Karate Grading
Next grading: Nov 2024
What to prepare for Karate grading?
Consider grading day to be just another training.
The first part of the class will be dedicated to warming-up and going through grading techniques and etiquette. It is important to arrive at least 10 minutes early, as you may not be admitted to grade by the examiner if you arrive late.
You will also need to submit a completed copy of the JKA Shotokan Ireland Membership Form to the examiners before grading, or fill in the digital form below. This will allow you to receive the JKA membership booklet which will open the door to train in any JKA dojos and seminars in the world, including the headquarters in Japan.
And lastly, get plenty of rest before the grading and bring your best self on the day.
Registration form for JKA membership (required for grading)
To register for your next grading, please fill in the short sign-up form below to indicate your participation. If you are grading for the first time (white belt/10th kyu) or recently made a switch to JKA from a different association, you will also need to fill up the Membership Form and bring the physical form to the grading.
What are the Karate ranks?
Like many traditional martial arts, Karate recognises the skills progression of the student through the ranking system called Kyu, meaning “Class” in Japanese. A new student joining the Dojo will be recognised as a white belt, or a 10th Kyu. In order to progress through the ranks, students have to go through the Grading system and get assessed by examination panel.
After 1st Kyu, you will obtain the black belt and the ranks change to Dan, meaning “Step“. Once you attain your first black belt, it is widely considered that is when your real training begins, hence it is called Shodan, or “the first step”.
UCD Karate Grading Schedule
Winter grading
The first grading of the academic year is usually held around Nov/Dec as students would get a sufficient 3-4 months of training for the first belt.
Spring grading
Usually held in April for members who have regularly attended trainings for the period of January – April, coinciding with Semester 2 in UCD.
Summer grading
For members who regularly attend summer training, we hold a special summer grading in July/August, depending on the amount of graders.
Kyu Grading Syllabus
UCD Karate follows the grading syllabus of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) and the JKA Shotokan Ireland program. Refer to your programme below and make sure to ask your instructor or senior members as many questions as you can before your actual grading.
10th to 9th Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Chudan Jun-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Jodan Age-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
- Kata: Kihon – (Count 20 – 8 & 16)
- Kumite: Sanbon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan
9th to 8th Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Chudan Jun-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Jodan Age-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Gedan-barai | 3 times |
| Forward | Shuto-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
- Kata: Heian Shodan – (Count 21 – 9 & 17)
- Kumite: Gohon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan
* Examiners look predominantly for correct basic form
8th to 7th Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Chudan Jun-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Jodan Age-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Gedan-barai | 3 times |
| Forward | Shuto-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
- Kata: Heian Nidan – (Count 26 – 11 & 26)
- Kumite: Gohon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan
7th to 6th Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Chudan Jun-zuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Chudan Uchi-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Shuto-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
- Kata: Heian Sandan – (Count 20 – 10 & 20)
- Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan left/ right
6th to 5th Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Chudan Jun-zuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Shuto-uke | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
- Kata: Heian Yondan – (Count 27 – 13 & 25)
- Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan/ Mae-geri left/ right
* Examiners look for correct pivoting of the hips during renzoku-waza, and clear grasp of the hand techniques
5th to 4th Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Chudan Jun-zuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Shuto-uke + Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi) | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Mawashi-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
- Kata: Heian Godan – (Count 23 – 12 & 19)
- Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan/ Mae-geri left/ right
4th to 3rd Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Sambon Renzuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke + Yoko Empi (Zenkutsu-dachi to Kiba-dachi) | 3 times |
| Backward | Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Shuto-uke + Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi) | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Mawashi-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
- Kata: Tekki Shodan – (Count 29 – 15 & 29)
- Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite – Jodan/ Chudan/ Mae-geri/ Yoko Ke-komi left/ right
* Examiners are looking for appropriate degree of strength and sharpness of execution in each technique (Kihon, Kata and Kumite)
3rd to 2nd Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Sambon Renzuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke + Yoko Empi (Zenkutsu-dachi to Kiba-dachi) | 3 times |
| Backward | Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Shuto-uke + Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi) | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Mawashi-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
- Kata: Sentei Kata(Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Empi) Student may choose from any of these.
- Kumite: Jiyu Ippon Kumite (3 metre apart) — Jodan/Chudan/Maegeri/Yoko Kekomi/Mawashi-geri (right/one side)
2nd to 1st Kyu
| Direction | Technique | Count |
| Forward | Sambon Renzuki | 3 times |
| Backward | Jodan Age-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Chudan Soto-uke + Yoko Empi + Yoko Urakenuchi (Zenkutsu-dachi to Kiba-dachi) | 3 times |
| Backward | Chudan Uchi-uke + Gyaku-zuki | 3 times |
| Forward | Shuto-uke + Nukite (Kokutsu-dachi to Zenkutsu-dachi) | 3 times |
| Forward | Mae-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Mawashi-geri | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-age (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
| Forward | Yoko Ke-komi (Kibadachi) left/right | 3 times |
- Kata: Sentei Kata(Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, Empi) Student may choose from any of these.
- Kumite: Jiyu Ippon Kumite (3 metre apart) — Jodan/Chudan/Maegeri/Yoko Kekomi/Mawashi-geri (right/one side)
* Examiners look for ease and naturalness of execution, for speedy and powerful kime, and for smooth, instantaneous, dynamic elasticity of delivery