Basics & Forms (Kihon & Kata)

Every student must demonstrate solid fundamentals, including stances, blocks, strikes, and kicks. These basics are the foundation of all movement in karate. As students advance, they also learn traditional katas — choreographed patterns of techniques that teach rhythm, focus, and real-world application.

Weapons Practice

Starting at blue belt, students begin practicing with traditional martial arts weapons. Each rank introduces a new weapon, including the Nunchaku, Bo, Sai, Tonfa, and eventually the Sword. Students must learn forms and demonstrate proper handling, control, and respect for each weapon.

Physical Conditioning

Physical fitness is essential to martial arts. Students are tested on pushups and crunches, with reps increasing at each level. Conditioning also includes body hardening drills and, at advanced ranks, shinai (bamboo sword) impact training to develop strength, endurance, and mental resilience.

Sparring (Kumite)

Sparring helps students apply techniques in real-time with control and discipline. All students spar during testing using protective gear and must demonstrate strategy, respect, and awareness. Both point sparring and knockdown-style techniques are incorporated depending on the student’s level and skill.

Board Breaking & Self-Defense

Board breaking demonstrates a student’s focus, accuracy, and power. Kicks and strikes must cleanly break boards appropriate to the rank. At intermediate levels, students are also evaluated on their ability to respond to self-defense scenarios, including grabs and multiple attackers.

Underbelt Testing

Purple Belt

9th Kyu

  • Demonstrate all basic blocks and strikes
  • Breaking – 1 board, w/ front kick or hammer strike
  • 10 Pushups, 20 Crunches
  • Sparring

Blue Belt

8th Kyu

  • 9th Kyu Requirements Plus
  • Katas: Ni Juu Shichi No Kata (or 27 Movements)
  • Zenshinkotai
  • Basic knowledge Nun Chuks
  • Breaking – 2 boards, w/ front kick and hammer strike
  • 20 Pushups, 30 Crunches
  • Sparring

Yellow Belt

7th Kyu

  • 8th Kyu Requirements Plus
  • Katas: Ni Juu Shichi No Kata (27 Movements)
  • Zenshinkotai
  • Shi Ho Hai
  • Breaking – 2 boards, w/ front kick and hammer strike
  • 20 Pushups, 40 Crunches
  • Sparring

Yellow with 1 stripe

6th Kyu

  • 7th Kyu Requirements Plus
  • Katas: Kihon Kata Sandan + Kihon Kata Yondon
  • Nunchaku: Kihon Kata
  • Basic Weapon Knowledge Bo 
  • Breaking – 3 Boards – Front Kick, Side Kick, Any Hand Technique
  • 40 Pushups, 50 Crunches
  • Sparring
  • Demonstrate Body Conditioning (Padded)

Green Belt

5th Kyu

  • 6th Kyu Requirements Plus
  • Katas: Kihon Kata Nidan + Kihon Kata Shodan
  • Bo: Kihon Kata Nidan
  • Nunchaku: Kihon Kata Shodan
  • Sai: Zenshin kotai
  • Breaking – 4 Boards – Front Kick, Side Kick, Spinning Kick, Hand Technique
  • 50 Pushups, 60 Crunches
  • Sparring
  • Demonstrate Body Conditioning (Padded)

Green with 1 Stripe

4th Kyu

  • 5th Kyu Requirements Plus
  • Katas: Nisheishi
  • Bo: Kihon Kata Sondan
  • Sai: Shi Ho Hai
  • Self Defense – 3 Attacks
  • Breaking – 4 Boards – Jump Kick, Spinning Kick, or 1 Other Kick of Choice, 2 Hand Techniques
  • 60 Pushups, 75 Crunches
  • Sparring
  • Demonstrate Body Conditioning – Shinai

Brown Belt

3rd Kyu

  • 4th Kyu Requirements Plus
  • Katas: Seisan
  • Tonfa:  Tensho
  • Self Defense – 3 Attacks
  • Combinations – 3 sets of 3
  • Breaking – 5 Boards – Jump Kick, Spinning Kick, 1 Other Kick of Choice, 2 Hand Techniques
  • 75 Pushups, 90 Crunches
  • Sparring
  • Demonstrate Body Conditioning – Shinai

Brown with 2 stripes

2nd Kyu

  • 3rd Kyu Requirements Plus
  • Nunchaku:  Yoshu
  • Self Defense – 4 Attacks
  • Combinations – 3 sets of 4
  • Breaking – 5 Boards – Jump Kick, Spinning Kick, Side Kick (2 Boards), 2 Hand Techniques
  • 80 Pushups, 120 Crunches
  • Sparring
  • Demonstrate Body Conditioning – Shinai / Kicks

Brown with 3 stripes

1st Kyu

  • 2nd Kyu Requirements Plus
  • Kata: Ro Hai Sho / Dai
  • Sai: Ro Hai Sho
  • Self Defense – 4 Attacks, 1 double attack
  • Combinations – 4 sets of 4
  • Breaking – 6 Boards – Jump Kick, Spinning Kick, Side Kick (2 Boards), 2 Hand Techniques
  • 80 Pushups, 160 Crunches
  • Sparring
  • Demonstrate Body Conditioning – Shinai / Kicks
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