Gradings
Learn more about the criteria as well as the full syllabus for Kyu and Dan gradings
Eligibility
USKFI Karateka will be eligible to grade providing they have fulfilled all technical requirements, hold a current USKFI licence and record book and have permission to grade from their senior club instructor..
They must train twice per week at a USKFI dojo, with an approved USKFI instructor.
The grading and record must be produced at the grading for inspection.
Novices may grade after two months of training.
There must be a minimum of three monthly intervals between each grading from 9th Kyu to 1st Kyu.
The minimum period between 1st Kyu and 1st Dan must be a minimum of 6 month. Full 1st Kyu must be obtained before attempting 1st Dan.
Permission to attempt Dan gradings must be obtained by your club instructor.
The minimum period between 1st Dan and 2nd Dan is 2 years. 2nd and 3rd is 3 years 3rd and 4th of 4 years etc etc.
For 4th Dan and above candidates must applying in writing (email \ letter) to the USKFI Executive Committee no later than the end of January in the year of the proposed grading and must include;
Date of last Dan grading.
Contribution made by the applicant to the USKFI.
We strongly recommend the following which greatly benefits an application:
Regular training under a more senior dan grade*
Consistent attendance at USKFI courses.
* Please note the applicant or senior instructor may be asked to validate this.
The applicant will receive an answer within 28 days after an application has been received by the Committee.
GRADING AGE RESTRICTIONS
There are no age restrictions for grading up to 2nd Dan. The minimum age for attempting 3rd Dan is 21.
‘TEMPORARY’ KYU GRADES
A student may receive a ‘Temporary’ grade, which means that they are not quite up to the required standard. They will however wear the same coloured belt and train on the same syllabus as if they were a full grade and may re-take their examination after three months.
TRANSFER OF KYU GRADES TO THE USKFI FROM OTHER SHOTOKAN ASSOCIATIONS
Karateka who transfer to the USKFI may wear the belt of their current grade but must re-grade within 6 months of the transfer and will be given a grade appropriate to their USKFI standard.
USKFI GRADINGS
The examiner may ask to see some or all of the Kihon, Kata and Kumite listed in the Syllabus. Candidates may be required to demonstrate material from previous gradings to ensure overall development – a brown belt for example may be asked to perform a Heian Kata.
KYU GRADINGS
The examiner may ask to see some or all of the Kihon, Kata and Kumite listed in the Syllabus.
-
Kihon
1) Oi tsuki
2) Jodan age uke
3) Chudan soto uke
4) Mae geri
KATA
Kihon Kata
KUMITE
Sanbon or Gohon Kumite attacking with jodan oi tsuki ad chudan oi tsuki
-
Kihon
as previous grading plus
1) Chudan uchi uke
2) Shuto uke
3) Yoko geri keage
4) Yoko geri kekomi
KATA
Heian Shodan
KUMITE
As previous grading
-
KIHON
as previous grading plus
1) Age uke, gyaku tsuki
2) Soto uke, gyaku tsuki
3) Uchi uke, gyaku tsukii
KATA
Heian Nidan
KUMITE
As previous grading
-
KIHON
as previous grading plus
1) Sanbon tsuki
2) Soto uke, empi uchi
KATA
Heian Sandan
KUMITE
Kihon ippon kumite with jodan and chudan oi tsuki attacks from right and left sides
-
KIHON
as previous grading plus
1) Age uke, gyaku tsuki, gedan bari
2) Soto uke, empi uchi, uraken
3) Uchi uke, kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki
4) Shoto uke nukite
KATA
Heian Yondan
KUMITE
as previous grading plus chudan mae geri attack
-
KIHON
as previous grading plus
1) Soto uke, empi uchi, uraken, gyaku tsuki
2) Shuto uke, mae geri, nukite
3) Yoko geri kekomi (from zenkutsu dachi)
4) Mawashi geri
KATA
Heian Godan
KUMITE
as previous grading plus chudan yoko geri kekomi attack
-
KIHON
as previous grading plus
1) Soto uke, empi uchi, uraken, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai
2) Uchi uki, kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai
3) Ushiro geri
KATA
Tekki Shodan
KUMITE
as previous grading plus jodan mawashi geri attack
-
KIHON
as previous grading plus
1) Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki
2) Yoko geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
3) Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
4) Ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
KATA
Bassai Dai
KUMITE
Jiyu ippon kumite attacking with jodan and chudan oi tsuki, chudan mae geri, chudan yoko geri, jodan mawashi geri and chudan ushiro geri . All attacks are with the right side only.
-
KIHON
as previous grading plus
1) Kizami tsuki, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki
2) Mae geri, yoko geri, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
KATA
Bassai Dai
KUMITE
as previous grading
DAN GRADING
KIHON
All begin from free-style kamae
KATA
List (a) - Candidate choses from
List (b) - Examiner choses from
KUMITE
All items listed
-
KIHON
1) Kizami tsuki, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki
2) Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki
3) Yoko geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
4) Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
5) Ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
6) Mae geri, yoko geri, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
7) Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki, step back gedan barai, gyaku tsuki, yoko geri, uraken, oi tsuki
8) Same leg mae geri, yoko geri, ushiro geri
KATA
Candidate chooses from (a) Examiner chooses from (b)
a) Bassai Dai
b) Any Heian Kata or Tekki Shodan
KUMITE
Jiyu Ippon Kumite attacking with jodan and chudan oi tsuki, chudan mae geri, chudan yoko geri, jodan mawashi geri and chudan ushiro geri
Jiyu Kumite
-
KIHON
1) Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki
2) Yoko geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
3) Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
4) Ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
5) Mae geri, same leg yoko geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
6) Mae geri, same leg mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
7) Mawashi geri, same leg yoko geri kekomi, uraken, gyaku tsuki
8) Mae geri, yoko geri, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
9) Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki, step back gedan nagashi uke, gyaku tsuki, ushiro geri, uraken, oi tsuki
10) Same leg, mae geri, yoko geri, ushiro geri, mawashi geri
KATA
Candidate chooses from (a) Examiner chooses from (b)
a) Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Niju Shiho, Tekki Nidan or Jitte.
b) Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Jion or Hangetsu
KUMITE
Jiyu Ippon Kumite – attacking with any five single, unannounced techniques
Jiyu Kumite
-
KIHON
Any 1st Dan or 2nd Dan combinations plus :-
Kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki, mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki, step back gedan barai, gyaku tsuki, rear leg mae geri and step back, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki.
KATA
Candidate chooses from (a) Examiner chooses from (b)
a) Sochin, Unsu, Gankaku, Chinte or Gojushiho Sho.
b) Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Nijushiho, Tekki Nidan or Jitte.
KUMITE
Kaishi Ippon Kumite (Pre-arranged attacks as for 1st Dan grading)
Jiyu Kumite
-
KIHON
Any 1st Dan or 2nd Dan combinations plus :-
Kizami tsuki, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki, nihon tsuki step back and with same arm block age uke, soto uke, gedan barai and uchi uke, kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki, four turning gyaku tsuki attacks turn behind with haito uchi, mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki, back leg mae geri and step back, yoko geri keage to side and step back, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki.
KATA
Candidate chooses from (a) Examiner chooses from (b)
a) Meikyo, Jiin, Wankan, Tekki Sandan or Goju Shiho Dai
b) Sochin, Unsu, Gankaku, Chinte or Goju Shiho Sho.
KUMITE
Kaishi Ippon Kumite - attacking with any five, single, unnanounced techniques.
Demonstration of three favourite kumite tactics
Jiyu Kumite
-
As previous grading plus :-
A 1500-2000 word thesis on any aspect of Karate-Do
KATA
a) Any Kata from Shodan syllabus and above
b) One or more Kata from Sandan syllabus and above.
Demonstration and applications will be requested from performed katas
KUMITE
As for previous grading
-
A written Karate CV and a 1500-2000 word thesis on any aspect of Karate-Do (different from above)
KIHON
As previous grading.
KATA
As previous grading.
KUMITE
As previous grading.