There are 10 Kyu (coloured belt levels) before achieving Dan levels (black belt). To obtain certification for each level, you must fulfil the certification requirements and complete the grading displaying mastery of the syllabus. Grading is carried out by a panel of instructors authorized as JKA technical examiners. Karate Syndicate prides itself in producing quality karateka and has very specific requirements that must be fulfilled before a grading is allowed.
Belt levels
IMA Grades (8 years and under)Introduction to Martial Arts (IMA) Stripes
Where necessary and in the case of young students (8 and younger) the IMA (or Dinky) belt system is used. Coloured stripes are awarded on the white belt prior to going to a junior yellow belt.
Junior Grades (Under 16 years)
White - Yellow 1 - Yellow 2 - Orange 1 - Orange 2 - Green 1 - Green 2 - Blue 1 - Blue 2 - Purple 1 - Purple 2 - Red (up to 3 levels) - Junior Brown (three levels) - Junior Black (three levels).
Juniors may be awarded Junior Brown or Black if they are deemed to be of a high enough standard but too young for Senior Dan gradings. Is the student mature enough to stand up to the pressure of training in a senior adult Black belt class? If not, they would be deemed to still be Juniors and would be awarded Junior Brown or Black.
This rarely happens however, since they are normally of an age to go to senior gradings when they reach that belt level. Our karateka are only allowed to attempt Shodan (1st Dan) when they are AT LEAST 15-16 years of age and comply with all other grading requirements. At that point they are deemed to be suitably mature enough to be Senior Black belts.
All Junior belt levels comprise two levels. Junior belts have a white stripe throughout the length to denote that they are on junior grades and have not yet moved to Kyu grades. Level 1 and level 2 both have one stripe through the belt.
Competition is to determine who is better, grading is to determine if the karateka has mastered the required techniques and has improved since the last grading.
Kyu Grades (16 years and older)White - Yellow - Orange - Green - Blue - Purple - Brown (three levels) - Black (Dan gradings).
Students who are 16 years or older will be graded to Kyu grades.
Gradings
IMA Belt gradings are conducted in the dojo by a qualified examiner as and when the karateka meet the specified requirements. Coloured belt gradings are scheduled on predetermined dates during the year. Each belt level has its own requirements.
These are only minimum guidelines. Each karateka is assessed while training to determine whether they are in fact ready to attempt the next grading. The instructor has the last say. This is also a good incentive to keep the karateka training consistently and to teach them that what you put in, is what you get out. Karateka training regularly and consistently will obviously progress quicker than those who don’t.
Gradings will be postponed should the requirements not be met.
Dojo gradingWhite to Yellow - Minimum three months and 30 classes between gradings
Yellow to Orange - Minimum three months and 30 classes between gradings
Green to Blue - Minimum four months and 40 classes between gradings.
Blue to Purple - Minimum four months and 40 classes between gradings.
Area GradingPurple and Brown belt gradings are conducted at area level by the Karate Syndicate senior grading panel. Three gradings are scheduled for the year but only two of the three may be attended.
Purple (4th Kyu) to Brown (3rd Kyu) - Minimum six months and 60 classes between gradings.
Brown (3rd Kyu) to Brown (2nd Kyu) – As above
Brown (2nd Kyu) to Brown (1st Kyu) – As above
Brown (1st Kyu) to Black (Shodan) – As per Area Grading AND
The minimum time between Dan gradings is as follows:
Those grading for Sandan and above are expected to attend Honbu dojo early birds training at least once a week.
Belt levels
IMA Grades (8 years and under)Introduction to Martial Arts (IMA) Stripes
Where necessary and in the case of young students (8 and younger) the IMA (or Dinky) belt system is used. Coloured stripes are awarded on the white belt prior to going to a junior yellow belt.
Junior Grades (Under 16 years)
White - Yellow 1 - Yellow 2 - Orange 1 - Orange 2 - Green 1 - Green 2 - Blue 1 - Blue 2 - Purple 1 - Purple 2 - Red (up to 3 levels) - Junior Brown (three levels) - Junior Black (three levels).
Juniors may be awarded Junior Brown or Black if they are deemed to be of a high enough standard but too young for Senior Dan gradings. Is the student mature enough to stand up to the pressure of training in a senior adult Black belt class? If not, they would be deemed to still be Juniors and would be awarded Junior Brown or Black.
This rarely happens however, since they are normally of an age to go to senior gradings when they reach that belt level. Our karateka are only allowed to attempt Shodan (1st Dan) when they are AT LEAST 15-16 years of age and comply with all other grading requirements. At that point they are deemed to be suitably mature enough to be Senior Black belts.
All Junior belt levels comprise two levels. Junior belts have a white stripe throughout the length to denote that they are on junior grades and have not yet moved to Kyu grades. Level 1 and level 2 both have one stripe through the belt.
Competition is to determine who is better, grading is to determine if the karateka has mastered the required techniques and has improved since the last grading.
Kyu Grades (16 years and older)White - Yellow - Orange - Green - Blue - Purple - Brown (three levels) - Black (Dan gradings).
Students who are 16 years or older will be graded to Kyu grades.
Gradings
IMA Belt gradings are conducted in the dojo by a qualified examiner as and when the karateka meet the specified requirements. Coloured belt gradings are scheduled on predetermined dates during the year. Each belt level has its own requirements.
These are only minimum guidelines. Each karateka is assessed while training to determine whether they are in fact ready to attempt the next grading. The instructor has the last say. This is also a good incentive to keep the karateka training consistently and to teach them that what you put in, is what you get out. Karateka training regularly and consistently will obviously progress quicker than those who don’t.
Gradings will be postponed should the requirements not be met.
Dojo gradingWhite to Yellow - Minimum three months and 30 classes between gradings
Yellow to Orange - Minimum three months and 30 classes between gradings
Green to Blue - Minimum four months and 40 classes between gradings.
Blue to Purple - Minimum four months and 40 classes between gradings.
Area GradingPurple and Brown belt gradings are conducted at area level by the Karate Syndicate senior grading panel. Three gradings are scheduled for the year but only two of the three may be attended.
Purple (4th Kyu) to Brown (3rd Kyu) - Minimum six months and 60 classes between gradings.
Brown (3rd Kyu) to Brown (2nd Kyu) – As above
Brown (2nd Kyu) to Brown (1st Kyu) – As above
- Classes must be averaged out over the six months, about 10 classes per month. A student cannot expect to be at the required level only training 5 times a month.
- Attendance of Karate Syndicate monthly training sessions is compulsory.
- Regular attendance of Saturday Brown belt training sessions is expected. These are additional classes that focus on the grading syllabus.
- Attendance at the Junior Gasshuku and Karate Syndicate and provincial tournaments is expected. Participating at these events should not be underestimated, they are as important as school leadership camps and sporting events.
Brown (1st Kyu) to Black (Shodan) – As per Area Grading AND
- 10 classes with other instructors in the 6 months prior to the Dan grading. Karate syndicate monthly classes may be counted towards this.
- Pass the Karate Syndicate mock grading.
- Attendance and participation at seminars, courses, Gasshukus, tournaments.
- Officiating at regional and national tournaments.
- Must attend at least one pre-grading seminar before the day of the grading.
- Must attend the pre-grading seminar on the day of the grading.
- Must teach regularly.
The minimum time between Dan gradings is as follows:
- Shodan to Nidan (1st to 2nd) - minimum 2 years
- Nidan to Sandan (2nd to 3rd) - minimum 3 years
- Sandan to Yondan (3rd to 4th) - minimum 4 years
- Yondan to Godan (4th to 5th) - minimum 5 years
- Godan to Rokudan (5th to 6th) - minimum 6 years
- Rokudan to Nanadan (6th to 7th) - minimum 7 years
Those grading for Sandan and above are expected to attend Honbu dojo early birds training at least once a week.