![]() Advancement Information The World Yoshukai Karate Kobudo Organization uses seven belt colors: white, yellow-stripe, yellow, blue, green, brown, and black. Once a student tests to yellow, there are two degrees within each rank (e.g. a student will test to 1st degree yellow and then 2nd degree yellow before testing to 1st degree blue). Below is a general explanation of the expectations of each belt rank, followed by the testing requirements each student must know before being allowed to test to each rank. A Note on Attendance: It is expected that students will attend class regularly. Students may test as rapidly as every three months if their attendance and progress is excellent, with the exception of brown belt where there are 6 months (at minimum) between each test. At least 20 classes are required before testing through blue belt. Attendance requirements beyond blue belt are at least 30 classes before testing. In order to test for green belt, the student must have attended at least one WYKKO event (there are 6 each year). Thereafter, the student must have attended one additional WYKKO event per rank (i.e. by 1st degree brown belt the student must have attended at least 4 events). In all cases, eligibility for testing will be determined solely by the Head Instructor and students will be invited to test- they may not request testing. General Belt Descriptions: White Belt: During this belt, students learn the basic principles of blocking, striking, and kicking. Students learn the upper, center, and lower punches, upper, inside center, outside center, and down blocks, front kick, round kick, side kick, and front stance. Yellow Stripe Belt: During this belt, students learn the shoulder punch, pivot punch, and straddle stance as well as the basic principles of fighting and board breaking. Students further refine the basics that they learned initially as a white belt in preparation for their test to full yellow belt. This is the only intermediate belt that is recognized by the WYKKO, though there are two tests for each remaining belt. Yellow Belt: Specific Testing Requirements: Below is a list of the requirements that you will need to know before you can test to each rank. First Test: 10th kyu White Belt to 9th kyu Yellow-Stripe Belt
Forms: Ni-Ju Shichi No Kata (27 Movements) Basic Punches, Blocks, Kicks Combinations Front kick, step forward, round kick, step forward 8th kyu terminologyRound kick, skip sidekick Second Test: 9th kyu to 8th kyu Yellow Belt
Forms: Kihon Kata Shodan
Sparring Ippon Kumite 1 Combinations Front kick, step forward, round kick, step forward
Breaking - 1 hand and 1 foot techniqueRound kick, skip sidekick Step forward downblock in boubi shikodachi, reverse punch into zenkutsudachi 8th kyu terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank Third Test: 8th kyu to 7th kyu Yellow Belt Forms: Kihon Kata Nidan Kihon Kata Sandan Ippon Kumite 1 & 2 Combinations Front leg front kick, back leg front kick, step forward reverse punch
Round kick, step forward, skip sidekick, backfist
Slide forward jab, reverse punch
Breaking - 2 different foot techniques7th kyu terminology Fourth Test: 7th to 6th kyu Blue Belt Forms: Kihon Kata Yondan Zen Shin Kotai Ippon Kumite 1-3 Combinations and Slow Motion Kicks Slide forward backfist, reverse punch, round kick
Breaking - 1 foot and 1 hand and 1 flying side kick or jump front kickStep forward downblock in boubi shikodachi, reverse punch into zenkutsudachi, spin forward side kick Outside crescent kick, front kick, step forward 6th kyu terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank FifthTest: 6th to 5th kyu Blue Belt Forms: Shihohai Kihon Kata (Nunchaku) Ippon Kumite 1-4 Combinations and Slow Motion Kicks Front foot round kick, skip side kick, reverse punch
Breaking - 2 board side kick, 1 hand technique, 1 jump front kickDouble round kick, step forward, skip hook kick Slide forward jab, reverse punch, hook with forward hand, uppercut with back hand 5th kyu terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank Sixth Test: 5th to 4th kyu Green Belt Forms: Seisan Kihon Kata Shodan (Nunchaku) Ippon Kumite 1-5 Combinations and Slow Motion Kicks Knee block, back fist, reverse punch, front kick, jump front kick
Breaking - 2 board side kick, 1 hand technique, 1 back spinning kick (crescent, side, hook, etc.)Slide forward spearhand strike, grab, knee strike, front kick, step forward Slide forward jab, reverse punch, ridge hand, back spinning side kick 4th kyu terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank Seventh Test: 4th kyu to 3rd kyu Green Belt Forms: Kihon Kata Shodan (Bo) 5 Self Defense Techniques Combinations and Slow Motion Kicks Front kick, spinning back hook kick, round kick (all same foot)
Breaking - 2 board back spinning side kick, 2 board side kick, 1 hand techniqueFront kick, flying side kick, reverse punch Slide back, downblock in boubi shikodach, backfist, reverse punch into zenkutsudachi, ridge hand, forward spinning hook kick 3rd kyu terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank Eighth Test: 3rd kyu to 2nd kyu Brown Belt Forms: Niseishi Kihon Kata Nidan (Bo) Zen Shin Kotai (Sai) 5 Self Defense Techniques Combinations Slide forward, back fist, step forward, knifehand strike, back spinning backfist
Breaking - 2 board side kick, 1 back spinning hook kick, 1 hand technique, 1 flying side or jump front kickRound kick, tornado kick, backfist, reverse punch Slide back, outside center block in boubi shikodach, back fist, reverse punch, front spinning hook kick/round kick, step forward 2nd kyu terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank Ninth Test: 2nd to 1st kyu Brown Belt Forms: Rohai Sho Kihon Kata Sandan (Bo) Shihohai (Sai) 5 Self Defense Techniques Combinations Round kick, spinning crescent kick, backfist, reverse punch
Breaking - 2 board side kick, 1 back spinning kick, 1 flying side or jump front kick, 1 hand techniqueGrab, step forward, elbow strike, step forward into scissor stance, rolling back fist Front kick, back kick, forward spinning side kick (all with same leg without putting foot down) 1st kyu terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank First Degree Black Belt Test: 1st kyu to Shodan Forms: Rohai Sho (Sai) Yoshu (Nunchaku) 5 Self Defense Techniques with 2 attackers 5 Combinations with 5 different techniques each (one spinning or jumping kick in each) Breaking - 2 different hand techniques, 2 board stationary kick, 1 spinning back hook kick, 1 jump front kick Shodan terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank Second Degree Black Belt Test: Shodan to Nidan Forms: Rohai Dai Tenshin Mugen Bassai Chinto Rohai Dai (Sai) Mugen (Sai) Bassai (Sai) Shounnokon (Bo) 5 Self Defense Techniques with 2 attackers 5 Combinations with 5 different techniques each (one spinning or jumping kick in each) Breaking - 2 different stationary kicks, 2 different spinning kicks, 1 jump kick, 1 hand technique Nidan terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank Third Degree Black Belt Test: Nidan to Sandan Forms: Sochin Yosei No Kata (Sai) Yoshu Dai (Nunchaku) Tensho (Tonfa) Bo tai Sai 1-5 5 Self Defense Techniques with 2 attackers 5 Combinations with 5 different techniques each (one spinning or jumping kick in each) Breaking - 5 techniques Sandan terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank Fourth Degree Black Belt Test: Sandan to Yondan Forms: San Shi Ryu Bo tai Bo Bo tai Sai 6 Iai 1-6 5 Self Defense Techniques with 2 attackers 5 Combinations with 5 different techniques each (one spinning or jumping kick in each) Breaking - 5 techniques Yondan terminology Plus all requirements for previous rank |