DAN GRADING

Full 1st Kyu must be achieved before grading for 1st Dan. The minimum period between 1st Kyu and 1st Dan grading is 6 months. Senior club instructors wishing to take higher dan gradings must obtain permission from a more senior SKDA instructor with whom they train on a regular basis.

The minimum time periods between Dan gradings are:

1st Dan to 2nd Dan – 2 years
2nd Dan to 3rd Dan – 3 years
3rd Dan to 4th Dan – 4 years
4th Dan to 5th Dan – 5 years

Students who fail a Dan grading must wait a minimum of three months before re-taking the examination. Grades of 6th Dan and above are awarded by the organisation on the recommendation of the SKDA Board.

Students of 1st Dan and above must attend (if possible) our monthly black belt workshops in order to integrate themselves into the SKDA.

1st Dan

Combinations

Lower Block - Gedan Barai - Uchi Uke - Kizama Tsuki - Gyaku Tsuki
Upper Block - Age Uke - Soto Uke - Gedan Barai - Uchi Uke - Kizama Tsuki - Gyaku Tsuki
Outside Block - Soto Uke - Empi Uchi - Uraken - Gyaku Tsuki - Gedan Barai
Inside Block - Uchi Uke - Kizama Tsuki - Gyaku Tsuki - Gedan Barai
Knife Hand Block – Shuto Uke - Mae Geri - Nukite
Sliding Jab Punch - Kizami Tsuki - Uraken - Gyaku Tsuki - Gedan Barai
Rib Elbow Strike - Chudan Empi - Uraken - Gyaku Tsuki - Gedan Barai
Kick Combination - Mae Geri - Yoko Geri - Mawashi Geri - Ushiro Geri - Uraken - Gyaku Tsuki

Kata (Choose 2)

Bassai Dai
Bassai Sho
Empi
Jion

Compulsory

* All Heian Katas
* Bunkai and Explanation from chosen Kata

Practical

All the sets 1 - 10

Endurance

Protection Simulation

2nd Dan

Combinations

Kata (Choose 3)

Bassai Dai
Jion
Hangetsu
Enpi
Tekki Nidan

Compulsory

* All Heian Katas
* Bunkai and Explanation from chosen Kata

Practical

All the sets 1 - 10

Endurance

Protection Simulation

3rd Dan

2nd Dan combinations plus

Kata (Choose 3)

Bassai Sho
Jion
Hangetsu
Tekki Nidan
Tekki Sandan

Compulsory

* All Heian Katas
* Bunkai and Explanation from chosen Kata

Practical

All the sets 1 - 10

Endurance

Protection Simulation

4th Dan

2nd Dan combinations plus

Combinations - Kizami Tsuki - Gyaku Tsuki, step back Age Uke - Soto Uke - Gedan Barai - Uchi Uke - Kizami Tsuki - Gyaku Tsuki
Combinations - Mawashi Geri - Uraken - Gyaku Tsuki, back leg Mae Geri - Yoko Geri Keage step back, Mawashi Geri - Uraken - Gyaku Tsuki

Kata (Choose 3)

Jiin
Meikyo
Wankan
Tekki Sandan

Compulsory

* All Heian Katas
* Demonstration of Bunkai tactics

Practical

All the sets 1 - 10

Endurance

Protection Simulation

5th Dan

As previous grading plus:

A 1500 – 2000 word thesis on any aspect of Karate-Do

Any Kata from Shodan syllabus, requested by the senior instructor

One or more Kata from Sandan syllabus, requested by the senior instructor

Demonstration of applications will be requested from all performed katas