KYU GRADING SYLLABUS

Official Just Karate Technical Requirements & Grading Rules

1. GENERAL RULES & ELIGIBILITY

Grading Examiner & Resources

Gradings are conducted by our Chief Instructor Sensei Ashley Martin. For comprehensive technical details and requirements, please refer to his book, The Shotokan Karate Bible.

Age Restrictions

The minimum age to commence training and grading is four years old as long as they have the ability to follow our instructions in the class. This is an insurance requirement.

Minimum Training

Minimum 3 calendar months interval and minimum 15 Just Karate training sessions between each grading. It is highly recommended that students take 20+ Just Karate training sessions before a grading. Attendance is tracked on our digital portal.

Technical Flexibility

Reasonable adjustments are made for declared physical or other restrictions listed on the digital portal. Modifications are applied only where the substance of the grading remains unaltered, as the primary focus is the quality of the candidate's performance

Weekly Home Practice

Students are expected to complement their weekly dojo sessions with regular practice at home. Consistent personal review of kata and fundamental techniques between classes is essential to build the muscle memory and technical precision required to meet upcoming grading milestones.

Retained Knowledge

As students progress through the ranks, it remains their personal responsibility to maintain their ability to perform all lower-grade kata and basics. Previous material will be tested continuously during standard training sessions and forms a mandatory requirement for all grading assessments.

2. GRADING REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

Taster Session to White Belt (10th Kyu)

White Belt
Dojo Etiquette (Reigi)
  • Seiza / Kiritsu (Kneel / Stand)
  • Rei (Bow)
  • Sensei (Teacher)
  • Kiai (Spirit shout)
  • Oss (Sign of respect)
Japanese Counting (Numbers)
  • 1. Ichi (One)
  • 2. Ni (Two)
  • 3. San (Three)
  • 4. Shi (Four)
  • 5. Go (Five)
  • 6. Roku (Six)
  • 7. Shichi (Seven)
  • 8. Hachi (Eight)
  • 9. Ku (Nine)
  • 10. Ju (Ten)
Beginner Requirements
Equipment Requirements

White Belt (10th Kyu) to Orange Belt (9th Kyu)

Orange Belt
Kihon (Basics)
  • Oi Zuki (Stepping punch)
  • Age Uke (Rising block)
  • Soto Uke (Outside block)
  • Uchi Uke (Inside block)
  • Mae Geri (Front kick)
Kata (Form)

Kihon Kata (Taikyoku Shodan) (Basic Form)

Kumite (Sparring)

Gohon Kumite (5-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements

Orange Belt (9th Kyu) to Red Belt (8th Kyu)

Red Belt
Kihon (Basics)
  • Oi Zuki (Stepping punch)
  • Age Uke (Rising block)
  • Soto Uke (Outside block)
  • Uchi Uke (Inside block)
  • Shuto Uke (Knife hand block)
  • Mae Geri (Front kick)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrusting kick)
  • Yoko Keage (Side rising kick)
Kata (Form)

Kihon Kata (Taikyoku Shodan) (Basic Form)

Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind One)

Kumite (Sparring)

Gohon Kumite (5-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements

Red Belt (8th Kyu) to Yellow Belt (7th Kyu)

Yellow Belt
Kihon (Basics)
  • Sanbon Tsuki (Triple punch)
  • Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki (Rising block, Reverse punch)
  • Soto Uke, Gyaku Zuki (Outside block, Reverse punch)
  • Uchi Uke, Gyaku Zuki (Inside block, Reverse punch)
  • Shuto Uke (Knife hand block)
  • Mae Geri (Front kick)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrusting kick)
  • Yoko Keage (Side rising kick)
Kata (Form)

Kihon Kata (Taikyoku Shodan) (Basic Form)

Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind One)

Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind Two)

Kumite (Sparring)

Gohon Kumite (5-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements

Yellow Belt (7th Kyu) to Green Belt (6th Kyu)

Green Belt
Kihon (Basics)
  • Sanbon Tsuki (Triple punch)
  • Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (Rising block, Reverse punch, Downward block)
  • Soto Uke, Empi Uchi (Outside block, Elbow strike)
  • Uchi Uke, Gyaku Zuki (Inside block, Reverse punch)
  • Shuto Uke, Nukite Uchi (Knife hand block, Spear hand strike)
  • Mae Ren-Geri (Consecutive front kicks)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrusting kick)
  • Yoko Keage (Side rising kick)
Kata (Form)

Kihon Kata (Taikyoku Shodan) (Basic Form)

Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind One)

Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind Two)

Heian Sandan (Peaceful Mind Three)

Kumite (Sparring)

Ippon Kumite (Basic one-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements

Green Belt (6th Kyu) to Purple Belt (5th Kyu)

Purple Belt
Kihon (Basics)
  • Sanbon Tsuki (Triple punch)
  • Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan barai (Rising block, Reverse punch, Downward block)
  • Soto Uke, Empi Uchi, Uraken Uchi (Outside block, Elbow strike, Backfist strike)
  • Uchi Uke, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (Inside block, Jabbing punch, Reverse punch)
  • Shuto Uke, Kizami mae geri, Nukite uchi (Knife hand block, Jabbing front kick, Spear hand strike)
  • Mae Ren-Geri (Consecutive front kicks)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrusting kick)
  • Yoko Keage (Side rising kick)
  • Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse kick)
Kata (Form)

Kihon Kata (Taikyoku Shodan) (Basic Form)

Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind One)

Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind Two)

Heian Sandan (Peaceful Mind Three)

Heian Yondan (Peaceful Mind Four)

Kumite (Sparring)

Ippon Kumite (Basic one-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
  • Mae Geri (Front kick)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrust kick)
  • Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse kick)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements

Purple Belt (5th Kyu) to Purple & White Belt (4th Kyu)

Purple & White Belt
Kihon (Basics)
  • Sanbon Tsuki (Triple punch)
  • Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan barai (Rising block, Reverse punch, Downward block)
  • Soto Uke, Empi Uchi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Zuki (Outside block, Elbow, Backfist, Reverse punch, Downward block)
  • Uchi Uke, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (Inside block, Jabbing punch, Reverse punch, Downward block)
  • Shuto Uke, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite Uchi (Knife hand, Jabbing front kick, Spear hand)
  • Mae Ren-Geri (Consecutive front kicks)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrusting kick)
  • Yoko Keage (Side rising kick)
  • Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse kick)
Kata (Form)

All Heian Kata (1-4) (Retained Knowledge)

Heian Godan (Peaceful Mind Five)

Kumite (Sparring)

Ippon Kumite (Basic one-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
  • Mae Geri (Front kick)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrust kick)
  • Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse kick)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements

Purple & White Belt (4th Kyu) to Brown Belt (3rd Kyu)

Brown Belt (3rd Kyu)
Kihon (Basics)
  • Sanbon Tsuki (Triple punch)
  • Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (Rising block, Reverse punch, Downward block)
  • Soto Uke, Empi Uchi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (Advanced block & strike combination)
  • Uchi Uke, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (Inside block combinations)
  • Shuto Uke, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite Uchi (Knife hand combination)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrust kick)
  • Yoko Keage (Side rising kick)
  • Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse kick)
  • Oshiro Geri (Back kick)
Kata (Form)

All Heian Kata (1-5) (Peaceful Mind Series)

Tekki Shodan (Iron Horse One)

Kumite (Sparring)

Ippon Kumite (Basic one-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
  • Mae Geri (Front kick)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrust kick)
  • Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse kick)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements

Brown Belt (3rd Kyu) to Brown & White Belt (2nd Kyu)

Brown & White Belt (2nd Kyu)
Kihon (Basics)
  • Kizami Zuki, Oi-Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (Jab, stepping punch, reverse punch)
  • Mae Geri, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (Front kick, Jab, reverse punch)
  • Yoko Kekomi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Zuki (Side kick, Backfist strike, reverse punch)
  • Mawashi Kekomi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Zuki (Roundhouse kick, Backfist strike, reverse punch)
  • Oshiro Kekomi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Zuki (Back kick, Backfist strike, reverse punch)
Kata (Form)

Sentei Kata Choice:

Bassai Dai (To Penetrate a Fortress - Primary)

Retained Kata: Heian 1-5 & Tekki Shodan

Kumite (Sparring)

Jiyu Ippon Kumite (Semi-free one-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
  • Mae Geri (Front kick)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrust kick)
  • Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse kick)
  • Oshiro Geri (Back Kick)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements

Brown & White Belt (2nd Kyu) to
Brown Double White Stripe Belt (1st Kyu)

Brown & 2xWhite Belt (1st Kyu)
Kihon (Basics)
  • Kizami Zuki, Oi-Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (Jab, stepping punch, reverse punch)
  • Mae Geri, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (Front kick, Jab, reverse punch)
  • Yoko Kekomi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Zuki (Side kick, Backfist strike, reverse punch)
  • Mawashi Kekomi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Zuki (Roundhouse kick, Backfist strike, reverse punch)
  • Oshiro Kekomi, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku Zuki (Back kick, Backfist strike, reverse punch)
Kata (Form)

Sentei Kata Choice:

Bassai Dai (To Penetrate a Fortress - Primary)

Retained Kata: Heian 1-5 & Tekki Shodan

Kumite (Sparring)

Jiyu Ippon Kumite (Semi-free one-step sparring)

  • Jodan Oi Zuki (Head level stepping punch)
  • Chudan Oi Zuki (Stomach level stepping punch)
  • Mae Geri (Front kick)
  • Yoko Kekomi (Side thrust kick)
  • Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse kick)
  • Oshiro Geri (Back Kick)
Grading Requirements
Minimum 15 Sessions
Recommended 20+ Sessions
Minimum 3 Calendar Months
Equipment Requirements