examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui-waza with a partner. Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Bassai-sho, Kanku-sho, Jiin, Wankan, Chinte, Unsu, Sochin and ask questions about the examinee s tokui kata. 22
Rokudan Examinee must have obtained an exceptionally high level of karate both in technique and soul. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique. Jiyu-kumite or (by prior arrangement with examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui-waza with a partner. Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from:bassai-dai, Bassai-sho, Kanku-dai, Kanku-sho, Jion, Jiin, Enpi, Hangetsu, Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Nijushiho, Gojushiho-sho, Gojushiho-dai, Meikyo, Jitte, Gankaku, Wankan, Chinte, Unsu, Sochin and ask questions about the examinee s tokui kata. Nanadan Examinee must have obtained an exceptionally high level of karate with complete maturity both in technique and soul after devoting themselves to training. Explanation of technique developed to a high level by examinee accompanied by written thesis. Jiyu 23
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