Stan Bradley’s

Progressive Martial Arts

A wholly owned subsidiary of Sound Karate Club, INC.

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Karate Stripes and Grading

Contents

 

Introduction & Belt Levels

The karate-ka (karate student) is competing more with themselves than with others.  This means that the instructors need to look at individuals and gauge how they can improve in order to achieve their stripe and next level belt.

 

Stripes are given to teens and children after they are tested for each stripe level.  Stripes are not given to adults.  The main purpose of the stripes is to let children see their progress throughout the year (or longer), while adults have an understanding of longer term goals and commitments.

 

Stripes are usually handed out in a given order (basics, kata, sparing, behaviour, and the “helping” stripe.)  Nevertheless, the first stripe at all levels can be either the kata or the basic stripe.  Younger children can complete both the basic and sparring stripes before their kata stripe.

 

Sparring combinations are required for both basics (on their own) and sparring with a partner.  During testing for a green belt and higher, students will be asked to perform some of their own sparring combinations. 

 

Sparring may be introduced at all levels, but free style sparring is limited to green belts and higher.  Orange belts and below avoid face punches during sparring unless otherwise directed by the sensei.

 

Self defence is required for teenagers and adults.

 

Green and blue belts must realize that advancing to the next level requires more time and dedication.  Advancing from green and blue can take a few years and depends on both power and form.  At the brown belt level, both power and stamina are required.

 

Testing for stripes can occur one on one or in a group.  Stripes may be checked during class, at the end of class, in private, or in front of the entire class.

 

When a sensei feels that a student is ready to be graded, the student will be invited to a grading.  Note that it is up to the sensei to decide whether or not a student is ready, even if the student has obtained all five stripes.  We do not want to set a student up for failure and only those students who are truly ready will be graded.  During a grading, we ask that you do not take pictures. 

 

If you would like to take pictures during a class, please ask a sensei first.  We request that you do not take pictures during a test as the interruption breaks the student’s concentration and disrupts the current session.  After the grading has been completed, there will be time for picture taking.  Thank you in advance!

 

Grading for belts requires:

 

  1. Warm up and aerobics
  2. Stationary basics
  3. Combinations (solo)
  4. Basics and sparring with combinations
  5. Free style sparring
  6. Mat work and self defence
  7. Kata

 

Belt levels are:           

  1. White (8th kyu)
  2. Yellow (7th kyu)
  3. Orange (6th kyu)
  4. Green (5th kyu)
  5. Blue (4th kyu)
  6. Brown (3rd kyu)
  7. Brown with two black stripes (2nd kyu)
  8. Brown with three black stripes (1st kyu)
  9. Black
  10. Black belt levels

 

 

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White Belt Advancement

Stripes:

  1. First stripe: Basics from left/right foot back
  2. Second stripe: Kata: heian shodan (younger children can get their third stripe before their kata stripe)
  3. Third stripe: Sparring using basics
  4. Forth stripe: Behavior
  5. Fifth stripe: Helping around the house

 

Requirements are:

  1. Head block
  2. Outside middle block
  3. Kick block
  4. Jab
  5. Reverse punch
  6. Front kick
  7. Side kick to the side from a standing position.
  8. Shuto  (knife hand block)
  9. Kiba-dachi  (horse riding stance)
  10. Zenkutsu-dachi (front stance)
  11. Koh-kutsu-dachi  (back stance)
  12. Self defence (adults 3 different defences;  depends on training for children)
  13. White belt sparring combination of step in face punch, stomach punch, and front kick combination followed by the corresponding defence of face block, outside stomach block, and kick block.  These moves are required solo for basics and with a partner for sparring

 

Break falls (from sitting position):

  1. Front break fall
  2. Back break fall

 

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Yellow Belt Advancement

Stripes:

  1. First stripe: Basics from standing ready position
  2. Second stripe: Kata: heian nidan
  3. Third stripe: Sparring using basics
  4. Forth stripe: Behavior
  5. Fifth stripe: Helping at school

 

Requirements are the same as white belt with improvements plus:

  1. Head block
  2. Outside middle block
  3. Inside middle block
  4. Kick block
  5. Jab
  6. Reverse punch
  7. Front kick
  8. Side kick to the side from left/right foot back.
  9. Shuto from natural stance and stepping in.
  10. Yellow belt sparring combination of  Face punch, stomach punch, side kick and the corresponding defence of face block, inside block, kick block.
  11. First sparring combination (bonus).
  12. Kiba-dachi
  13. Zenkutsu-dachi
  14. Koh-kutsu-dachi
  15. Self defence (adults 3 different;  depends on training for children)

 

 

Break falls (from kneeling position):

 

  1. Front and back break fall
  2. Shoulder rolls

 

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Orange Belt Advancement

Stripes:

  1. First stripe: Basics
  2. Second stripe: Kata: heian sandan, 27 Moves
  3. Third stripe: Sparring using basics
  4. Forth stripe: Behavior
  5. Fifth stripe:  Helping a neighbour

 

Requirements are same as yellow with improvements plus the following:

  1. Side kick to the front from left/right foot back.  The side kick must have the correct form at this level.
  2. Round house kick
  3. First sparring combination.  Required solo for basics and with a partner for sparring.
  4. Second sparring combination (bonus).
  5. Kiba-dachi
  6. Moving off line during sparring basics

 

 

Break falls (from kneeling position) and other:

  1. Front and back break fall
  2. Shoulder rolls
  3. Back shoulder rolls
  4. Self defence
  5. Grappling with person on top, bridge and  roll to one side

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Green Belt Advancement

Stripes:

  1. First stripe: Basics
  2. Second stripe: Kata: heian yondan, 27 moves
  3. Third stripe: Sparring using basics
  4. Forth stripe: Behavior
  5. Fifth stripe:  Helping the town or municipality

 

Requirements are the same as orange belt with improvements plus:

  1. Both the first and second combinations. 
  2. Knowledge of the third combination is a bonus
  3. Spinning hook kick (beginner)
  4. Moving off line during sparring basics
  5. Start of free style sparring
  6. Bunkai (application of kata techniques)

 

 

Break falls (from standing position) and other:

  1. Front and back break fall
  2. Shoulder rolls
  3. Back shoulder rolls
  4. Side break falls
  5. Self defence
  6. Take downs
  7. Grappling; bridging, head locks and escape.

 

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Blue Belt Advancement

Stripes:

  1. First stripe: Basics
  2. Second stripe: Kata: heian godan, tekki shodan, 27 moves, bassai dai (bonus)
  3. Third stripe: Sparring using basics
  4. Forth stripe: Behavior
  5. Fifth stripe: Helping the province.

 

Requirements are the same as green belt with improvements plus:

  1. Free style sparring.
  2. First, second and third combination.
  3. Spinning hook kick
  4. Free style sparring
  5. Bunkai (application of kata techniques)

 

Other:

  1. All break falls
  2. Self defence
  3. Hip/shoulder throw
  4. Take downs
  5. Grappling (person on top, head lock escape, grab from behind, etc.)

 

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Brown Belt Advancement to Level II

Stripes:

  1. First stripe: Basics
  2. Second stripe: Kata: bassai dai, tekki nidan, 27 moves,
  3. Third stripe: Sparring using basics
  4. Forth stripe: Behavior
  5. Fifth stripe: Help teaching classes in karate

 

Requirements are:

  1. All lower belt requirements.
  2. All sparring combinations (white belt, yellow belt, and three sparing combinations)
  3. Self defence
  4. Demonstrated power and stamina
  5. Free style sparring
  6. Multiple partner sparring
  7. All break falls
  8. Grappling (person on top, head lock escape, grab from behind, etc.)
  9. Bunkai (application of kata techniques)

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Brown Belt II Advancement to Level III

Stripes:

  1. First stripe: Basics
  2. Second stripe: Kata: bassai dai, 27 moves, plus one higher level kata (bonus)
  3. Third stripe: Sparring using basics
  4. Forth stripe: Behavior
  5. Fifth stripe: Teach classes in karate

 

Requirements are:

  1. All lower belt requirements.
  2. All sparring combinations (white belt, yellow belt, and three sparing combinations)
  3. Self defence
  4. Demonstrated power and stamina
  5. Free style sparring
  6. Multiple partner sparring
  7. All break falls
  8. Grappling (person on top, head lock escape, grab from behind, etc.)
  9. Bunkai (application of kata techniques)

 

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Black Belt Shodan

Stripes:

  1. First stripe: Basics
  2. Second stripe: All Heian katas, 27 moves, bassai dai, plus one higher kata
  3. Third stripe: Sparring using basics
  4. Forth stripe: Behavior
  5. Fifth stripe: Teach all classes in karate

 

Please note that students under 18 years of age will receive a Junior Black Belt.

 

Requirements are:

  1. All lower belt requirements.
  2. All sparring combinations (white belt, yellow belt, and three sparing combinations)
  3. Self defence
  4. Demonstrated power and stamina
  5. Free style sparring
  6. Multiple partner sparring
  7. All break falls
  8. Grappling (person on top, head lock escape, grab from behind, etc.)
  9. Self defence
  10. Bunkai (application of kata techniques)
  11. Ability to teach all classes from tots up to adults.
  12. Attitude:  To be humble, yet strong.

 

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Grading Fees

Grading fees are due before the grading takes place.

 

Testing for:

 

Yellow Belt:                 $25

Orange Belt:                $30

Green Belt:                  $35

Blue Belt:                     $40

Brown Belt:                 $50

($50 per level)

Black Belt:                   Depends on level and grading sensei.

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