karate belt ranking system in ur academy

[karatekid]

i was wondering wot different belt ranking systems there are
our academy's is

Red
White
Yellow<--- i am
Orange
Green
Purple
Blue
Brown
Brown belt black stripe
Black belt

1st Dan
2nd Dan
3rd Dan
4th Dan
5th Dan
6th Dan
And so on

please tell me yours andur rank
thx

[KenpoDavid]

white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, brown 1, brown 2, brown 3, black.

I am curerntly purple, hopefully blue by the end of the year (and then I can wear a black gi).

[Cain]

White
Green
Orange
Blue
Purple - I am here
Brown 4
Brown 3
Brown 2
Brown 1
Black
Confirmation for black ie 1st Dan
Black goes uptil 10th degree

|Cain|

[Saz]

White
1st Red
2nd Red
1st Blue
2nd Blue
1st Yellow
2nd Yellow <--- my grade
1st Green
2nd Green
1st Brown
2nd Brown
1st Black

Black belts are graded up to 3rd Dan. Some systems of Kyokushin in the UK replace the red belts with an orange belt.

[FrankCefalu]

now do these belt rankings change due to style or individual choice by the dojo?

[Knight_Errant]

yes

[FrankCefalu]

bah KE u bum lol

[Afro]

hey the belt ranking at my dojo goes
white
red
blue
yellow
green
brown
black

[Shou Tu]

Belts well the belts in my style are merely there to appease the masses. but they are ranked by half belts.

I.E. White then when you are half way to yellow you test and get white belt with a yellow stipe. in my case it would be Blue with a green Stripe in the middle of the belt running full length.

Hmm
White
Yellow
Orange
Purple
Blue<------ my belt right around this belt depending on student a red belt can be given to the student to show they are now an instructor to the belts under their knowledge. until they get black that is the belt they would wear.

Green
Brown 1st
Brown 2nd
Black
then Black is broken down into the seven animals taught in our system. not in any order Bear, Tiger, Mongoose, Mantis, Crane, Cobra, Dragon. essentially upon many yrs you could become a 7th degree once all were mastered as one complimenting the other 8th Degree Da' Shifu. This art is one art not several placed together to say they are one art.

[Goju]

the kids classes have a lot more belts than the 14+ class but in my class (Im 14) we have....

white
yellow
orange
green
blue
brown
black
yep, thats it.
How about we add how long it takes to advance to each belt (on average and only up to before brown) because ,like mine, some dojos have fewer belt levels, but they take a long time to get through each. Most people take about 1/2 to 3/4 of a year to get to yellow from white at my dojo. Some take up to a year and a half from yellow to orange.

[tai-gip]

white
light blue
medium blue
dark blue
light brown
dark brown
black
grey
light green
gold
each sash has 0,1,2 stages all with those ever enjoyable ("pay money now") gradings excluding gold
and they consider black equivelant of 1st dan :)

[tai-gip]

Wing Chun
Grading Structure

Level 1 Grade 1; Level 1 Grade 2; Level 2 Grade 0; Level 2 Grade 1; Level 2 Grade 2; Level 3 Grade 0; Level 3 Grade 1; Level 3 Grade 2; Level 4 Grade 0; Level 4 Grade 1; Level 4 Grade 2; Level 5 Grade 0; Level 5 Grade 1; Level 5 Grade 2; Level 6 Grade 0; Level 6 Grade 1; Level 6 Grade 2; Level 7 Grade 0; Level 7 Grade 1; Level 7 Grade 2; Level 8 Grade 0; Level 8 Grade 1; Level 8 Grade 2; Level 9 Grade 0; Level 10 Intructor; References; Technique Drills

LEVEL ONE GRADE 1
White sash - 1 logo
1. Neutral stance
2. Neutral side stance
3. Wing Chun fist left and right
4. Wing Chun guard left and right
5. Pak Sao (Inward diagonal and parallel armed)
a) left b) right
6. Pak Sao punch (Inward diagonal parallel armed)
a) left b) right
7. Half front step left and right
8. Roll punch ( three)
9. Shil Lim Tao - opening to form fist
10. Numeric punches 1 to 3
11. Benefit - 1. Improve self discipline
12. The pledge- I believe constant practising of the art of Traditional Wing Chun will enable me to transcend to a higher mental and physical level. I shall show respect for the Art, Grandmaster Cheung, Sifu, Siheng and Sidai. I shall employ my utmost tolerance and consideration when dealing with people and matters in and outside the Academy.

LEVEL ONE GRADE 2
White sash - 2 logos
1. Wing Chun guard - switching a) left to right b) right to left
2. Half side step; Left and Right
3. Half side step Pak Sao (block straight punch); Left and Right
4. Half front step; Left and Right
5. Half front step Pak Sao; Left and Right
6. Larp Sao - on Neutral Stance; Left and Right
7. Half front step - Pak Sao, punch and roll punch; Left and Right
8. Half front step - Larp Sao, punch and roll punch; Left And Right
9. Shil Lim Tao - opening - Tan Sao and Wu Sao
10. Principles of Wing Chun - 1. Guard the Centre
11. Benefits 1 & 2: 1. Improves self discipline; 2. Improves self-confidence.

LEVEL TWO GRADE 0
Light blue sash - no logo
1. Drills for eye
2. Watching elbow drills
3. Full side step
4. Full side step, Pak Sao punch and roll punch
5. Larp Sao punch, Pak Sao punch and roll punch
a) half side step (defence) b) half front step (attack)
6. Pak Sao punch, Larp Sao punch and roll punch
a) half side step (defence) b) half front step (attack)
7. Numeric punches 1 - 5
8. First part of Shil Lim Tao
9. Chinese counting 1 to 10
10. History of Wing Chun in brief
11. Benefits 1 to 3: 1 . Improves self discipline; 2. Improves self-confidence; 3. Improves self esteem.
12. Principles 1 & 2: 1. Centre line; 2. Train to use two arms at the same time.

LEVEL TWO GRADE 1
Light blue sash - 1 logo
1. Drills:
a) Bil Sao and punch
b) Half front step and roll punch
c) Sidestep - Pak Sao and roll punch

2. Form :
Shil Lim Tao to Gum Sao section.

3. Techniques:
a) Grab to arm - flick to eyes, Pak Sao and roll punch
b) Against round punch
i) Larp Sao punch and roll punch on parallel side
ii) Pak Sao punch and roll punch on cross arm side
c) Offensive
i) Larp Sao punch and roll punch on parallel side
ii) Pak Sao punch and roll punch on cross arm side
4. Pledge recital
5. Benefits 1 to 4: 1 . Improves self discipline; 2. Improves self-confidence; 3. Improves self esteem; 4. Improves respect for others.
6. Principles 1 to 3: 1. Centre line; 2. Train to use two arms at the same time; 3. Avoid fighting force with force.

LEVEL TWO GRADE 2
Light blue sash - 2 logos
1. Drills:
a) Numeric punch with front step
b) Tan Sao and roll punch
c) Forward and backward full step with roll punch
d) Kan Sao and roll punch
2. Form:
Shil Lim Tao to Tarn Sao section
3. Techniques
a) Low round punch:
i) cross leg - Kan Sao and punch with roll punch
ii) parallel leg - Kan Sao and punch with roll punch
b) Straight punch:
i) Larp Sao and punch with roll punch (from side neutral parallel leg)
ii) Pak Sao and punch with roll punch (from side neutral cross leg)
c) Offensive - with half step forward:
i) cross leg - Larp Sao and punch with roll punch
ii) parallel leg - Pak Sao and punch with roll punch
d) Shoulder grab - eye flick and roll punch
4. Chinese terminology
5. Benefits 1 to 5: 1 . Improves self discipline; 2. Improves self-confidence; 3. Improves self esteem; 4. Improves respect for others; 5. Improves reflexes and co-ordination.
6. Principles 1 to 4.: 1. Centre line; 2. Train to use two arms at the same time; 3. Avoid fighting force with force; 4. Watch the elbow.

LEVEL THREE GRADE 0
Medium blue sash - no logo
1. Drills:
a) Jut Sao / punch and roll punch
b) Half front step - Jut Sao / punch and roll punch
c) Pak Sao / punch and roll punch
d) Pak Sao / punch and roll punch
Bil Sao / front kick and roll punch
2. Form:
Shil Lim Tao to second Pak Sao

3. Techniques:
a) Double round punch - high and low
i) parallel arm - Bil Sao and Kan Sao with roll punch
ii) cross arm - Pak Sao and Bil Sao with roll punch

b) Round punch
i) parallel arm - Bil Sao, front kick from half side step (from side neutral)
ii) cross arm - Pak Sao, front kick and step forward with roll punch

c) Lower round punch - Garn Sao and Garn Sao and punch with roll punch

d) Front choke with 2 hands - step back with eye flick, Pak Sao

4. Wing Chun general strategy in combat

5. Benefits 1 to 6: 1 . Improves self discipline; 2. Improves self confidence; 3. Improves self esteem; 4. Improves respect for others; 5. Improves reflexes and co-ordination; 6. Improve eye focusing.

6. Principles 1 to 5: 1. Centre line; 2. Train to use two arms at the same time; 3. Avoid fighting force with force; 4. Watch the elbow; 5. Use linear striking action.



LEVEL THREE GRADE 1
Medium blue sash - 1 logo


1. Drills:
a) Tan and punch b) Bil and front kick

2. Form:
Shil Lim Tao to Tan / Kan

3. Techniques:
a) against front kick - Pak Sao block, Larp Sao and roll punch
b) against Low round - Kan Sao, punch and roll punch
c) offensive -
i) parallel side - step forward, pin elbow with Pak Sao, punch and roll punch
ii) cross side - step forward, Larp Sao to pin elbow, punch and roll punch
d) self defence techniques:
against head lock
i) jab to the eye and elbow to the solar plexus
ii) bring the arm behind the attacker, grab to the hair or the eye, and strike to the throat

4. Chinese terminology

5. Benefits 1 to 7: 1 . Improves self discipline; 2. Improves self confidence; 3. Improves self esteem; 4. Improves respect for others; 5. Improves reflexes and co-ordination; 6. Improve eye focusing; 7. Improves contact reflexes (Chi Sao).

6. Principles 1 to 6: 1. Protect the centre line; 2. Train to use two arms at the same time; 3. Avoid fighting force with force; 4. Watch the elbow; 5. Use linear striking action; 6. Uses pressure points to make striking techniques more effective.



LEVEL THREE GRADE 2
Medium blue sash - 2 logos


1. Drills:
Bon and Larp punch Pak Sao --> Tan Sao
Pak and Bil Sao Pak Sao --> Bon Sao --> Larp Sao

2. Form:
Shil Lim Two to Bon / reverse palm

3. Techniques:

a) Tan Sao against Round punch and roll punch
b) Grab from behind - Larp to elbow / kick roll punch
c) Pak Sao / Bil Sao against round punch
d) Bil Sao / Pak Sao against round punch
e) Kan Sao block against front kick and roll punch

4. Benefits 1 to 8: 1 . Improves self discipline; 2. Improves self confidence; 3. Improves self esteem; 4. Improves respect for others; 5. Improves reflexes and co-ordination; 6. Improves eye focusing; 7. Improves contact reflexes (Chi Sao); 8. Improves speed and power.

5. Principles 1 to 7: 1. Protect the centre line; 2. Train to use two arms at the same time; 3. Avoid fighting force with force; 4. Watch the elbow; 5. Uses linear striking action; 6. Uses pressure points to make striking techniques more effective; 7. All exercises in Wing Chun are linked with the development of internal energy (Chi).



LEVEL FOUR GRADE 0
Dark blue sash - no logo


1. Drills:
Kan punch Bil --> Pak and kick
Entry technique Bil --> Bil and kick

2. Form:
Shil Lim Tao Low Bil Sao - finish

3. Entry Techniques:
a) Bon Sao against straight punch
b) Larp Sao and roll punch
c) Head lock - thumb to eye, slip behind
d) Low Bon against front kick

4. Benefits 1 to 10: 1. Improves self discipline; 2. Improves self confidence; 3. Improves self esteem; 4. Improves respect for others; 5. Improves reflexes and co-ordination; 6. Improves eye focusing; 7. Improves contact reflexes (Chi Sao); 8. Improves speed and power; 9. Improves fitness and relieves stress; 10. Get along better with friends and family.

5. Principles 1 to 8: 1. Protect the centre line; 2. Train to use two arms at the same time; 3. Avoid fighting force with force; 4. Watch the elbow; 5. Use linear striking action; 6. Uses pressure points to make striking techniques more effective; 7. All exercises in Wing Chun are linked with the development of internal energy (Chi); 8. Uses the same meridian pressure points as treatment of sports injuries.



LEVEL FOUR GRADE 1
Dark blue sash - 1 logo


1. Advanced Shil Lim Tao - first
Stretching - splits

2. Drills:
Side kick
a) low side kick on neutral
b) low round kick on front stance

Round kick
a) low round kick on neutral
b) low round kick on front stance

One arm Chi Sao
a) roll
b) Jut Sao routine and counter
Entry techniques:
a) parallel side to blind side (opponent stationary)
b) parallel side to open side (opponent stationary)

3. Character of Wing Chun 1 : 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force.

4. Strategy 1: 1. Use the centre line, therefore force opponent to use the outside path.



LEVEL FOUR GRADE 2
Dark blue sash - 2 logos


1. Shil Lim Tao - second

2. Drills:

Bon Sao --> Larp Sao - roll punch
Bon Sao --> Tan Sao --> punch

Side kick
a) medium side kick from neutral stance
b) medium side kick from front stance

a) medium round kick from neutral stance
b) medium round kick from front stance

a) routine
b) Pak Sao routine and counter

a) cross side to blind side (opponent stationary)
b) cross side to open side (opponent stationary)

3. Character of Wing Chun 1 & 2: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second).

4. Strategy 1 & 2: 1. Use the centre line and therefore force the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Control the opponent's blind side.



LEVEL FIVE GRADE 0
Light brown sash - no logo


1. Shil Lim Tao - third

2. Drills:
Bon Sao / Larp Sao drill with round punches
Bon Sao / Larp Sao drill against high and low punches

a) medium side kick, front stance step in
b) medium side kick, front stance step back

a) medium round kick, step in
b) medium round kick, step back

a) Chi Sao - blindfolded
b) blindfolded

a) parallel to blind (opponent punch)
parallel to opponent (opponent punch)

b) cross to blind (opponent punch)
cross to opponent (opponent punch)

3. Character of Wing Chun 1 to 3: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second); 3. Teaches you to use two arms at the same time.

4. Strategy 1 to 3: 1. Use the centre line and therefore force the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Control the opponent's blind side; 3. Attack the opponent's balance.



LEVEL FIVE GRADE 1
Light brown sash - 1 logo


1. Chum Kil - first part to left 3 palm strike

2. Drills:
Side Kick
a) high side kick neutral stance
b) high round kick neutral stance

Chi Sao double
a) predetermined routine
b) rolling in x 2, out x 2
c) cross side Chi Sao

3. Techniques:
a) against front kick Pak
b) round double Pak
c) side kick - Kan Sao inside and low front kick

Counter against jab and cross - Pak (outside) and Tuen
High round and low round
a) Bil and Jut

4. Wooden Dummy:
1 - 3 movements

5. Character of Wing Chun 1 to 4: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second); 3. Teaches you to use two arms at the same time; 4. Develops contact reflexes by Chi Sao exercise.

6. Strategy 1 to 4: 1. Uses the centre line and therefore forces the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Controls the opponent's blind side; 3. Attacks the opponent's balance; 4. Attack the opening.



LEVEL FIVE GRADE 2
Light brown sash - 2 logos


1. Chum Kil - first part to left Bon Larp

2. Drills:
a) high side kick, step in
b) high round kick, step in

a) Fok to Larp.
b) counter against, step forward and palm strike.
c) parallel side Chi Sao

a) Kan
b) Tan and Pak

Gum Sao
outside and low round kick

Pak (inside) and Larp
Pak (cross) and Kan (parallel)

3. Wooden Dummy:
4 - 7 movements

4. Character of Wing Chun 1 to 5: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second); 3. Teaches you to use two arms at the same time; 4. Develops contact reflexes by Chi Sao exercise; 5. Teaches watching the leading elbow and knee.

5. Strategy 1 to 5: 1. Uses the centre line and therefore force the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Controls the opponent's blind side; 3. Attacks the opponent's balance; 4. Attack the opening; 5. Trap the leading elbow.



LEVEL SIX GRADE 0
Dark brown sash - no logo


1. Chum Kil - first part, left and right.

2. Drills:
a) high side kick, step to side
b) high round kick, step beside

a) Tan to Larp
b) counter against elbow strike from Bon
c) hand touching

a) leg block
b) double palm and leg break

Pak Sao and Kan Sao

Bil and Tan
Bon and Gum

3. Wooden Dummy:
8 - 10 movements

4. Character of Wing Chun 1 to 6: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second); 3. Teaches you to use two arms at the same time; 4. Develops contact reflexes by Chi Sao exercise; 5. Teaches watching the leading elbow and knee; 6. Simple and easy to learn.

5. Strategy 1 to 6: 1. Uses the centre line and therefore forces the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Controls the opponent's blind side; 3. Attack the opponent's balance; 4. Attack the opening; 5. Trap the leading elbow; 6. Pin the arms from the blind side.



LEVEL SIX GRADE 1
Dark brown sash - 1 logo


1. Chum Kil - first and left side second part

2. Drills:
a) front kick
ball of foot
b) side kick
snap - low
thrust - low
c) round kick
ball - low
instep - low

3. Chi Sao - random

4. Wooden Dummy
11 - 14 movements

5. Techniques:
Against Round Punch
at side stance i) high ii) low

Against Front Kick
at side stance i) cross (inside) kick

Against Side Kick
at side stance i) Kan inside (front kick) ii) Kan outside (low round kick)

Against Round Kick
at side stance i) Pak (cross) and front kick ii) high Bon (parallel) and roll punch

Entry Techniques
a) parallel
b) parallel - opponent steps back

6. Self Defence
Attack from behind

7. Cross arm Chi Sao - random

8. History and philosophy

9. Character of Wing Chun 1 to 7: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second); 3. Teaches you to use two arms at the same time; 4. Develops contact reflexes by Chi Sao exercise; 5. Teaches watching the leading elbow and knee; 6. Simple and easy to learn; 7. Uses pressure points to make striking techniques more effective.

10. Strategy 1 to 7: 1. Uses the centre line and therefore forces the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Controls the opponent's blind side; 3. Attack the opponent's balance; 4. Attack the opening; 5. Trap the leading elbow; 6. Pin the arms from the blind side; 7. Keep moving. Don't present a steady target for your opponent.



LEVEL SIX GRADE 2
Dark brown sash - 2 logos


1. Chum Kil - first and left and right, second part

2. Drills:
a) front kick
heel
b) side kick
snap - medium
thrust - medium
c) right kick
ball - medium
instep - medium

3. Chi Sao

4. Wooden Dummy
15 - 17 movements

5. Techniques:

Against Round Punch
at front stance, parallel i) high
ii) low

Against Front Kick
at front stance, parallel i) knee block

Against Side Kick
at front stance, parallel i) step back and cross

Against Round Kick
at front stance, parallel side i) high Bon and roll punch

Entry Techniques
a) cross side
b) cross side, opponent steps back

6. Self Defence
Attack from left side

7. Cross arm Chi Sao - random

8. History and philosophy

9. Character of Wing Chun 1 to 8: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second); 3. Teaches you to use two arms at the same time; 4. Develops contact reflexes by Chi Sao exercise; 5. Teaches watching the leading elbow and knee; 6. Simple and easy to learn; 7. Uses pressure points to make striking techniques more effective; 8. Teaches the treatment of sports injuries.

10. Strategy 1 to 8: 1. Uses the centre line and therefore forces the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Controls the opponent's blind side; 3. Attack the opponent's balance; 4. Attack the opening; 5. Trap the leading elbow; 6. Pin the arms from the blind side; 7. Keep moving. Don't present a steady target for your opponent; 8. Use elbow in close quarters, use palm or fist in the next distance; use kick with front foot on further distance; use rear foot in furthest distance.



LEVEL SEVEN GRADE 0
Black sash - no logo


1. Chum Kil - first and second part

2. Drills:
a) front kick
whole foot
top of foot
b) side kick
snap - high
thrust - high
c) round kick
ball - high
instep - high

3. Chi Sao - random

4. Wooden Dummy
18 - 20 movements

5. Techniques:

Against Round Punch
at front stance i) high - Jut and kick
ii) low - Gum and kick

Against Front Kick
at front stance, cross i) Kan and roll punches

Against Side Kick
at front stance, cross i) Kan Sao and roll punches

Against Round Kick
at front stance, cross side i) double Pak and knee break

Entry Techniques
a) parallel - punch while moving in
b) parallel side - opponent steps back and kicks

6. Self Defence
Attack from right side

7. Cross arm Chi Sao - random

8. History and philosophy

9. Character of Wing Chun 1 to 9: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second); 3. Teaches you to use two arms at the same time; 4. Develops contact reflexes by Chi Sao exercise; 5. Teaches watching the leading elbow and knee; 6. Simple and easy to learn; 7. Uses pressure points to make striking techniques more effective; 8. Teaches the treatment of sports injuries; 9. Principle of using two arms extended to Butterfly Swords.

10. Strategy 1 to 9: 1. Uses the centre line and therefore forces the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Controls the opponent's blind side; 3. Attack the opponent's balance; 4. Attack the opening; 5. Trap the leading elbow; 6. Pin the arms from the blind side; 7. Keep moving. Don't present a steady target for your opponent; 8. Use elbow in close quarters, use palm or fist in the next distance; use kick with front foot on further distance; use rear foot in furthest distance; 9. Use entry technique.



LEVEL SEVEN GRADE 1
Black sash - 1 logo




1. Chum Kil
left and right Tuen Larp Sao

2. Kicks:
a) front and low side kick
b) low round and high round

3. Chi Sao
a) single handed blindfold
i) predetermined
ii) random

3. Techniques against:
a) side kick
b) round kick

4. Entry techniques:
opponent step side round kick

5. History and philosophy and theory.

6. Cross Arm Chi Sao
blindfold

7. Self defence:
against knife overhead

8. Character of Wing Chun 1 to 10: 1. Developed by a woman. Suited for people who don't want to use brute force; 2. Uses straight punches (can achieve up to 8 punches per second); 3. Teaches you to use two arms at the same time; 4. Develops contact reflexes by Chi Sao exercise; 5. Teaches watching the leading elbow and knee; 6. Simple and easy to learn; 7. Uses pressure points to make striking techniques more effective; 8. Teaches the treatment of sports injuries; 9. Principle of using two arms extended to Butterfly Swords; 10. Internal Kung Fu using efficient Chi breathing.

9. Strategy 1 to 10: 1. Uses the centre line and therefore forces the opponent to use the outside path; 2. Controls the opponent's blind side; 3. Attack the opponent's balance; 4. Attack the opening; 5. Trap the leading elbow; 6. Pin the arms from the blind side; 7. Keep moving. Don't present a steady target for your opponent; 8. Use elbow in close quarters, use palm or fist in the next distance; use kick with front foot on further distance; use rear foot in furthest distance; 9. Use entry technique; 10. Be calm, have confidence in yourself, let your reflexes guide you.





LEVEL SEVEN GRADE 2
Black sash - 2 logos


1. Chum Kil
left Bil - double palm strike

2. Kicks:
a) low side and high side b) high round and low round

3. Chi Sao
two armed blindfold, predetermined

4. Techniques against:
a) spinning back kick b) hammer kick

5. Entry techniques:
opponent steps to side, side kick

6. Cross Arm Chi Sao
blindfold

7. Self defence:
against knife slash



LEVEL EIGHT GRADE 0
Grey sash - no logo


1. Chum Kil
right Bil to finish

2. Kicks:
a) high side and low side
b) high side and low round

3. Chi Sao - two armed blindfold, random

4. Techniques against:
a) spinning crescent kick
b) low sweeping kick

5. Entry techniques:
opponent steps to side, spinning back kick

6. Cross Arm Chi Sao
blindfold

7. Self defence:
against knife jab



LEVEL EIGHT GRADE 1
Grey sash - 1 logo


1. Bil Jee
to elbow strike, first part

2. Kicks:
alternate - front side, front round

3. Entry techniques
a) deal with side-on fighter
b) deal with opponent switching feet

4. Chi Sao - 2 arms at random

5. Four self defence techniques

6. Wing Chun history

7. Wing Chun philosophy



LEVEL EIGHT GRADE 2
Grey sash - 2 logos


1. Bil Jee - Grun Sao section
Bil Jee application

2. Kicks:
alternate - round and side

3. Techniques:
a) deal with front foot fighter
b) deal with opponent moving around

Against
spinning crescent kick

4. Chi Sao
a) cross arm random
b) two arm random

5. Self defence against weapons:
knife

6. Confucianism



LEVEL NINE GRADE 0
Light Green sash - no logo


1. Bil Jee
whole form and applications

2. Kicks:
alternate - side and round

3. Entry techniques
a) deal with back foot fighter
b) deal with opponent moving back and forth

Against
circular punch from above
4. Chi Sao
a) cross arm random
b) two arm random

5. Self defence against stick

6. Buddhism



LEVEL 9 GRADE 1
Light Green Sash - 1 logo


1. Forms
a) Shil Lim Tao
b) Chum Kil
c) Bil Jee

2. Kicks

3. 108 Wooden Dummy techniques with partner

4. Techniques against kick and punch;
a) High gate
b) Middle gate
c) Low gate

5. Self defence techniques against
a) Unarmed attack
b) Short weapon
c) Long weapon

6. Chi Sao
7. Sparring
8. History
9. Theory
10. Philosophy
11. Terminology



LEVEL 9 GRADE 2
Light Green Sash - 2 logos


1. Forms
a) Shil Lim Tao
b) Advanced Shil Lim Tao
c) Chum Kil
d) Bil Jee
2. Combination kicks and punches

3. 108 Wooden Dummy techniques
a) with partner
b) in the air
c) with one legged Wooden Dummy

4. Techniques against any kick and punch combination.

5. Self defence techniques against
a) Knife
b) Stick
c) Sword
d) Cricket bat, baseball bat etc.
e) Pool cue

6. Chi Sao
7. Sparring
8. History
9. Theory

10. Philosophy
11. Terminology



LEVEL TEN INSTRUCTOR
Gold Sash


Written
1. Thesis on all Wing Chun forms
2. Thesis on Chi Sao and its applications
3. Analysis of Footwork and kicks
4. Analysis of hand techniques
5. Analysis of the five stages of combat
6. History and philosophy of Wing Chun
(Minimum of 4 months' training)

Practical
1. 108 Wooden Dummy techniques
2. 36 advanced combat techniques
3. Three two minute round sparring test
4. Random Chi Sao
5. Chinese terminology of all techniques
6. Certificate from National Kung Fu Accreditation Scheme

References:
"Chi Power" by William Cheung (Ohara Publications)
"The History and Philosophy of Kung Fu" by Earl C. Medeiros (Tuttle Publications)
"Advanced Wing Chun" by William Cheung (Ohara Publications)
"Chinese Creeds and Customs" by V.R. Burkhardt (SCMP Publications)
"Wing Chun Bil Jee" by William Cheung (Unique Publications)
"Tang China" by Edmund Capon (Macdonald Orbis)
"Wing Chun Kung Fu/Jeet Kune Do - A Comparison" Vol I by William Cheung (Ohara Publications)
"Wing Chun Butterfly Swords" by William Cheung (Ohara Publications)
"Wing Chun Dragon Pole" by William Cheung (Ohara Publications)
"The Wing Chun Way" Vol I & II Video Tapes (The Hawk Company)





Technique Drills

1. Pak --> Bil
(R) (R)

Pak --> Tan
(R) (R)

Pak --> Bon
(R) (L)

Pak --> Kan
(R) (L)

Pak --> Larp
(R) (R)



2. Bil --> Pak --> Kick
(R) (R)

Bil --> Bil --> Kick
(R) (L)

Bil --> Bon --> Kick
(R) (R)

Bil --> Grun --> Low kick
(R) (R)

Bil --> Kan --> Kick
(R) (L)

Bil --> Low --> Punch
Kan
(R) (R)



3. Bon --> Larp --> Roll punches
(R) (L)

Bon --> Tan --> Punch
(R) (R)

Bon --> Kick
(cross arm)
(R)

4. Larp --> Punch --> Larp punch
(inside)
(R)

Larp --> Pak --> Kick

Larp --> Bon --> Low kick

Larp --> Bil --> Kick



5. From Inside to Outside

Larp Sao --> Kan
(R) (L)

Larp Sao --> Tuen
(R) (L)

Larp Sao --> Lau - Pak and punch
(R) (R)

Bil --> Kan
(R) (L)

Bil --> Tuen
(R) (L)

Bil --> Bil --> Kick
(R) (L)

Bil --> Lau - Pak
(R) (L)



6. Inside to Outside

Pak (cross arm) --> Pak
(R) (L)



Pak (cross) --> Kan
(R) (R)

Pak --> Pak --> Tuen
(R) (L) (R)

Pak --> Larp
(R) (R)



7. Inside to Outside

Bon (cross inside) --> Larp
(R) (R)

Bon (parallel) --> Yuen - Pak
(R) (R)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Andy Murray]

You refer to William Cheungs Wing Chun Tai-Gip, most WC people do not use a Belted Grading system as far as I'm aware.

[tai-gip]

i know Andy personaly i disagree with the whole pay for tuition scenario all together best instructor i had didnt charge a cent

and did you notice in the level ten sylabus you needed a minimum four months training lol ...lmao ....

still it was the last registered style i did

and yes he is not my favourite person...scared him out of a chinese resteraunt about four months ago ... he just dosnt like me for some reason.... CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT lol:)

[Cain]

Nice copy and paste Tai Gip :D

and yes he is not my favourite person...scared him out of a chinese resteraunt about four months ago ...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! :D

|Cian|

[Freeform]

most WC people do not use a Belted Grading system as far as I'm aware.


And most Wing Chunners read the top of the thread and realise this is a question on Karate.

My old school used:

Red
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown
Brown
Brown with White stripe

Then the Dan grades.

[kerling]

My School uses 10 kyu system with 3 brown belts (basic shotokan style)
white (10th)
yellow (9th)
orange
red
green
blue
purple
brown
brown
brown

1 dan (sho dan)
2 dan (ni dan)
.....

[Megilar]

Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't the traditional grading system in Karate:

White
Green
Brown
Black

The reason being you start with the white belt, and as you progress in your training, your belt would become grass stained, hence the green color. And then the further your training progressed, it would become stained with dirt, hence the brown color. And finally, it would stain to black. I think there were some stripes in there somewhere, or maybe this is a different style...

My dojo's grading system was like this, but now it is:

White
Yellow
Orange
Blue
Green
Brown
Black

[Dark Blade]

About the traditional grading system, there are too many styles and it goes back to far to trace, that theory about grass and dirt could happen, but I imagine it didn't to be honest.

Because for one thing, you coudl reach black belt by rolling your belt in the dirt for a while...

The belt would just be part of the uniform, not a symbol of rank if that was the case.



Anyway, my belt grading system goes:

White
Yellow
Orange
Red
Green
Purple
Blue <--Me
Brown
"1st Brown" (should be second)
Black
Dans 1-10


Our old system used to be:
White
Yellow
Red
Green
Brown
Black
Dans 1-10

[Dark Blade]

Originally posted by tai-gip
i know Andy personaly i disagree with the whole pay for tuition scenario all together best instructor i had didnt charge a cent


Well tai-gip, your instructors olyn didn't charge in theory, you still paid to buy them.

http://www.martialartsplanet.com/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&find=lastposter&threadid=5955

I suggest you read through this if you don't understand yet, the biography to be specific.

[tai-gip]

lmao lol yes dark i know i however chose to right that there and it has as much validity as saying the styles i have attended classes in and realy has no bearing on my knowledge or lack thereof should you think what im saying has merit it wouldnt matter wether i was the god of fighting or some 13 year old kid with a realy vivid imagination... its what is said that matters not where it comes from ...where it comes from just means sometime you have to pay for things you can learn for free elswhere from someone who dosnt come across as impressive:)

[Dark Blade]

I love commas, why did take them away? :'(
lol

I suppose, but some peple have to make a living somehow, martial arts is sometimes they only thing they can do really well.

[sholo86]

Our schools (overseas) do not have belt rankings. We use GUP Levels 1 - 8 (I guess you can compare it to "belts"). You have to learn the basic stances and kicks, 9 empty-hand forms, 4 basic staff forms, nunchaku, and the broadsword. The first MA belt you will wear is black (1st DAN) if you pass the test.

Here in the states, belt systems are widely used. So, we adapted a belt system mainly for the younger students and their parents. For the students, these give kids a sense of accomplishment when they pass each test (level). For the parents, they want to see how their kids are progressing and these belts help identify the level their kids are in. Plus the bragging right (when they see their kids wearing a higher level belt among the students :) ).

I think, if it hasn't changed, we use white, yellow, green, orange, red, then black.

[xubis]

White
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Purple
Purple+white
Brown
Brown+white
Brown+2white
Black
dans....

[Pacificshore]

My kempo system:

white
advance white(half white/half yellow)
yellow
advance yellow(half yellow/half purple)
purple
advance purple(half purple/half blue)
blue
advance blue(half blue/half green)
green
advance green(half green/half brown)
brown
advance brown(half brown/half black)
1st black
2nd black
3rd black
and so forth

[Goju]

I think i should remind everyone that this is about karate ranking systems, although okinawan kempo or kempo karate is also seen as being traditional karate for some reason.

[rubix39]

Ours goes:

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
High Purple
3rd Kyu Brown
2nd Kyu Brown
1st Kyu Brown
1st Dan Black Belt
2nd Dan Black Belt
etc.

[Drealoth]

Kenpo:
White
Yellow
Yellow, Advanced
Orange
Orange, Advanced
Purple
Purple, Advanced
Blue
Blue, Advanced
Green
Green, Advanced
3rd Degree Brown
2nd Degree Brown
1st Degree Brown
1st Degree Black
...
10th Degree Black

Goju Ryu Karate:
White
Yellow
Orange
Blue
Purple
Green
Brown
Black (1st Dan to 10th Dan)

[gojuman]

9th kyu plain white belt, novis

8th kyu white with one green stripe on tip of belt, shows up to class

7th kyu white with 2 stripes. Has learned some basics, and demonstrates interest in being in Karate

6th kyu white with 3 stripes. This is called advanced white which takes most students 1yr to 18 months to reach. this is the first certified rank in our ryu. Prior to this rank you barely egsist. This promotion involves several tests including kata, exercise, fighting, self-defense and written. It is also possible that at this level you have begun to study the kubudo requirements of our style and you may have passed at least one weapons certification which could be either basic Bo or basic Escrima.

5th kyu is green belt. this is the next certified rank and the student is expected to be very dedicated to the study from this point forward. Promotion to this rank involves more testing than previous ranks and certainly more kata and selfdefense technology must be demostrated. It is expected that a green belt have passed 3 or 4 weapons seminars also.

4th kyu is purple belt. this is what we refer to as the first rank of brown belt and of course testing is more advanced than before with expectations being very high. With this rank comes obligation and many things are expected from a purple belt.

3rd kyu is a brown belt with 3 black stripes on the tip of the belt and again this rank is earned through rigorus testing. Most of the kubodo should be passed by this point of which there are 8 separate seminars. Basic BO, Escrima, Sai and Nunchaku as well as advanced for all four weapons.

2nd kyu is brown with 2 stripes and this promotion comes at the discretion of your sensei, but usually takes about a year of consistant training after 3rd kyu to achieve.

1st kyu is 1 stripe on the tip of the brown belt and should not be expected for about another year after 2nd kyu.

When your sensei decides you are ready to begin the next phase of your training and he feels that you could pass the black belt test he removes the last stripe from your brown belt and you are now considered to be in testing for black belt.

Testing for black belt ranks takes at least 4 months to accomplish and includes, kata, exercise, weapons kata, self-defense empty hand and self-defense with weapons, fighting, written and extended essay and research paper.

Kyus are tested only by their own sensei and then black belt testing is done by a panel of senior black belts from the ryu.

the first degree of black belt is shodan (1st Dan) and from this point the expectations for promotion slow down considerably. One must be a shodan for at least 2 years before being eligable to go into testing for Nidan (2nd Dan). Nidan testing is as rigorous as shodan testing , but with more technology requirements as far as self-defense and more advanced katas.

The next rank is Sandan ( 3rd degree). This rank is for only the very few nidans who really work hard and takes several more years to be prepared.

Yodan (4th Dan)follows and even fewer karateka ever reach this rank. This is a rank of junior master and in addition to very intense testing a candidate for yodan must have proted at least one blackbelt from their dojo.

Godan (5th Dan) is a Master rank and as you might guess it takes many years and dedication to acheive this rank. and there are extremely few who ever reach this level.

Rokudan ( 6th Dan) is the next mast level. Maybe there are 2 or 3 of these ranks in our entire ryu which consists of about 150 blackbelts.

Sishidan (7th Dan) is next and there is only one in our ryu.

Hashidan (8thDan) is next.

Kudan (9th Dan) is really the highest rank possible that you can be promoted to by some one else.

Judan is 10th dan and there is only one possible in any system and this rank comes after a 8th or 9th dan decides to create his or her own system and then declares themselves to be 10th dan of their own system.

This is the overview of the ranking structure of the USA GOJU FEDERATION.

[frodo]

white
white- red tab
white-2 red tabs
red
red-yellow tab
red-2 yellow tabs
yellow-orange tab
yellow- orange tabs
orange
orange-blue tab
orange-2 blue tabs
blue
blue- green tab
blue- 2 green tabs
green
green- brown tab
green-2 brown tabs
brown- black tab
brown- 2 black tabs <----- me
black

there are lots of belts and stages yes but each take about 5 months to go through. so its not so bad

[davjohns]

white
yellow
orange
junior green
senior green
blue
purple
junior red
senior red
junior brown
senior brown
black recommended white stripe
black recommended green stripe
black recommended red stripe
first degree decided (2 yrs)
second degree (3 yrs)
third degree (3 yrs)
fourth degree (4 yrs)
fifth degree (5 yrs), etc. to ninth degree

I am a second degree in my third year. I have taught for the past three years.

dwj

[ranger]

the color of our belts showing our ranking are ff:
white
green
blue
red
purple
brown
black

:)

[Furikuchan]

White, yellow, orange, purple, purple, green, blue, brown, brown, brown, black, rainbow!

[Anth]

in our style (kamishin ryu) the grades go like this:

<white belt>
1st mon <white belt one yellow tag>
2nd mon <white belt two yellow tags>
3rd mon <white belt three yellow tags>
4th mon <white belt one green tag>
5th mon <white belt one green tags>
6th mon <red belt>
7th mon <red belt one black tag>
8th mon <red belt two black tags>
9th mon <red belt three black tags>
10th mon <yellow belt 1 black tag>
9th kyu <yellow belt 2 black tags>
8th kyu <yellow belt>
7th kyu <orange belt>
6th kyu <green belt> <me>
5th kyu <blue belt> <me from 8th march hopefully>
4th kyu <purple belt>
3rd kyu <brown belt one black tag>
2nd kyu <brown belt two black tags>
1st kyu <brown belt three black tags>
1st - 8th dan <black belt grades>

the mon grades are for the young kids as an insentive to stick in with the training. you can skip mon grades but not kyu or dan grades ie go from 1st mon to 4th mon. we can sit grades every 4 months if we have a certain attendance level.

[turonaga]

we have studnt ranking and dan grades. color of belt? white brown black. black having the greatest burden among student

[spacepimp]

Our Belt system is:
White
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue <- Me
Purple
Brown
Red
Black

There are also at least one intermediate stage (stripe) in between each belt with more intermediate stages the closer you get to black.

[Knifes_edge]

Ours goes

(obi = Belt)

8th kyu White obi
7th kyu White obi/Blue tips
6th kyu Blue obi <<-- Me
5th kyu Blue obi/Green tips
4th kyu Green Obi
3rd kyu Green Obi/Brown tips
2nd kyu Brown Obi

BLACK GI AWARDED (EXTREME PHYSICAL CONTACT PERMITTED)

1st kyu Brown Obi/Black tips
Probationary 1st Dan Black obi
1st Dan Black Obi
2nd Dan Red Stripe on pants/ Red Writing on Belt
3rd Dan 2 Red stripes on pants
4th Dan 3 Red stripes on pants / Red & white belt
5th Dan WHITE GI AWARDED / White & Red Belt
6th Dan Red Line through Black Belt
7th Dan No change
8th Dan Solid Red Belt
9th Dan Solid Red Belt
10th Dan Solid Red belt

[Musashi Kyo]

Amazingly enough there arn't alot of Black Belts our dojo's testing is every 3-4 months. The belts are...White, Blue(me), green, Brown, Black, red w/stripe at 6( highest instructor in my dojo) up to 10. This Okinawan Shorin ryu.

[evil_max]

Grading system in my style is

White
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Purple <--- Me
Purple with white stripe
Brown
Brown one stripe
Brown Two stripe
Black 1st dan
2nd dan
3rd dan
4th dan
5th dan
6th dan

Takes a long time to get to those levels though.

[Picksey]

OK, my wado club goes:

white (beginner)
red (9th kyu)
yellow
orange
green
blue
purple
brown
2nd brown (brown with with a white tag wrapped around each end)
3rd brown (brown with a black tag wrapped around each end) (1st kyu)
black... (1st dan...)


My previous club (also wado) went:

white
red (9th kyu)
yellow
orange
green
blue
second blue (purple with white stripe along entire length)
brown
2nd brown (brown with white stripe along entire length)
3rd brown (brown with two white stripes along entire length) (1st kyu)
black... (1st dan...)

(Looks like Spacepimp set a trend with those colours :) )

There's also a girl who comes back to train with us during the summer holidays, but her club in Wales has done some weird stuff to their colour system... they use red and blue belts for sparring purposes, so they aren't included in the grading system. From what I remember, they introduced other colours instead... but it all seemed a bit complicated to me...

I wonder how much the colour system depends on the style of karate, and how much on your club...?

[chungmoomonkey]

White
orenge(only for pe-wees)
yellow
Purple(only fr pe-wee)
green
blue
2nd grade brown (just brown)
1st grade brown(brown with black stripe) <--- Me
1st dagree Black
2nd dagree black etc
untill fifth (fifth is a black belt with a red stripe)
6th and so on

[Relosa]

The belt system in my dojo is really easy.

12th Kyu - White belt
11th Kyu - White belt with a blue stripe on the end
10th Kyu - White belt with two blue stripes
9th Kyu - Blue belt
8th Kyu - Blue belt with a green stripe
7th kyu - blue belt with two green stripes
6th kyu - green belt
5th kyu - green belt with brown stripe on the end
4th kyu - green belt with two brown stripes
3rd kyu - brown with
2nd kyu - brown with one black stripe
1st kyu - brown with two black stripes

Then after black it's Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Etc. until you achieve master.

[Reiki]

Our system goes:

white
yellow
orange
blue
purple
green
brown
brown with black tip [1st Kyu]
black [Shodan]

then Nidan, Sensei, Renshi, Shihan, Kyoshi etc.

[Alex_JHH]

Same as KGirls, except with the orange belt instead of red.

[Reiki]

Just wanted to add that in our system that all gradings above yellow belt are done at National level with a grading panel of internationally qualified instructors.

Brown beltss and black belts have multiple people grading them.

Also that each person is selected to grade if and only if they are ready for it.

[JohnnyX]

Shukokai Karate.

Our Belt system, for all ages, is:

White Belt - Beginner

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt8kyu.jpg
8th Kyu

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt7kyu.jpg
7th Kyu

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt6kyu.jpg
6th Kyu

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt5kyu.jpg
5th Kyu

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt4kyu.jpg <- Me
4th Kyu

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt3kyu.jpg
3rd Kyu

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt2kyu.jpg
2nd Kyu

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt1kyu.jpg
1st Kyu

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt1dan.jpg
1st Dan

http://www.zen31941.zen.co.uk/img/belt2dan.jpg
2nd Dan

etc.

:D

[Chris.B]

White
((Pre Yellow test available) but really no point, we just don't bother take the test and get everything to yellow)
Yellow
(pre orange test available)
Orange
Green 1st
Green 2nd
Brown 1st
Brown 2nd
1st Dan

[Stick]

9th kyu - yellow stripe
8th kyu - yellow
7th kyu - orange
6th kyu - green
5th kyu - purple
4th kyu - purple with white stripe
3rd kyu - brown with white stripe
2nd kyu - brown with two stripes
1st kyu - brown with three stripes
1st to 10th black

[La Mancha]

In Iaido - belt any colour - hold pants up.

[BigBadBob]

In My club (Okinawan Shorin-Ryu) :

8th Kyu - White
7th Kyu - Yellow
6th Kyu - Orange
5th Kyu - Blue
4th Kyu - Green
3rd Kyu - Brown
2nd Kyu - Brown with one black tag
1st Kyu - Brown with 2 black tags
All Dan grades - Black

For the lower grades it is possible to go up in half grades (if grading isn't so good) or one and a half grades (if grading is top notch!) shown by tags e.g. yellow with orange tag.

Grading occurs usually only once per year, mainly due to being a university club (those students get far too much holiday!!!) and also as there is a lot of stuff to learn for each grade (what is the opposite of a McDojo???)

Cross your fingers for me; our grading is this week. I'm going for 5th Kyu

[azn_flava]

white
white(1stripe)
Yellow
Yellow(1stripe)
yellow
green
green(1stripe)
brown
brown(1stripe)
black
1dan
2dan
3dan
and soo on

(black panther)undefined

[Master J]

white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, brown, brown.

I'm a first Kyu brown, hopefully I will get my first Dan soon!

[Ramda]

White
Yellow
Orange
Purple
Blue
Blue + Stripe
Green
Green + Stripe
Brown
Brown + Stripe <----- Here am I
Red
Red + Stripe
1st Dan
2nd Dan
3rd Dan etc. etc. etc

[dori_kin_86]

9th kyu- white
8th kyu yellow
7th kyu blue
6th kyu green
5th kyu green+ black stripe
4th kyu purple
3rd kyu purple+ blk stripe
2nd kyu brown
1st kyu brown+ blk stripe

then 9 dans. I thinks 9th dan is grandmaster, but not sure

Our teacher reminds us that the belts are only there to help people set goals and take there training step by step

[TheHeianKid]

Seido Karate

10 kyu white
9 kyu blue tip
8 kyu blue
7 kyu yellow tip
6 kyu yellow
5 kyu green tip
4 kyu green
3 kyu brown tip
2 kyu brown
1 kyu black tip
1 dan shodan etc ...

I think this is basically the same as kyokushin, which Seido broke away from.

[Tika]

World Oyama Karate

White
Blue ( can get a black stripe for a half step )
Yellow
Orange(half step)
Green ( can get a black stripe for a half step )
Brown
Brown w/ Black stripe < --- me when I stopped training

1 dan - 9 dan ( rarely anyone about 5th dan )

[G_Man]

White 10-5 kyu
Green 4-3 kyu
Brown 2-1 kyu
Black 1-5 Dan

MATSUBAYASHI RYU

[Mind Aflame]

Samurai Shukukai karate

white
red
yellow
orange
green
blue
purple
brown with white stripe
brown
brown with red stripe
0th dan- Shodan ho
1st dan- Shodan <----- my good self
2nd dan- Nidan
3rd dan- Sandan

etc to 10th dan

[Wado-AJ]

white 8th kyu
yellow 7th kyu
orange 6th kyu
green 5th kyu
blue 4th kyu
brown 3rd kyu
brown 2nd kyu
brown 1st kyu
black 1st dan (shodan)
etc..

[NIKS]

Our beltsystem is:

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Brown 1
Brown 2
Brown 3
Black 1st Dan << me
Black 2nd Dan
Black 3rd Dan
Black 4th Dan
Black 5th Dan
Black 6th Dan << this is the point where people have to call you Shihan instead of Sensei, this is also where my Shihan is now
etc. etc.

xxx

[Nrv4evr]

white 4 kihon katas
yellow 4 kihon katas, pinan nidan
orange 4 kihon katas, pinan shodan
green 4 kihon katas, pinan sandan
blue 4 kihon katas, pinan yondan
red 4 kihon katas, naihamichi shodan
brown 4 kihon katas, naihamichi nidan

brown with stripe (senpai) 4 kihon katas, naihamichi sandan

black evaluation of all you've learned

1st dan 1 year

and so on....

not too sure on the spelling of naihamichi, it took me 4 years to get to senpai, and i am awaiting my ranking for black 1st dan.

[chrispy]

white
yellow
orange
green
purple
blue
red
brown
black

Each belt has a ciriculem (sp) sheet, with about 30-45 things on it (orange has 35 for example) you can get up to two things marked /week is you attend 2 or more classes and each grading is a cumulative effort ie when I go for my green belt next week I'll be doing the white-yellow-orange belt tests again and then the extra things for the green belt.

[animefreak88]

at my school, it goes as follows:

10th kyu white belt
9th kyu white belt yellow stripe
8th kyu yellow belt
7th kyu yellow belt green stripe
6th kyu green belt
5th kyu green belt blue stripe
4th kyu blue belt
3rd kyu brown belt w/ 1 black stripe
2nd kyu brown belt w/ 2 black stripes
1st kyu brown belt w/ 3 black stripes

black belt ranks: black belt and the number of red stripes signifies the degree of black belt

1st dan 1 red stripe <--- i am here
2nd dan 2 red stripes
3rd dan 3 red stripes
4th dan 4 red stripes
5th dan 5 red stripes
6th dan 6 red stripes
7th dan red/white belt (checkered pattern)
8th dan red/white belt (same belt as 7th dan)
9th dan solid red belt
10th dan solid red belt (same as 9th dan's belt)

in my style, most schools have different kyu rank setup, but have the same dan rank setup. yet, in my style (generally with the older organizations), some 6th dans wear the same red/white belt as the 7th and 8th dans. this is because when those 6th dans were promoted, they were allowed to wear the red/white belt at the time. yet when that changed over the years, many 6th dans promoted before this change retained their red/white belts. many of these 6th dans do have a black belt with 6 stripes though, and they wear it to events sponsored by groups that follow the new setup out of respect for that group's setup.

[Stingrae789]

I am not sure what style of karate i used to learn but it was karate as i went to another club and saw them doing similar forms. my instructor made the grading system go like this: White, green 1 stripe, green 2 stripe, green 3 stripe, blue 1 stripe, blue 2 stripe, blue 3 stripe, purple 1 stripe, purple 2 stripe, purple 3 stripe, purple 4 stripe, brown 1 stripe, brown 2 stripe, brown 3 stripe, brown 4 stripe, black, black 1 stripe, black 2 stripe. I got to purple 3 stripe on the kiddies system and was regraded at blue 2 stripe on the junior/adult level. the other style had something like white, yellow, yellow and a stripe or somthjing like that :S my instructor has a club in pietermaritzburg, kwazulu-natal, south africa, where i used to live the classes were good i enjoyed weapons and the training which was like going through hell.

Now i am studying kung fu and what we study has no grading system.

[Charm]

in my dojo (doin wado-ryu), we have:

10th Kyu: White belt
9th Kyu: Stripe belt (white with a yellow line running through the middle)
8th Kyu: Yellow belt
7th Kyu: Orange belt
6th Kyu: Green belt
5th Kyu: Blue belt
4th Kyu: Purple belt
3rd Kyu: Brown belt <-- my current position
2nd Kyu: Brown belt
1st Kyu: Brown belt
1st Dan: Black belt
.
.
10th Dan: Black belt

Till purple belt, when grading, you have to show the syllabus, kata and kumites for that belt

[Stick]

white - kihon kata
yellow - heian shodan
orange - heian nidan
green - heian sandan
purple - heian yondan
purple and white - heian godan
brown - tekki, ananku
brown - tekki, ananku, bassai dai
brown - ananku, bassai dai
shodan black - ananku, bassai dai, wanshu

[jabcrosshook]

Since the PKA sanction both Kickboxing and Karate, our grades are the following...

(White)
Red
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple <-- Me
Brown
Black
Dans

But my grade is in Kickboxing. Our Nationals involve both Karate (semi points) and Kickboxing (l-con).

[Nevada_MO_Guy]

White
Orange
Purple
Blue
Green
Brown
Black

The white through brown belts start solid then get up to 3 stripes per belt

[karate_fiend]

my belts in my school go:
white
yellow
orange
green
purple
blue
red
2nd red (red with black stripe) t<< thats me
brown
2nd brown(brown with black stripe)
1st dan

[Visage]

Chikarakai Karate-Do

10th Kyu - White Belt
9th Kyu - Red Belt
8th Kyu - Purple Belt
7th Kyu - Blue Belt
6th Kyu - Orange Belt
5th Kyu - Yellow Belt
4th Kyu - 1st Green Belt
3rd Kyu - 2nd Green Belt
2nd Kyu - 1st Brown Belt
1st Kyu - 2nd Brown Belt

1st Dan
2nd Dan
3rd Dan
etc etc

[Zertz]

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Purple
Purple
Brown
Brown
Brown

Black 1st Dan
2cd Dan
etc.

[greebo_1]

My clubs goes:
White
Orange
Red
Yellow
Green
Purple
Purple and white stripe
Brown (I’m here)
Brown and white stripe
Brown and two white stripes
Black
Then the normal black belt system

[Rebecca]

Among the various Keichu schools, there is some slight variation in the belt ranking system. Our dojo's belt ranks:

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Purple
Brown - Sankyu
Brown - Nikyu
Brown - Ikkyu
Black (up to 10 degrees, theoretically)

Four stripes each are also earned for white, yellow, orange, green, and purple belts. We have a set written curriculum (it also varies somewhat among schools) and belt testings are cumulative. Stripe tests are for the specific stripe material only. Once the student has earned four stripes and received instructor approval, he can test for his next belt.

We also have a junior yellow belt for younger students. This used to be a blue belt, but that led to confusion since, in many of the styles in our tournament organization, blue belts are intermediate. Also, some of the older Keichu schools have a blue belt instead of a yellow belt. So, in our school, junior yellow is now a yellow belt with a white stripe in it. We are also considering a junior orange belt for younger students. These junior belts are sort of like "halfway" belts with somewhat easier testing requirements. After junior yellow, the student then works toward the regular yellow belt.

Recently we've gone through a major re-analysis of our belt requirements and have shifted things around to make them, IMO, more logical and more in keeping with how the system is taught. For example, rather than teaching over 16 stances to our newbie white belts, we only teach the stances they will actually be using as white belts. It's made things much less frustrating and confusing.

[renshinkai]

White
Red
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Brown
Brown (1 black stripe)
Brown (2 " " ) - Myself
1st Dan
2nd Dan
etc
etc
10th Dan

[samuri-man]

in renbukan (which i do) it go's white, yellow, orange, green, ( i am), blue, brown, black

[GojuKJoe]

10th kyu - White
9th - Orange
8th - Red
7th - Yellow
6th - Green
5th - Purple
4th - Purple with white stripe
3rd - Brown (i'm here)
2nd - Brown with one white stripe
1st - Brown with 2 white stripes

then 1st dan onwards is just a black belt i think.

I do goju ryu

[SparcZ]

Shotokan Karate Style

White
Yellow
Orange
Red (Currently here until Oct. 29th *fingers crossed)
Green
Purple
Blue
Brown 1st
Brown 2nd
Brown 3rd
Black...

[Judge]

At my dojo it goes:

White
Yellow
Orange ( my belt )
Blue ( hopefully my belt after tommorow )
green
purple
brown
black

[Shisochin]

UKKGK Goju Ryu:

White
Yellow
Orange
Red
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown 1
Brown 2
Brown 3
Black
:D

[Ultricity]

In the club I goto the belts are:
White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown 1/2/3
Black

In Chito-Ryu the Belts were:
White / Yellow / Orange / Green / Blue / Brown / Black

In Shotokan the belts were
White / Yellow / Orange / Green / Blue / Brown 1,2,3 / Black

In Tae Kwon Do they were
White / Yellow / Yellow - Green stripe / Green / Green - Blue stripe / Blue / Blue - Red stripe / Red / Red - Black stripe / Black

[Hwa Rang Do]

Well since this is my first real post here I go.
we have an undergrad program called tae( not tang) soo do in hwa rang do.
And the rank go's like this:
http://www.hwarangdo.com/TSDbelt.htm
Then you go to the hwa rang do program that has sashes:
http://www.hwarangdo.com/hrdbelt.htm
Then there are the Dan Degrees:
http://www.hwarangdo.com/hrddan.htm
I hope this helps you out some

[powerof0ne]

this is when I went through the belts but it has changed a little bit in the Shito ryu sensei I'm now under:
1. White
2. Orange
3. Blue
4. Purple
5. Green
6. Brown(1 2 3)
7. Shodan-ho
8. Shodan(now nidan)

Muay thai sash ranks under assiation I'm under.:
1. none/white depending on school
2. Yellow
3. Green
4. Blue
5. Brown(know of a school using purple instead)
6. Red(1 2)*This is looked upon as the equivalent of a black belt*
7. Black(Kru/instructor)
*I know of other muay thai schools that use an almost identical order but have 2-3 levels for each sash*

BJJ:
1. white
2. blue(currently)
3. purple
4. brown
5. black

[Chruffin]

My Wado Ryu association (EWSKA):

White
White//Red
White//Yellow
Red
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown => Me
Brown//White => Me in 3 weeks time (hopefully!)
Brown//Black
Black

My Shotokan association (IJKA):

White
White//Red
White//A little more Red
Yellow => Me
Green
Purple
Purple//White
Brown
Brown//White
Brown//A little more White
Black

[Emma W]

10th kyu- white
9th kyu- yellow tip
8th kyu- yellow
7th kyu ho- orange tip
7th kyu- orange
6th kyu- green
5th kyu- blue
4th kyu- red
3rd kyu- 1st brown
2nd kyu- 2nd brown
1st kyu- 3rd brown
shodan ho- black
then its progressing through your dan grades!

[CobraMaximus]

White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, Brown

Brown with :
Yellow tag,
orange tag
green atg
blue tag
purple tag
red tag
second red tag
black tag
Black Belt, 1st Dan
2nd dan etc.

[Mr. Mike]

IKCA Kenpo:

white
yellow
orange
purple
blue
green
brown
black

usually 4mos. between levels with much more at the brown to black level for material absorbtion, refinement, and readying for the BB test.

[tommy]

Seido Karate

10 kyu white
9 kyu blue tip
8 kyu blue
7 kyu yellow tip
6 kyu yellow
5 kyu green tip
4 kyu green
3 kyu brown tip
2 kyu brown
1 kyu black tip
1 dan shodan etc ...

I think this is basically the same as kyokushin, which Seido broke away from.

Close , but we have an Orange before blue

[kungfufighter]

Well when i was taking Kyokashinkai it went like this.
1-white
2-blue
3-blue w/1 tip
4-blue w/2 tips
5-green
6-green w/1 tip
7-green w/2 tips
8-puple
9-P w/1 tip
10-P w/2 tips
11-red
12-red w/1 tip
13-red w/2 tips
14-Black

[mr_vodka]

10th Kyu - White with one blue stripe
9th Kyu - White with two blue stripes
8th Kyu - Blue
7th Kyu - Blue with one yellow stripe
6th Kyu - Yellow
5th Kyu - Yellow with one green stripe
4th Kyu - Green
3rd Kyu - Green with one brown stripe
2nd Kyu - Brown
1st Kyu - Brown with one black stripe
-----
Shodan - Black with one golden stripe
Nidan - Black with two golden stripes
etc

[Charm]

I do Wado Ryu karate and our rankings are as follows:

10. White
09. White/Yellow stripe
08. Yellow
07. Orange
06. Green
05. Blue
04. Purple
03. Brown
02. Brown
01. Brown
Dan. Black

There aren't any colour distinctions in our 3 brown belts, we just know who'se what grade.

[freestyler]

I also do Wado Ryu and our grades go as follows;

Beginner White
8th Kyu Red
7th Kyu Yellow
6th Kyu Orange
5th Kyu Green
4th Kyu Blue
3rd Kyu Purple
2nd Kyu Brown
1st Kyu Brown with Yellow Tag
Pre-Dan (sort of a mock black belt exam where they recommend your length of time before your real exam and point out your strengths and the things you should work on etc.)
1st Dan Black (and so on and so forth)

[TimoS]

Well, ours go like this:

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Brown
Black (1 - 8)

or

White
Black (1 - 8)

depending on the club

[JeetKunDo]

In Shotokan karate:
9th kyu- Red belt
8th kyu- Orange belt
7th kyu- Yellow belt
6th kyu- Green belt
5th kyu- Purple belt
4th kyu- Purple and white belt
3rd kyu- Brown belt
2n kyu- Brown and white belt.
1st kyu Brown and double white belt
1st Dan + Black belt

[T1981]

White / begginer
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown
Black

[ShorinSensei]

White 10-5 kyu
Green 4-3 kyu
Brown 2-1 kyu
Black 1-5 Dan

MATSUBAYASHI RYU


White
Green
Brown
Black

Also Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu

[Jamie Thomson]

Slightly off target I know but it spang to mind spinning through this thread ...

I heard a couple of weeks ago, that the brown and two white stripes running up the length of a belt in Shotokan was Sensei Enoeda's inception. The guy that told me mentioned that when he took some of his students to Belgium for a course, quite a few people approached them, pointing at the 1st Kyu’s saying ‘Enoeda’ (apparently sounded more like ‘Noyda’).

Can anyone corroborate this?


Thanks

[TheCount]

Belts: (Junier Kyus as we call them)
White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown

Tags:
Brown belt..

Yellow Tag (Senier Kyus or fighting grades)
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Red
Scarlet
Black

Black Belt

[kungfufighter]

when i did kyopkushinkai those years ago it went white, blue then the two stripes after, then green then stripes, then purple, then stripes, then orang, stripes, brown, stripes, red stripes, black stripes.

[prowla]

White
10. Red
9. Blue
8. Purple/White <- My 5-year old.
7. Purple
6. Yellow
5. Orange
4. Green/White
3. Green
2. Brown/White <- My 8 year old.
1. Brown <- My 11 year old.
Black

[gankaku]

In the kids class they use belt colors for kyu grades. But the adults wear a white belt until they reach shodan then you recive your black.

So for the kyu grades here is our rundown

9th kyu white
8th kyu yellow
7th kyu orange
6th kyu green
5th kyu blue
4th kyu purple
3rd kyu brown
2nd kyu still wears a brown
1st kyu guess what they wear a brown belt

so there you have it.

But my question is what does it matter anyway ?

[ShihanBKS]

Ours has 40 kyu's, categorized by age to keep from under age black belts.
40th - 31st kyu-------small children
30th kyu - 21st kyu---older children
20th kyu - 11th kyu---pre-teens and adolescents
10th kyu - 1st kyu-----late teens and adults

Our adults and late teens is as follows:
white belt---10th kyu
yellow belts---9th kyu
yellow belt/orange tip---8th kyu
orange belt---7th kyu
orange belt/green tip---6th kyu
green belt---5th kyu
purple belt---4th kyu
brown belt---3rd kyu (captain)
brown belt/ black tip---2nd kyu (captain)
brown belt with black stripe---1st kyu (captain)
Temporary 1st dan (associate black belt)
1st dan (sempai)
2nd dan (sempai)
3rd dan (sensei) with renshi title (renshi sensei)
4th dan (sensei) with renshi title (renshi master)
5th dan (sensei) with renshi title (renshi master)
6th dan (shihan)
7th dan (shihan) with kyoshi tiltle (kyoshi master)
8th dan (shihan) with kyoshi title (kyoshi master)
9th dan (shihan) hanshi
10th dan (soke)

[Nanbudo]

White
White (1 stripe)
White (2 stripes)
Yellow
Yellow
Orange
Orange
Green
Blue
Brown 1 black stripe
Brown 2 black stripes
Brown 3 Black stripes
Black
Black
Black
Black
Black
Red and White
Red and White
Red and White
Red and White
Red

[Nanbudo]

White
White (1 stripe)
White (2 stripes)
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Brown 1 black stripe
Brown 2 black stripes
Brown 3 Black stripes
Black
Black
Black
Black
BlackRed and White
Red and White
Red and White
Red and White
Red

[nexrex]

Lets not forget here that the belt system is a westernized way of grading students. Traditionally in Japanes styles, up until Black you are still a white belt.

As time goes by, the belt blackens with age until your Sensei think your are worthy to grade for a black ranking. Westerners have no concept of training this way without reveicing incremental rewards, so the colour system is used to signfy a skillset that a student should have at a certain level.

:cool:

[Moosey]

Lets not forget here that the belt system is a westernized way of grading students. Traditionally in Japanes styles, up until Black you are still a white belt.

As time goes by, the belt blackens with age until your Sensei think your are worthy to grade for a black ranking. Westerners have no concept of training this way without reveicing incremental rewards, so the colour system is used to signfy a skillset that a student should have at a certain level.

:cool:

I'm not convinced that's the case. Gichin Funakoshi (who introduced karate to Japan) nicked the coloured belts system from Jigoro Kano's judo belts so, as long as karate has been in Japan, it's had coloured belts. (could be wrong, but that's the way I understood it).

[TimoS]

I'm not convinced that's the case. Gichin Funakoshi (who introduced karate to Japan) nicked the coloured belts system from Jigoro Kano's judo belts so, as long as karate has been in Japan, it's had coloured belts. (could be wrong, but that's the way I understood it).

I think it's a bit of both. Yes, Kano sensei did have the belt grading system in judo, but I think the concept of multiple coloured belts is a western idea. Granted, I've never been to Japan but my understanding is that there adults wear only white and black and the coloured belts are for kids

[TimoS]

As time goes by, the belt blackens with age until your Sensei think your are worthy to grade for a black ranking.

If you're trying to propagate the "dirty belt" theory, i.e. you train with a white belt until it becomes black from accumalated sweat and dirt, it has been proven to be myth.

[Khallendross]

White
Yellow
Orange
Purple<--I am
Blue
Green
Brown
2nd Degree Brown
3rd Degree Brown
Black
to 8th dan.

Chinese Kenpo Karate Association.
CKKA

[tswolfman]

Does anyone know what caused the change in Korean martial arts vs Japanesse and okinawan arts. I have taken karate for a while then switched to tae kwon do due to avaliblity. however the style im at now has red belt as a senior belt below black were most karate systems show red either really low or really high. my current system is
white
yellow
orange
green
green/blue
blue
purple
brown
red
red/black
black 1st-10th dan

[TalkMartialArts]

Most members in this thread just list a bunch of colors and that's it. Well, I'm interested in learning about the different styles ranking systems, not in "anonymous" people's list of colors. I don't mean to be rude, but you maybe forgot to tell us about which style you do practice :)

My style is JKA Shotokan karate. Here are the belt colors used in our ranking system:

10th Kyu White
9th Kyu Red
8th Kyu Orange
7th Kyu Yellow
6th Kyu Green
5th Kyu Blue
4th Kyu Blue
3th Kyu Brown
2th Kyu Brown
1th Kyu Brown
1st Dan Black


And here's a link to an article dealing with belt colors:
http://www.e-budokai.com/articles/belts.htm

[karate princess]

white
10th kyu = red
9th kyu = blue
8th kyu = purple/white stripe
7th kyu = purple
6th kyu = yellow
5th kyu = orange
4th kyu = green/white stripe
3rd kyu = green
2nd kyu = brown/white stripe
1st kyu = brown

1st - 7th dan = black

*the senior instructors sometimes get awarded special belts for their teaching ability and skill. :)

[kallus]

Hello,
I am a practictioner of Shotokan, not jka, and in our dojo the belt rank system is like this:

9th kyu white
8th kyu yellow
7th kyu yellow
6th kyu blue
5th kyu green
4th kyu green

the above ranks take about 3 month between them, sometimes longer, depending on your ability and how consistantly you come to class.

3rd kyu brown
2nd kyu brown
1st kyu brown

each rank of brown belt must be held for six months before you can test for Shodan.
blackbelt ranks are consistant with the other post on this thread.
Shodan
Nidan
Sandan
Yodan...etc

[Bitsy]

Kempo and Jujitsu Karate

White
Yellow
Orange
Purple
Blue
Green
Red------Me!
Brown with 1st Black stripe
Brown with 2nd black stripe
Brown with 3rd black stripe
Black

[Giver]

White
Purple(3 stripes)
Purple(2 stripes)
Purple(1 stripe)
Green(2 stripes)
Green(1 stripe)
Green
Brown(3 stripes)
Brown(2 stripes)
Brown(1 stripe)
Black(1 stripe) <--------------That's me. Little 1st dan. ^ ^v
Black(2 stripes)
Black(3 stripes)
Black(red stripe down the middle)
Black(red and black checkered, or red and white checkered depending upon fist style, soft or hard)

[Playful Giant]

White 1
White 2
White 3
Blue 1
Blue 2
Blue 3
Purple 1 <---- intermediate level
Purple 2
Purple 3
Yellow 1
Yellow 2
Yellow 3
Green 1 <---- senior level
Green 2
Green 3
Red 1
Red 2
Red 3
Brown 1 <---- instructor level
Brown 2
Brown 3
Black 1
etc

[Hawks]

i was wondering wot different belt ranking systems there are
our academy's is

Red
White
Yellow<--- i am
Orange
Green
Purple
Blue
Brown
Brown belt black stripe
Black belt

1st Dan
2nd Dan
3rd Dan
4th Dan
5th Dan
6th Dan
And so on

please tell me yours andur rank
thx
Our belt ranking is
white
yellow
orange
purple
green
blue
advanced blue(blue with a black stripe)
brown I am second Degree brown now
black
for the kids we have 3 levels for each belt for the adults it is only 2 unitl you reach you Brown.

[AAAhmed46]

FOR ADULTS.
white
Brown
Black

No dans.

FOR KIDS
White
Yellow
green
blue
brown


Kids dont get black belts.

[Martial_Julez]

10th kyu - white
9th kyu - red
8th + 7th kyu - blue
6th + 5th kyu - yellow
4th + 3rd kyu - green
2nd + 1st kyu - brown
1st dan - black
etc..

I'm a 3rd kyu green belt.

[G50]

My schools belt system is -

white
orange
yellow
light green
dark green
blue
purple
brown
red
navy blue
black

[R@IDEN]

My style (Wado Ryu) uses :-

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Junior Brown
Intermediate Brown
Senior Brown
Black 1st Dan
Black 2nd Dan
...

[grand ninja]

our ranking gose
white
red
blue
yellow
green
brown
and 1st dan to tenth

[kenpo16]

My school is as follows



white
yellow
orange
purple
blue - My Rank :eek:
blue(with brown stripe)
green
green(with brown stripe)
brown-1rst degree
brown-2nd degree
brown-3rd degree
black-1rst degree
black-2nd degree
ect. ect.

[Llamageddon]

The Southern Shotokan Karate Association uses this:

white
orange
red
yellow
green <--- Here in 2 weeks!
purple
purple/white
brown
brown/white
white/brown/white
black

[mega zuki]

Black Belt

Sho Dan Ho - student black belt

3rd, 2nd, 1st Kyu Brown Belt

6th, 5th, 4th Kyu Green Belt

7th Purple Belt (second)

8th Kyu Purple Belt (first)

9th Kyu Blue Belt

10th Kyu Orange Belt

White belt - beginner

[G50]

My new school's belt system is:

white
orange
yellow
blue
green
low purple
high purple
3rd brown
2nd brown
1st brown
black

[Thors Temple]

My School is like this from highest to lowest:

10th Degree Black belt (only one in the US and one in Okinawa)
9th Degree so on and so forth you get the picture
Brown 3rd degree
Brown 2nd degree
Brown 1st degree
Purple
Blue
Green
Orange
Yellow
White

It usually takes about 4 years to get to 1st dan in my school. I don't really like that fact totally because a lot of the newer belts have gone to the commercialized training and they don't know anything about self defense.

[Dominic13]

white
yellow
orange
purple
blue
blue w/green stripe
green
green w/brown stripe
brown 1st
brown 2nd
brown 3rd
black 1st
black 2nd
black 3rd
black 4th

After 4th you must take special training.

[PlasmaShock]

white, yellow, orange, green, purple, 2nd purple, brown, 2nd brown, 3rd brown, 1st dan, 2nd dan and so on.

[theviper]

i do shotokan karate the belts go like this

White
Red
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purlpe
Brown
Brown white
Brown Double White <---- i am here
Black 1st Dan
and so on til 10th Dan

[PlasmaShock]

i do shotokan karate the belts go like this

White
Red
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purlpe
Brown
Brown white
Brown Double White <---- i am here
Black 1st Dan
and so on til 10th Dan

I never heard of red belt in shotokan.

[Llamageddon]

I never heard of red belt in shotokan.

Quite a few associations have them. In fact, my last two had red belts. I believe some American associations have them after black (smells a bit like BS to me, but some clubs seem to state it)

I've always found the blue belt to be the alien belt...

[koto_ryu]

My Kyokushin school goes white, yellow, blue, green, purple, brown, brown, brown, black. It's a very small class, most of the time it's just me training with two sandans and a nidan, so even though I've been a mere yellow belt for over a year now (mostly because we need to travel to Maryland to test) I've been getting a lot of great training.

[Llamageddon]

My Kyokushin school goes white, yellow, blue, green, purple, brown, brown, brown, black. It's a very small class, most of the time it's just me training with two sandans and a nidan, so even though I've been a mere yellow belt for over a year now (mostly because we need to travel to Maryland to test) I've been getting a lot of great training.

I was a yellow (which is 7th kyu in my school) for about a year when I restarted karate, also because I kept missing gradings due to having to travel and not being around. But, like you, my class is small and we have great black belts so no harm done.

[Llamageddon]

It usually takes about 4 years to get to 1st dan in my school. I don't really like that fact totally because a lot of the newer belts have gone to the commercialized training and they don't know anything about self defense.

But if their only aim is to reach first dan, how much do you want or need them in your club?

[koto_ryu]

I was a yellow (which is 7th kyu in my school) for about a year when I restarted karate, also because I kept missing gradings due to having to travel and not being around. But, like you, my class is small and we have great black belts so no harm done.

Yeah, definitely no complaints here. Two of my instructors got their black belts under Shihan John Farrell, who was a personal student of Mas Oyama and trained in Japan with him for quite a while. My other instructor received his black belt from Shihan Bobby Lowe, who was Mas Oyama's first uchi-deshi. To say that the instruction is awesome is an understatement.

[armanox]

White
Green
Brown
Black

[VVV]

American Karate

White
Orange
Purple
Blue
Blue advanced (blue with a green stripe)
Green
Green advanced(green with brown stripe)
Brown
Brown advanced
Black (1st Dan)

[TeamAmerica]

white belt
white belt(yellow strip)
orange belt
blue belt
blue belt (green strip)
green belt
brown belt
brown belt (black strip)
red belt (with black strip)

and then come the black belt ranks from 1st to 10th.

[oldmam]

10 Kyu - White Belt
9 Kyu - White Belt with Black Stripe
8 Kyu - White belt with two black Stripe
7 Kyu - Yello Belt
6 Kyu - Yellow Belt with Black Stripe
5 Kyu - Green Belt
4 Kyu - Green Belt with Black Stripe
3 Kyu - Green Belt with 2 Black Stripe
2 Kyu - Brown Belt
1 Kyu - Brown Belt with Black Stripe
1 Dan - Black Belt

[Shibumi]

no belt/rank (white)
10th kyu- orange
9th kyu- blue
8th kyu- blue (no strips or anything, same belt)
7th kyu- purple
6th kyu- purple
5th kyu- green
4th kyu- green
3th kyu- brown
2nd kyu- brown
1st kyu- brown
1st Dan- black

Takes 4 or 5 years to reach first dan depending on the individual.

[Nippy43]

Korean Karate:

White
Red
Yellow
Yellow/Orange Stripe
Orange
Orange/Green Stripe
Green
Blue <--- Me
Purple
Brown
Brown/White Stripe
Brown/Black Stripe

[Out-to-Lunch]

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown1
Brown2
Brown3
Black1 (Shodan) - Black6 (Rokkudan)
Red1 (Nanadan) - Red10 (Judan)

[Shorin-Ryu]

Wow ive never seen a system that starts with red first, interesting.

At our dojo, the ranking goes like this. . .

White
Purple
Yellow
Orange
Blue
Green
Green/White Stripe
Green/Black Stripe
Brown
Brown/White Stripe
Brown/Black Stripe
Shodan (First degree black belt)
and so on..

Red is our highest ranking belt, 10 dan, which we refer to as Hanshi, not sure if its the same with any others.

[raypickens1978]

In my school this is how the belt ranks are:
White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Purple
Blue
Red
Brown
Black
1st Dan
2nd Dan
3rd Dan
4th Dan
5th Dan
6th Dan
7th Dan
and so forth
I am a 4th Dan Black Belt
In my school we have a variety of different styles available for the students to have a chance to learn. Also I teach privet lessons to low income people that can not afford to pay for lessons with the guide line they must be willing to train and practice when needed and give me a 110% during the lessons. I guess you can say I enjoy doing good when ever I can and try to help where I can.

[kihonkai]

Our ranking system goes

10th kyu while
9th kyu Yellow Stripe
8th kyu Yellow
7th kyu Orange
6th kyu Green
5th kyu Blue
4th Kyu Red
3rd kyu Brown 1
2nd kyu Brown 2
1st Kyu Brown 3
shodan Ho - prov black
Shodan 1st dan and so on

Training twice a week every week would take about 5 years to get to shodan ho


martin
www.kiaima.co.uk

[miriamgoldman]

My dojo is as follows:

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue (me right now)
Brown
Black (1st dan and up)

There are junior black belts for under 15, and then they have to test again for their full black belt. Also, we have four stripes per belt as adults, kids have 8 stripes.

[EdBogie]

No belt
White (requires test)
Yellow <-- Me.
Green
Purple
Brown
Provisional Black
Full Black 1st Dan and up

The provisional black is the same test as the 1st Dan full black, but in order to get a full black, you have to wait a year then take the same test again.

[Unsung Hero]

Isshin Ryu


White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Purple (where I'm at)
Brown
Black

[Alcatraz]

Novice - White Belt.
9th Kyu - Red Belt
8th Kyu - Yellow Belt
7th Kyu - Orange Belt
6th Kyu - Green belt
5th Kyu - Blue Belt
4th Kyu - Purple Belt
3rd Kyu - Brown Belt
2nd Kyu - Brown Belt with Red Tag
1st Kyu - Brown Belt with Black Stripe
1st Dan + - Plain Black Belt.

(I'm a 4th Dan).

[jwt]

Novice - No group shirt
White Shirt
Red Shirt
Yellow Shirt
Green Shirt
Dark Blue Shirt
Light Blue Shirt
Brown Shirt
Black Shirt

[Fish Of Doom]

@jwt: do you get the ones with brown pants as ukes? if not, there's an idea for a few jokes at the gym :p

[jwt]

I have no control over the colour of their pants. :) But perhaps, neither do they?

I just set the colour of the t shirts. :) Choice of trainers, tracksuits, shorts etc is up to them.

[Fish Of Doom]

well if their shorts are brown... let's just say i'd watch my steps around where they've been :p

[Gojushinki]

Ours goes:
White
Pre-Yellow
Yellow
Pre-Orange
Orange
Pre-Green
Green
Pre-blue (My current belt)
Blue
Pre-Brown
Brown
Pre-Black(for students younger than 16 but older than 14 who qualify)
Shodan, Nidan e.c.t. up to Kyudan

The reason for the "Pre-" belts is that several of the kids (they can start as young as 3) were quitting because they were stuck with the same kata and belt for months at a time (short attention spans) Plus we needed something to slow them down from reaching Black belt at like age 9. 16 is the minimum age for Shodan, and before that, if you're 14 or 15, you can grade for your Shodan-Ho, or Junior/Pre-Black Belt. Our instructor is a 7th Dan Kyoshi in Goju Ryu. Going for his 8th Dan in 2010, which means another trip back to Okinawa.

[kokuToraRyu]

My School follows the following grade system

Belt Colours
Adults Grades age 16+

10th Kyu - White (full)
9th Kyu - Purple (full)
8th Kyu - Blue (full)
7th Kyu - Yellow (full)
6th Kyu - Orange (full)
5th Kyu - Orange (Green stripe)
4th Kyu - Green (full)
3rd Kyu - Brown (full)
2nd Kyu. Brown (Black stripe)
1st Kyu - Brown/Black (split length)
1st to 4th Dan - Black (full)
5th Dan +. Black/Red Panel



Belt Colours
Karate Kids Grades age 7+

10th Kyu - White (full)
9th Kyu - Red (white stripe)
8th Kyu - Purple (white stripe)
7th Kyu - Purple (2 x white stripe)
6th Kyu - Blue (white stripe)
5th Kyu - Yellow (white stripe)
4th Kyu - Orange (white stripe)
3rd Kyu - Green (white stripe)
2nd Kyu - Brown (white stripe)
1st Kyu - Brown (2 x white stripe)
1st Dan - Black (white stripe)
2nd Dan - Black (2 x white stripe)
16+ = 1st Dan Adult - Black (full)

Belt Colours
Samurai Sams Grades age 5 - 7

9th Mon. White (full)
8th Mon. White (Purple stripe)
7th Mon. White (Blue stripe)
6th Mon. White (Yellow stripe)
5th Mon. White (Orange stripe)
4th Mon. White (Green stripe)
3rd Mon. White (Red stripe)
2nd Mon. White (Brown stripe)
1st Mon/8th Kyu - Purple (white stripe)

[GaryWado]

I suppose the key question is not so much what belts system your school uses, but more importantly how much you can charge for each exam (+belt on top).

Factored by how many of them you have got!!

I quite fancy the kokutoraryu's model in this respect.

Gary

[Teebs]

White
Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Purple
Purple-white
Brown
Brown-white
Brown-double white
Shodan e.t.c.

Gradings cost £10-15 (including dan grade ones) and you normally get an extra long session thrown in and the new belt is included. Not bad I think.

I don't think we have a formal limit on age for dan grades, but the youngest I know of was 17 I think.

[armanox]

White
Green
Brown
Black

No cost for gradings either, to add in GaryWado's input.

I'd also note that my Aikido school has two belts - White and black...

[sdkjester]

Beginner - White Belt
10th Kyu - White Belt
9th Kyu - White Belt w/ 1 yellow stripe
8th Kyu - Yellow Belt w/ 1 green stripe
7th Kyu- Yellow Belt w/ 2 green stripes
6th Kyu- Yellow Belt w/ 3 green stripes
5th Kyu- Green Belt w/ 1 brown stripe
4th Kyu- Green Belt w/ 2 brown stripes <=== Where I am
3rd Kyu- Green Belt w/ 3 brown stripes
2nd Kyu- Brown Belt w/ 1 black stripe <=== Will be in Dec
1st Kyu- Brown Belt w/ 2 black stripes
Black Black apprentice (Shodan-ho)- Black Belt w/ 1 white stripe
1st Dan- Black Belt (we don't wear stripes after Shodan-ho)

[nanook660]

In our Club we just stick to 4 Belts.


10th Kyu White Belt
9th Kyu White Belt
8th Kyu White Belt (One Black Stripe)
7th Kyu White Belt (Two Black Stripes)

6th Kyu Green Belt (1st Level)
5th Kyu Green Belt (2nd Level)
4th Kyu Green Belt (3rd Level)

3rd Kyu Brown Belt (1st Level)
2nd Kyu Brown Belt (2nd Level)
1st Kyu Brown Belt (3rd Level)

Black Belt

[magpie]

10th Kyu White Belt
9th Kyu White Belt
8th Kyu yellow Belt
7th Kyu orange Belt
6th Kyu Green Belt
5th Kyu purple Belt
4th Kyu purple Belt
3rd Kyu Brown Belt
2nd Kyu Brown Belt
1st Kyu Brown Belt

1st dan (shodan)
2nd dan
3rd dan
4th dan
5th dan
6th dan
7th dan
8th dan
9th dan
10th dan - when you pass away into the next life.

[SMMA]

When i learnt Shotokan (which is the style that i am most highly ranked in) the grading was;
white
yellow
orange
green
blue
red
brown
purple
black
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th

I am currently a 4th dan.

[Mike Flanagan]

In our Club we just stick to 4 Belts.


10th Kyu White Belt
9th Kyu White Belt
8th Kyu White Belt (One Black Stripe)
7th Kyu White Belt (Two Black Stripes)

6th Kyu Green Belt (1st Level)
5th Kyu Green Belt (2nd Level)
4th Kyu Green Belt (3rd Level)

3rd Kyu Brown Belt (1st Level)
2nd Kyu Brown Belt (2nd Level)
1st Kyu Brown Belt (3rd Level)

Black Belt

Hi Nanook

How delightful to see someone sticking to the old Wado belt system. I presume you have black stripes to show the different levels at green and brown?

This is the system used when I first started training. I've adopted the same idea in my club now. We used to use the same colours as most Shotokan groups but I never warmed to the array of bright colours. So now I do:

Kyu Colour
9 Orange
8 Orange (1 black stripe)
7 Orange (2 black stripe)
6 Green
5 Green (1 black stripe)
4 Green (2 black stripes)
3 Brown
2 Brown(1 black stripe)
1 Brown(2 black stripes)

Mike

[Blade96]

i do shotokan in a class where they teach adults so the belt levels are different than it is for kids. ours go like this.

White >>>> me (yeah im a noob)
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Brown
Black

1st Dan
2nd Dan
3rd Dan
4th Dan
5th Dan
6th Dan

[jbbasince84]

White
Yellow
Blue
Green
Purple
Brown 3rd
Brown 2nd
Brown 1st
Black 1st thru 10th

(My present Rank is Godan 5th Black)

Note: all kyu obis' in our school have a black stripe in the middle to remind the students to train with a Black Belt attitude.

[miriamgoldman]

White
Note: all kyu obis' in our school have a black stripe in the middle to remind the students to train with a Black Belt attitude.

I like that, very nice. :-) Kind of a nice subtle motivation.

[PASmith]

Ours is very simple...

Blue (5th kyu)
Yellow (4th)
Green (3th
Brown (2nd)
Brown (1st)
Black (1st Dan - now called Sempai)
3rd Dan (Sensei)
5th Dan (Shihan)

Grading fees go up each time but that's more to do with he fact that the sparring requirements go up with them so you spend more time grading and take up more time of the examiner.

[MissKarate]

White
2nd White (Red stripe)
Yellow <--- My ranking
Orange
Green
Blue
Purple
Brown 1
Brown 2
Brown 3
Black
1st Dan - ?
Grandmaster

[GrappleorWrestle]

Isshinryu Karate at my dojo:

10th Kyu White Belt
9th Kyu White Belt
8th Kyu Yellow Belt
7th Kyu Orange Belt
6th Kyu Blue Belt
5th Kyu Green Belt
4th Kyu Purple Belt
3rd Kyu Brown Belt
2nd Kyu Brown Belt
1st Kyu Brown Belt

1st dan (shodan) Black Belt <---- Where I am.
2nd dan Black 2 stripes
3rd dan Black 3 stripes
4th dan Black 4 stripes
5th dan Black 5 Stripes
6th dan Pass Masters test you get Red and White
7th dan More Red than White
8th dan Even More Red
9th dan Almost Completely Red
10th dan - Full Red

[Fabianos]

Fabiano's Karate uses the following ranking system:

White Belt
Purple Belt (Children)
10th KYU - Yellow White Stripe
9th KYU - Yellow Solid
8th KYU - Orange White Stripe
7th KYU - Orange Solid
6th KYU - Green White Stripe
5th KYU - Green Solid
4th KYU - Blue While Stripe
3rd KYU - Blue Solid
2nd KYU - Brown White Stripe
1st KYU - Brown Solid

As I read around, most places seem to charge for testing. This is something we do not believe in and all of our testing is done when the student chooses, and is done for free. The only cost is for the Black Belt (which pays for the belt to be embroidered ONLY, not to actually test).

[locust]

Beginner = White belt
10th kyu = White belt yellow tip
9th kyu = White belt orange tip
8th kyu = Yellow belt
7th kyu = Yellow belt orange tip
6th kyu = Orange belt
5th kyu = Green belt
4th kyu = Blue belt
3rd kyu = Brown belt
2nd kyu = Brown belt black tip
1st kyu = Brown belt 2 black tips

Dont ask me why its set like that i have not asked sensei

[flo0d]

White
Yellow
Orange
Blue
Green
Purple
Red
Brown
Black (1st > 10th degree)

* Each from White to Brown has a probationary level between the full belt. This is shown with a white stripe through the middle of the belt.

* Black has 3 probationary levels, Black-White, Black-Green and Black-Red. When you go for your Full Black belt grading, you would be wearing the Black-Red belt.

* The first 3 stripes on a black belt are Yellow (Gold), after that they are White.

I am currently Black belt, first degree.

peace

[seiken steve]

white yellow orange green blue purple brown brown brown black black black black black red and white checkered thing.

my goju ryu class had some funky belts but that is my current system

[lexmark]

This is what it says on my school's website and it's translated from French if some of it doens't seem to make sense. Also, at least to go from from white to orange you need at least 3 months and 35hrs of training. I could have my 35hrs in another 6 weeks if I went to every available class but that wouldn't give me 3 months.

"Kyokushin karate has a belt system similar to other own karate schools. The colors vary according to the federations, but according to the scheme adopted in Japan they appear in the following order:

11th kyu - white;
10th KYU - red or orange;
9th KYU - red or orange with a bar;
8th KYU - Blue;
7th KYU - Blue with a bar;
6th KYU - Yellow
5th KYU - yellow with a bar;
4th KYU - Green;
3rd KYU - Green with a bar;
2nd KYU - Brown;
1st KYU - Brown;
1 st dan - black with the name and surname of the person who succeeds his rank sent by the Honbu dojo (headquarters) in Japan;


Once the student has reached the 1 st Kyu, which is the highest rank beginners, it can present the 1st dan. To reach the black belt 1 dan, shodan or he must master the kihon (basics), the ido geiko (basic movements), the goshinjitsu (self-defense), and the sanbon ippon kumite (fighting), the kata and their bunkai (understanding of the movements), the Tameshiwari (breaking of bricks and wood) and defeat the final kumite (combat).

Examinations in Kyokushin are very difficult and from 8 th Kyu, each grade has the fighting increased in number gradually grade.

The pretender to the rank must face during the fighting opponents in higher grade (or the same level in case of lack) and take the fight convincingly. The fighting in competitions are conducted as in competition - a commitment and strength to the maximum.
Kyokushin allows obtaining a dan 1, after about 5 years of practice."

[Blade96]

Haha, nice to see this thread again, i also read my post where i was just a little white belt when i last posted in this!

[querist]

Wing Chun
Grading Structure

Level 1 Grade 1; Level 1 Grade 2; Level 2 Grade 0; Level 2 Grade 1; Level 2 Grade 2; Level 3 Grade 0; Level 3 Grade 1; Level 3 Grade 2; Level 4 Grade 0; Level 4 Grade 1; Level 4 Grade 2; Level 5 Grade 0; Level 5 Grade 1; Level 5 Grade 2; Level 6 Grade 0; Level 6 Grade 1; Level 6 Grade 2; Level 7 Grade 0; Level 7 Grade 1; Level 7 Grade 2; Level 8 Grade 0; Level 8 Grade 1; Level 8 Grade 2; Level 9 Grade 0; Level 10 Intructor; References; Technique Drills

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just for the record, not ALL Wing Chun schools use such a confusing system. It is nice, however, to have a clear list of the exact requirements.

[kitkatninja]

In my first association it was:

Blue Belt (for Beginners) - 10th KYU
Red Belt - 9th KYU
Orange Belt - 8th KYU
Yellow Belt - 7th KYU
Green Belt - 6th KYU
Purple Belt - 5th KYU
Purple with White Stripe - 4th KYU
Brown Belt - 3rd KYU
Brown with White stripe - 2nd KYU
Brown with Red stripe - 1st KYU
Black Belt Intermediate (this is a new grade that they introduced recently - after I left), not sure if this is for everyone or just for kids
Shodan - Black Belt - 1st Dan
Nidan - Black Belt - 2nd Dan
Sandan - Black Belt - 3rd Dan
Etc...

Not sure on the belt order of the association that I'm joining next week. Won't list the other ones :)

[6footgeek]

we keep it simple. =D

White
Blue
Yellow
Green
Brown
Black.


Takes at least 6 months to get to blue. i'm at blue =P

[Ives]

Rather basic (traditional) at our school of karate:

9th - 7th kyu: white belt;
6th - 4th kyu: green belt;
3rd - 1st kyu: brown belt;
yudansha: black belt.

(No stripes on the different belts.)