Black Belt Institute - Black Belt Requirements

Black Belt (Shodan) Requirements

Quick Links: stances, punches, strikes, blocks, kicks, kata/forms, drills, self defence, sparring, optional requirements, general grading comments.

Introduction:
The test for this level will be an endurance of stamina and knowledge. Set aside a minimum of 3 hours for the test and bring liquids (Gatorade, juice or water) to drink at the 5 minute break - the mid point of the test - and after the test.

Besides the martial arts training, it would be advisable to include cardio workouts and long periods of stance holding to build the body and mind endurance.

Recommended training time at Brown before grading

6 to 12 months – approximately 48 training hours –at the head sensei’s discretion

This level may be broken down into two stripe levels corresponding to the forms: Tiger (1st Stripe – 2nd Kyu) and Crane (2nd Stripe – 1st Kyu).

Stances
The student will be required to hold any combination of these stances for up to 60 minutes
• Horse Stance / Basic Stance
• Forward Stance
• Back / three quarter Stance
• Cat Stance
• Twisted / crow foot Stance

Punches
• Lunge Punch
• Reverse Punch
• High, middle and low punches
• Uppercut
• Hook Punch
• Double Fist Punch (U punch)
• Hammer Fist
• Spinning Back fist

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Strikes
• Back Fist
• Spear Hand
• Sword / knife Hand
• Ridge Hand
• Palm Heel
• Elbow Strike
• Chicken / Crane neck Strike
• Single Knuckle Strike
• Chicken / Crane Beak Strike
• Tiger Claw Strike

Blocks
• Inside Middle Block
• Outside Middle Block
• High Block
• Low Block
• X Block
• Augmented Block
• Sword / Knife Hand Block
• Palm Heel Block
• Chicken / Crane Neck Block

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Kicks
• Front kick off of back leg
• Side Kick
• Back Kick
• Round House
• Crescent
• Jumping front kick
• Jumping side kick
• Spinning Side Kick
• Spinning Back Kick
• Flying side kick
• Front, crescent, roundhouse kicks off of the front leg
• Bridging side kick
• Spinning Jumping Side Kick
• Spinning Jumping Back Kick
• Hook Kick
• Spinning Hook Kick
• Spinning Crescent Kick
• Inside Roundhouse Kick
• Sliding bridging Side / Roundhouse kicks
• Spinning sweep
• Spinning Jumping Crescent Kick
• Spinning Jumping Hook Kick
• Double Jumping Crescent Kick
• Double Jumping Front Kick

Kata / Forms
• 27 Movements
• Takiyoko Shodan
• Shi Ho Hi
• Heian Nidan
• Heian Sandan
• Breathing Kata
• Leopard
• Dragon
• Tiger (1st Stripe Brown Belt) - Download Tiger/Crane document
• Crane (2nd Stripe Brown Belt)
• Chinto - Download Chinto Video

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Combinations
Moving in forward / back / cat / twisted stance demonstrating any of:
• Punches / Strikes
• Kicks
• Blocks
• Combination of any three of the above
• Double Kick (any two kicks launched without putting the foot on the ground)
• Spinning Back / side kicks

Self-defenses
Demonstrate defenses against any one of these attacks
• Single wrist grab release
• Double wrist grab release
• Lapel grab release
• Front Choke
• Front Bear Hug – over and under arms
• Rear Bear hug – over and under arms
• Head lock
• Lunge / reverse punch
• Front kick
• Rear Choke (Hands around neck)
• Hair Pull
• Spin Kick
• Roundhouse
• Demonstration of a rear choke hold and defense against

Sparring
Two or more, five minute continuous sparring rounds, light-contact, demonstrating control of distance between attacker / defender. Fast counter attack is expected. Combinations of kicks and punches with some spinning kick techniques.

Optional
Depending on your sensei, this requirement might include Japanese terminology, history, or general martial arts knowledge. Check with your sensei.

Comments
All gradings are dependant on the student’s attendance and attitude in class.

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The Black Belt Institute

Black Belt (Shodan) Requirements