Fords
732-738-8199
Edison
908-757-9292

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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