KYU Grading
KUGB Karateka will be eligible to grade providing they have fulfilled all technical requirements, hold a current KUGB licence and record book and have permission to grade from their senior club instructor. The grading may be taken at the student’s own dojo, other dojo or at special courses.
Students must train on average twice per week at a KUGB dojo with an approved KUGB instructor.
The record book and licence must be produced at the grading for the examiner’s inspection and signature.
Novices may grade after two months of training. It is possible for exceptional students to be graded directly to 8th Kyu, but this is at the discretion of the examiner.
There must be a minimum of three monthly intervals between each grading from 9th Kyu to 1st Kyu.
‘Temporary’ Kyu Grades
A student may receive a ‘temporary’ grade, which means that they are not quite up to the required standard. They will, however, wear the same coloured belt and train on the same syllabus as if they were a full grade.
Students who fail a Kyu grading may re-take their examination after three months.
Transfer of Kyu Grades to the KUGB from other Shotokan Associations
Karateka who transfer to the KUGB may wear the belt of their current grade but must re-grade within 6 months of the transfer and will be given a grade appropriate to their KUGB standard. They may be awarded the same grade, a lower grade or the next grade up. They will then continue grading with the KUGB within the usual time scales.
Kyu Grading Age Restrictions
There are no age restrictions for Kyu grades, though the minimum age to begin training permitted for insurance reasons is three years.
Allowances
In accordance with the principles of the Equality Act 2010, the KUGB is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and believes that Karate training and progression should be accessible to everyone, regardless of disability or medical condition. Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments will be considered to ensure that candidates are able to demonstrate their understanding and ability, while maintaining the integrity and standards of the grading syllabus.
Reasonable allowances can be made for candidates who are unable to perform certain elements of the official grading syllabus due to a disability or medical condition. Candidates requiring such consideration should notify the Grading Examiner(s) through their club instructor, at least one month before the grading. Where a candidate has a significant or long-term medical condition or disability that is likely to require substantial adjustment to the official syllabus, their club instructor should notify the Grading Examiner(s) at least three months before the grading. This additional notice period will allow sufficient time for consultation and, where necessary, approval of appropriate reasonable adjustments.
Grading Syllabus
It must be emphasised that the KUGB Syllabus is intended as a reference to prepare students for their gradings and that the most important factor is the examinee’s quality of performance.
Novice to 9th Kyu
White to Orange belt
From zenkutsu dachi (front stance):
1. Oi tsuki (stepping punch) – 3x forwards, mawatte (turn) and repeat
2. Age uke (rising block) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke (outside block) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Mae geri (front snap kick) – 3x forwards, mawatte (turn) and repeat
Kihon Kata
Sanbon (3-step) or Gohon (5-step) Kumite
- Jodan oi tsuki
- Chudan oi tsuki
9th to 8th Kyu
Orange to Red belt
From zenkutsu dachi (front stance):
1. Oi tsuki (stepping punch) – 3x forwards, mawatte (turn) and repeat
2. Age uke (rising block) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke (outside block) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Chudan uchi uke (inside block) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From kokutsu dachi (back stance):
5. Shuto uke (knife hand block) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From zenkutsu dachi (front stance):
6. Mae geri (front snap kick) – 3x forwards, mawatte (turn) and repeat
From kiba dachi (straddle stance):
7. Yoko geri keage (side snap kick) – 3x forwards, mawatte (turn) and repeat
8. Yoko geri kekomi (side thrust kick) – 3x forwards, mawatte (turn) and repeat
Heian Shodan
Sanbon (3-step) or Gohon (5-step) Kumite
- Jodan oi tsuki
- Chudan oi tsuki
8th to 7th Kyu
Red to Yellow belt
From zenkutsu dachi:
1. Oi tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
2. Age uke, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Chudan uchi uke, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From kokutsu dachi:
5. Shuto uke – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From zenkutsu dachi:
6. Mae geri – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
From kiba dachi:
7. Yoko geri keage – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
8. Yoko geri kekomi – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
Heian Nidan
Sanbon or Gohon Kumite
- Jodan oi tsuki
- Chudan oi tsuki
7th to 6th Kyu
Yellow to Green belt
From zenkutsu dachi:
1. Oi tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
2. Age uke, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke, empi uchi (in kiba dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Chudan uchi uke, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From kokutsu dachi:
5. Shuto uke – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From zenkutsu dachi:
6. Mae geri – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
From kiba dachi:
7. Yoko geri keage – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
8. Yoko geri kekomi – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
Heian Sandan
Kihon Ippon (1-step) Kumite
Right side
- 2x Jodan oi tsuki
- 2x Chudan oi tsuki
Left side
- 2x Jodan oi tsuki
- 2x Chudan oi tsuki
6th to 5th Kyu
Green to Purple belt
From zenkutsu dachi:
1. Oi tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
2. Age uke, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke, empi uchi (in kiba dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Chudan uchi uke, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From kokutsu dachi:
5. Shuto uke, nukite (in zenkutsu dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From zenkutsu dachi:
6. Mae geri – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
From kiba dachi:
7. Yoko geri keage – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
8. Yoko geri kekomi – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
Heian Yondan
Kihon Ippon Kumite
Right side
- 1x Jodan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan mae geri
Left side
- 1x Jodan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan mae geri
5th to 4th Kyu
Purple to Purple & White belt
From zenkutsu dachi:
1. Sanbon tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
2. Age uke, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke, empi uchi (in kiba dachi), uraken, gyaku tsuki (in zenkutsu dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Chudan uchi uke, kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From kokutsu dachi:
5. Shuto uke, mae geri (with front leg), nukite (in zenkutsu dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From zenkutsu dachi:
6. Mae geri – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
From kiba dachi:
7. Yoko geri keage – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
8. Yoko geri kekomi – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
From zenkutsu dachi:
9. Mawashi geri (roundhouse kick) – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
Heian Godan
Kihon Ippon Kumite
Right side
- 1x Jodan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan mae geri
- 1x Chudan yoko geri
Left side
- 1x Jodan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan mae geri
- 1x Chudan yoko geri
4th to 3rd Kyu
Purple & White to Brown belt
From zenkutsu dachi:
1. Sanbon tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
2. Age uke, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke, empi uchi (in kiba dachi), uraken, gyaku tsuki (in zenkutsu dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Chudan uchi uke, kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From kokutsu dachi:
5. Shuto uke, mae geri (with front leg), nukite (in zenkutsu dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From zenkutsu dachi:
6. Mae geri – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
From kiba dachi:
7. Yoko geri keage – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
8. Yoko geri kekomi – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
From zenkutsu dachi:
9. Mawashi geri – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
10. Ushiro geri (back kick) – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
Tekki Shodan
Kihon Ippon Kumite
Right side
- 1x Jodan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan mae geri
- 1x Chudan yoko geri
- 1x Jodan mawashi geri
Left side
- 1x Jodan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan mae geri
- 1x Chudan yoko geri
- 1x Jodan mawashi geri
3rd to 2nd Kyu
Brown to Brown & 1 White Stripe belt
From zenkutsu dachi:
1. Sanbon tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
2. Age uke, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke, empi uchi (in kiba dachi), uraken, gyaku tsuki (in zenkutsu dachi), gedan barai – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Chudan uchi uke, kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From kokutsu dachi:
5. Shuto uke, mae geri (with front leg), nukite (in zenkutsu dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From zenkutsu dachi:
6. Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
7. Yoko geri kekomi, uraken, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
8. Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
9. Ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
Bassai Dai
Plus
Heian Kata of Examiner’s choice
Jiyu Ippon Kumite
(semi-free sparring)
Right side only
- 1x Jodan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan mae geri
- 1x Chudan yoko geri
- 1x Jodan mawashi geri
- 1x Chudan ushiro geri
2nd to 1st Kyu
Brown & 1 White Stripe to
Brown & 2 White Stripes belt
From zenkutsu dachi:
1. Kizami tsuki, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
2. Age uke, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
3. Chudan soto uke, empi uchi (in kiba dachi), uraken, gyaku tsuki (in zenkutsu dachi), gedan barai – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
4. Chudan uchi uke, kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From kokutsu dachi:
5. Shuto uke, mae geri (with front leg), nukite (in zenkutsu dachi) – 3x forwards and 3x backwards
From zenkutsu dachi:
6. Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
7. Yoko geri kekomi, uraken, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
8. Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
9. Ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki – 3x forwards, mawatte and repeat
10. Mae geri, yoko geri, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki – 1x forwards, mawatte and repeat
Bassai Dai
Plus
Heian Kata of Examiner’s choice
Jiyu Ippon Kumite
Right side only
- 1x Jodan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan oi tsuki
- 1x Chudan mae geri
- 1x Chudan yoko geri
- 1x Jodan mawashi geri
- 1x Chudan ushiro geri
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.
Written permission to take a Dan grading must be obtained from the student’s senior club instructor.
Senior club instructors wishing to take higher Dan gradings must obtain written permission from a more senior KUGB instructor with whom they train on a regular basis.
Dan Grading Frequency
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
- 5th Dan to 6th Dan – 8 years
There are two Special Dan Courses each year, and the time periods are related to these courses, e.g, a student passing 3rd Dan on the first course of the year could grade for 4th Dan on the first course of the year four years later.
To apply for permission to take the 6th Dan, please write to the Chair of the Technical Committee at technicalcommittee@kugb.org and include your CV. You will then receive a letter advising you on how to proceed.
Permission will be determined by taking the following criteria into account:
- Number of years training
- Precedent – relating to the time-scales of other senior students
- Training record of Special Dan Courses, Black and Brown Belt Courses, Instructor Courses and other Special Courses
- Technical Qualifications – Referee, Instructor, Assessor
- Previous competition participation
Grades of 7th Dan and above are awarded by the organisation on the recommendation of the Technical Committee.
Dan Grading Re-Takes
Students who fail 1st or 2nd Dan gradings must wait a minimum of three months before re-taking the examination, unless a different time period is specified by the examiner.
Students who fail 3rd Dan and above must wait until the next Special Dan Course before re-taking the examination.
Students who are required to re-take only the Kata or Kumite section of their Dan grading must do so within twelve months. After this period, the full grading must be re-taken.
Dan Grading Age Restrictions
There are no age restrictions for taking 1st or 2nd Dan. The minimum age for taking 3rd Dan is 21 years.
Protective Equipment
Gumshields and KUGB-approved white hand mitts are compulsory for the Kumite section of the examination. It is compulsory for females aged 12 years and over to wear a chest guard. Females under 12 may wear a chest guard at the discretion of their parent/guardian. It is compulsory for males aged 12 years and over to wear a groin guard. Males under 12 may wear a groin guard at the discretion of their parent/guardian.
Dan Grading Locations
Dan gradings may only be taken at specially approved courses, details of which are circulated to all KUGB clubs. They are also listed on the KUGB website and the KUGB app.
Transfer of Dan Grades to the KUGB from other Shotokan Associations
1st and 2nd Dan students transferring to the KUGB must retake their Dan grades within one year of joining the KUGB.
Students of 3rd Dan and above must train on a minimum of three Black and Brown Belt Courses or Special Dan Courses in order to integrate themselves into the KUGB syllabus and technical practices. They must make themselves known to the Lead of the Technical Committee, who will advise them on a grading date. They must produce their previous association’s licence and record book.
Upon completing their Dan examination, the student will be given a grade appropriate to their KUGB standard, which will be ratified from the date of their grading with their previous association, where appropriate.
Allowances
In accordance with the principles of the Equality Act 2010, the KUGB is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and believes that Karate training and progression should be accessible to everyone, regardless of disability or medical condition. Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments will be considered to ensure that candidates are able to demonstrate their understanding and ability, while maintaining the integrity and standards of the grading syllabus.
Reasonable allowances can be made for candidates who are unable to perform certain elements of the official grading syllabus due to a disability or medical condition. Candidates requiring such consideration should notify the Grading Examiner(s) through their club instructor, at least one month before the grading. Where a candidate has a significant or long-term medical condition or disability that is likely to require substantial adjustment to the official syllabus, their club instructor should notify the Grading Examiner(s) at least three months before the grading. This additional notice period will allow sufficient time for consultation and, where necessary, approval of appropriate reasonable adjustments.
Grading Syllabus
It must be emphasised that the KUGB Syllabus is intended as a reference to prepare students for their gradings and that the most important factor is the examinee’s quality of performance.
All begin from free-style kamae
(a) Candidate’s choice
(b) Examiner’s choice
1st Kyu to 1st Dan
- Kizami tsuki, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki
- Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki
- Yoko geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mae geri, yoko geri, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki, step back gedan barai, gyaku tsuki, yoko geri, uraken, oi tsuki
- Same leg, mae geri, yoko geri, ushiro geri
(a) Bassai Dai
(b) Any Heian Kata
Jiyu Ippon Kumite
Right side only
attacking with jodan and chudan oi tsuki, chudan mae geri, chudan yoko geri, jodan mawashi geri and chudan ushiro geri
Jiyu Kumite
1st Dan to 2nd Dan
- Mae geri, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki
- Yoko geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mae geri, same leg yoko geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mae geri, same leg mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mawashi geri, same leg yoko geri kekomi, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mae geri, yoko geri, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
- Mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki, step back gedan nagashi uke, gyaku tsuki, ushiro geri, uraken, oi tsuki
- Same leg, mae geri, yoko geri, ushiro geri, mawashi geri
(a) Bassai Sho,
Kanku Sho,
Niju Shiho,
Jitte,
Tekki Nidan
(b) Bassai Dai,
Kanku Dai,
Jion,
Enpi,
Hangetsu
Jiyu Ippon Kumite
attacking with any five single, unannounced techniques
Jiyu Kumite
2nd Dan to 3rd Dan
Any 1st or 2nd Dan combinations
Plus
Kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki, mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki, step back gedan barai, gyaku tsuki, rear leg mae geri and step back, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
(a) Sochin,
Chinte,
Unsu,
Goju Shiho Sho,
Gankaku
(b) Bassai Sho,
Kanku Sho,
Niju Shiho,
Jitte,
Tekki Nidan
Kaishi Ippon Kumite
Right side only
the same pre-arranged attacks as for 1st Dan grading
Jiyu Kumite
3rd Dan to 4th Dan
Any 1st or 2nd Dan combinations
Plus
Kizami tsuki, oi tsuki, gyaku tsuki, nihon tsuki, step back and with same arm block age uke, soto uke, gedan barai, uchi uke, kizami tsuki, gyaku tsuki, four turning gyaku tsuki attacks, turn behind with haito uchi, mawashi geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki, back leg mae geri and step back, yoko geri keage to side and step back, mawashi geri, ushiro geri, uraken, gyaku tsuki
(a) Jiin,
Meikyo,
Goju Shiho Dai,
Wankan,
Tekki Sandan
(b) Sochin,
Chinte,
Unsu,
Goju Shiho Sho,
Gankaku
Kaishi Ippon Kumite
attacking with any five single, unannounced techniques
Demonstration of three favourite Kumite tactics
Jiyu Kumite
4th Dan to 5th Dan
As previous grading
Plus
A written Karate CV and 1500 – 2000 words thesis on any aspect of Karate-Do
(a) Any Kata from Shodan syllabus and above
(b) One or more Kata from Sandan syllabus and above
Demonstration of applications from performed Kata will be requested.
As previous grading
5th Dan to 6th Dan
As previous grading
Plus
A written Karate CV and 2000 words and above thesis on any aspect of Karate-Do (different to above)
As previous grading
As previous grading
