Shotokan Karate Dojo – Grading Syllabus

A complete guide to belt progression at our traditional Shotokan Karate Dojo in Flackwell Heath.The next grading date is Saturday 31st Oct 2026 12.00-13.00.

Introduction

This syllabus outlines the requirements for each belt level (kyu) from beginner to advanced brown belt. Students progress through structured kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring), with minimum training periods between gradings.

9th Kyu – Orange Belt

Minimum training: 3 months

Basic Techniques

• Step-through punch at head height forward (3 times)
• Rising block while stepping backwards (3 times)
• Forearm outside block while stepping forward (3 times)
• Inside forearm block while stepping backward (3 times)
• Front kick 3× forward, turn, 3× backward (6 total)

Kata

Basic training form (Kihon)

Sparring

Three-step sparring (Sanbon Kumite)

8th Kyu – Red Belt

Minimum training: 3 months since last grading
Training frequency: Twice per week

Basic Techniques

• Step-through punch to the body (3 times)
• Rising block while stepping backward (3 times)
• Forearm outside block while stepping forward (3 times)
• Inside forearm block while stepping backward (3 times)
• Knife-hand block forward & backward (3 times each)
• Front kick 3× forward, turn, 3× backward
• Snapping side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Thrusting side kick (3 left & 3 right)

Kata

Heian Shodan (Peaceful Mind – Form 1)

Sparring

Three-step sparring (Sanbon Kumite)

7th Kyu – Yellow Belt

Minimum training: 3 months
Training frequency: Twice per week

Basic Techniques

• Three consecutive punches stepping forward (3 times)
• Rising block + reverse punch stepping backward (3 times)
• Forearm outside block + reverse punch stepping forward (3 times)
• Inside forearm block + reverse punch stepping backward (3 times)
• Knife-hand block forward & backward (3 times each)
• Front kick 3× forward, turn, 3× backward
• Snapping side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Thrusting side kick (3 left & 3 right)

Kata

Heian Nidan (Peaceful Mind – Form 2)

Sparring

Three-step sparring (Sanbon Kumite)

6th Kyu – Green Belt

Minimum training: 3 months

Basic Techniques

• Three consecutive punches stepping forward
• Rising block + reverse punch + downward sweeping block stepping backward
• Forearm outside block + elbow strike stepping forward
• Inside forearm block + lead punch + reverse punch stepping backward
• Knife-hand block + spear-hand strike forward & backward
• Combination kicks (front kicks to body & head)
• Snapping side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Thrusting side kick (3 left & 3 right)

Kata

Heian Sandan (Peaceful Mind – Form 3)

Sparring

One-step sparring (Ippon Kumite)

5th Kyu – Purple Belt

Minimum training: 3 months
Training frequency: Twice per week

Basic Techniques

• Three consecutive punches stepping forward
• Rising block + reverse punch + downward sweeping block stepping backward
• Forearm outside block + elbow strike + snap strike stepping forward
• Inside forearm block + lead punch + reverse punch + downward block stepping backward
• Knife-hand block + lead-leg front kick + spear-hand strike
• Combination kicks (front kicks to body & head)
• Snapping side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Thrusting side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Roundhouse kick to body (3 times)
• Roundhouse kick to head (3 times)

Kata

Heian Yondan (Peaceful Mind – Form 4)

Sparring

One-step sparring (Ippon Kumite)

4th Kyu – Purple & White Belt

Minimum training: 3 months

Basic Techniques

• Three consecutive punches with backward movement
• Rising block + reverse punch + downward sweeping block stepping backward
• Forearm outside block + elbow strike + snap strike + reverse punch stepping forward
• Inside forearm block + lead punch + reverse punch + downward block stepping backward
• Knife-hand block + lead-leg front kick + spear-hand strike
• Combination kicks (front kicks to body & head)
• Snapping side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Thrusting side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Roundhouse kick to body + reverse punch
• Roundhouse kick to head + reverse punch

Kata

Heian Godan (Peaceful Mind – Form 5)

Sparring

One-step sparring (Ippon Kumite)

3rd Kyu – Brown Belt

Minimum training: 3 months

Basic Techniques

• Three consecutive punches stepping forward
• Rising block + reverse punch + downward sweeping block stepping backward
• Forearm outside block + elbow strike + snap strike + reverse punch stepping forward
• Inside forearm block + lead punch + reverse punch + downward block stepping backward
• Knife-hand block + lead-leg front kick + spear-hand strike
• Combination kicks (front kicks to body & head)
• Snapping side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Thrusting side kick (3 left & 3 right)
• Roundhouse kick to body with reverse punch
• Back kick (3 times)

Kata

Tekki Shodan (Horse-riding stance form)

Sparring

One-step sparring (Ippon Kumite)

2nd Kyu – Brown Belt (One White Stripe)

Minimum training: 6 months

Basic Techniques

• Front kick + lead punch + reverse punch to the body (3 times)
• Side kick + reverse punch to the body (3 times)
• Roundhouse kick + reverse punch to the body (3 times)
• Back kick + reverse punch to the body (3 times)
• Combination kicks: front kick, thrusting kick, roundhouse kick, back kick + reverse punch (right & left)

Kata

Bassai Dai (Fortress-breaking form)

Sparring

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

1st Kyu – Brown Belt (Two White Stripes)

Minimum training: 6 months

Basic Techniques

• Lead punch + lead-leg front kick + reverse punch to the body (3 times)
• Front kick + lead punch + reverse punch to the body (3 times)
• Side kick + reverse punch to the body (3 times)
• Roundhouse kick + reverse punch to the body (3 times)
• Back kick (6 times)
• Combination kicks: front kick, thrusting kick, roundhouse kick, back kick + reverse punch (right & left)

Kata

Choose one advanced form:

• Bassai Dai (Fortress-breaking form)
• Kanku Dai (Sky-gazing form)
• Jion (Temple form)
• Empi (Flying swallow form)

Sparring

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