Kazoku Shotokan Karate emblem Kazoku Shotokan Karate家族  ·  Wellingborough & Clapham/Oakley

Grading Syllabus

10th Kyu to Yondan

Our full syllabus, grade by grade. Tap a belt to see the kihon, kumite and kata required.

Kihon (to count)

  • 10x Choku-zuki (or Kara-zuki) in Shizentai — punching from yoi stance
  • 5x Gyaku-zuki (reverse punch/push) in Zenkutsu dachi — left stance only
  • 5x Oi-zuki (stepping punch) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 5x Age-uke (upper rising block) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 5x Soto ude-uke (inside block) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 5x Gedan-barai (downward parrying block) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 5x Mae-geri (front snap kick) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Kumite

  • Gohon Kumite — Jodan (5 attack sparring, Jodan/upper level only, to count)

Kata

  • Taikyoku Shodan — first eight moves to first kiai

Kihon

  • 10x Choku-zuki (or Kara-zuki) in Shizentai
  • 5x Gyaku-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — left stance only
  • 5x Oi-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 5x Age-uke in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 5x Uchi-uke (inside block) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 5x Soto-uke (outside block) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 5x Mae-geri in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage (side snap kick) in Kiba dachi, turn and back
  • 3x Yoko-geri kekomi (side thrust kick) in Kiba dachi, turn and back

Kumite

  • Gohon Kumite — Jodan & Chudan (5 attack sparring)

Kata

  • Taikyoku Shodan — full kata, no count

Kihon

  • 10x Choku-zuki (Kara-zuki) in Shizentai
  • 5x Gyaku-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — both stances
  • 5x Oi-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 5x Age-uke in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 5x Uchi-uke in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 5x Soto-uke in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke in Kokutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-geri (Chudan) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage in Kiba dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri kekomi in Kiba dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Kumite

  • Set 1 (Hidari only)

Kata

  • Heian Shodan

All techniques to count for Intermediate Grades.

Kihon

  • 3x Oi-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Kizami-zuki, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Age-uke, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke, Uraken, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke, Nukite, Gedan-barai in Kokutsu/Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-ren-geri (Jodan/Chudan) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage in Kiba dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri kekomi in Kiba dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mawashi-geri (Chudan) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Kumite

  • Sanbon Kumite Set 1

Kata

  • Heian Nidan — to count for Intermediate grades, no count for full grades
  • Plus one previous kata for full grades

All techniques to count for Intermediate Grades.

Kihon

  • 3x Sanbon-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Age-uke, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke, Mae-kizami-geri, Nukite, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-ren-geri (Jodan/Chudan) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage in Kiba dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri kekomi in Kiba dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mawashi-geri (Chudan) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Kumite

  • Kihon Ippon Set 2 (Hidari only for all — to count for tags)
  • Kihon Ippon Set 1 (Migi only for full grade)

Kata

  • Heian Sandan — to count for Intermediate grades, no count for full grades
  • Plus one previous kata for full grades

All techniques to count for Intermediate Grades.

Kihon

  • 3x Sanbon-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Age-uke, Mae-geri, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke, Kizami-zuki, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke (Zenkutsu dachi), Yoko-empi, Uraken (Kiba dachi) — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke, Mae-kizami-geri, Nukite, Gedan-barai in Kokutsu/Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-ren-geri (Jodan/Chudan) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, keage in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri (Chudan) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Kumite

  • Kihon Ippon Set 3 (Hidari only for all — to count for tags)
  • Kihon Ippon Set 2 (Migi only for full grade)

Kata

  • Heian Yondan — to count for Intermediate grades, no count for full grades
  • Plus one previous kata for full grades

All techniques to count for Intermediate Grades.

Kihon

  • 3x Mae-geri, Sanbon-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forward, turn, then backwards
  • 3x Age-uke, Mae-geri, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke (Kokutsu dachi), Kizami-zuki, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai (Zenkutsu dachi) — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke, Yoko-empi, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki in Zenkutsu/Kiba dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke, Mae-kizami-geri, Nukite, Gedan-barai in Kokutsu/Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage (Kiba dachi), Gyaku-zuki (Zenkutsu dachi), Gedan-barai (Kiba dachi) — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri (Chudan), Uraken, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Ushiro-geri — forwards, turn and same back

Kumite

  • Kihon Ippon Set 4 (Hidari only for all — to count for tags)
  • Kihon Ippon Set 3 (Migi only for full grade)
  • Kaeshi Ippon — Jodan defence, counter stepping forward attacking Chudan

Kata

  • Heian Godan — to count for Intermediate grades, no count for full grades
  • Plus one previous kata for full grades

All techniques to count for Intermediate Grades.

Kihon

  • 3x Mae-geri, Sanbon-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forward, turn, then backwards
  • 3x Age-uke, Mae-geri, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke (Kokutsu dachi), Kizami-zuki, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke, Yoko-empi, Uraken, Tate-shuto, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke (Kokutsu dachi), Mae-kizami-geri, Nukite, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Shuto-uchi, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage (Kiba dachi), Gyaku-zuki (Zenkutsu dachi), Gedan-barai (Kiba dachi) — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Ushiro-geri, Uraken in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Static Kicks

  • 3x Mae-geri (front), kekomi (side) — same leg from Zenkutsu dachi, Hidari & Migi

Kumite

  • Kihon Ippon Set 5 (Hidari only for all — to count for tags)
  • Any previous Kihon Ippon Sets (Migi — only for full grade)
  • Jiyu Ippon Set 1 (Hidari only for all — to count for tags)

Kata

  • Tekki Shodan (to count for tags)
  • Choice of Sochin or Tekki Sandan (to count for tags)
  • Any previous grading kata (only for full grades)

Kihon

  • 3x Mae-geri, Sanbon-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Age-uke, Uraken, Mae-geri, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke (Kokutsu dachi), Kizami-zuki, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke, Yoko-empi, Uraken, Tate-shuto, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke, Kizami-mawashi-geri, Nukite, Gedan-barai — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Shuto-uchi, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage & kekomi (same leg, Kiba dachi), Gyaku-zuki (Zenkutsu dachi), Gedan-barai (Kiba dachi) — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Ushiro-geri, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Static Kicks

  • 3x Mae-geri (front), Mawashi-geri (front) — same leg from Zenkutsu dachi, both sides

Kumite

  • Any Kihon Ippon set (Hidari and/or Migi)
  • Jiyu Ippon Set 1 (Hidari and Migi)
  • Jiyu Ippon Set 2 (Hidari only)

Kata

  • Bassai Dai
  • Choice of Sochin or Tekki Sandan
  • Any previous grading kata

Kihon

  • 3x Kizami-zuki, Mae-geri, Sanbon-zuki in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Age-uke, Uraken, Mae-geri, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke (Kokutsu dachi), Kizami-zuki, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke, Yoko-empi, Uraken, Tate-shuto, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke, Kizami-mawashi-geri, Nukite, Gedan-barai — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Shuto-uchi, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage & kekomi (same leg, Kiba dachi), Gyaku-zuki (Zenkutsu dachi), Gedan-barai (Kiba dachi) — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Kake-uke, Ushiro-geri, Mae-geri (back leg) in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Kizami-kekomi, Mae-geri in Zenkutsu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Static Kicks

  • 3x Mae-geri (front), kekomi (side), Mawashi-geri (front) — same leg from Zenkutsu dachi, both sides

Kumite

  • Kihon Ippon Sets 1–5 (Hidari and/or Migi)
  • Jiyu Ippon Set 1 (Hidari and/or Migi)
  • Jiyu Ippon Set 2 (Hidari and/or Migi)
  • Jiyu Ippon Set 3 (Hidari only)
  • Demonstration of Kaeshi Ippon Kumite, both stances
  • Jiyu Kumite

Kata

  • Tokui Kata selected from Ji'on, Ji'in or Ji'tte
  • Choice of Sochin or Tekki Sandan
  • Any previous grading kata

Kihon

  • 3x Kizami-zuki, Mae-geri, Sanbon-zuki in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Age-uke, Uraken (under chin), Mae-geri, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke (Kokutsu dachi), Mae-kizami-geri, Kizami-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke, Kizami-kekomi, Yoko-empi, Uraken, Tate-shuto, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Shuto-uke, Kizami-mawashi-geri, Nukite, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Shuto-uchi, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage & kekomi (same leg), Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Gyaku-zuki, Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri, turn Shuto-uchi, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Step back Age-uke, step in Mawashi-geri, Uraken, Oi-zuki in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Kake-uke, Ushiro-geri, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Kizami-kekomi, step in Mae-geri, Jun-zuki, Gyaku-zuki in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Static Kicks

  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Ushiro-geri
  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Mawashi-geri
  • Both same leg from Jiyu dachi, both sides

Kumite

  • Kihon Ippon Sets 1–5 (Hidari and/or Migi)
  • Examiner's choice of Jiyu Ippon Sets 1–3 (Hidari and/or Migi)
  • Jiyu Ippon Set 4 (Hidari)
  • Demonstration of Kaeshi Ippon Kumite, both stances
  • Jiyu Kumite against at least two consecutive Dan grades

Kata

  • Tokui Kata selected from Hangetsu, Kanku-Dai or Enpi
  • Sochin & Tekki Sandan
  • Any previous grading kata

Additional — Oral Examination

  • Full explanation of Dojo Kun
  • Knowledge of Karate history
  • Information about the Kosugi Tiger
  • Belt history
  • Genealogy of Shotokan Karate
  • The Ten Elements of Kata
  • The Twenty Precepts
  • Karate terminology and reference
  • A demonstration of Tameshiwari (breaking technique)

Kihon

  • 3x Mae-kizami-geri, Kizami-zuki, Mae-geri, Sanbon-zuki in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Age-uke, Uraken (under chin), Mae-geri, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Uchi-uke (Kokutsu dachi), Kizami-mawashi-geri, Nukite, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Soto-uke, Kizami-kekomi, Yoko-empi, Uraken, Tate-shuto, Gyaku-zuki in Jiyu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Manji-uke (Kokutsu dachi), Kage-zuki (Kiba dachi), Shuto-uchi (Jodan), Gyaku-zuki in Jiyu dachi — forwards and backwards
  • 3x Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Shuto-uchi, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Turn Shuto-uke, Ushiro-mawashi-geri, Nukite in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Gyaku-zuki, Mae-geri, Mawashi-geri, turn Shuto-uchi, Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Yoko-geri keage & kekomi (same leg), Gyaku-zuki, Gedan-barai in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Step back Age-uke, step in Mawashi-geri, Uraken, Oi-zuki in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back
  • 3x Kizami-mawashi-geri, Ushiro-geri, Uraken, Gyaku-zuki in Jiyu dachi — forwards, turn and same back

Static Kicks

  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Ushiro-geri, Mawashi-geri
  • 3x Mae-geri, kekomi, Ushiro-mawashi-geri
  • All same leg from Jiyu dachi, both sides

Kumite

  • Kihon Ippon Sets 1–5 (Hidari or Migi)
  • Examiner's choice of Jiyu Ippon Sets 1–4 (Hidari or Migi)
  • Jiyu Ippon Set 5 (Hidari)
  • Demonstration of Kaeshi Ippon Kumite, both stances
  • Okori Jiyu-Ippon Kumite
  • Jiyu Kumite against at least three consecutive Dan grades

Kata

  • Tokui Kata selected from Gankaku, Nijushiho or Meikyo
  • Demonstration of Tokui Kata Bunkai
  • Sochin & Tekki Sandan
  • Any previous grading kata

Additional — Oral Examination

  • Full explanation of Dojo Kun
  • Knowledge of Shotokan timeline and a brief history of karate
  • Information about the Kosugi Tiger
  • Belt history
  • Genealogy of Shotokan Karate
  • Some other traditional karate styles
  • Other martial arts
  • The Ten Elements of Kata
  • The Twenty Precepts
  • Karate terminology and reference
  • A demonstration of Tameshiwari (breaking technique)
  • General Kazoku Association information

Kihon

  • Demonstration of all basic Shotokan techniques against a stationary target

Kumite

  • Examiner's choice of Kihon Ippon Sets 1–5 (Hidari and/or Migi)
  • Examiner's choice of Jiyu Ippon Sets 1–5 (Hidari and/or Migi)
  • Demonstration of Kaeshi Ippon Kumite
  • Okori Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (Hidari & Migi)
  • Jiyu Kumite against at least four consecutive Dan grades

Kata

  • Sochin & Tekki Sandan
  • Any of the first kyu, Shodan or Nidan kata (examiner's discretion)
  • Any Tokui high grade kata of the student's choice
  • Demonstration of Tokui Kata Bunkai
  • Demonstration of bunkai of the examiner's choice

Additional — Oral Examination

  • First aid policies and procedures
  • Full explanation of Dojo Kun
  • Knowledge of Shotokan timeline and karate history
  • Information about the Kosugi Tiger
  • Belt history
  • Genealogy of Shotokan Karate
  • Other traditional karate styles
  • Other martial arts
  • The Ten Elements of Kata
  • The Twenty Precepts
  • Karate terminology and reference
  • A demonstration of Tameshiwari (breaking technique)
  • General Kazoku Shotokan Karate Association information
  • Candidate must be qualified as an internal coach/instructor
  • Demonstration of teaching ability: plan and teach a lesson on a subject set by the examiners, on a separate occasion to the grading

To obtain this grade, one must be capable of:

  • Performing all Shotokan kata and demonstrating bunkai from any of them, of the examining panel's choice
  • Performing anything from any previous grading syllabus
  • Demonstrating in-depth knowledge gained from related reading