System& syllabus of KHA Belt grading and ranking
Belt system
Shotokan Karate follows the Belt System to Grade
and Rank a Karateka. School of Shotokan Karate-Do awards a grade to a karateka only after clearing a test
with above average performance. The required standards
that a karateka must attain to be awarded a certain grade
is specified by the KHA Board of Directors and is based
on international standards. Each grade obtained by a karateka is represented by the color of the belt awarded
to him. One has to clear 10 Kyu (grades) in order to
be able to be worthy for a Black Belt test.
Black belts are also 10th grades.
Elements of Karate
What is kihon?
Kihon is a Japanese term meaning "basics" or "fundamentals." The term is used to refer to the basic techniques that are taught and practised as the foundation of most Japanese martial arts. The practice and mastery of kihon is essential to all advanced training. At the simple level this would include stances, punches, kicks, blocks, and thrusts but also includes basic representative kata. Kihon techniques tend to be practiced often, and in many cases during each practice session. They are considered fundamental to the mastery and improvement of all movements of greater complexity.
What is kata?
Kata is often described as a set sequence of karate moves organised into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. It consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. In Shotokan, kata is not a performance or a demonstration, but is for individual karateka to practice full techniques with every technique potentially a killing blow (ikken hisatsu) while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm). Shotokan consists of 26 Kata
What is Kumite?
Kumite, or sparring, is the practical application of kata to real opponents. For beginners, it is introduced as basic blocking and counter-attacking, but will gradually progress to free-sparring (Jiyu Kumite) which develops the timing, reflexes and co-ordination necessary for self defence and competition.
The examiner may ask to see some or all of the Kihon, Kata and Kumite listed in the KHA Syllabus. Candidates may be required to demonstrate material from previous grading to ensure overall development - a brown belt for example may be asked to perform a Heian Kata.
KHA Grading Syllabus
HatchiKyu-10-9th Kyu
Kihon
Choku Zuki (Straight punch) (10 times)
Chudan Oi Zuki (step forwards and backwards 3 times)Gyaku Zuki (step forwards and backwards 3 times)
Jodan Age Uke ( step forwards and backwards 3 times)Soto Ude Uke
(step forwards and back 3 times)
Uchi Ude Uke (step forwards and backwards 3 times)Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi (step forwards and backwards 3 times) (Turn) step
forwards Mae Geri Chudan (3 times)(Turn) step forwards Mae Geri Jodan
(3 times)Yoko Geri Keage from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Gohon Kumite (Five Step Sparring)
to Jodan and Chudan levels
Kata
Heian Shodan
Period
6 month or 50 classes
NanaKyu-8-7th Kyu
Kihon
Choku Zuki (Straight punch) (10 times)
Chudan Oi Zuki (step forwards and backwards 3 times)Gyaku Zuki (step forwards and backwards 3 times)
Jodan Age Uke ( step forwards and backwards 3 times)Soto Ude Uke
(step forwards and back 3 times)
Uchi Ude Uke (step forwards and backwards 3 times)Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi (step forwards and backwards 3 times) (Turn) step
forwards Mae Geri Chudan (3 times)(Turn) step forwards Mae Geri Jodan
(3 times)Yoko Geri Keage from Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Sambon Kumite (Three Step Sparring)
Jodan, Chudan, Mae Geri
Kata
Heian Nidan
Period
6 month or 50 classes
RokKyu-6-5th Kyu
Kihon
Sanbon Zuki (step forwards 3 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan
Barai (step backwards 3 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi (step
forwards 3 times)Uchi Ude Uke, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (step backwards
3 times)Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Nukite (step forwards 3 times)(Turn) step forwards Mae Ren Geri (Jodan, Chudan)
(3 times)(Turn) step forwards Mawashi
Geri (3 times)Yoko Geri Keage from
Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi from Kiba Dachi
(both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Kihon Ippon Kumite (One Step Sparring)
Jodan, Chudan, Mae Geri Chudan
Kata
Heian Sandan
Period
6 month or 50 classes
Beginner
Beginner
Intermediate
Intermediate
Advanced
Advanced
YonKyu-5th-4th Kyu
Kihon
Sanbon Zuki (step forward 3 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step backwards 3 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki (step forwards 3 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Kizami Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (step backwards 3 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite (step forwards 3 times)
(Turn) step forwards Mae ren Geri, (Chudan, Jodan) (3 times)
(Turn) step forwards Mae Geri Chudan, Oi Zuki, Gedan Barai (3 times)
(Turn) step forwards Gyaku Zuki, Mawashi geri, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (3 times)
Yoko Geri Keage, step over Yoko Geri Kekomi in Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Yoko Geri Kekomi, step over Yoko Geri Keage in Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)
Kumite
Kihon Ippon Kumite (One Step Sparring)
1 x Jodan, 1 x Chudan, 1 x Mae Geri Chudan, 1 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 1 x Mawashi Geri (both sides, left and right)
Kata
Heian Yondoan-Godan
Any previous Kata of the examiner's choice.
Period
6 month or 50 classes
NiKyu 2nd-1st Degree Brown Belt
Kihon
Sanbon Zuki (step forwards 3 times)
Jodan Age Uke, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan
Barai (step backwards 3 times)
Soto Ude Uke, Yoko Empi, Uraken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (step forwards 3 times)
Uchi Ude Uke, Kizami Zuki, back leg Mae Geri, step back to Zenkutsu Dachi, Gyaku Zuki (step backwards 3 times)
Shuto Uke from Kokutsu Dachi, Kizami
Mae Geri, Nukite (step backwards 3 times)
(Turn) step forwards Mae Geri, Oi Zuki, Gyaku Zuki (3 times)(Turn) Gyaku Zuki, step forwards Mawashi Geri, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki, Gedan Barai (3 times)
(Turn) step forwards Ushiro Geri, Uranken, Gyaku Zuki i (3 times)Step over Yoko Geri Kekomi same leg Yoko Geri Keage in Kiba Dachi (both sides 3 times)Same leg on the spot: Mae Geri to the front, Yoko Geri Kekomi to the side, Ushiro Geri to the rear, Mawashi Geri to the front (3 times)
Kumite
Kihon Ippon Kumite (One Step Sparring)
1 x Jodan, 1 x Chudan, 1 x Mae Geri, 1 x Yoko Geri Kekomi, 1 x Mawashi Geri, 1 x Ushiro Geri (both sides, left and right)
Jiyu Ippon Kumite (Semi Free Style)
1 x Jodan, 1 x Chudan, 1 x Mae Geri, 1 x Mawashi Geri
Kata
Tekki shodan-Bassai Dai
Any previous Kata of the examiner's choice.
Period
6 month or 50 classes
Shodan - Black Belt 1st Rank
