Junior Syllabus

Junior Grading Requirements

6th KYU 1 BAR

Reigi Basic dojo etiquette

Ukemi Basic break-falls

2 BARS as above plus...

Tai sabaki Body movement

Asumi-ashi Alternated step.

3 BARS as above plus...

Aiki taiso Basic exercise of aikido

1st Form Ikkyo

5th KYU BAR as above plus...

Tsugi ashi One foot leads - the other follows

Kamae Migi/Hidari sankakutai

1st Form Nikyo

2 BARS as above plus...

Ashi sabaki Basic foot movements (pivoting)

1st Form Ikkyo and Nikyo

7th Form Ikkyo

3 BARS as above plus...

Kokyo ho Basic breath exercises

1st Form Irimi Nage

10th Form Ikkyo

4th KYU 1 BAR as above plus...

Te-gatana Hand-blade

1st Form Ikkyo (Tenkan and Irimi)

5th Form Irimi-nage

2 BARS as above plus...

1st Form Shiho-nage

2nd Form Ikkyo and Nikyo

5th Form

3 BARS as above plus...

1st Form Sankyo.

5th Form Shiho nage

Any grasp Ikkyo and Nikyo

3rd KYU 1 BAR as above plus...

Ist Form Yonkyo

5th Form Sankyo

Suwari waza Basic techiques as requested

2 BARS as above plus...

1st Form Gokyo and Rokkyo

Any attack Ikkyo and Nikyo

Jo 8 Tanto Etiquette

1st Form Kote gaeshi

Any attack Any pinning technique

Any attack Irimi nage and Shiho nage

2nd KYU 1 BAR as above plus...

1st Form Kaiten nage

2nd Form Kote gaeshi and Sumi otoshi

9th Form Tenchi nage

2 BARS as above plus...

14th Form Kote gaeshi andKaiten nage

Hanmi hadachi As requested

Tanto (rubber) tori As requested

3 BARS as above plus...

Any attack Kote gaeshi & Kaiten nage

Taninzukakari keiko As requested

Kata Jo/Tanjo

1st KYU 1 BAR as above plus...

1st Form Juji nage and Koshi nage

Kaeshi waza As requested

Suwari waza As requested

2 BARS as above plus...

5th Form Juji nage 8 Koshi nage

Renzoku keiko As requested

Taninzu waza 2 or 3 attackers

3 BARS as above plus...

Kokyo nage As requested

Tanto (wooden) tori As requested

HITSU 1 BAR as above plus...

Any attack Juji nage K koshi nage

Aiki-jo As requested

2 BARS as above plus...

Taninzu waza Hanmi hadachi

Jo tori As requested

3 BARS as above plus...

Kata 1 Jo & 1 Tanjo

Bokken tori As requested

Any technique As requested

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Notes Regarding the Grading of Juniors.

The junior grading syllabus is designed to be flexible and progressive. Utilizing the bar system it allows candidates to be assessed not only on technical merit but on age and maturity. It also gives the candidate time to become competent and by the time they reach the Hitsu grade, they should be aware of the philosophy to understand the art of aikido.

The syllabus also gives examiners a guide so the standards are applied through the system, depending on the student's age and maturity.

Examiners should be tolerant and understanding to juniors who fall in the juvenile category and will use their discretion to adopt the syllabus to suit the needs of the individual. However, by the time the candidate reaches their teens, there is no reason for the senior syllabus, to be implemented if the candidate displays the right attitude and maturity. The junior syllabus is formulated to make this transition easier for both, the examiner and the candidate.

On closer inspection one will find the techniques requested in the junior syllabus are there, to help the Student gradually stretch their knowledge and technical ability, thereby gaining the necessary experience to understand the essence of Aikido.

Gradings must be fun for the younger candidates and not a traumatic experience that could have lasting effects. Children do react acutely if they feel they have let their teachers down or have failed to live up to the expectations of their parents and friends.

IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY PLEASE NOTE

Every care must be taken to ensure that the candidate is not asked for a technique that is beyond their range of capability and could constitute a danger to themselves or their uki.

Rubber tanto's must be used in all exercises requiring tanto. It's advisable to use an experienced uki, for jo exercises, depending on circumstances, individual ability, and skill level.

Locks on wrists and elbows must be applied with the utmost care. Projections and spilling techniques must also be executed with safety in mind.

Although gradings are conducted traditionally, and dojo etiquette is required from all, examiners must be aware that the younger candidates will get tired and bored if they are expected to endure a long grading. It might be advisable to discharge them before they cause too much of a distraction to others.