Harpenden Karate Centre Grading & Syllabus
GRADINGS TIMES:
WHITE BELT/ YELLOW STRIPE/ YELLOW BELT (10th- 7th KYU) 2.00- 2.45
GREEN BELT/ PURPLE BELT (6th – 4th KYU) 3.00- 3.45
BROWN BELT (3rd- 1st KYU) 4.00 5.00
Gradings take place at Roundwood Park School in the gymnasium.
Please enter and register via the main entrance.
MEMBERSHIP BOOKS MUST BE HANDED IN NO LATER THAN 2- WEEKS BEFORE THE GRADING
LOG INTO THE MEMBERS AREA & COMPLETE AN ELECTRONIC GRADING FORM STATING CURRENT GRADE, COLOUR BELT & THE NUMBER AND COLOUR OF TAGS
Intermediate and advanced Students (6th Kyu- Green Belt & above) MUST know all aspects of their respective grading
syllabus to successfully advance to their next belt/ grade. The grading is performed under a closed door policy:
Dress Code: Clean white Gi (white vest underneath if necessary)
No Jewellery or watches, hair tied back and long nails must be cut short
Promotional group photos will be taken at the end of each grading for social media posts.
PLEASE NOTE: WHITE BELT= 10th KYU. BROWN BELT WITH BLACK TAGS= 1st KYU!
HKC (OBI) BELT SYSTEM
GRADE BELT (OBI)
| 10th KYU | White Belt | |
| 9th KYU | Yellow Belt | White Stripe |
| 8th KYU | Yellow Belt | White Stripe Green Tag |
| 7th KYU | Yellow Belt | |
| 6th KYU | Green Belt | White Stripe (under 8) |
| 5th KYU | Green Belt | 1 Purple Tag |
| Green Belt | 2 Purple Tags | |
| 4th KYU | Purple Belt | |
| Purple Belt | 1 Brown Tag | |
| 3rd KYU | Brown Belt | White Stripe (under 8) |
| Brown Belt |
1 White Tag 2 White Tags 3 White Tags 4 White Tags |
|
| 2nd KYU | Brown Belt |
1 Red Tag 2 Red Tags 3 Red Tags 4 Red Tags |
| 1st KYU | Brown Belt |
1 Black Tag 2 Black Tags 3 Black Tags 4 Black Tags |
| Shodan-Ho | Black Belt (Kuro) | White Stripe |
| 1st DAN | Black Belt | 1 Bar |
| 2nd DAN | Black Belt | 2 Bars |
| 3rd DAN | Black Belt | 3 Bars |
| 4th DAN | Black Belt | 4 Bars |
White | 10th Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 12 lessons to 9th Kyu |
Yellow Stripe | 9th Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 12 lessons to 8th Kyu |
Green Tag | 8th Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 12 lessons to 7th Kyu |
Solid Yellow | 7th Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 16 lessons to 6th Kyu |
Green | 6th Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 20 lessons to 5th Kyu |
Purple Tag | 5th Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 24 lessons to 4th Kyu |
Solid Purple | 4th Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 30 lessons to 3rd Kyu |
Brown/ White Tag | 3rd Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 30 lessons to 2nd Kyu |
Brown/ Red Tag | 2nd Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 30 lessons to 1st Kyu |
Brown/ Black Tag | 1st Kyu | Minimum usually 4 months and 30 lessons to 1st Dan |
Goju Ryu Katas (forms)
| Kata Name & Description | Japanese | Image |
|---|---|---|
|
Gekisai dai ichi (Attack & Smash I) Geki means “attack” and Sai means “smash”. As a compound, Dai Ichi means “the first” or “number one”. |
擊碎第一 |
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Gekisai dai ni (Attack & Smash II) Builds on Gekisai Dai Ichi and adds open-hand movements and breathing control. |
擊碎第二 |
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Sanchin (Three Battles) Represents unity of mind, body, and spirit with powerful stance and breathing. |
三戰 |
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Tensho (Rotating Palms) A softer kata emphasizing breathing, hand techniques, and circular motion. |
轉掌 |
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Saifa (Smash & Destroy) Teaches escaping grabs and countering with explosive power. |
碎破 |
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Seiyunchin (Control & Pull in Battle) Focuses on grappling and strong stances for controlling an opponent. |
制引戰 |
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Sanseirun (36 hands) San means “three”, Sei means “ten” and Ru means “six” |
三十六手 |
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Shisochin (Four Direction Battle) Combines linear and circular movements from four directions. |
四向戰 |
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Sepai (18 hands) Techniques emphasize control, leverage, and complex movement. |
十八手 |
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Seisan (13 hands) Combines offensive and defensive techniques for close-range combat. |
十三手 |
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Kururunfa (Control for a Long Time and Suddenly Defeat) Uses speed, control, and sudden power shifts. |
久留頓破 |
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Suparinpei (108 Hands) Represents the highest level of Goju-Ryu kata; ultimate expression of technique. |
壱百零八手 |
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