VANCOUVER SHOTOKAN KARATE GRADING SYLLABUS
How To Progress
Exams & Grading
In the JKA system, passing your exam is the path to advancing in rank.
The JKA BC syllabus serves as a guide for students to prepare for gradings, and outlines the requirements followed by instructors during examination. All Kihon techniques are performed five times unless otherwise noted.
For students testing above 3rd Kyu, examiners may introduce additional physical content at their discretion. Be prepared for both verbal questions and technical exams as part of the process!
White Stripe
10th Kyu
* All information below follows the JKA Certified grading requirements.
Basics are on the spot in Soto Hachijidachi. All techniques are 5 times each by count.
- CHUDAN CHOKUZUKI (Stomach level punch)
- JODAN AGEUKE (Rising block)
- CHUDAN SOTOUKE (From outside block)
- CHUDAN MAEGERI (Front kick in feet together stance; arms in GEDAN KAKIWAKE KAMAE [Lower section wedge guard])
White/Yellow Belt
9th Kyu
Basics are on the spot in Shizen Tai Stance stepping forward into Zenkutsu Dachi. All techniques are 5 times each by count.
- CHUDAN JUNZUKI (Stomach level punch)
- JODAN AGEUKE (Rising Block)
- CHUDAN SOTOUKE (Outside Block)
- KOKUTSU SHUTO UKE
- CHUDAN MAEGERI (Gedan Kakiwake with Heisokudachi) (Front kick on the spot)
Yellow Belt
8th Kyu
F = moving forward
B = moving backward
Moving basics start from Gedan Barai in Zenkutsu Dachi
- F – CHUDAN JUNZUKI (Stomach level punch)
- F – JODAN AGEUKE (Rising Block)
- F – CHUDAN SOTOUKE (Outside Block)
- F – GEDAN BARAI (Downward Block)
- F – KOKUTSUDACHI SHUTO UKE (Back Stance Knife Hand Block)
- F – CHUDAN MAEGERI (With Gedan Kakiwake) (Front Kick)
Kata – TAIKYOKU SHODAN
Kumite – GOHON KUMITE (Basic 5 Step Kumite)
JODAN JUNZUKI and CHUDAN JUNZUKI
Orange Belt
7th Kyu
F = moving forward
B = moving backward
Moving basics start from Gedan Barai in Zenkutsu Dachi
- F – CHUDAN -JUNZUKI
- B – JODAN AGEUKE
- F – CHUDAN SOTOUKE
- B – CHUDAN UCHIUKE
- F – KOKUTSU DACHI SHUTO UKE
- F – CHUDAN MAEGERI (With Gedan Kakiwake)
- YOKOGERI KEAGE (3 Times Each, Left and Right in Heisoku Dachi; Side Snap Kick)
- YOKOGERI KEKOMI (3 Times Each, Left and Right in Heisoku Dachi; Side Thrust Kick)
Kata – HEIAN SHODAN
Kumite – GOHON KUMITE (Basic 5 Step Kumite)
JODAN JUNZUKI and CHUDAN JUNZUKI
Green Belt
6th Kyu
F = moving forward
B = moving backward
Moving basics start from Gedan Barai in Zenkutsu Dachi
- F – CHUDAN JUNZUKI
- B – JODAN AGEUKE
- F – CHUDAN SOTOUKE
- B – CHUDAN UCHIUKE
- F – KOKUTSU DACHI SHUTO UKE
- F – CHUDAN MAEGERI (With Gedan Kakiwake)
- F – YOKOGERI KEAGE (3 Times Each, Left and Right in Kiba Dachi)
- F – YOKOGERI KEKOMI (3 Times Each, Left and Right in Kiba Dachi)
Kata – HEIAN NIDAN
(May be asked a second kata Taikyoku Shodan – Heian Shodan)
Kumite – KIHON IPPON KUMITE (Basic one step kumite)
JODAN JUNZUKI – (Right and Left)
CHUDAN JUNZUKI (Right and Left)
Attacking order is Right Jodan then right Chudan.
Left Jodan then left Chudan
Blue Belt
5th Kyu
F = moving forward
B = moving backward
Moving basics start from Gedan Barai in Zenkutsu Dachi
- F – CHUDAN JUNZUKI
- B – JODAN AGEUKE + GYAKU ZUKI
- F – CHUDAN SOTOUKE + GYAKU ZUKI
- B – CHUDAN UCHIUKE + GYAKU ZUKI
- F – KOKUTSU DACHI SHUTO UKE
- F – CHUDAN MAEGERI (With Gedan Kakiwake)
- F – YOKOGERI KEAGE (3 Times Each, Left and Right in Kiba Dachi)
- F – YOKOGERI KEKOMI (3 Times Each, Left and Right in Kiba Dachi)
Kata – HEIAN SANDAN
May be asked (Taikyoku Shodan – Heian Nidan specified by examiner)
Kumite – KIHON IPPON KUMITE (Basic one-step kumite)
JODAN JUNZUKI – (Right and Left)
CHUDAN JUNZUKI (Right and Left)
MAEGERI (With Gedan Kakiwake; Right and Left)
Attacking order is right Jodan, right Chudan and right Maegeri.
Left Jodan, left Chudan and left Maegeri.
Purple Belt
4th Kyu
F = moving forward
B = moving backward
Moving basics start from Gedan Barai in Zenkutsu Dachi
- F – CHUDAN JUNZUKI
- F- SANBON RENZUKI
- B – JODAN AGEUKE + GYAKU ZUKI
- F – CHUDAN SOTOUKE + GYAKU ZUKI
- B – CHUDAN UCHIUKE + GYAKU ZUKI
- F – KOKUTSU DACHI SHUTO UKE + NUKITE (Kokutsu Dachi to Zenkutsu Dachi)
- F – CHUDAN MAEGERI (With Gedan Kakiwake)
- F – YOKOGERI KEAGE (3 Times Each, Left and Right in Kiba Dachi)
- F – YOKOGERI KEKOMI (Zenkutsu Dachi)
Kata – HEIAN YONDAN
May be asked (Taikyoku Shodan – Heian Sandan specified by examiner)
Kumite – KIHON IPPON KUMITE (Basic one-step kumite)
JODAN JUNZUKI – (Right and Left)
CHUDAN JUNZUKI (Right and Left)
MAEGERI (With Gedan Kakiwake; Right and Left)
CHUDAN YOKOGERI KEKOMI (Right and Left)
Attacking order is right Jodan, right Chudan, right Maegeri and right Kekomi.
Left Jodan, left Chudan left Maegeri and left Kekomi.
Brown Belt & Black Belt
Click here for the grading syllabus for Brown belt Kyu’s and Black belt.