Shotokan Grading Syllabus

Symbol Meanings

01_yellow_belt 8th Kyu – Yellow Belt
Kihon 1. (ZE) Chudan Oi-zuki – Middle body lunge punch (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(F)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle Outside Block (Outside-in) (ZE)(F)
4. (ZE) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(B)
5. (ZE) Chudan Mae-geri – Middle body front snap kick (ZE)(F)
6. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-keage – Middle body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI) (S)
7. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
Kata Heian Shodan
Kumite Gohon Kumite (5 step basic sparring) by count.  Tsuki jodan x 1, chudan x 1.
02_orange_belt 7th Kyu – Orange Belt
Kihon 1. (ZE) Jodan Oi-zuki – Upper body lunge punch (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(B)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle Outside Block (ZE)(I.C.) Jodan Gyaku-zuki – Upper reverse punch (ZE)(F)
4. (ZE) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(B)
5. (ZE) Jodan Mae-geri – Middle body front snap kick (ZE)(F)
6. (T)(ZE) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (ZE)(F)
7. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
8. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
Kata Heian Nidan
Kumite Gohon Kumite (5 step basic sparring) no count.  Tsuki jodan x 1, chudan x 1.
03_green_belt 6th Kyu – Green Belt
Kihon 1. (ZE) Oi-zuki sanbon-zuchi – Jodan lunge punch, chudan double punch (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(B)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle Outside Block (ZE)(I.S.) Chudan Enpi-uchi – Middle body elbow strike (KI)(F)
4. (KI) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(I.C.) Chudan Nukite – Middle body spear hand strike (ZE)(B)
5. (ZE) Mae-geri Rengeri – Double front snap kick.  Chudan x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE) (F)
6. (T)(ZE) Jodan Mawashi-geri – Upper body roundhouse kick (ZE)(F)
7. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
8. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
9. (ZE) Chudan Mae-geri – Middle body front snap kick (F.C.) Jodan Oizuki – Upper body lunch punch (ZE)(F)
Kata Heian Sandan
Kumite Kihon ippon kumite (one step basic sparring).  Tsuki jodan x 2.  Chudan x 2.
04_blue_belt 5th Kyu – Blue Belt
Kihon 1. (ZE) Oi-zuki sanbon-zuki – Jodan punch, two chudan  punches (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(B)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle outside block (ZE)(I.S.) Chudan Yoko Enpi-uchi – Middle body side elbow strike (KI)(F)
4. (KI) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(I.C.) Chudan kizami maegeri – Middle body jab and front snap kick (I.C.) Chudan Nukite – Middle body spear hand strike (ZE)(B)
5. (ZE) Mae-geri Rengeri – Double front snap kick:  Chudan x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE) (F)
6. (T)(ZE) Mawashi-geri rengeri – Double roundhouse kick:  Chudan x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE)(F)
7. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
8. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
9. (ZE) Chudan Mae-geri – Middle body front snap kick (F.C.) Chudan mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (F.C.) Chudan gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(F)
Kata Heian Yondan
Kumite Kihon ippon kumite (one step basic sparring).  Tsuki jodan x 2.  Chudan x 2. Mae-geri chudan x 2.
05_purple_belt 4th Kyu – Purple Belt
Kihon 1. (ZE) Oi-zuki sanbon-zuki – Jodan punch, two chudan  punches (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(B)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle outside block (ZE)(I.S.) Chudan Yoko Enpi-uchi – Middle body side elbow strike (KI)  (I.S.) Jodan Tate Uraken-uchi Upper vertical backfist strike (KI)(F)
4. (KI) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(I.C.) Chudan kizami maegeri – Middle body lead leg front snap kick (I.C.) Chudan Nukite – Middle body spear hand strike (ZE)(B)
5. (ZE) Mae-geri Rengeri – Double front snap kick.  Chudan x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE) (F)
6. (T)(ZE) Mawashi-geri rengeri – Double roundhouse kick.  Chudan x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE)(F)
7. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
8. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
9. (ZE) Chudan Mae-geri – Middle body front snap kick (F.C.) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (F.C.) Chudan gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(F)
Kata Heian Godan
Kumite Kihon ippon kumite (one step basic sparring).  Tsuki jodan x 1, chudan x 1.  Mae-geri chudan x 1.  Yoko-Kekomi chudan x 1.
06_brown_belt 3rd Kyu – Brown Belt Level 1
Kihon 1. (ZE) Oi-zuki sanbon-zuki – Jodan punch, two chudan  punches (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(B)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle outside block (ZE)(I.S.) Chudan Yoko Enpi-uchi – Middle body side elbow strike (KI)  (I.S.) Jodan Tate Uraken-uchi Upper vertical backfist strike (KI)(F)
4. (KI) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(I.C.) Chudan kizami maegeri – Middle body lead leg front snap kick (I.C.) Chudan Nukite – Middle body spear hand strike (ZE)(B)
5. (ZE) Chudan Uchi-uke – Middle body inside block (ZE) (I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch. (ZE) (F)
6. (T)(ZE) Mae-geri Rengeri – Double front snap kick.  Chudan kizami x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE) (F)
7. (T)(ZE) Mawashi-geri rengeri – Double roundhouse kick.  Chudan kizami x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE)(F)
8. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
9. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
10. (ZE) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick (F.C.) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (F.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE) (F)
11. (T)(ZE) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (I.S.) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick (F.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE) (F)
12. (R)(ZE) Jodan Mae-geri – Upper front snap kick to the front (I.S.) Jodan Yoko Keage-geri – Upper side snap kick to the side (ZE) (P)
13. (ZE) Gyaku-zuki Control test to stationary target. (P)
Kata Tekki Shodan
Kumite Kihon ippon kumite (one step basic sparring).  Tsuki jodan x 1.  Tsuki chudan x 1.  Mae-geri chudan x 1.  Ushiro-geri chudan x 1.  Yoko-Kekomi chudan x 1.
06_brown_belt 2nd Kyu – Brown Belt Level 2
Kihon 1. (ZE) Oi-zuki sanbon-zuki – Jodan punch, two chudan  punches (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(B)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle outside block (ZE)(I.S.) Chudan Yoko Enpi-uchi – Middle body side elbow strike (KI)(I.S.) Jodan Tate Uraken-uchi – Upper vertical backfist strike (KI)(F)
4. (KI) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(I.C.) Chudan kizami maegeri – Middle body lead leg front snap kick (I.C.) Chudan Nukite – Middle body spear hand strike (ZE)(B)
5. (ZE) Chudan Uchi-uke – Middle body inside block (ZE) (I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch. (ZE) (F)
6. (T)(ZE) Mae-geri Rengeri – Double front snap kick:  Chudan kizami x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE) (F)
7. (T)(ZE) Mawashi-geri rengeri – Double roundhouse kick:  Chudan kizami x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE)(F)
8. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
9. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
10. (ZE) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick (F.C.) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (F.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE) (F)
11. (ZE) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (I.S.) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick (F.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE) (F)
12. (R)(ZE) Jodan Mae-geri – Upper front snap kick to the front (I.S.) Jodan Yoko Keage-geri – Upper side snap kick to the side (ZE) (P)
13. (ZE) Gyaku-zuki Control test to vertically moving target. (P)
Kata Student may be asked to perform one of the basic katas (except for Heian Shodan through Godan and Tekki Shodan): Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi, Kanku Dai, Hangetsu, Jitte, and Gankaku.
Kumite Kihon ippon kumite (one step basic sparring).  Tsuki jodan x 1.  Tsuki chudan x 1.  Mae-geri chudan x 1.  Ushiro-geri chudan x 1.  Yoko-Kekomi chudan x 1.
06_brown_belt 1st Kyu – Brown Belt Level 3
Kihon 1. (ZE) Oi-zuki sanbon-zuki – Jodan punch, two chudan punches (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(B)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle outside block (ZE)(I.S.) Chudan Yoko Enpi-uchi – Middle body side elbow strike (KI)(I.S.) Jodan Tate Uraken-uchi – Upper vertical backfist strike (KI)(F)
4. (KI) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(I.C.) Chudan kizami maegeri – Middle body lead leg front snap kick (I.C.) Chudan Nukite – Middle body spear hand strike (ZE)(B)
5. (ZE) Chudan Uchi-uke – Middle body inside block (ZE) (I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch. (ZE) (F)
6. (T)(ZE) Mae-geri Rengeri – Double front snap kick:  Chudan kizami x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE) (F)
7. (T)(ZE) Mawashi-geri rengeri – Double roundhouse kick:  Chudan kizami x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE)(F)
8. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
9. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
10. (ZE) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick (F.C.) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (F.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE) (F)
11. (T)(ZE) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (I.S.) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick (F.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE) (F)
12. (R)(ZE) Jodan Mae-geri – Upper front snap kick to the front (I.S.) Jodan Yoko Keage-geri – Upper side snap kick to the side (I.S.) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick to the side (ZE) (P)
13. (ZE) Gyaku-zuki Control test to vertically/horizontally moving target. (P)
Kata Examinee may choose to perform one of the basic katas (except for Heian Shodan through Godan and Tekki Shodan): Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi, Kanku Dai, Hangetsu, Jitte, and Gankaku.
Kumite Kihon ippon kumite (one step basic sparring).  Tsuki jodan x 1.  Tsuki chudan x 1.  Mae-geri chudan x 1.  Ushiro-geri chudan x 1.  Yoko-Kekomi chudan x 1.
07_black_belt Shodan – Black Belt 1st Degree
Kihon 1. (ZE) Oi-zuki sanbon-zuki – Jodan punch, two chudan punches (ZE)(F)
2. (ZE) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(B)
3. (ZE) Chudan Soto-uke –  Middle outside block (ZE)(I.S.) Chudan Yoko Enpi-uchi – Middle body side elbow strike (KI)(I.S.) Jodan Tate Uraken-uchi – Upper vertical backfist strike (KI)(I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE)(F)
4. (ZE) Chudan Shuto-uke – Middle body knife hand block (KO)(I.C.) Chudan kizami maegeri – Middle body lead leg front snap kick (I.C.) Chudan Nukite – Middle body spear hand strike (ZE)(B)
5. (ZE) Chudan Uchi-uke – Middle body inside block (ZE) Simultaneous: (I.S.) Jodan Kizami-zuki – Upper jab punch and (I.C.) Chudan Kizami Mae-geri – Middle body lead leg front snap kick; (I.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch. (ZE) (F)
6. (T)(ZE) Mae-geri Rengeri – Double front snap kick:  Chudan kizami x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE) (F)
7. (T)(ZE) Mawashi-geri rengeri – Double roundhouse kick:  Chudan kizami x 1 (F.C.) Jodan x 1. (ZE)(F)
8. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
9. (KI)(X) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (left and right sides) (KI)(S)
10. (ZE) Chudan Kizami Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body lead leg side thrust kick (F.C.) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (F.C.) Chudan Gyaku-zuki – Middle body reverse punch (ZE) (F)
11. (T)(ZE) Chudan Kizami Mawashi-geri – Middle body lead leg roundhouse kick (I.S.) Chudan Kizami Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body lead leg side thrust kick (STF) Jodan Oi-zuki – Upper lunge punch (ZE) (F)
12. (R)(ZE) Jodan Mae-geri – Upper front snap kick to the front (I.S.) Jodan Yoko Keage-geri – Upper side snap kick to the side (I.S.) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick to the side (I.S.) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick to the front (ZE) (P)
13. (ZE) Gyaku-zuki Control test to vertically/horizontally moving target at varying distances. (P)
Kata 1. Examinee may choose to perform one of the basic katas (except for Heian Shodan through Godan and Tekki Shodan): Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi, Kanku Dai, Hangetsu, Jitte, and Gankaku.
2. Demonstrate randomly selected kata from Heian Shodan through Godan and Tekki Shodan.
Kumite Jiyu ippon kumite (Semi-free sparring).  Tsuki jodan x 1.  Tsuki chudan x 1.  Mae-geri chudan x 1.  Ushiro-geri chudan x 1.  Yoko-Kekomi chudan x 1.
07_black_belt Nidan – Black Belt 2nd Degree
Kihon 1. (FR) Jodan Kizami-zuki – Upper jab punch (ZE), (STF) Oi-zuki sanbon-zuki – Jodan punch, two chudan punches (FR)(F)
2. (T)(FR) (SLF) Jodan Kizami-zuki – Upper jab punch (ZE) (F.C.), Chudan Mae-geri – Middle body front snap kick (F.C.), Jodan Oi-zuki – Upper lunge punch (ZE) (FR)(F)
3. (KI)(X) Jodan Yoko-keage – Upper body side snap kick (F.C.) Chudan Yoko-kekomi – Middle body side thrust kick (KI) (S)
4. (FR) (STB) Jodan Age-uke – Upper rising block (ZE) (F.C.), Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick (F.C.), Jodan Yoko Uraken-uchi – Upper side backfist strike (KI) (STF), Jodan Oi-zuki – Upper lunge punch (ZE) (FR) (F)
5. (R)(ZE) Jodan Mae-geri – Upper front snap kick to the front (I.S.) Jodan Yoko Keage-geri – Upper side snap kick to the side (I.S.) Chudan Yoko Kekomi-geri – Middle body side thrust kick to the side (I.S.) Chudan Mawashi-geri – Middle body roundhouse kick to the front (I.S.) Chudan Ushiro-geri – Middle body back kick to the rear (FR) (P)
Kata 1. Examinee may choose to perform any kata except for Heian Shodan through Godan and Tekki Shodan.
2. Demonstrate randomly selected kata from Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi, and Kanku Dai.
Kumite Jiyu Kumite (Free Sparring).  Examinee will also be asked to take offense/defense roles as indicated by the examiner.
07_black_belt Sandan – Black Belt 3rd Degree
Kihon   N/A
Kata 1. Examinee may choose to perform any kata except for Heian Shodan through Godan and Tekki Shodan.
2. Demonstrate randomly selected kata from the basic katas: Heian Shodan through Godan, Tekki Shodan through Sandan, Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi, Kanku Dai, Hangetsu, Jitte, and Gankaku.
Kumite Jiyu Kumite (Free Sparring).  Sparring among examinees or free sparring one-on-one with three or more partners selected by examiner who are Shodan or lower in rank.
07_black_belt Yondan – Black Belt 4th Degree
Instruction Examinee instructs a partner selected by the examiner in response to questions and directions in the areas of Kihon, Kata, and Sparring.
Kata 1. Examinee may choose to perform any kata except for Heian Shodan through Godan and Tekki Shodan.
2. Examinee explains and answers examiner’s questions regarding technique in the katas performed.
Kumite Examinee gives an approximate five minute explanation of his research in either kumite or self-defense.  Examinee demonstrates this research for approximately ten minutes, followed by a question and answer session with the examiner.