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Belt Rank Requirements



I would like to personally thank Sensei Tony Damigo, of the Kern Valley Defensive Arts Dojo, for creating the format for the Individual Belt Rank Requirements below.


Individual Belt Rank Requirements - updated 9/07

Belt Rank Guidelines
Below are basic guidelines for the attitude, general knowledge, and physical performance phase of the kyu grade examinations. This information is provided as an example of the candidates requirements. Actual requirements are listed in the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Student Handbook.
 
NEW STUDENT - WHITE BELT

Attitude
  • arrives to class early enough to help set up mats (if needed), and to take care of any other business
  • has good regular attendance
  • learns and follow safety rules
  • brings their student handbook to class
  • keep self clean and wears clean clothing to class [ Yellow Belts and up must ware the appropriate kiko gi (judo styled uniform) ]
  • begins to learn and applies proper etiquette in dealing with upper ranks
  • attempts to make-up for any absence by spending extra time on the mats, before or after class
  • remains after class to put away the mats (if needed), and any other materials
General Knowledge
  • None:
Physical Performance:
  • None:
 
SHICHIKYU - [7th kyu] - YELLOW BELT]*

A "formal" Yellow Belt core of techniques has recently been initiated in some Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Dojo to increase student retention. This grade was created to go over certain basic moves and simple techniques which would be easy for the new student to learn and retain, thus resulting in a greater retention of new students. This idea seems to be working.

Students following the home study course should start with the Green Belt requirements below as they contain almost all of the Yellow Belt requirements.

Candidates must meet all White Belt requirements, plus:

Attitude
  • maintains a notebook of instructional materials, exams, and personal record
  • continues to learn proper etiquette in dealing with upper ranks
  • provides a proper example for lower ranked students to follow
  • helps White Belts learn how to ware the gi properly
  • serves willingly as a uke (partner ) for lower ranked students
  • optionally participates in out-of-class activities [e.g., tournaments]
General Knowledge
  • Can tie the obi (belt) correctly.
  • Can show the proper "formal" way to roll the gi (uniform) for storage.
  • Can count from 1 to 10 in Japanese.
  • Knows the ten basic situations in which a student should bow.
  • Can define "Ju-Jitsu" very briefly.
Physical Performance:
 
ROKYU - [6th kyu] - GREEN BELT] *

Candidates must meet all White Belt requirements, plus:

Attitude
  • maintains a notebook of instructional materials, exams, and personal record
  • continues to learn proper etiquette in dealing with upper ranks
  • provides a proper example for lower ranked students to follow
  • helps White Belts learn how to ware the gi properly
  • serves willingly as a uke (partner ) for lower ranked students
  • participates in out-of-class activities [e.g., tournaments]
General Knowledge
  • Can tie the obi (belt) correctly.
  • Can show the proper "formal" way to roll the gi (uniform) for storage.
  • Can count from 1 to 10 in Japanese.
  • Knows the ten basic situations in which a student should bow.
  • Can define "Ju-Jitsu" very briefly.
Physical Performance:
 
GOKYU - [5th kyu] - BLUE BELT

Candidates must meet all Rokyu requirements, plus:

Attitude
  • participates in out-of-class activities [e.g., clinics, tournaments, demonstrations]
General Knowledge
  • is able to explain proper etiquette and behavior in dealing with higher ranks and Black Belts.
Physical Performance:
 
YONKYU - [4th kyu] - PURPLE BELT

Candidates must meet all Gokyu requirements, plus:
Attitude
  • helps lower ranking students learn techniques by giving individual help and encouragement
  • encourages lower ranked students to participate or assist in out-of-class activities
General Knowledge
  • Explain the general differences between Judo, Karate, Aikido, and Ju-Jitsu.
Physical Performance:
     
SANKYU - [3rd kyu] - BROWN BELT / GREEN STRIPE *

Candidates must meet all Shikyu requirements, plus:

Attitude
  • supervises setting up and removal of the mats (when applicable) as well as other material for the class
  • assumes some clerical or supervisory duties, [e.g. attendance]
General Knowledge
  • Show sensitive points and nerves on the human body.
  • Explain the relative advantages/disadvantages of Judo, Karate, Aikido, and Ju-Jitsu.
  • Define Ju-Jitsu (at length).
  • Explain the philosophy of Ju-Jitsu.
  • Explain Circle Theory.
  • Explain the use of Ki in Ju-Jitsu.
  • Explain the 5 steps of learning.
  • Explain your responsibility to a lower ranked classmates.
  • Explain how one develops agility and flexibility.
  • Explain the Tori's relationship to the Uke.
  • Know what 4 actions make up a complete Ju-Jitsu technique.
Physical Performance:
* Purple Belt / white stripe is sometimes awarded under special circumstances (in lieu of a Sankyu - Brown Belt)
     
NIKYU - BROWN BELT / with  BLACK STRIPE

Candidates must meet all Sankyu requirements, plus:
Attitude
  • See Attitude section for Sankyu Brown Belt
General Knowledge
  • See General Knowledge section for Sankyu Brown Belt
Physical Performance:
     
IKKYU - BROWN BELT / with  BLUE STRIPE

Candidates must meet all Sankyu and Nikyu requirements, plus:
Attitude
  • supervises and instructs small groups [or class] of lower ranked students
  • assumes some clerical or supervisory duties on a regular basis
  • attends regional meetings on a regular basis
  • secures certification as a tournament or mat referee
  • Also See: Attitude section for Sankyu Brown Belt
General Knowledge
  • Is certified as a mat referee
  • Explain to the best of the candidates knowledge:
        Aiki............    Budoshin........      Kiai............
        Kuzushi......    Mudansha......      Mushin.......
        Random.....    Saki Tanden....     Sutemi.......
        Yudansha...
Physical Performance:
     
SHODAN - BLACK BELT [1st Degree]
Candidates must must meet all Ikkyu requirements, plus:
  • SHODAN
    For specific belt rank requirements please refer to the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai's Black Belt Handbook, 3rd edition, effective 7/1/07.
  • NIDAN [2nd degree] & HIGHER:
    Nidan and higher Yudansha {Please refer to the National Black Belt Board criteria in the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai's Black Belt Handbook.
  • Effective July 1, 2007, there are additional specific kata and waza requirements, weapon training requirements, and theory demonstration requirements, which will be phased in over the next three years for Shodan through Godan yudansha grades. These are specified in the Budoshin Ju-jitsu Black Belt Handbook, 3rd edition, effective 7/1/07.
                                     
ROKUDAN [6th degree] & HIGHER
The optional 'masters belt' may be worn by Yudansha holding the rank of 6th degree Black Belt, or higher.
  • For specific belt rank requirements please refer to the National Black Belt Board criteria in the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu Yudanshakai's Black Belt Handbook, or American Ju-Jitsu Association's Dojo Handbook

 
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KATA required For for kyu grade Students
Below is a CORE list of Forms needed for promotional advancement. This is ONLY a partial representation of the Kata presented in the Budoshin Ju-Jitsu syllabus. Please keep in mind that each Kata listed below will have several variations. The longer you study, the more variations you will learn.

 
   Mae Ukemi (forward roll fall - remain on ground)
   Yoko Ukemi (side fall - remain on ground)
   Ushiro Ukemi (backward fall - remain on ground)
   Te No Tatake (blocking hits, right, left, up, down, across)
   Juji (cross blocking high & low))
   Tekubi Shimi Waza [wristlock technique]
   Te Tatake (striking techniques - various)
   Te Nage (basic hand throw)
   Osoto Gari (outer sweeping rear throw)
   Ude Guruma Ushiro (Shoulderlock rear takedown)
        Mae Ukemi (forward roll fall - up to ready position)
        Ushiro Ukemi (backward roll fall - up to ready position)
        Koshi Nage (basic hip throw)
        Tai-Otoshi (basic drop throw)
        Shioku Waza (nerve technique)
             Ippon Seol Nage (one arm hip throw)
             Yubi Nage (finger throw)
             Ude Guruma Makikomi (Armbar winding throw)
             Ude Guruma (corkscrew)
             Hiji Waza (elbow technique)
             Shioku Waza (nerve technique)
             Kubi Nage (neck throw)
             Tekubi Shimi Waza (wristlock technique)
                  Harai Goshi (outer sweeping hip throw)
                  Hane Goshi (inner sweeping hip throw)
                  Tomoe Nage (stomach throw)
                  Uki Otoshi (floating drop throw)
                  Makikomi [body winding throw] 
                  Hiki Yoko Nage (sleeve pivot throw)
                  Eri Nage (lapel wheel throw)
                  Ushiro Nage (leg lift rear throw)
                       Ura Nage (rear throw)
                       Ouchi Gari (inner sweeping rear throw)
                       Ude Guruma Ushiro (armbar shoulder lock rear takedown)
                       Te Waza (hand technique)
                       Ashi Waza (leg, ankle or foot technique)
                       Ashi Yoko Nage (foot-twist winding throw)
                       Shimi Waza (pain or strangulation technique)
                       Mae Yubi Nage (forward finger throw]
                       Obi Nage (belt throw)
                       Atama Otoshi (hair grab drop throw)
                       Senaka Hiki Nage (Reverse throw - shoulder pull throw)
                       Ashi Tatake (leg-strike rear takedown)
                       Kao Tatake (face attack)
                       Hidari Te Nage (left hand throw)
                            Sutemi/Suwari Waza (techniques from a formal sitting position)
                            Te Nage [Sutemi Waza] (hand throw from formal sitting position)
                            Ude Guruma Makikomi [Sutemi Waza] (armbar winding throw)
                            Tekubi Shimi Waza [Sutemi Waza] (wristlock takedown)
                            Heji Waza (body roll with elbow strike - on ground)
                            Ashi Makikomi (foot winding throw - foot stomp on ground)
                            Ura Nage (kneelock rear throw - legs pulled on ground)
                            Ago No Maki Shimi Waza (chin-turn reversing headlock - on ground)
                            Ashi Tatake (Foot-hook-body-roll elbow strike - side kick on ground)
                            Ude Guruma (armbar - reverse attempted fig.-4 armbar on ground)
                                 Mae Ude Maki [Sutemi waza] ( forward arm winding throw)

 

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WAZA required for kyu grade Students
Below is a general list of Waza (Techniques) needed for promotional advancement. These are freestyle techniques and should include a defensive response and/or loosening up technique, the actual kata, and a submission or comealong [where applicable.]

 
   Right or left hit
   Shirt grab [front: single or double]
   Release for a wrist grab [front, either one]
   Release for a body grab [around waist from rear]
   Release for a headlock
   Release for a front choke
   Handshake
        Wrist Grab [front, either one]
        Body Grab
        Headlock
        Front Choke
             Bear hug [rear]
             Rear Waist Grab
             Hair Grab
             Lapel Grab
             Wrist Grab [front, either one or both]
             Rear Shoulder Grab
             Clothing Grab
             Overhead Club
                  Double Hit [left-right or right-left]
                  Lapel Grab & Hit
                  Rear Forearm Choke [one arm]
                  Kicks (2 or more defenses)
                  Knife Attacks (2 or more defensives)
                  Rear Neck Grab
                  Rear two handed Choke
                  Club Attack [right, any direction]
                  Double Wrist Grab [front or rear]
                  Hit to Stomach
                       Single Hit (left, right, high, low)
                       Mugging Attack [from rear: one hand over mouth, other arm pulled back]
                       Roundhouse [left or right]
                       Club attack [left or right, forehand or backhand]
                       Armlock
                       Reversing a throw
                       Being Pulled (forward, backward, sideways)
                      Football Tackle
                       Hair Grabs (various)
                       Lapel Grabs (single or double)
                       Combination Holds & Attacks
                       Multiple Attackers (usually two)
                       Bear hugs (arms free, pinned, high or low)
                       Waist grabs (arms free, pinned, high or low)
                       Nelson (front or rear)
                       Knife Threat (front)
                       Chokes (various types, front or rear)
                       Shoulder Grabs (front, side, rear, single or double)
                       Baton Attacks
                       Reversing Opponent on Mat
                       Ground Defenses (apply standing techniques to ground situations)
                            Foot Stomp to Face on Ground
                            Leg Grab & Pull on Ground
                            Reverse for Headlock on Ground
                            Reverse for Attempted Figure-4 Armbar on Ground
                                 Baton Attacks (left, right, hit, thrust, push)
                                 Knife Threat at Throat (front)
                                 Knife Threat at Throat (arm around throat from rear)
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