Skaha Shotokan Karate - Penticton

Shotokan Karate Classes in Penticton, BC

RANKING AND GRADINGS

Ranking and Gradings

Canada Shotokan Karate (CSK) uses a traditional ranking system established by Master Funakoshi. Students begin with a white belt and may advance through the various levels of white, brown and black belt. CSK does not award belts of other colours.

ON THIS PAGE

Understanding Ranks and Gradings

Canada Shotokan Karate uses a traditional ranking system established by Master Funakoshi. Students begin with a white belt and may advance through white, brown, and black belt levels.

TRADITIONAL RANKING SYSTEM

White Belt, Brown Belt, and Black Belt

The ranking system used by Canada Shotokan Karate is traditional and simple. Students begin unranked with a white belt, then progress through kyu ranks before black belt. CSK does not award belts of other colours.

Rank is not meant to be a decoration or a comparison between students. It is a way to mark training progress, technical development, attitude, and continued effort over time.

WHITE BELT

White Belt Ranks

Unranked
8th kyu — hachikyu
7th kyu — shichikyu
6th kyu — rokkyu
5th kyu — gokyu
4th kyu — yonkyu

BROWN BELT

Brown Belt Ranks

3rd kyu — sankyu
2nd kyu — nikyu
1st kyu — ikkyu

BLACK BELT

Black Belt Ranks

1st dan — shodan
2nd dan — nidan
3rd dan — sandan
4th dan — yodan
5th dan — godan

GRADING SCHEDULE

When Gradings Are Held

Gradings for ranks below black belt are conducted twice a year, as near to November 10th as possible to commemorate the anniversary of Master Funakoshi’s birth, and April 26th to commemorate the anniversary of his death.

Gradings for black belt are held once a year. Each grading covers all elements of karate practice: kihon, kata, and kumite.

GRADING INCLUDES

Kihon — basic techniques
Kata — formal sequence practice
Kumite — controlled sparring practice
Attitude, effort, and readiness

PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT

Measure Your Own Development

Every student has different potential, experience, physical condition, and personal circumstances. For that reason, progress should not be compared with another student’s progress.

Gradings and ranks are used as a way to measure personal improvement. In awarding rank, consideration may be given to technical level, age, time practising, previous experience, physical condition, physical potential, personal situations, attitude toward practice, attitude toward others, concern for responsibilities, and number of special trainings.

MENTAL ATTITUDE

Train and Grade With Humility

It is the student’s responsibility to do his or her best during grading and to accept the rank awarded with dignity and humility. The most important point is the student’s mental attitude.

REQUIREMENTS FOR KYU TEST AND SHODAN

General Grading Requirements

Generally speaking, the requirements for kyu test and shodan, or first degree black belt, include basics, kata, and sparring.

BASICS

Kihon

Blocks: down block, rising block, inside forearm block, hammer fist block, knife hand block
Punches: front punch, reverse punch
Kicks: front kick, round kick, side up kick, side thrust kick, stomping kick

KATA

Forms

One required kata from the five Heian kata
Brown belts must perform Bassai
Brown belts must also perform a favourite kata

SPARRING

Kumite

Ippon gumite — one-time engagement match
Sanbon gumite — three-time engagement match

SPECIAL TRAINING AND DUES

Additional Requirements

Candidates for shodan must also have completed at least one special training. Information about special training may be found on the Special Training page.

Students must be current in their CSK and dojo dues before being graded. Black belts must also be current in their Black Belt Council dues.

BEFORE GRADING

Continue regular practice.
Prepare basics, kata, and kumite.
Maintain the right attitude.
Stay current with required dues.
Shodan candidates require at least one special training.