Gradings and syllabus

Learn more about the criteria and grading procedure as well as the full syllabus for Kyu and Dan gradings

Grading and syllabus

ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL GRADINGS

USKFI karateka will be eligible for any grading provided they;

  1. Hold a current USKFI membership.

  2. Train regularly at a USKFI dojo with a registered USKFI instructor.

  3. Attend USKFI courses (orange belts and above).

See below for the specific eligibility criteria for Kyu and Dan grades.

GRADING AGE RESTRICTIONS

There are no age restrictions for grading up to 2nd Dan. The minimum age for attempting 3rd Dan is 21.

AWARDING OF GRADES

A karateka may be awarded a temporary grade if they do not quite reach the required standard at a grading. They can wear the same coloured belt as if they were a full grade.

Exceptional students may be graded from novice directly to 8th kyu at the discretion of the grading examiner.

Unsuccessful grading candidates must wait a minimum of three months before re-taking their grading unless specified by the grading examiner.

TRANSFER OF KYU GRADES TO THE USKFI FROM OTHER SHOTOKAN ASSOCIATIONS

Kyu grade Karateka who transfer to the USKFI may wear the belt of their current grade but must re-grade within six months of the transfer and will be given a grade appropriate to their USKFI standard. They may be awarded the same grade, a lower grade or the next grade up. They will then continue grading with the USKFI within the usual time scales.

Dan grades joining from other Shotokan associations must retake their Dan grading within 12 months of joining the USKFI. Following the grading, the student will be given a grade appropriate to their USKFI standard.

Ratification of non shotokan Dan grades will be assessed on a case by case basis.

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.

KYU GRADING CRITERIA

  • Novices may grade a minimum of two months after commencing training.

  • There is a minimum of three months between each grading from 9th Kyu to 1st Kyu.

  • Your grading record must be produced at the grading for inspection and signing.

  • Students must obtain permission to grade from their senior club instructor.

  • 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

DAN GRADING CRITERIA AND PROCEDURE (1ST TO 3RD DAN)

  • Full 1st Kyu must be obtained before applying for 1st Dan grading.

  • The minimum age for 3rd Dan is 21 years 

  • The following minimum waiting periods apply: 

    1. 1st kyu to 1st Dan - 6 months

    2. 1st to 2nd Dan: two years  

    3. 2nd to 3rd Dan: three years 

  • The grading candidate must provide their Club Instructor with their USKFI course attendance record.

  • The instructor will submit an application form for Dan grading on behalf of the candidate a minimum of four weeks prior to the proposed grading date

  • The application completed by the students instructor will require details such as

    • Student name

    • Club

    • Date of last grading

    • USKFI events attended in the last year

    • Instructor comments supporting student application for Dan grade

  • On receipt, the application will be reviewed with permission determined within 10 days by taking the following into account

  1. Adherence to eligibility criteria

  2. Record of attendance at USKFI events

Registration details for selected candidates is available - here

4TH DAN AND ABOVE CRITERIA AND PROCEDURE

The minimum waiting period between senior Dan gradings are

  • 3rd to 4th Dan: four years 

  • 4th Dan to 5th Dan:  five years 

  • 5th Dan to 6th Dan: eight years

Note: 7th Dan and above will be awarded at the discretion of the USKFI and KUGB Executive Committees.

  • Candidates must apply to the USKFI Executive Committee via uskfi.admin@gmail.com no later than the end of January in the year of the proposed grading and must include;

    1. Date of last Dan grading.

    2. Contribution made by the applicant to the USKFI

  • We strongly recommend including the following which greatly benefits an application:

    1. Consistent participation at USKFI events

    2. Regular training under a more Senior Dan grade*
      * Please note the applicant or senior instructor may be asked to validate this.

  • The applicant will receive an outcome within 28 days of an application received by the Committee.

  • 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.