SEIJINKAI KARATE-DO ASSOCIATION
GRADING SYLLABUS
All grades between ninth kyu and third dan awarded by the Seijinkai Karate-do Association will be according to the requirements detailed in the official Grading Syllabus. It is important that all SKA members be aware of the specific requirements for all grades before presenting themselves for examination.
MINIMUM TIMES BETWEEN GRADES
9th kyu to 3rd kyu - three months between grades.
3rd kyu to 1st kyu - six months between grades.
1st kyu to 1st dan - one year.
1st dan to 2nd dan - two years.
2nd dan to 3rd dan - three years.
While all kyu gradings may be attempted by junior members of the SKA, the minimum age to attempt shodan grading is sixteen.
Guide to training and understanding
“Do not believe on the strength of traditions even if they have been held in honour for many generations and in many places;
do not believe anything because many people speak of it;
do not believe on the strength of sages of old times;
do not believe that which you have yourselves imagined, thinking that a god has inspired you.
Believe nothing which depends only on the authority of your masters or of priests.
After investigation believe that which you have yourselves tested and found reasonable, and which is for your good and that of others.”
- The Buddha in the Kalama Sutra
KARATE-DO - BASIC TERMINOLOGY
JAPANESE ENGLISH
empi/hiji elbow
hiza knee
kata formal exercise
kumite sparring
hajime begin
yame stop
Shotokan name of a major style of karate
Goju Ryu name of a major style of karate
kyu beginning grade of karate
dan advanced grade of karate
sensei teacher, instructor
kiotsuke attention
yoi ready
seiza kneel down
rei bow
dojo training hall
kiai shout
karate-do way of the empty hand
owari finished
STANCES
zenkutsu-dachi front stance
kokutsu-dachi back stance
kiba-dachi straddle (horse) stance
sanchin-dachi 3 battles stance
neko-ashi-dachi cat stance
PUNCHES/STRIKES
choku-zuki standing punch
oi-zuki lunge punch
gyaku-zuki reverse punch
kizami-zuki jab punch
mawashi-zuki hook punch
ura-zuki inverted punch
uraken-uchi backfist strike
nukite spear hand
BLOCKS
age-uke rising block
soto-uke outside block
uchi-uke inside block
shuto-uke knifehand block
gedan barai lower area sweeping block
mawashi-uke roundhouse block
hiki-uke grabbing block
KICKS
mae-geri front kick
yoko-geri-kekomi side thrust kick
ushiro-geri back kick
mawashi-geri roundhouse kick
NINTH KYU
KIHON
Basic stances:- heisoku, musubi, heiko, hachiji, shiko, kiba, zenkutsu, han-zenkutsu, sanchin, neko-ashi, kokutsu (2 types)
Punching:- choku-zuki: jodan, chudan, gedan. chudan-ura-zuki, gyaku-zuki-chudan in zenkutsu-dachi
Blocking:- jodan-age-uke, chudan-soto-uke, chudan-uchi-uke, gedan-barai
Kicking:- chudan-mae-geri
IDO
Fwd jodan-oi-zuki
Bwd age-uke
Fwd chudan-oi-zuki
Bwd chudan-soto-uke
Fwd chudan-mae-geri
Bwd gedan-barai
KUMITE
Gohon kumite: jodan and chudan
KATA
Kihon Kata
BELT
White with one black tab
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Good form in basic stances, relaxed shoulders.
EIGHTH KYU
KIHON
Same as 9th kyu plus:- jodan-ura-zuki (jodan-age-zuki), chudan-yoko-geri
IDO
Fwd sanbon-zuki
Bwd age-uke, gyaku-zuki, gedan-barai
Fwd kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki, mae-geri
Bwd uchi-uke, gyaku-zuki, gedan-barai
Fwd mae-geri, oi-zuki (chudan)
Bwd soto-uke, gyaku-zuki, gedan-barai
Punching drill number 1
KUMITE
Sanbon kumite: jodan and chudan
KATA
Heian Shodan
BELT
White with two black tabs
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Improved form in stances, smooth coordination in combinations.
SEVENTH KYU
KIHON
Same as 8th kyu plus:- chudan-hiki-uke, jodan-mawashi-empi, jodan-age-empi, chudan-yoko-empi, uraken - jodan, chudan, gedan, jodan-shuto-uchi, jodan-nukite
IDO
Fwd mae-geri, gyaku-zuki
Bwd gedan-barai, gyaku-zuki
Fwd mae-geri, yoko-geri, gyaku-zuki
Bwd uchi-uke, gyaku-zuki
Fwd mae-geri, mawashi-geri, gyaku-zuki
Bwd shuto-uke
KUMITE
Ippon kumite:- oi-zuki-jodan x 1
oi-zuki-chudan x 1 right and left
mae-geri-chudan x 1
KATA
Heian Nidan
SPECIAL DRILLS
* Four direction gyaku-zuki
BELT
White with three black tabs
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Familiarity with techniques & combinations. Good basics.
SIXTH KYU
IDO
Fwd mae-geri, sanbon-zuki
Bwd uchi-uke (in zenkutsu-dachi), yoko-empi (in kiba-dachi), jodan-uraken-uchi
Fwd kizami-zuki, jodan-oi-zuki, chudan-gyaku-zuki
Bwd gedan-barai, gyaku-zuki, mae-geri (snap back)
Fwd (in kiba-dachi) chudan-yoko-geri, (change legs) jodan-yoko-geri
Bwd shuto-uke, front leg mae-geri, jodan-nukite
KUMITE
Ippon kumite:-
oi-zuki-jodan x 2
oi-zuki-chudan x 2 right and left
mae-geri-chudan x 2
KATA
Heian Sandan
Sanchin
SPECIAL DRILLS
* Four direction uraken, gyaku-zuki
* Mawashi-geri on the focus pads x 5 each leg
BELT
Green
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Improved kime (focus) and good use of hip rotation.
FIFTH KYU
IDO
Fwd jodan-mae-geri, sanbon-zuki
Bwd soto-uke in zenkutsu-dachi, change into kiba-dachi, yoko-empi, jodan-
uraken, change into zenkutsu-dachi, gyaku-zuki
Fwd mae-geri, mawashi-geri, yoko-geri, gyaku-zuki
Bwd spin jodan-shuto-uchi
Fwd mawashi-geri, ushiro-geri, gyaku-zuki
Bwd uchi-uke, same hand kizami-zuki, jodan-gyaku-zuki, gedan-barai
Kicking drill number 1
KUMITE
Ippon kumite:-
oi-zuki-jodan x 2
oi-zuki-chudan x 2 right and left
uraken-jodan x 2
mae-geri-chudan x 2
KATA
Heian Yondan
Sanchin
SPECIAL DRILLS
* 2 minutes on the focus pads, using kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki, mae-geri/kin-geri, mawashi-geri (Emphasis on speed and accuracy)
BELT
Green with one black tab
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Accuracy of strikes etc to targets. Improvement in speed. Correct breathing.
FOURTH KYU
IDO
Six combinations of examiner’s choice from 9th to 5th kyu syllabus
KUMITE
Ippon kumite:-
oi-zuki-jodan x 1
oi-zuki-chudan x 1
uraken-jodan x 1
shuto-uchi-jodan x 1
haito-uchi-jodan x 1 right and left
mae-geri-chudan x 1
yoko-geri-chudan x 1
mawashi-geri-jodan x 1
KATA
Heian Godan
Sanchin
SPECIAL DRILLS
* 2 minutes on the focus pads, using all techniques
BELT
Green with two black tabs
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Improved coordination of upper and lower limbs.
THIRD KYU
IDO
Fwd kizami-zuki, gyaku-zuki, mae-geri, uraken
Bwd gedan-barai, gyaku-zuki, chudan-mawashi-geri with the rear leg (snap
back the kick)
Fwd kin-geri, mawashi-empi, uraken, gyaku-zuki
Bwd (in sanchin-dachi) ko-uke, hiki-uke, nukite
Fwd mae-geri, yoko-geri, mawashi-geri, ushiro-geri, gyaku-zuki
Bwd uchi-uke, yoko-empi in kiba-dachi, uraken, gyaku-zuki
plus two combinations of examiner’s choice
KUMITE
Ippon kumite as for 4th kyu
Shiai kumite - 2 matches
KATA
Kankudai
Sanchin
SPECIAL DRILLS
* Chi’shi (Juniors - demonstrate movements with light chi’shi or wooden stick)
* Combination kicks on each leg - mae-geri, yoko-geri, ushiro-geri x 5 each leg
* Yoko-geri on the air bag x 5 each leg
BELT
Brown
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Increased flexibility and power. Some use of close range techniques.
SECOND KYU
IDO
Six combinations of the examiner’s choice
KUMITE
Jiyu ippon kumite:- oi-zuki-jodan x 1
oi-zuki-chudan x 1
mae-geri-chudan x 1
yoko-geri-chudan x 1 right and left
mawashi-geri-jodan x 1
ushiro-geri-chudan x 1
Shiai kumite - 2 matches
KATA
Bassai dai
Saifa
Sanchin
SPECIAL DRILLS
* 2 minutes on the focus pads
* Defence against a) arm/wrist grab
b) hair grab
* Break one inch board with hand technique or foot technique (over 16 years of age)
* Theory questions
BELT
Brown with one black tab
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Good timing in semi-free sparring. Fighting spirit.
FIRST KYU
IDO
Eight combinations of the examiner’s choice
KUMITE
Jiyu-ippon kumite as for 2nd kyu
Two minutes of kakie
Shiai kumite - 1 match
Randori kumite - 1 match
KATA
Kanku dai
Seiyunchin
Sanchin
SPECIAL DRILLS
* 2 minutes on the focus pads
* Defence against various grabs
* Break one inch board with hand technique or foot technique (over 16 years of age)
* Theory questions
BELT
Brown with two black tabs
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Smooth performance of all kihon techniques. Good timing in combinations.
Improved power, stamina and fighting spirit.
SHODAN
IDO
Ten combinations of the examiner’s choice
Combined punching and kicking drill
KUMITE
Randori kumite - 1 match
Shiai kumite - 1 match (2 minutes)
KATA
Sanchin
Shisochin
Kanku dai
Bassai dai
SPECIAL DRILLS
* 2 minutes on the focus pads
* Makiwara (if available)
* Hojo Undo (supplementary training equipment) Chi’shi, Kame, Kongo Ken, etc.
* Break one inch board with hand technique or foot technique
* Defence against various grabs
* Theory questions
ALL DAN GRADES WEAR BLACK BELTS
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Integration of kihon, kata and kumite. Strong sense of zanshin.
NIDAN
IDO
Ten combinations of the examiner’s choice
KUMITE
Randori kumite - 2 matches
Shiai kumite - 2 matches
KATA
Sanchin
Tensho
Nijushiho
Sanseiru
SPECIAL DRILLS
* 2 x 2 minute rounds on the focus pads
* Makiwara (if available)
* Break 2 inch board with hand or foot technique
* Defence against various grabs
* Chi’shi
* Body conditioning
* Theory questions
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Ability to generate power at close range - use of throws, locks & take downs.
Familiarity with all forms of training equipment.
SANDAN
IDO
Ten combinations of the examiner’s choice
KATA
Chinte
Nijushiho
Seipai
Sanchin
One kata created by the candidate with bunkai
KUMITE
Randori kumite - 2 matches
Shiai kumite - 2 matches
SPECIAL DRILLS
* Theory questions
* The candidate should be able to demonstrate and explain his/her favourite technique and teach that technique to a class of mixed grades.
CAPABILITIES EXPECTED AT THIS GRADE
Integration of hard and soft in kata and kumite.
SEIJINKAI KARATE-DO ASSOCIATION
RULES OF THE DOJO
1. Be punctual for instruction.
2. Pay all fees on time.
3. Wear a clean white karate suit in good repair.
4. Keep the dojo clean.
5. Bow when entering or leaving the dojo.
6. Do not smoke or drink alcohol in the dojo.
7. Use discretion when explaining training methods or techniques to members of the public. Do not become involved in arguments with members of other systems or dojos.
8. Be careful when training with a partner.
9. Keep your toenails and fingernails clean and cut short.
10. Do not wear jewellery when training. Rings which cannot be
removed must be covered with adhesive bandage.
11. Use correct terms of address in the dojo:- ‘sensei’ - instructor.
12. Follow the instructor’s directions promptly and in good spirit.
All members will read and obey these rules. Intentional breaking of these rules will result in expulsion from the dojo. If you do not understand the reason for these guidelines then ask either your instructor or one of the senior students.
