BELT STUDY GUIDES

What to learn · What it means

What you will learn

StretchCompleteJUNIORSJunior Shodan (Mon grades) leading to Nidan
MaraMara completeJUNIORS
SanchinSanchin complete with 3 breath ratiosJUNIORS
KumiteJiyu KumiteJUNIORS
Jiu Jitsu (JJ) rolling (free play)JUNIORS
Kihon KumiteAll 12 KumiteJUNIORSShowing variations of all the way in and all the way out
Hansha KumiteComplete Mara reflex flow drillJUNIORS
Kakie (Child)Walking drills, fixed push and 3 changesJUNIORS
Shodan A - SanchinSanchin complete with 3 ratios of breathingJUNIORSMon tag stage A - catching up to adult syllabus
Shodan A - RokushuComplete kataJUNIORS
Shodan A - NaifuanchinSection 1JUNIORS
Shodan A - KakieCrane spreads its wingsJUNIORS
Snake vs TigerJUNIORS
Snake vs Standing DragonJUNIORS
MaraImproved movement and transitionsADULTS 16+
SanchinImproved movement and transitionsADULTS 16+
RokushuComplete kataADULTS 16+
Hansha Kumitemawashi-empi (reflex uke) > jun-zukiADULTS 16+
Complete Mara reflex flow drillADULTS 16+
KakieIntrusionADULTS 16+
Circle stepADULTS 16+
Double hand pushADULTS 16+
Double hand push with footworkADULTS 16+
Sanchin grip releasesADULTS 16+
Crane spreads its wingsADULTS 16+
Crane circles its wingsADULTS 16+
Snake vs TigerADULTS 16+
Snake vs Standing DragonADULTS 16+
TheorySubmit a defined essay

Key terms at this stage

JJ — Jiu Jitsu — the grappling modules
Sanchin — Core kata — Sanchin boxing
Rokushu — Kata of grip releasing
Naifuanchin — Kata of grappling
Ohyo Kumite — Variations on the kumite
Tui Shou — Pushing hands
Hara — The centre — everything moves from it
Gassho — Palms together — salutation
Kyu — Student grade
Dan — Black-belt degree
Mon — Junior tag grades
Shodan — First degree — 'first step'
Nidan — Second degree
Sandan — Third degree
Shihan — Master of instructors
Renshi — Polished / trained instructor
Kyoshi — Teacher / expert
Hanshi — Model / grandmaster

Mind

Shodan means 'first step'. The black belt is not the end of the path — it marks the point where real study begins. To do exactly what needs to be done, when it needs to be done: this is the standard you now train towards.
“In defence, be like the dragonfly that perches on the stick raised to hit it.”
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