Karate Belt Requirements

At Bressaws Karate our students must meet requirements to progress to the next belt level.

In addition to the criteria for each belt listed below, it is also important to know the Japanese Karate Terminology used in instruction.

8th Kyu Yellow Belt

Grading Requirements

25 Total Minimum Classes

Kata

Pinan Shodan

Basic Technique

Basic combinations 1 to 4

Forward and rear roll

Break Fall

Jumping front kick

Self-Defense

Hip Throw

Head Lock - nose pressure point, leg trap, take down

Choke Hold - arm raise, pivot break, shiko-dachi stance, outward elbow strike

Character Development

Bowing and Respect

Focus on Instructor

KIAI

7th Kyu Orange Belt

Grading Requirements

50 Total Minimum Classes

Kata

Pinan Nidan

Basic Technique

Combinations 5 through 8

Round Kick (Mawashigeri)

Ippon Kumite: One Step

X-BLOCK straight kick, counter straight kick

CROSS BLOCK side step front body round kick - counter punch

SIDE STEP oblique 45 degree angle shuto block, round kick counter, rear knee stomp and pin leg, hammer fist

Stranger Awareness

Verbal defense

Know lures

Skit

Self-Defense

Assailant kneeling with legs outside body, victim on back, trap assailant's arm and leg and roll over escape

Arms pinned to floor with assailant in mount position (kneeling over chest)

Assailant kneeling inside legs with victim on back, side hip slip (shrimp), leg over neck, pull down into arm bar

Calisthenics

10 Pushups

10 Crunches

10 Shiko Dachi Squats

Minimum Attendance

Average 8 lessons per month for 3 months

1 additional training session

6th Kyu Green Belt

Grading Requirements

75 Total Minimum Classes

Kata

Pinan Sandan

Pinan Yondan

Basic Technique

Combinations 9a through 11

Front foot sweep (Ashi Bari)

Rear foot sweep

Self-Defense

Full Nelson - 3 step break, step behind Shiko-Dachi take down, heal stomp

Rear Arm Lock - bend over, opposite foot step, turn and kick

Bear Hug (rear) step forward raising arms, elbow strike, hip throw

Bear Hug (front) step backwards pushing opponent away, knee strike, hip throw

Ippon Kumite: One Step

RIGHT FOOT SCOOP (Ashi Bari) Attack & left round kick, front body

Simultaneous front foot side step, reverse punch, leg take down

OUTSIDE CROSS BLOCK against lunge punch, right knee strike to ribs, bend opponent over, downward elbow strike to rear of head

Character Development

Partner safety

3 ways to avoid having to use karate (avoid, confront, seek help)

Use I message

Recommended Calisthenics

15 Pushups

15 Crunches

15 Shiko Dachi Squats

Minimum Attendance

1 additional training session and 1 tournament

8 lessons per month average for 3 months

5th Kyu Blue Belt

Grading Requirements

125 Total Minimum Classes

Kata

Pinan Godan

Kata Jin

Basic Technique

Shiko Dachi (Stance Perfection)

Side Kick (Sokutogeri)

Flying Side Kick

Self-Defense

2 defenses from leg grab or tackle (before and after)

Scarf Hold (3 ways)

Muggers Hold - elbow strike, foot stomp, hip throw

Bullying Prevention

Know ins and outs of bullying

Verbal demonstration of bully defense

Ippon Kumite

From straight kick

INSIDE SWEEP: left inside parry block, leg catch left hand, right shoulder block, sweep supporting foot

THROW: same as above but step behind supporting foot and throw

OUTSIDE SWEEP: side step left foot, outside reverse block, catch leg right hand, step in sweep

Calisthenics

20 Pushups

20 Crunches

20 Shiko Dachi Squats

Minimum Attendance

2 additional training session and 1 tournament

8 lessons per month average for 6 months

4th Kyu Purple Belt

Grading Requirements

175 Total Minimum Classes

Kata

MATSUKAZI

JION

Basic Technique

Sanchin stance (stance perfection)

Nekoashi-Dachi (cat stance perfection)

3rd leg torque perfection

Ippon Kumite

KATA SPARRING (Bunkai)
demonstrate techniques form Kata

FLYING SCISSORS

WRIST BLOCKING and grabbing (3 ways)

Scarf hold (5 ways + sparring)

Stranger Awareness

Review

Skit

Self-Defense

HEAD STRIKE: right circular block reverse Aiki takedown floor arm bar

KNIFE OR CLUB SLASH: parry with left hand step in, shuto, pivot takedown

KNIFE THRUST side step reverse pivot and catch arm, wrist grab 360 degree cross-pivot takedown

CHOKE HOLD arm lock

CHOKE HOLD reverse arm bar

Calisthenics

25 Pushups

25 Crunches

25 Shiko Dachi Squats

Minimum Attendance

2 additional training sessions and
1 tournament

10 lessons per month average for 5 months

3rd Kyu Brown Belt

Grading Requirements

225 Total Minimum Classes

Kata

ANNANKO

Weapon

Intro Shinai (padded swords)

Ippon Kumite

Block and counter-strike
Chest Protection: Semi contact from:

Lunge punch

Reverse punch

Double punch

Straight kick

Round kick

Back kick

Character Development

Situational awareness (age appriopriate)

Self-Defense

From knife or club slash

BREAK TIMING - distance evade, step behind and weapon trap and reverse head twist, takedown

From knife thrust

WRIST PARRY with left hand, with right hand, grab and circular movement weapon trap at opponents reverse side neck, carotid choke hold

KNIFE ATTACK SIMULATION (make it work)

Calisthenics

30 Pushups

30 Crunches

30 Shiko Dachi Squats

Minimum Attendance

10 lessons per month average for 5 months

All Tournaments and Training Sessions

2nd Kyu Brown Belt

1 Black Stripe

Grading Requirements

275 Total Minimum Classes

Kata

SIENCHIN

Kata timing and spirit perfection

Self-Defense

From rear double arm lock reverse pivot, shoulder trap and take down

Submission Holds

Choke out

Leg lock

Hip throw into arm bar

Scarf hold (5 ways + sparring)

Leadership Training

Assistant Instructing
(1 year, 1 class a week minimum)

Calisthenics

30 Pushups

30 Crunches

30 Shiko Dachi Squats

Minimum Attendance

All training sessions and tournaments

Average 12 lessons per month for 6 months

1st Kyu Brown Belt

2 Black Stripes

Grading Requirements

325 Total Minimum Classes

Kata

Basai Dai

Sanchin

Weapon

Intro Bo

Intro Jo

Leadership Training

Assistant Instructing
(1 year, 1 class a week minimum)

Calisthenics

35 Pushups

35 Crunches

35 Shiko Dachi Squats

Minimum Attendance

All training sessions and tournaments

Average 12 lessons per month for 6 months

Black Belt

Grading Requirements

1st Degree Shodan

Kata

5 Pinans

Jion

Matsukazi

Jiin

Annanko

Seienchin

Basai Dai

Sanchin

Other Requirements

Assistant Instructor in dojo if life style permits.

12 to 18 years old with at least 5 years steady practice and improvement.

Adult over 18 years old at least 3 years with preference to 4 years (trained as adult at least 2 of the 4 years).

2nd Degree Nidan

Kata

Shihokosukun

Kurumfa

Tomari No Basai

Seipai

Other Requirements

Assistant Instructor in dojo if life style permits.

16 to 18 years old with at least 7 years steady practice and improvement.

Adult over 18 years old at least 6 years with preference to 4 years (trained as adult at least 2 of the 4 years).

3rd Degree Sandan

Kata

Shisochin

Kosukundai

Tensho

Haiku

Paiku

Other Requirements

Assistant Instructor in dojo if life style permits.

Over 21, if trained at least 9 years.

4th Degree Yondan

Kata

Supaempei

Nipaipo Papuren

Annan Sho

Other Requirements

Is Assisting Instructor in dojo.

Over 25, if trained at least 13 years.

5th Degree Godan

Kata

Chatanyara Kunsanku

Unsu

Chinto

Other Requirements

Have a dojo and group

Over 30, if trained at least 20 years.

Trained in referee courses

Participated as tournament chief referee

Developed a student from white belt to black belt that is still training.

6th Degree Rokudan

Kata

Perfection of Bunkai to all kata

Other Requirements

Have a dojo and group

Over 40, trained at least 20 years.

Trained in referee courses

Participated as tournament chief referee

Developed a student from white belt to black belt that is still training.

Black Belt gradings will take into consideration not only skills but contribution to the association, continued participation in training sessions, tournaments, teaching, dojo, and other administrative things.

Karate Belts:

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Fords 732-738-8199

Edison 908-757-9292

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