Shodan Ho

The Sho Dan Ho is no longer given as a belt at Mike Hess Karate.

The Sho Dan Ho belt is a black belt with a white stripe running in the middle: it is above brown belt and denotes a black belt in training.

The test is unlike any other as it consists of nothing but teaching. At the beginning of a regular class, Sensei Mike bows to you, all black belts walk over to the edges of the room and you lead class. You can run class however you see fit: stretching vs straight into class vs group stretching, basics at the beginning vs the end of class, and the most difficult part: splitting people up. You have the option to leave the class together, break it up and rotate, etc.

Throughout the class, the black belts will make small changes: errors in katas, disrespect, etc. in which you will be penalized if not corrected.

Upon ending class, the judges will critique and either pass you, or fail you. A unanimous vote is necessary to pass.

You are generally required to hold the rank of Sho Dan Ho for a year before testing for black belt.