Grading in Sei-Bu-Kan. 

The 2011 grading syllabus can be downloaded by clicking here

What is the purpose of the grading syllabus?

All karate-ka have a personal journey to make through the grading system. The purpose of the syllabus is to help instructors provide a safe, fun and stimulating learning environment, and to facilitate the development of well-rounded martial artists.

What will I need to learn to earn promotion?

Promotion within the syllabus is based on both an ability to demonstrate karate techniques to the best standard the individual can reach, and an understanding of the technical aspects of the art. Students will be expected to know the Japanese names for the techniques they learn, and some further basic Japanese terms. Students will also be expected, where appropriate, to discuss techniques with the grading examiner.

With the support and guidance of their instructors, students are encouraged to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and development as they progress through the grades, and a knowledge of the grading syllabus is central to this learning.

Each student taking part in a grading should be relaxed, and the grading examiner will encourage them to produce their best performance. In this way, students will be given the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their abilities and understanding of karate, and will progress through the syllabus by virtue of their personal efforts. The grading process is a working partnership between instructors, grading examiners, students and parents/guardians.

How are grades awarded?

Children undertaken ‘Mon’ (junior) grades and adults undertake ‘Kyu’ (senior) grades. Belts are awarded as follows:

For adult students (16 years and over)

The belt of the appropriate colour will be awarded on completion of the syllabus learning for that belt.

For children (5-15 years inclusive)

9th Mon, 8th Mon, and 1st Mon

The belt of the appropriate colour will be awarded on completion of the syllabus learning for that belt.

7th Mon – 2nd Mon

The belt of the appropriate colour and 1 tag will be awarded after completion of the first third of the syllabus learning for that belt. A further tag will awarded for the 2nd third, and another for the final third.

How and when do gradings occur?

Gradings will take place 3 times every year in December, March and June. They will normally take place during the normal dojo training time and in the normal dojo. The grading officer for all gradings except the ones specified below will be the club instructor.

The Chief Instructor will be responsible for quality monitoring. To allow him to check students’ progress he will be the grading officer for the following pivotal grades:

6th Mon (3rd tag) and 6th Kyu

2nd Mon (3rd tag)and 2nd Kyu

1st Mon and 1st Kyu

After passing 2nd Mon, the student will be expected to spend the equivalent time to three gradings studying for the achievement of 1st Mon.

Minimum Age

The minimum age a student may attempt promotion is 5 years of age. The recommended maximum grade that can be held before the age of 8 is 6th Mon and there are recommended age bands for each of the grades as detailed below. Students may choose to seek promotion under the Senior Kyu Grade syllabus on reaching 14 years of age.

Time requirements and frequency of promotions

Novice up to and including 6th Mon ages 5-7

Candidates may be promoted one Mon every 3 calendar months.

Novice up to and including 6th Mon — ages 8-17

Candidates may be promoted one Mon every calendar month.

This allowance for ages 8-17 is because it is known and accepted that at this age range, young people have a greater capacity for learning and therefore more able to undertake examination at shorter intervals.

From 7th Mon and above — all ages

Candidates are limited to one promotion every 3 calendar months.

A month is a calendar month e.g. a candidate can be examined any date in January and then any date in March. This means a candidate could enter a maximum of six gradings per year, following a learning pathway of continuous progress, however, it is anticipated they would go up 1 belt colour per year.

Grading Syllabus 2011

Click here to down load the 2011 Mon Grading syllabus