Shotokan Ranking and Belt Levels
KYU Ranks (White Belts through Brown Belts)
- KATA: Taikyoku Shodan
- KIHON (BASICS):
- From front stance, step in punch, stomach level.
- Step back, rising block.
- Stepping in, outside forearm block.
- Stepping back, down block.
- Moving forward, front snap kick, stomach level.
- Stand up.
- Feet together, side snap kick (left side/right side).
- KUMITE (BASIC SPARRING):
- Offense (start from front stance, down block).
- *Step in punch, face level.
- Defense (start from open natural stance).
- *Stepping back, rising block – counter punch
- Offense (start from front stance).
- *Step in punch, stomach level.
- Defense (start from open natural stance).
- *Stepping back, down block – counter
- Offense (start from front stance).
- *Step in front kick, stomach level.
- Defense (start from open natural stance).
- *Stepping back (angle), down block – counter punch
- Switch roles of offense and defense.
- KATA: Heian Shodan
- KIHON (BASICS):
- From front stance, step in punch, stomach level.
- Stepping back, rising block.
- Stepping forward, outside forearm block.
- Stepping back, back stance, knife-hand block.
- Moving forward, front snap kick, stomach level.
- Turn into side stance.
- Stepping across, side snap kick – change direction, repeat.
- KUMITE (BASIC THREE-STEP SPARRING):
- Offense (start from front stance).
- *Step in punch, face level.
- Defense (start from open natural stance).
- *Stepping back, rising block, reverse punch, after third attack
- Offense (start from front stance).
- *Step in punch, stomach level.
- Defense (start from open natural stance).
- *Stepping back, down block, reverse punch, after third attack.
- Switch roles of offense and defense.
- KATA: Heian Nidan
- KIHON (BASICS):
- From front stance, step in punch, face level.
- Stepping back, downward block, reverse punch.
- Stepping forward, outside forearm block, reverse punch face level.
- Stepping back, back stance, knife-hand block.
- Change to front stance.
- Moving forward, front snap kick, face level.
- Turn into front stance.
- Moving forward, round-house kick.
- Turn into side stance.
- Stepping across, side snap kick – change direction, repeat
- Stepping across, side thrust kick – change direction, repeat.
- KUMITE (BASIC THREE-STEP SPARRING):
- Offense (start from front stance).
- *Step in punch, face level, three times.
- Defense (start from open natural stance).
*Step back, rising block, counter after third attack.
Offense (start from front stance).
*Step in punch, stomach level, three times.
Defense (start from open natural stance).
*Step back, down block, counter after third attack.
Switch roles of offense and defense.
- KATA: Heian Sandan
- KIHON (BASICS):
- From front stance, step in punch, once face, twice stomach.
- Stepping back, rising block, reverse punch.
- Stepping forward, outside forearm block, shift to side stance, elbow strike.
- Stepping back, back stance, knife-hand block.
- Change to front stance.
- Moving forward, double front snap kick, stomach level.
- Turn into front stance.
- Moving forward, round-house kick, face level.
- Turn into side stance.
- Stepping across, side snap kick – change direction, repeat.
- Stepping across, side thrust kick – change direction, repeat.
- Combination: From front stance, front snap kick stomach level step in punch, face level.
- Combination: From front stance, back leg round-house kick, step in reverse punch reverse punch.
- KUMITE (Basic one-step Sparring):
- Offense (start from front stance):
- *Step in punch, face level.
- *Step in punch, stomach level.
- *Front snap kick, stomach level.
- Defense side (start from open natural stance):
- *Rising block, counter.
- *Outside forearm block, counter.
- *Down block, counter.
- Switch roles of offense and defense.
- KATA: Heian Yondan
- KIHON (Basics):
- From front stance, step in punch, once face, twice stomach.
- Stepping back, rising block, reverse punch.
- Stepping forward, outside forearm block, shift to side stance, elbow attack.
- Stepping back, back stance, knife-hand block, front leg front kick.
- Change to front stance.
- Moving forward, double front snap kick, stomach level, face level.
- Turn to front stance.
- Moving forward, double round-house kick, stomach level, face level.
- Turn into side stance.
- Stepping across, side snap kick – change direction, repeat.
- Stepping across, side thrust kick – change direction, repeat.
- Stepping across, reverse round-house kick – change direction, repeat.
- Combination: From front stance, front snap kick, change legs, round-house kick, reverse punch.
- KUMITE (Basic Sparring):
- Offense (start from front stance):
- *Step in punch, face level.
- *Step in punch, stomach level.
- *Front snap kick, stomach level.
- *Side thrust kick, stomach level.
- Defense side (start from open natural stance):
- *Rising block, reverse punch.
- *Outside forearm block, reverse punch.
- *Down block, reverse punch.
- *Outside forearm block, reverse punch.
- Switch roles of offense and defense.
- KATA: Heian Godan
- KIHON (Basics):
- From front stance, step in punch, once face, twice stomach.
- Stepping back, rising block, reverse punch.
- Stepping forward, outside forearm block, shift to side stance, elbow attack, backfist strike.
- Stepping back, back stance, knife-hand block, front leg front kick, spearhand to solar plexus.
- Change to front stance.
- Moving forward, double front snap kick, stomach level, face level.
- Turn into front stance.
- Moving forward, double round-house kick, stomach level, face level.
- Turn into side stance.
- Stepping across, side snap kick – change direction, repeat.
- Change direction, stepping across, side thrust kick – change direction, repeat.
- Change direction, stepping across, reverse round-house kick – change direction, repeat.
- Combination: From front stance, front snap kick, change legs, side thrust kick, reverse punch.
- KUMITE (Basic Sparring):
- Offense (start from front stance).
- *Step in punch, face level.
- *Step in punch, stomach level.
- *Front snap kick, stomach level.
- *Side thrust kick.
- Defense side (start from open natural stance):
- Any block, any counter.
- Switch roles of offense and defense.
- KATA: Tekki Shodan
- Plus Examiner’s choice of Heian kata
- KIHON (Basics): Examiners Count:
- From front stance, step in punch, once face, twice stomach.
- Stepping back, rising block, reverse punch.
- Stepping forward, outside forearm block, shift to side stance, elbow strike, backfist strike.
- Stepping back, back stance, knife-hand block, front leg front kick, spearhand to solar plexus.
- Moving forward, double front snap kick (start with front leg), stomach level, face level.
- Moving forward, double round-house kick (start with from leg), stomach level, face level.
- Turn into side stance.
- Stepping across, side snap kick – change direction – repeat.
- Change direction, stepping across, side thrust kick – change direction – repeat.
- Stepping across, reverse round-house kick, face level – change direction – repeat.
- Combination: From front stance, round-house kick (Back leg) step in, side thrust kick (change legs), reverse punch.
- Combination: From front stance, back leg round-house kick, same leg side thrust kick, step in reverse punch.
- From stationary front stance, back leg front kick, same leg side-snap kick, step back into front stance, back kick.
- KUMITE
- Basic Sparring):
- Examiners Count
- Offense (start from front stance).
- *Step in punch, face level.
- *Step in punch, stomach level.
- *Front snap kick, stomach level.
- *Side thrust kick.
- Defense (start from open natural stance):
- Any block, any counter.
- Switch roles of offense and defense.
- Free Sparring (by instructor discretion)
- Basic Sparring):
- KATA: Bassai dai / Tekki Shodan
- KIHON (Basics): Examiners Count
- From front stance, step in punch, once face, twice stomach.
- Stepping back, rising block, reverse punch.
- Stepping forward, outside forearm block, shift to side stance, elbow strike, backfist strike.
- Stepping back, back stance, knife-hand block, front leg front kick, spearhand to solar plexus.
- Moving forward, double front snap kick (start with front leg), stomach level, face level.
- Turn into front stance.
- Moving forward, double-round house kick, stomach level, face level.
- Turn into front stance.
- Moving forward, reverse round-house kick, face level.
- Turn into side stance.
- Stepping across, side snap kick – change direction – repeat.
- Change direction, stepping across, side thrust kick – change direction – repeat.
- Combination: From front stance, round-house kick (Back leg), step in, side thrust kick (change legs), reverse punch.
- Combination: From front stance, back leg round-house kick, same leg side thrust kick, reverse punch.
- Combination: From front stance, front leg front kick, back leg reverse round-house kick, step in reverse punch.
- From stationary front stance, back leg front kick, same leg thrust side kick, back kick.
- KUMITE:
- Basic Sparring – As in 3rd Kyu
- Free Sparring (by instructor discretion)
- KATA: Kanku Dai, Bassai Dai, Jion, or Empi – Select one.
- Examiner’s choice of Heian kata
- KIHON (Basics): Examiners Count:
- From front stance, step in punch – once face, twice stomach.
- Stepping back, rising block, reverse punch.
- Stepping forward, outside forearm block, shift to side stance, elbow strike, backfist strike.
- Stepping back, back stance, knife-hand block, front leg front kick, spearhand to solar plexus.
- Moving forward, double front snap kick (start with the front leg), stomach level, face level.
- Turn into front stance.
- Moving forward, double round-house kick (start with the front leg), stomach level, face level.
- Turn into front stance.
- Moving forward, reverse round-house kick, face level.
- Turn into side stance.
- Stepping across, side snap kick – change direction, repeat.
- Change direction, stepping across, side thrust kick – change direction, repeat.
- Combination: Turn into front stance, front leg round-house kick, back leg side thrust kick, reverse punch.
- Combination: Turn into front stance, back leg round-house kick, same leg side thrust kick, step in punch.
- Combination: Turn into front stance, front leg front kick, back leg reverse round-house kick, step in punch.
- From stationary front stance, kamae, back leg front snap kick, same leg side snap kick, step back into front stance.
- From stationary front stance, back leg front snap kick, same leg back thrust kick.
- KUMITE:
- Basic Sparring – As in 3rd Kyu
- Free Sparring (by instructor discretion)
DAN Ranks (Black Belts)
Qualification: More than 2 years total practice or 3 months after receiving 1st kyu. Age 12 for “Junior Rank” ending on 17th birthday (or by special invitation).
- Kata
- The examiner selects a Kata from Heian Shodan to Tekki Shodan
- The examinee select a Kata from group A
- Kihon – four sets of each combination by instructors count.
- Sanbon-tsuki (Jodan-Chudan-Chudan): Step in punch once face, twice stomach..
- Age-uke-Kizami-mae-geri-Gyaku-tsuki: Step back rising block, front leg front kick, reverse punch.
- Soto-Ude-uke-Empi-uchi-uraken-uchi-gyaku-tsuki (Zenkutsu-dachi-Kiba-dachi-Zenkutsudachi):
- Step in outside forearm block (front stance), elbow strike (side stance), back-fist strike, reverse punch (front stance).
- Shuto-uke Kizami-mae-geri-Shihon-Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi): Step back, back stance knife hand block, front leg front kick, spear hand (front stance), shift back to knife-hand.
- Mae-geri Chudan-Jodan (One count 2 steps): Front-leg front kick stomach, back leg – face.
- Mawashi-geri Chudan-Jodan (One count 2 steps): Front-leg Roundhouse kick stomach, back leg – face.
- Yoko-geri-kiage (Kiba-dachi): Side snap kick (side stance)
- Yoko-geri-kekomi: Side thrust kick
- Kizami Yoko-geri-kekomi, Mawashi-geri Gyaku-tsuki: Front leg side thrust kick, back leg roundhouse kick, reverse punch.
- Kizami Mawashi-geri Oi-tsuki Jodan: Front leg roundhouse kick, step in punch face.
- Uchi-Ude-Uke-Kizami-mae-geri-Kizami-tsuki-Gyaku-tsuki: Step back inside forearm block, front leg front kick and short punch (same-time), reverse punch.
- In Zenkutsu dachi mae-geri Yoko-geri-kekomi back to Zenkutsu dachi (4 times each leg): In front stance, back leg front snap kick then side thrust kick, and back to front stance.
- Kumite
- Jiyu-Ippon Kumite
- Jodan-Chudan-Mae-geri-Yoko-geri-kekomi-Ushiro-geri: Face, stomach, front snap kick, side thrust kick, back thrust kick.
- Jiyu-Kumite (against a brown belt a Shodan and a Nidan)
- Jiyu-Ippon Kumite
Qualification: More than 2 years after Sho dan.
- Kata
- Examinee’s choice – Group A, B, or C
- Examiner’s choice – Heian 2-5, Tekki 1-2, or Group A
- Kihon
- *(F) From free style position, short punch to face level followed by step-in punch twice to the face level.
- (T) From free style position, slide forward with short punch to face level, front kick from back leg, step-in punch to face level.
- (F) Moving sideways in side stance, side snap kick to face level, back leg side thrust while moving forward in cross leg motion into side stance.
- (B) From free style position, step back — rising block, forward with round kick- – backfist strike (same side) face level, step-in punch face level.
- From stationary position, front kick- – side snap kick– back kick (side, thrust, or hook), return to stationary position. Both sides.
- *(F) Moving forward
- (T) Moving backward
- (T) Turn to opposite direction
- Jiyu Kumite (free sparring)
- Lower level
- Same level
- Above level
Qualification: More than 3 years after Ni dan.
- Kata
- Examinee’s choice – Group A, B, or C.
- Examiner’s choice – Group A, B, Tekki 1, or Heian 2-5.
- Explanation of examiner’s choice of examinee’s major kata. Explain bunkai of a technical point. Show the application against opponent.
- Kihon
- Examinee’s explanation of combination choice.
- Use of basic concepts (stance connection, power source and transmission, and kime points).
- Application, from set-up to finishing technique and recovery.
- Examiner’s choice – explain, to a student how to improve a technique (kick, punch, block, strike).
- Examinee’s explanation of combination choice.
- Jiyu Kumite (free sparring)
- Lower level
- Same level
- Above level
Qualification: More than 4 years after Sandan.
- Evidence of commitment to the quality of The American JKA and its members.
- Evidence of personal growth in the values of JKA Style Shotokan Karate-do.
- Kata
- Examinee’s choice – Group A, B, C, or D.
- Examiner’s choice – Group A, B, Heian 2-5, Tekki 1.
- Examinee’s explanation of Kata technique. Explain bunkai and show the application. Examiner’s choice.
- Kihon
- Examinee explain the choice of combination in technical points.
- Examinee explain the choice of combination in application concepts.
- Kumite
- Jiyu ippon kumite
- Jiyu kumite
- Explanation of kumite strategy and timing of defense or offense.
- Research Subject
- Examinee’s choice from body dynamics, muscle coordination, and forces related to upper and lower body power transmission for punching, striking, kicking, leg sweeping, blocking, or stance.
- Length of paper: minimum of 500 words excluding Title page, Abstract, Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Appendices, Curriculum Vitae, Figures and Tables, acknowledgements and References.
- Presentation to The American JKA Technical Committee.
- Brief explanation to Examiners.
Qualification: More than five years after Yon dan.
- Has accepted responsibility as assistant to a technical or administrative position.
- Has accepted responsibility as an instructor in a national activity.
- Has accepted responsibility for national tournament activity as a coach, official, or organizer.
- Has shown evidence of personal growth in values of JKA Shotokan Karate-do.
- Has completed the required research and submitted copies in proper form to The American JKA Committee.
- Kata
- Examinee’s choice – Group A, B, C, or D.
- Examiner’s choice – Group A, B, C, or D.
- Explain Examiner’s choice of kata technique from any kata.
- Kumite
- Jiyu ippon kumite
- Examinee’s choice of attack or defense combinations.
- Examinee explains combinations in terms of strategy timing and shifting.
- Research Subject
Questions will be asked for the purpose of determining understanding and bringing out the quality of the research.- Examinee’s selection of theory related to:
- Body dynamics
- Coordination/timing
- Strategy
- Power relations
- Examinee’s theory must reflect depth in research for support.
- Examinee may chose test the theory, but extensive test procedure is not recommended at this level.
- Quality of presentation, adherence to proper format, and depth of study will be of prime concern.
- Length of the paper is not of concern. Insignificant wordiness is a waste of time for everyone.
- Submit to The American JKA Technical Committee a minimum of one week prior to the exam date.
- Prepare for brief oral explanation during examination or before.
- Examinee’s selection of theory related to:
Qualification: More than 6 years after Go dan.
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- Has accepted and provided leadership in a national level position that promotes the AJKA in particular and JKA style Shotokan Karate-do in general.
- Provides technical and administrative training that directly elevates an individual to Yon dan level.
- Has shown evidence in personal growth in the values of The American JKA (AJKA-I).
- Has assisted in international activities.
- Kata – Selected from Group A, B, C, or D.
- Research Subject
- New research subject.
- Brief presentation.
- Service to national organization.
- Service to international activities.
- Research subject through actual application and testing.
- National published articles or research.
- Service to national organization
- Service to international relations.
- Publish of extensive study.
- Uncommon individual achievement in research, published works, teaching and leadership resulting in the raising of a Seventh Rank (Nana dan).
At this stage the individual has reached the highest image of karate development. This person has been directly responsible in the raising of people to the Eighth Rank (Hachi dan).
