Shotokan
Grading Syllabus
Version 3 : 27th April 2009
Notes to the syllabus
I recommend the DVD: Karate-Videos Best Practice Series – Grading Syllabus for Shotokan Karate 9th to 1st Kyu to support your learning of this syllabus. Anyone training less than twice a week should purchase this DVD to help your practice outside of the dojo and increase your familiarity with the moves required for your grade. You can purchase this from: www.karate-videos.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.asda.co.uk When using any DVD or training aid please remember that they are purely training guides, you should learn from them and take what you need, but remember that during a grading you need to do as the examiner has requested in order to pass.
When looking at any syllabus you should always reference the Kyu grade rather than the colour of the belt, belt colours can differ between clubs and associations whereas Kyu grades are always constant.
Please refer to the page for the grade that you wish to attain, i.e. if you are currently a yellow belt then you need to look at the green belt page as this is the next grading you will do.
English translations have been added to the end of each move to save any confusion.
Where a move has a different stance in brackets for a particular technique, that stance only applies to that one, any further techniques will be in the original stance of the move (unless otherwise noted in brackets).
Ren-Geri or double kick is two separate kicks and should just be demonstrated as two techniques performed in quick succession.
When going into front stance “Jiyu Gamae” (freestyle) you should always perform Gedan Barai first. When going into Kiba-Dachi “Jiyu Gamae” (freestyle) you should always perform double Gedan Barai.
Ensure you look out for the moves with Backwards on the end.
On your grading you will not only be expected to perform your grading kata, but all those you have previously been graded upon. This is to ensure that katas are continually practiced and improved in line with your grade.
There are 4 results that can be attained at a grading, 3 classes of pass (A, B and C) and a fail.
· Those attaining an A have passed all requirements (Score 75% or above).
· Class B passes have displayed have on the whole met requirements, but there may be aspects that need improvement, at your next grading you will take both your new grading plus your last one. (Score 50% or above)
· Class C passes mean that you have displayed enough ability/knowledge to move on to the next level, but you do need to readdress some issues with at your previous grade. You will retake this grading before you can progress to your next grading. This does not need to be performed at an official grading, and can be arranged for any standard session if you request it giving one week’s notice. (Score 30% or above)
· Fail means that you have not met the criteria for attaining the next grade. You can reattempt it at the next official grading. Remember our qualities in character is not only shown by how we conduct ourselves when everything is going well, but even more so with how we react to criticism and setbacks. (Score less than 30%)
If you have any questions remember to either ask or send an email to archibaldkevin@hotmail.com
Good luck!
Grading Syllabus: 9th Kyu (Orange)
Minimum of 3 Months and 10 Training sessions
Zenkutsu Dachi/Gedan Barai (front stance/downward block)
1. Jodan Oi-Zuki (lunge punch - face)
2. Chudan Oi-Zuki (lunge punch - middle area)
3. Age-Uke (upper rising block)
4. Soto-Uke (outside forearm block)
5. Uchi-Uke (inside forearm block)
Zenkutsu Dachi/Ryo Wan Gedan Barai (front stance/both arms downward block)
6. Mae-Geri Jodan (front kick - face)
7. Mae-Geri Chudan (front kick - middle area)
Kihon (otherwise known as Taikyoku Shodan)
Sanbon Kumite - Jodan and Chudan
Grading Syllabus: 8th Kyu (Red)
Minimum of 3 Months and 10 Training sessions since last grading
Zenkutsu Dachi/Gedan Barai (front stance/downward block)
1. Chudan Oi-Zuki (lunge punch - middle area)
2. Age-Uke (upper rising block) Backwards
3. Soto-Uke (outside forearm block)
4. Uchi-Uke (inside forearm block) Backwards
Kokutso-Dachi/Shuto Uke (back stance/knife-hand block)
5. Shoto-Uke (knife-hand block)
6. Shoto-Uke (knife-hand block) Backwards
Zenkutsu Dachi/Ryo Wan Gedan Barai (front stance/both arms downward block)
7. Mae-Geri Jodan (front kick - face)
8. Mae-Geri Chudan (front kick - middle area)
Kiba-Dachi/Jiyu Gamae (horse-straddle stance/freestyle hands)
9. Yoko-Geri Keage (side snap kick)
10. Yoko-Geri Kekomi (side thrust kick)
Heian Shodan
Sanbon Kumite - Jodan and Chudan
Grading Syllabus: 7th Kyu (Yellow)
Minimum of 3 Months and 10 Training sessions since last grading
Zenkutsu Dachi/Gedan Barai (front stance/downward block)
1. Sanbon-Zuki (3 punches – 1 jodan, 2 chudan)
2. Age-Uke/Gyaku-Zuki (upper rising block/reverse punch) Backwards
3. Soto-Uke/Gyaku-Zuki (outside forearm block/reverse punch)
4. Uchi-Uke/Gyaku-Zuki (inside forearm block/reverse punch) Backwards
Kokutso-Dachi/Shuto Uke (back stance/knife-hand block)
5. Shuto-Uke (knife-hand block)
6. Shuto-Uke (knife-hand block) Backwards
Zenkutsu Dachi/Ryo Wan Gedan Barai (front stance/both arms downward block)
7. Mae-Geri Jodan (front kick - face)
8. Mae-Geri Chudan (front kick - middle area)
Kiba-Dachi/Jiyu Gamae (horse-straddle stance/freestyle hands)
9. Yoko-Geri Keage (side snap kick)
10. Yoko-Geri Kekomi (side thrust kick)
Heian Nidan
Sanbon Kumite – Jodan and Chudan
Grading Syllabus: 6th Kyu (Green)
Minimum of 3 Months and 10 Training sessions since last grading
Zenkutsu Dachi/Gedan Barai (front stance/downward block)
1. Sanbon-Zuki (3 punches – 1 jodan, 2 chudan)
2. Age-Uke/Gyaku-Zuki/Gedan Barai (upper rising block/reverse punch/downwards block) Backwards
3. Soto-Uke/ Yoko-Empi Uchi (Kiba-Dachi) (outside forearm block/side elbow)
4. Uchi-Uke/Kizami-Zuki /Gyaku-Zuki (inside forearm block/front hand jab/reverse punch) Backwards
Kokutso-Dachi/Shuto Uke (back stance/knife-hand block)
5. Shuto-Uke/Nukite Uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi) (knife-hand block/spear-hand punch)
6. Shuto-Uke/Nukite Uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi) (knife-hand block/spear-hand punch) Backwards
Zenkutsu Dachi/Ryo Wan Gedan Barai (front stance/both arms downward block)
7. Mae Ren-Geri Chudan/Jodan (double front kick)
8. Mae Ren-Geri Jodan /Chudan (double front kick)
Kiba-Dachi/Jiyu Gamae (horse-straddle stance/freestyle hands)
9. Yoko-Geri Keage (side snap kick)
10. Yoko-Geri Kekomi (side thrust kick)
Heian Sandan
Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan and Chudan (Both arms)
Grading Syllabus: 5th Kyu (Blue)
Minimum of 6 Months and 39 Training sessions since last grading
Zenkutsu Dachi/Gedan Barai (front stance/downward block)
1. Sanbon-Zuki (3 punches – 1 jodan, 2 chudan)
2. Age-Uke/Gyaku-Zuki/Gedan Barai (upper rising block/reverse punch/downwards block) Backwards
3. Soto-Uke/ Yoko-Empi Uchi (Kiba-Dachi)/ Yoko-Uraken Uchi (Kiba-Dachi) (outside forearm block/side elbow/back-fist strike)
4. Uchi-Uke/Kizami-Zuki /Gyaku-Zuki (inside forearm block/front hand jab/reverse punch) Backwards
Kokutso-Dachi/Shuto Uke (back stance/knife-hand block)
5. Shuto-Uke/Kizami Mae-Geri/Nukite Uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi) (knife-hand block/front foot front kick/spear-hand punch)
6. Shuto-Uke//Kizami Mae-Geri/Nukite Uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi) (knife-hand block/front foot front kick/spear-hand punch) Backwards
Zenkutsu Dachi/Ryo Wan Gedan Barai (front stance/both arms downward block)
7. Mae Ren-Geri Chudan/Jodan (double front kick)
8. Mae Ren-Geri Jodan /Chudan (double front kick)
Kiba-Dachi/Jiyu Gamae (horse-straddle stance/freestyle hands)
9. Yoko-Geri Keage (side snap kick)
10. Yoko-Geri Kekomi (side thrust kick)
Jiyu Gamae (freestyle stance)
11. Mawashi-Geri (roundhouse kick)
Heian Yondan
Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan, Chudan, Mae Geri and Yoko-Geri Kekomi (Both sides)
Grading Syllabus: 4th Kyu (Purple)
Minimum of 6 Months and 39 Training sessions since last grading
· 15 minute class warm-up
· 30 press-ups
· 30 sit-ups
· Bag-work:
o 30 seconds continuous punching
o 30 seconds continuous Mae-Geri (each leg)
Zenkutsu Dachi/Gedan Barai (front stance/downward block)
1. Sanbon-Zuki (3 punches – 1 jodan, 2 chudan)
2. Age-Uke/Gyaku-Zuki/Gedan Barai (upper rising block/reverse punch/downwards block) Backwards
3. Soto-Uke/ Yoko-Empi Uchi (Kiba-Dachi)/ Yoko-Uraken Uchi (Kiba-Dachi) /Gyaku-Zuki (outside forearm block/side elbow/back-fist strike/reverse punch)
4. Uchi-Uke/Kizami-Zuki /Gyaku-Zuki (inside forearm block/front hand jab/reverse punch) Backwards
Kokutso-Dachi/Shuto Uke (back stance/knife-hand block)
5. Shuto-Uke/Kizami Mae-Geri/Nukite Uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi) (knife-hand block/front foot front kick/spear-hand punch)
6. Shuto-Uke//Kizami Mae-Geri/Nukite Uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi) (knife-hand block/front foot front kick/spear-hand punch) Backwards
Zenkutsu Dachi/Ryo Wan Gedan Barai (front stance/both arms downward block)
7. Mae Ren-Geri Chudan/Jodan (double front kick)
8. Mae Ren-Geri Jodan /Chudan (double front kick)
Kiba-Dachi/Jiyu Gamae (horse-straddle stance/freestyle hands)
9. Yoko-Geri Keage (side snap kick)
10. Yoko-Geri Kekomi (side thrust kick)
Jiyu Gamae (freestyle stance)
11. Mawashi-Geri (roundhouse kick)
Heian Godan
Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan, Chudan, Mae Geri and Yoko-Geri Kekomi (Both sides)
Grading Syllabus: 3rd Kyu (Brown)
Minimum of 6 Months and 39 Training sessions since last grading
· 15 minute class warm-up
· 15 minute class on Choku-Zuki
· 40 press-ups
· 40 sit-ups
· 5 x Mae-Geri /Yoko-Geri-Kekomi (same leg, on the spot) each leg
· Bag-work:
o 30 seconds continuous Gyaku-Zuki (each hand)
o 30 seconds continuous Mae-Geri (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Mawashi-Geri (each leg)
Zenkutsu Dachi/Gedan Barai (front stance/downward block)
1. Sanbon-Zuki (3 punches – 1 jodan, 2 chudan)
2. Age-Uke/Gyaku-Zuki/Gedan Barai (upper rising block/reverse punch/downwards block) Backwards
3. Soto-Uke/ Yoko-Empi Uchi (Kiba-Dachi)/ Yoko-Uraken Uchi (Kiba-Dachi) /Gyaku-Zuki/Gedan Barai (outside forearm block/side elbow/back-fist strike/reverse punch/downwards block)
4. Uchi-Uke/Kizami-Zuki /Gyaku-Zuki /Gedan Barai(inside forearm block/front hand jab/reverse punch/downwards block) Backwards
Kokutso-Dachi/Shuto Uke (back stance/knife-hand block)
5. Shuto-Uke/Kizami Mae-Geri/Nukite Uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi) (knife-hand block/front foot front kick/spear-hand punch)
6. Shuto-Uke//Kizami Mae-Geri/Nukite Uchi (Zenkutsu-dachi) (knife-hand block/front foot front kick/spear-hand punch) Backwards
Zenkutsu Dachi/Ryo Wan Gedan Barai (front stance/both arms downward block)
7. Mae Ren-Geri Chudan/Jodan (double front kick)
8. Mae Ren-Geri Jodan /Chudan (double front kick)
Kiba-Dachi/Jiyu Gamae (horse-straddle stance/freestyle hands)
9. Yoko-Geri Keage (side snap kick)
10. Yoko-Geri Kekomi (side thrust kick)
Jiyu Gamae (freestyle stance)
11. Mawashi-Geri /Gyaku-Zuki (roundhouse kick/reverse punch)
12. Ushiro-Geri (backwards kick)
Tekki Shodan
Grading Syllabus: 2nd Kyu (Brown/white)
Minimum of 9 Months and 58 Training sessions since last grading
· A 1 – 2 hour session with your instructor. You will be fully tested in this session on both your knowledge, fitness and abilities in Kihon, Kata and Kumite (both fixed step and free sparring). You will perform both items on the syllabus and additional items that will be individually tailored for you
· 15 minute class warm-up
· 2 x 30 press-ups
· 2 x 30 sit-ups
· 5 x Mae-Geri /Yoko-Geri-Kekomi/Ushiro-Geri (same leg, on the spot) each leg
· Bag-work:
o 30 seconds continuous Gyaku-Zuki (each hand)
o 30 seconds continuous Mae-Geri (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Mawashi-Geri (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Yoko-Geri-Kekomi (each leg)
Jiyu Gamae (freestyle stance)
1. Kizami-Zuki/Oi-Zuki/Gyaku-Zuki (jab punch/lunge punch/reverse punch)
2. Mae-Geri Chudan/Oi-Zuki/Gyaku-Zuki (front kick/lunge punch/reverse punch)
3. Yoko-Geri Kekomi/ Uraken-Uchi/Gyaku-Zuki (side thrust kick/back-fist strike/reverse punch)
4. Mawashi-Geri Jodan/Uraken-Uchi/Gyaku-Zuki (roundhouse kick/ back-fist strike/reverse punch)
5. Ushiro-Geri/Uraken-Uchi (backwards kick/back-fist strike)
Bassai-Dai
1. Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Jodan, Chudan, Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri Kekomi , Mawashi Geri and Ushiro-Geri (Both sides)
2. 2 x 3 minutes Free Sparring
Grading Syllabus: 1st Kyu (Brown/red)
Minimum of 9 Months and 58 Training sessions since last grading
· Pass an assessment teaching a 30 minute session on a choice of the following subjects:
o Correct performance of Yoko-Geri Kekomi and Keage
o Correct performance of Shuto-Uke and Nukite
o Power generation for Gyaku-Zuki
o Basic 3 stances (front, back and horse straddle)
o The different types of hand positions for strikes
· A 1-2 hour assessment session with your instructor. You will be fully tested in this session on both; your knowledge, fitness and abilities in Kihon, Kata and Kumite (both fixed step and free sparring). You will perform both items on the syllabus and additional items that will be individually tailored for you
· 2 x 40 press-ups
· 2 x 40 sit-ups
· 5 x Mae-Geri /Yoko-Geri-Kekomi/Ushiro-Geri/Mawashi-Geri (same leg, on the spot) each leg
· Bag-work:
o 30 seconds continuous Gyaku-Zuki (each hand)
o 30 seconds continuous Mae-Geri (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Mawashi-Geri (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Yoko-Geri-Kekomi (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Ushiro-Geri (each leg)
Jiyu Gamae (freestyle stance)
1. Kizami-Zuki/Oi-Zuki/Gyaku-Zuki (jab punch/lunge punch/reverse punch)
2. Mae-Geri Chudan/Oi-Zuki/Gyaku-Zuki (front kick/lunge punch/reverse punch)
3. Yoko-Geri Kekomi/ Uraken-Uchi/Gyaku-Zuki (side thrust kick/back-fist strike/reverse punch)
4. Mawashi-Geri Jodan/Uraken-Uchi/Gyaku-Zuki (roundhouse kick/ back-fist strike/reverse punch)
5. Ushiro-Geri/Uraken-Uchi (backwards kick/back-fist strike)
6. Mae-Geri/Yoko-Geri Kekomi/Mawashi-Geri/Ushiro-Geri/Uraken-Uchi/Gyaku-Zuki (front kick/side thrust kick/roundhouse kick/backwards kick/back-fist strike/reverse punch
Bassai-Dai
1. Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Jodan, Chudan, Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri Kekomi , Mawashi Geri and Ushiro-Geri (Both sides)
2. 3x 3 minutes Free Sparring
Grading Syllabus: 1st Dan (Black)
Minimum of 12 Months and 77 Training sessions since last grading
· Pass an assessment teaching 2 x 30 minute sessions on a choice of the following subjects (excluding the one used for 1st Kyu):
o Correct performance of Yoko-Geri Kekomi and Keage
o Correct performance of Shuto-Uke and Nukite
o Power generation for Gyaku-Zuki
o Basic 3 stances (front, back and horse straddle)
o The different types of hand positions for strikes
· A 1-2 hour session with your instructor. You will be fully tested in this session on both; your knowledge, fitness and abilities in Kihon, Kata and Kumite (both fixed step and free sparring). You will perform both items on the syllabus and additional items that will be individually tailored for you
· 3 x 30 press-ups
· 3 x 30 sit-ups
· 5 x Mae-Geri /Yoko-Geri-Kekomi/Ushiro-Geri/Mawashi-Geri (same leg, on the spot) each leg
· 5 x Mae-Geri/Gyaku-Mawashi-Geri (same leg, on the spot) each leg
· Bag-work:
o 30 seconds continuous Gyaku-Zuki (each hand)
o 30 seconds continuous Mae-Geri (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Mawashi-Geri (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Yoko-Geri-Kekomi (each leg)
o 30 seconds continuous Ushiro-Geri (each leg)
Jiyu Gamae (freestyle stance)
1. Kizami-Zuki/Oi-Zuki/Gyaku-Zuki (jab punch/lunge punch/reverse punch)
2. Mae-Geri Chudan/Oi-Zuki/Gyaku-Zuki (front kick/lunge punch/reverse punch)
3. Yoko-Geri Kekomi/ Uraken-Uchi/Gyaku-Zuki (side thrust kick/back-fist strike/reverse punch)
4. Mawashi-Geri Jodan/Uraken-Uchi/Gyaku-Zuki (roundhouse kick/ back-fist strike/reverse punch)
5. Ushiro-Geri/Uraken-Uchi (backwards kick/back-fist strike)
6. Mae-Geri/Yoko-Geri Kekomi/Mawashi-Geri/Ushiro-Geri/Uraken-Uchi/Gyaku-Zuki (front kick/side thrust kick/roundhouse kick/backwards kick/back-fist strike/reverse punch
Bassai-Dai
1. Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Jodan, Chudan, Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri Kekomi , Mawashi Geri and Ushiro-Geri (Both sides)
2. 2 x 3 minutes Free Sparring