Testing Philosophy
Instruction Philosophy and Intentions:
Kyokushin Karate is founded on the principles of courtesy and respect between practitioners. As the instructors, it is our aim to prepare all students towards their next grading. From the students, we ask that they prepare themselves to learn and to be open to constructive critique and correction on their techniques.
Testing Philosophy:
In Kyokushin Karate, a student must grade for each belt they wish to attain. The gradings focus on the core principles of Kyokushin Karate. A student’s athleticism, form, knowledge, technique, and spirit are all assessed, and to pass the grading, the student must meet the minimums for each category as outlined in the Student Handbook.
The Student Handbook has specific requirements for each grade level.
The Junior Kyu’s are set to break down the process of getting the 10th Kyu (Orange Belt) into manageable stages for children aged 10 and under. These gradings are simplified and require less immediate knowledge and understanding, but all grading requirements must be met.
The Junior Kyu’s are set to teach a young practitioner the essential, beginning basics to Karate, so that they can train and learn in any Kyokushin dojo with success.
Achieving Success in Grading:
A student should identify early in the year if they’d like to undergo the testing for the next grade. It is extremely helpful to talk with the instructors about this so that appropriate focus, attention and support can be provided. Each student is unique, and their path towards a successful grading may vary.
Before any student can test for their grade, they must register to grade and pay the testing fee. The registration process will be announced in advance, with students provided plenty of time to register prior to the testing night. Late registrations will not be accepted. For students unsure if they are ready to grade, there are several opportunities provided. Two are conducted in our Dojo, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Additional opportunities are provided at either the Winter Grading before Shihan at the South Arm Dojo, or before Shihan at the Summer Camp. A student may only grade twice a year.
The first thing the instructors will ask is for the student to review their handbook, and review all grades up to their current grade. Next, they will be directed to look at the requirements for the next grade.
Many grades require a minimum number of instructional hours/months of active participation to qualify. At higher levels, gradings require a year practicing in the previous grade, camp attendance, and tournament participation.
If the student identifies something they are unsure of, terminology they haven’t encountered, or techniques that they haven’t been taught, that are required for their next grading, they should seek the support of an instructor to guide them.
There are hundreds of techniques, terms, stances and kata that could be taught in any given class. The instructors will do their best to build classes to support students who are actively pursuing their next grading, but some requirements for 8th Kyu and above may require attendance in the Adult Class, or the Saturday Class, to ensure the subject is covered. Talking with the instructor is important to ensure nothing is missed.
Belt Specific Requirements:
- 8th Kyu: a student of the family class must attend to at least 8 adult classes
- 7th Kyu: must be full time student in adult class
- 6th Kyu:
- 5th Kyu:
- 4th Kyu: Grading conducted before Shihan.
- 3rd Kyu: Grading conducted before Shihan.
- 2nd Kyu: Grading conducted before Shihan.
- 1st Kyu: Grading conducted before Shihan.