General
Here we will describe the grading process and also include some grading materials, such as Grading Syllabus, links to videos containing the Katas and list of all requirements candidates neeed to fulfill in order to be graded at Marsden Park Shotokan Karate.
Who can grade
Only current financial club members can grade. Also for grading you need to present your membership pass. Your uniform patch must also be sewn on your uniform. If you have lost your memebrship book, contact Sensei for a new book procedure. If you do not have a uniform patch contact Sensei.
How often is grading
There is not a general rule to this. We perform grading when we have a feeling that most of students are ready to grade. This means that all hours necessary for grading are done and the techniques are all learnt and mastered. For kyu grades the minimum number of training before one is allowed for grading is 36 hours of training within minimum period of 3 months. Even if all stripes (kata, kihon and kumite) are collected if the minimum training hours condition is not fulfilled the student will not be allowed to grade.
So, to summarize let us write the grading requirements as follows:
- Must be current financial member
- 3 stripes, yellow (kumite), red (kata) and black (kihon) must be given
- 36 continuous hours of training time must be completed for all kyu gradings (Attendance record will be checked)
- Tidy and clean uniform with dojo patch sewn on left chest is a requirement
- Member must present Marsden Park membership book at the grading. No grading will be conducted to members not having their membership books with them on the day of grading. If you have lost your book contact Sensei well in advance to arrange for a replacement.
No students will be allowed to grade outside of the grading day/time. Therefore it is necessary to plan your time well in advance. Grading dates are announced by Sensei at least one to two months in advance.
Grading Syllabus
Our grading syllabus may be downloaded at the end of this page.
List of Katas:
Here is a list of katas that we use for grading and competition. Basic katas are Heian katas.
