Ridgeway Shotokan Karate Club GRADING SYLLABUS WITH CRITERIA

RSKC Ridgeway Shotokan Karate Club GRADING SYLLABUS WITH CRITERIA 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 Optional Junior Kyu Syllabus 3 10th kyu to 9th kyu 3 9th kyu to 8th kyu 4 8th kyu to 7th kyu 5 7th kyu to 6th kyu 6 6th kyu to 5th kyu 7 5th kyu to 4th kyu 8 4th kyu to 3rd kyu 9 3rd kyu to 2nd kyu 10 2nd kyu to 1st kyu 11 Applied Karate 12 Notes 14 Shodan to Hachidan 16 2

RSKC 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. Optional Junior Kyu Syllabus, white belt to do Beginner 12th Kyu & 12th 11th Kyu Kihon From shizentai Choku zuki x 10 Age uke x 10 Gedan barai x 10 From heisoku dachi Mae geri x 10 Kumite Attacker choku zuki x 10 Defender age uke x 10 11th 10th Kyu Kihon From shizentai Choku zuki x 10 Age uke x 10 Gedan barai x 10 From heisoku dachi Mae g2 ri x 10 Kumite Attacker choku zuki x 10 Defender age uke x 10 10th kyu to 9th kyu, white/red stripe to do From shizentai - choku zuki x 10 From heisoku dachi - mea geri x 10 Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Forward oi zuki chudan Back age uke Forward soto uke Back gedan barai From zenkutsu dachi gyaku zuki x 10 3

Gohon kumite (Jodan) to count Heian Shodan or Kihon Kata by count Grading Criteria: You must be demonstrate all the basic moves Turn correctly from your stance Perform kihon kata correctly showing blocking and punching in correct form with good front stance. Perform 5 step kumite correctly with kiai and good stances 9th kyu to 8th kyu, white 2, red and white red stripes Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Forward oi zuki chudan Back age uke Forward soto uke Back shuto uke Forward uchi uke Back gedan barai Forward mae geri Forward yoko geri keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Heian Shodan Gohon kumite (jodan & chudan) 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 with strong attacks and blocks 4

8th kyu to 7th kyu, red and white yellow stripe Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Forward oi zuki 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 keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Heian Nidan Gohon kumite (jodan & chudan) 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 and 3 step Kumite: Strong Punches and blocks with correct stances and feet moving inwards to outwards. Good speed and power. 5

7th kyu to 6th kyu, yellow and white with orange stripe Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Forward oi zuki chudan Forward gyaku zuki Back age uke gyaku zuki Forward soto uke gyaku zuki Back shuto uke Forward uchi uke gyaku zuki Back gedan barai gyaku zuki Forward mae geri Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Heian Sandan Gohon kumite (jodan, chudan & mae geri) 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. 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 6

6th kyu to 5th kyu, orange and white with green stripe Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Forward oi zuki chudan Forward gyaku zuki Back age uke mae geri Forward soto uke yoko empi Back shuto uke nukite Forward uchi uke gyaku zuki Forward gedan barai gyaku zuki Forward mae geri oi zuki Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Heian Yondan Kihon ippon kumite (jodan, chudan & mae geri) 1) Applied Karate: Show realistic use of any of the first 4 uke 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, 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. 7

5th kyu to 4th kyu, green and white with blue stripe Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Forward oi zuki chudan Forward gyaku zuki Back age uke mae geri Forward soto uke yoko empi Back shuto uke nukite Forward uchi uke gyaku zuki Forward gedan barai, shift back uchi uke, drive forward gyaku zuki Forward mae geri oi zuki Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Forward ushiro geri Heian Godan Kihon ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mea geri & mawashi geri) 2) Applied Karate: As 1 but to include oi zucki as a takedown technique 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 Sharpness on all techniques 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. 8

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. 4th kyu to 3rd kyu, blue and white with brown stripe Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai 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, shift back uchi uke, drive forward gyaku zuki Forward mae geri chudan oi zuki chudan Forward mawashi geri Forward yoko geri keage (kiba dachi) Forward yoko geri kekomi (kiba dach) Forward ushiro geri Forward kaiten shinagara uraken gyaku zuki Forward jodan shuto uchi Tekki Shodan Kihon ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mea geri, mawashi geri) 3) Applied Karate: Show at least 2 techniques from kata learnt so far 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 rotation extending the leg to chudan using the ball of the foot). Demonstrate good back stance 9

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. 3rd kyu to 2nd kyu, all brown belts Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Forward sanbon zuki Back age uke mae geri. Forward soto uke yoko empi, uraken Back shuto uke mae geri nukite Forward uchi uke kizami zuki gyaku zuki Forward gedan barai, shift back uchi uke, drive forward gyaku zuki Forward mae geri chudan oi zuki chudan Forward mawashi geri gyaku zuki Bassai Da Jiyu ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mae, mawashi, yoko, ushiro) 4) Applied Karate: Show at least 3 techniques from kata learnt so far, and 2 from kihon techniques, must be 1 takedown included 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 10

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, Ttchnique, stance, kiai. 2nd kyu to 1st kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Forward sanbon zuki Back age uke mae geri. Forward soto uke yoko empi, uraken Back shuto uke mae geri nukite Forward uchi uke kizami zuki gyaku zuki Forward mae geri mawashi geri (same leg) Forward mawashi geri gyaku Zuki Forward yoko geri keage yoko geri kekomi (same leg in zenkutsu dachi) Forward ushiro geri gyaku Zuki Forward kaiten shinagara uraken gyaku Zuki Forward jodan shuto uchi Forward yori ashi gyaku Zuki step forward gedan barai yori ashi gyaku Zuki gedan barai Tokui gata. Choose from: Bassai-dai, Kankudai, Jion, Enpi. Examiner imposes kata from: Heian Shodan Godan, Tekki Shodan Jiyu ippon kumite (jodan, chudan, mae, mawashi, yoko, ushiro) 11

5) Applied Karate: Student must demonstrate 5 techniques of their choice,1 takedown only,1 lock only, others must be effective. 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 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 APPLIED KARATE Inform student that at this level just understanding of technique is required, we are training with, not killing our opponent. UKE 1. Age Uke: simple strangle/strike to holding arm then uke under chin 2. Soto Uke: strike to inner or outer arm/hold grabbing arm and strike to break/ press down on elbow strike to forehead/other arm strike to solar plexis 3. Uchi Uke: sweep over/under holding arm pull back with hip rotation to bring opponent to knees/strike to temple or kidneys/ uppercut to abdomen 12

4. Shuto Uke: outside by pressing nearest arm to body, slide in, strike to neck, temple..reaction arm to receive attack, set other arm to your face, step back drawing receiving arm to grasp opponent, strike as he comes off balance Oi Zuchi 1. Grasp and rotate holding arm, step forward and strike to same side shoulder with palm or fist, maintain grip as they go to ground, finish with any technique 2. As above but as you step forward use clothesline effect across upper body, maintain grip, finish 3. As above but this time step in and behind they are holding you by, use hikite and strong stance to unbalance and bring to ground, maintain grip, finish 4. As above, once stepped through rotate hand and grab whatever is there and throw them over using technique above, maintain grip, finish Kata Show any kata move, explain your thinking then demonstrate it, examples: Shihon nukite could be pressing down on a grab and using other hand to strike to target 1st movement of heian nidan as a simultaneous block and strike Last move in heian sandan as a throw Morote uke in heian yondan as a take down Nothing is as it appears, a block is not a block, a strike is not a strike, a kick is not a kick, it is what you make it and its effectiveness. 13

Notes 14

Notes 15

Shodan Minimum of 6 months since 1st Kyu Step forward zenkutsu dachi, gedan barai Tobe konde sanbon zuki Rotate forward 360 gyaku zuki chudan Back age uke mae geri gyaku zuki. Forward soto uke empi 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 Forward yoko geri keage, yoko geri kekomi (same leg) Forward mea geri, 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 Nidan Minimum of 2 years since Shodan All from jiyu kamae. 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 mawashi geri, forward ashi barai, gyaku zuki Forward ura mawashi geri gyaku zuki. Facing examiner: mae geri, yoko geri keage, ushiro geri Gyaku zuki distance control 16

Jiyu kumite. Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, Enpi. Sandan Minimum of 3 years since Nidan From jiyu kamae. Forward kizami zuki gyaku zuki choku zuki oi zuki gyaku zuki (gohon renzoku oi komi 5 punches one step plus yori ashi) Forward age empi (kokutsu dachi), mawashi empi (zenkutsu dachi), yoko empi (kiba dachi) Forward gyaku zuki, shift into kiba dachi yoko empi, shift back shuto uke, drive forward 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, Bassai-Sho, Kanku-dai, Kanku-Sho, Jion, Enpi. Questions will be asked about tokui kata. Yondan Minimum of 4 years since Sandan 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. 17

Tokui kata. Examiner chooses from: Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Bassai-dai, Jion, Enpi, Kanku-dai, Hangetsu, Jitte. Godan Minimum of 5 years since Yondan 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, tokui kata and bunkai. 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. Rokudan Minimum of 6 years since Godan 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, tokui kata and bunkai. 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 a kata from any of the Shotokan kata. 18

Nanadan Minimum of 7 years since Rokudan This grade is awarded by the Head Technical Director and the International Council after the HDKI senior has obtained an exceptionally high level of karate and developed their own individuality within the art of Shotokan. Hachidan Minimum of 8 years since Nanadan This grade is awarded by the Head Technical Director and the International Council after the HDKI senior has obtained an exceptionally high level of karate and has shown a continuous development of their own individuality within the art of Shotokan. 19