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Training syllabus

Belt progression

A clear, honest pathway from White Belt to black belt and beyond. Roughly five years of consistent training to Shodan. Belts are earned on demonstrated skill, attitude and understanding, never bought.

Rank progression overview

Full rank summary, with eligibility

Minimum time and class requirements for each rank. Promotion is always subject to instructor approval.

Rank
Belt
Min. Time
Classes
Total
Kata Requirement
10th Kyu
White Belt
Entry rank
-
-
None
9th Kyu
White + Yellow Tip
Initial period
6
6
None
8th Kyu
Yellow Belt
2 months
12
12
None
7th Kyu
Orange Belt
3 months
15
27
None
6th Kyu
Green Belt
6 months
30
57
Geki Sai Dai Ichi
5th Kyu
Blue Belt
6 months
30
87
Geki Sai Dai Ichi
4th Kyu
Purple Belt
9 months
45
132
Geki Sai Dai Ichi
3rd Kyu
Brown Belt
9 months
45
179
Geki Sai Dai Ni
2nd Kyu
Brown & White
9 months
50
230
Saifa, Sanchin
1st Kyu
Brown & Black
9 months
50
280
Saifa, Sanchin
Shodan
Black Belt
9 months
50
330
GSI, GSII, Saifa, Sanchin
Nidan
Black Belt, 2nd Dan
2 years
100
430
Sanchin, Tensho, Seiyunchin
Sandan
Black Belt, 3rd Dan
3 years
300
730
Sanchin, Tensho, Sanseru

"Total" shows cumulative minimum classes from entry to that rank. All requirements are minimums. Advancement depends on demonstrated skill, attitude and instructor approval.

Grading requirements

What each grading tests

Full Kyu and Shodan grading sheets — conditioning, kihon, kata and kumite for every grade.

Members resource

View all grading levels

Colour-coded sheets for every grade from White Belt through to Shodan.

All requirements are minimums. Advancement always depends on demonstrated skill, attitude, understanding and instructor approval. A grade reflects genuine progress, not attendance alone.

—OFFICIAL GRADING FLOW

The order of a grading

Eight phases, run in the same sequence every grading. The session builds from a careful warm up through to free sparring, so nothing is tested before the body and the basics are ready for it.

Yushukan · Tweed Heads South
  1. 1

    Junbi Undo

    Junbi Undo warm-up

    Mobilise the joints and raise the heart rate before any technique is thrown.

  2. 2

    Tanren

    Conditioning

    Build the strength and stamina that the rest of the grading will demand.

  3. 3

    Kihon

    Kihon

    Core techniques drilled from a stationary stance, clean and repeatable.

  4. 4

    Ido Geiko

    Ido Geiko (moving basics)

    The same techniques carried through stepping, turning and changing stance.

  5. 5

    Kumite Geiko

    Partner work

    Apply timing, distance and control against a live partner.

  6. 6

    Kata

    Kata (incl. Sanchin)

    Formal patterns performed with intent, including the breathing kata Sanchin.

  7. 7

    Bunkai

    Kata applications

    Unpack each kata into the practical meaning behind every movement.

  8. 8

    Jiyu Kumite

    Jiyu Kumite

    Free sparring that puts everything learned to the test under pressure.

Keep reading

Reference

Kumite Guidelines

How controlled sparring works at each grade level, from no-contact juniors through to advanced.

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