Ranks and Testing

There are 9 kyu ranks and 10 dan ranks. At the Athens Karate Club, testing for color belt promotion takes place two or three times per year. Testing is often described as “special training”. We receive information about our skill level and progress even if we don’t get promoted. Possible kyu rank promotions are at least a half rank (for instance from 7 kyu to 7B kyu).

• 9 kyu (ungraded) White

• 8 kyu — Yellow

• 7 kyu — Orange (formerly blue)

• 6 kyu — Green

• 5 kyu — Purple

• 4 kyu — Purple

• 3 kyu — Brown

• 2 kyu — Brown

• 1 kyu — Brown

• 1-10 dan — Black

Dan Exam Guidelines and more Information can be found on the ISKF Information page.

Kihon:

Step in ‐ chudan oi zuki

step back – jodan age uke

Step in ‐ chudan soto uke

Turn – step in kokutsu dachi / chudan shuto uke

Kicking:

Step in – chudan maegeri

turn – highest maegeri

Kata:

Heian Shodan

Kumite:

Sanbon kumite – jodan oi zuki/chudan oi zuki (to the count)

Kihon:

Step in ‐ chudan oi zuki

step back – jodan age uke

Step in ‐ chudan soto uke

step back – kokutsu dachi / chudan shuto uke

Kicking:

Step in – chudan maegeri

turn – jodan maegeri

From kiba dachi – yoko geri keage/ yoko kekomi (both sides)

Kata:

Heian Nidan

Kumite:

Sanbon Kumite – jodan oi zuki/chudan oi zuki (no count)

Kihon:

Step in ‐ sanbon zuki: jodan/chudan/chudan Kihon: Step in – chudan oi zuki

(Adults) step back‐ jodan age uke/chudan gyaku zuki (kids) step back – jodan age uke

Step in ‐ chudan soto uke/jodan gyaku zuki Step in – chudan soto uke

step back –kokutsu dachi/chudan shuto uke step back – chudan shuto uke

Kicking:

Step in ‐ chudan maegeri Step in – chudan maegeri

Turn ‐ jodan maegeri turn – jodan maegeri

From kiba dachi ‐ yoko keage/yoko kekomi From kiba dachi – yoko keage/

(both sides) yoko kekomi (both sides)

Kata:

Heian Sandan Kata: Heian Sandan

Kumite:

Ippon kumite –jodan oi zuki/chudan oi zuki Kumite: Sanbon Kumite –jodan oi zuki/

(left and right sides) chudan oi zuki

Defense – at least two different counter attacks

Kihon:

Step in ‐ sanbon zuki: jodan/chudan/chudan

step back ‐ jodan age uke/chudan gyaku zuki

Step in ‐ chudan soto uke/empi uchi in kiba dachi

step back – chudan shuto uke in kokutsu dachi /chudan nukite in

zenkutsu

Kicking:

Two kicks beginning back leg ‐ chudan maegeri/then jodan maegeri

Turn ‐ two kicks beginning back leg ‐ chudan mawashi geri/ then jodan

mawashi geri

From kiba dachi ‐ yoko geri keage both sides/yoko kekomi both sides

Kata:

Heian Yondan

Kumite:

Ippon Kumite – jodan oi zuki/chudan oi zuki (left and right sides)

Defense ‐ at least two different counter attacks

Kihon:

Step in ‐ sanbon zuki: jodan/chudan/chudan

step back – jodan age uke/chudan gyaku zuki

Step in ‐ chudan soto uke/empi uchi in kiba dachi

step back ‐ chudan shuto uke in kokutsu dachi/ nukite in zen kutsu dachi

Kicking:

Two kicks beginning back leg ‐ chudan maegeri then jodan mae geri

Turn ‐ two kicks beginning back leg ‐ mawashi geri chudan then jodan

From kiba dachi ‐ yoko geri keage/kekomi (both sides)

Kata:

Heian Godan

Kumite:

Ippon Kumite ‐ jodan oi zuki/chudan oi zuki/chudan maegeri

(left and right sides)

Defense – at least two different counter attacks

Kihon:

Step in ‐ sanbon zuki: jodan/chudan/chudan

step back – jodan age uke/chudan gyaku zuki

Step in ‐ chudan soto uke/chudan empi uchi/ jodan uraken

step back – chudan shuto uke in kokutsu/ chudan maeashi

maegeri/nukite in zen kutsu dachi

Kicking:

Two kicks beginning back leg – chudan maegeri/jodan maegeri

Turn – two kicks beginning back leg ‐ chudan mawashi geri/then jodan

mawashi geri

From kiba dachi ‐ yoko geri keage both sides/ yoko kekomi both sides

Kata:

Tekki Shodan

Kumite:

Ippon Kumite – jodan oi zuki/chudan oi zuki/chudan maegeri/chudan

yoko kekomi (one side only)

Defense – at least two different counter attacks

Kihon:

Step in ‐ sanbon zuki: jodan/chudan/chudan

step back – jodan age uke/chudan gyaku zuki

Step in ‐ chudan soto uke/change to kiba dachi empi uchi/jodan uraken

step back – chudan shuto uke /maeashi maegeri/chudan nukite in

zenkutsu

Kicking:

Beginning front leg ‐ chudan maegeri/ step in, back leg ‐ jodan maegeri

Turn ‐ front leg chudan mawashi geri, back leg jodan mawashi geri

From kiba dachi ‐ yoko geri keage both sides/ yoko kekomi both sides

Kata:

Bassai Dai

Kumite:

Jiyu Ippon Kumite – jodan oi zuki/chudan oi zuki/ chudan

maegeri/chudan yoko kekomi (one side only)

Defense – at least two different counter attack

Kihon:

Step in ‐ sanbon zuki: jodan/chudan/chudan

step back – jodan age uke/chudan gyaku zuki

Step in ‐ chudan soto uke /empi uchi/uraken in kiba dachi

step back – chudan shuto uke /maeashi maegeri /nukite in zen kutsu

Kicking:

Beginning front leg ‐ chudan maegeri, step in back leg ‐ jodan maegeri

Turn – front leg chudan mawashi geri, step in ‐ jodan mawashi geri

From kiba dachi ‐ yoko geri keage/ yoko kekomi (both sides)

Kata:

Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku‐dai or Empi

Kumite:

Jiyu Ippon Kumite – jodan oi zuki/chudan oi zuki/chudan maegeri/

chudan yoko kekomi (one side only)

Defense – at least two different counter attacks