The rank structure is divided into two categories. These are the kyu ranks and dan ranks.
Kyu ranks rise from the lowest 10th kyu to 1st kyu.
Dan ranks progress from 1st dan (shodan) upwards. The U. C. Karate Club belt system is as follows.
The link leads to the description of the requirements you are expected to meet if you are of the rank named. To become a purple belt / 4th kyu,
for example, look at the green belt requirements.
In addition there is a +/- system within each kyu. For example, a 7- is below a 7, and a 7 is below a 7+, which is below a 6-. (One should think of a 7+ as a very strong 7 and a 7- as a weaker 7.)
The kyu examinations occur on two consecutive class periods, depending on class size. On the day(s) of the exam, students are expected to arrive early and warm up on their own. The committee of judges includes the Head Instructor, a panel of senior Black Belts, and a caller. Participants are evaluated on their proficiency, knowledge, effectiveness of techniques, spirit, and class participation. Promotionals can be stressful and therefore are a good test of how one performs under pressure.
There is no set period of time for advancement through the ranks. Advancement depends upon the individual's dedication and effort, and it becomes increasingly more difficult as the student progresses. Some time after a student has practiced diligently for a number of years and has achieved the rank of 1+, Sensei Abe may ask him or her to take the examination for Black Belt.
White Belts / Yellow Belts.
At the white belt level the student should learn intent. Although the student may not be able to perform the techniques exactly, he or she should begin to understand their purpose and to manifest that understanding. One does not do the movements as tricks nor just for exercise, but rather each movement has a meaning as an attack or defense. The white belt student should learn to perform the techniques as if really attacking or defending. The facial expression and focus in the eyes should show concentration and an understanding of the purpose of the movements.
Kihon
Kihon no tsuki (basic punches)
Sonoba-zuki
Jun-zuki
Gyaku-zuki
Jun-zuki no tsukomi
Gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kihon no keri (basic kicks)
Maegeri: chudan, jodan
Mawashigeri: chudan
Sokuto: chudan
Kihon no uke (basic guards)
Jodan-uke
Gedan-barai
Soto-uke
Uchi-uke
Shuto-uke (in Cat Stance)
Kata
Kihon no Kata (basic Katas) No. 1 through 5
Pinan Kata (advanced Katas) No. 1
Kumite
Kiso Kumite No. 1 and 2
Jiyu Kumite for yellow belts only.
Karate Terms
Dojo - Practice hall
Karate gi - Karate uniform
Seiza - Kneel
Rei - Bow
Shomen-ni rei - Bow of respect for the dojo and the activity of Karate
Sensei-ni rei - Bow of respect for the teacher
Yoi - Ready, get ready
Yame - Stop or finish, return to ready position
Naore - Return to attention position
Hajime - Begin
Mawate - Turn around
Mokuso - Meditate
Kiai - Yell
Kyu - Class, ranking
Kata - Pre-arranged form
Other Skills and Knowledge
Standing bow
Kneeling
Kneeling bow
Wearing a Karate-gi
Tying a belt
Basic etiquette and protocol
Warming up on one's own
Counting to ten in Japanese
Basic practice responsibilities (such as sweeping the floor)
Green Belts
The green belt student begins to work to perfect both technique and form: for example, solid stances and good control of the body. In addition the student should develop a strong spirit and show enthusiasm in class. This enthusiasm will provide a good example for the White Belts and push the Upper Belts.
Kihon
Kihon no tsuki (basic punches)
Sonoba-zuki
Jun-zuki
Gyaku-zuki
Jun-zuki no tsukomi
Gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kette jun-zuki
Kette gyaku-zuki
Kihon no keri (basic kicks)
Maegeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Mawashigeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Sokuto: chudan, jodan
Kihon no uke (basic guards)
Jodan-uke
Gedan-barai
Soto-uke
Uchi-uke
Shuto-uke (in Cat Stance)
Kata
Kihon no Kata (basic Katas) No. 1 through 5
Pinan Kata (advanced Katas) No. 1 through 3
Kumite
Kiso Kumite No. 1 and 2
Kihon Kumite No. 1 and 2
Jiyu Kumite: basic attacks, basic defenses
Karate Terms
Zenkutsudachi - Forward stance
Kibadachi - Horse riding stance
Shikodachi - Square stance
Gedan-barai - Lower block
Jodan-uke - Upper block
Soto-uke - Outside block
Uchi-uke - Inside block
Shuto-uke - Knife-hand block
Sonoba-zuki - Punching in place
Jun-zuki - Forward punch
Gyaku-zuki - Reverse punch
Jun-zuki no tsukomi - Deep forward punch
Gyaku-zuki no tsukomi - Deep reverse punch
Maegeri - Front snap kick
Mawashigeri - Round-house kick
Sokuto - Side-thrust kick
Kette_______-zuki - Kick and punch
Jodan - Upper
Chudan - Middle
Gedan - Lower
Shodan - First
Nidan - Second
Sandan - Third
Yondan - Fourth
Godan - Fifth
Other Skills and Knowledge
Basic organizational responsibilities (i.e., work on the flyer campaigns, and exhibition participation)
Purple Belts
The Purple Belt ought to have especially good spirit and enthusiasm. He or she also should now combine power with correct form, good balance, and speed.
Kihon
Kihon no tsuki (basic punches)
Sonoba-zuki
Jun-zuki
Gyaku-zuki
Jun-zuki no tsukomi
Gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kette jun-zuki
Kette gyaku-zuki
Kihon no keri (basic kicks)
Maegeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Mawashigeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Sokuto: chudan, jodan
Kihon no uke (basic guards)
Jodan-uke
Gedan-barai
Soto-uke
Uchi-uke
Shuto-uke (in Cat Stance)
Kata
Kihon no Kata (basic Katas) No. 1 through 5
Pinan Kata (advanced Katas) No. 1 through 5
Advanced Kata Naihanchi
Kumite
Kiso Kumite No. 1 and 2
Kihon Kumite No. 1, 2 and 3
Jiyu Kumite: anticipation and feinting
Other Skills and Knowledge
Knowledge of how to lead warm-ups
More advanced organizational participation (i.e., the coordination of flyer campaigns and other basic organizational activities)
Advanced protocol and etiquette
3rd Kyu and 2nd Kyu Brown Belts
The student at this level improves his or her basic techniques by learning to relax. He or she learns confidence and poise as well as technique and how to focus and concentrate power.
Kihon
Kihon no tsuki (basic punches)
Sonoba-zuki
Jun-zuki
Gyaku-zuki
Jun-zuki no tsukomi
Gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kette jun-zuki
Kette gyaku-zuki
Kette jun-zuki no tsukomi
Kette gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kihon no keri (basic kicks)
Maegeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Mawashigeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Sokuto: chudan, jodan, gedan
Kihon no uke (basic guards)
Jodan-uke
Gedan-barai
Soto-uke
Uchi-uke
Shuto-uke (in Cat Stance)
Other techniques
Tobikomi-zuki
Nagashi-zuki
Kata
Kihon no Kata (basic Katas) No. 1 through 5
Pinan Kata (advanced Katas) No. 1 through 5
Advanced Kata Naihanchi, Kushanku
Kumite
Kiso Kumite No. 1 and 2
Kihon Kumite No. 1 through 4
Jiyu Kumite: timing, use of distance, breathing, relaxation, technical control, concentration of power
Karate Terms
Sempai - Senior student
Kohai - Junior student
Hiki-te - Pulling hand back
Kime - Definition
Zanshin - Awareness
Ipponken - One-knuckle fist
Uraken - Backfist
Ashi barai - Foot sweep
Tobikomi-zuki - Sliding forward punch
Nagashi-zuki - Sliding sideways punch
Other Skills and Knowledge
Teaching basic techniques and Katas
Most advanced club organizational participation
Knowledge of how to lead warm-ups
1st Kyu Brown Belts
At this level, the brown belt student should demonstrate profound commitment, dedication, and self-motivation in his or her training.
Kihon
Kihon no tsuki (basic punches)
Sonoba-zuki
Jun-zuki
Gyaku-zuki
Jun-zuki no tsukomi
Gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kette jun-zuki
Kette gyaku-zuki
Kette jun-zuki no tsukomi
Kette gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kihon no keri (basic kicks)
Maegeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Mawashigeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Sokuto: chudan, jodan, gedan
Kihon no uke (basic guards)
Jodan-uke
Gedan-barai
Soto-uke
Uchi-uke
Shuto-uke (in Cat Stance)
Other techniques
Tobikomi-zuki
Nagashi-zuki
Kata
Kihon no Kata (basic Katas) No. 1 through 5
Pinan Kata (advanced Katas) No. 1 through 5
Advanced Kata Naihanchi, Kushanku, Seishan
Kumite
Kiso Kumite No. 1 and 2
Kihon Kumite No. 1 through 4 and first half of 5
Jiyu Kumite: rhythm, controlling the flow of energy
Karate Terms
Seishandachi - Pigeon-toed with heel and toe on one line
Tate seishandachi - Forward seishandachi
Other Skills and Knowledge
Teaching basic techniques and Katas
Most advanced club organizational participation
1+ -- Black Belt Candidate
The student at this level, besides general proficiency, must develop an understanding of the significance of the techniques and the perception of the correspondences between basic techniques, the advanced versions' found in Katas, and the free-form versions used in sparring. He or she should be able to communicate this understanding and perception and thus effectively teach.
Kihon
Kihon no tsuki (basic punches)
Sonoba-zuki
Jun-zuki
Gyaku-zuki
Jun-zuki no tsukomi
Gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kette jun-zuki
Kette gyaku-zuki
Kette jun-zuki no tsukomi
Kette gyaku-zuki no tsukomi
Kihon no keri (basic kicks)
Maegeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Mawashigeri: chudan, jodan, gedan
Sokuto: chudan, jodan, gedan
Kihon no uke (basic guards)
Jodan-uke
Gedan-barai
Soto-uke
Uchi-uke
Shuto-uke (in Cat Stance)
Other techniques
Tobikomi-zuki
Nagashi-zuki
Kata
Kihon no Kata (basic Katas) No. 1 through 5
Pinan Kata (advanced Katas) No. 1 through 5
Advanced Kata Naihanchi, Kushanku, Seishan
Kumite
Kiso Kumite No. 1 and 2
Kihon Kumite No. 1 through 5
Jiyu Kumite: Fluidity, Creativity, Spontaneity
Kaisetsu
Oral examination on any aspect or combination of aspects of Karate
