Curriculum and Testing - Adults

We observe the following as our ranking system for adults: 

  • Unranked/No belt
  • White belt
  • Yellow belt
  • Orange belt
  • Green belt
  • Blue belt
  • Purple belt
  • Brown belt
  • Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) 

Students who are unranked, white belts, yellow belts, and orange belts are considered beginner students. The goal for beginning students is to grasp the foundational aspects of Uechi-Ryu, on which everything else in the style is built. This includes stance, proper stepping, chambering, and proper circle blocks. It also includes Sanchin kata, the style’s foundational form. Other techniques focused on at this stage include stretching exercises, technique exercises, basic two-person kumites, and kicking techniques. 

Green belts, blue belts, and purple belts are considered intermediate students. Intermediate students are working on more advanced techniques while continuing to refine and hone their foundational skills. The katas and kumites in these ranks are slightly more advanced, and students will spend more time here than in their beginning ranks. Intermediate students will focus on kata differentiation, tight weapons, and increased speed and power. 

A student will also begin regularly sparring at this stage, which challenges them to put their skills into practice and begins to prepare them for their advanced kyu ranks. Any student blue belt and above is expected to have their own sparring gear and to bring it to class regularly. 

Brown belts and first-degree black belts are considered advanced students. Advanced students learn even more challenging kumites and katas while focusing on honing their skills that they learned at the intermediate levels. Students at this level focus on putting their skills into practice though bunkai, break falls, and takedowns as they prepare for their first or second degree black belt tests. A student at this stage will continue to work on improving their speed and power while also focusing on timing, distancing, kata dynamics, and the “art” of martial arts.  

Testing Requirements

“Class” refers to 1 hr. of karate instruction. Therefore, someone who does two back-to-back classes in a single day has completed two of their required classes. These requirements are in addition to performance requirements.

Key: Belt Colors: Requirements

White: Register as a member of the dojo!

Yellow: 10 total classes, 1 month minimum as a white belt

Orange: 20 total classes (10 minimum as a yellow belt), 1 month minimum as a yellow belt

Green: 40 total classes (20 minimum as an orange belt), 2 months minimum as an orange belt

Blue: 60 total classes (20 minimum as a green belt), 2 months minimum as a green belt

Purple: 80 total classes (20 minimum as a blue belt), 2 months minimum as a blue belt.

Brown: 120 total classes (30 minimum as a purple belt), 3 months minimum as a purple belt

Black: 200 total classes (50 minimum as a brown belt), 6 months minimum as a brown belt

Requirements listed above are the minimum requirements. Testing and promotions are at the discretion of the instructor.

Black belt tests are administered 1-2 times/year, depending on student eligibility. At this point, we celebrate a student’s accomplishments! It is a wonderful thing to achieve your 1st Dan, but receiving your black belt, in many ways, is only the beginning. With multiple katas, a new kumite, additional applications, and a focus on the “art” of “martial arts,” time spent as a black belt is a time of further study that is both challenging and rewarding.

Curriculum and Testing - Children under 12

Children learn differently than adults, and our children’s curriculum and ranking system—while focusing on the same techniques and katas as adults—is geared primarily toward helping the student improve in areas outside of martial arts proficiency such as confidence, self-discipline, and good behavior. It’s important to recognize that the goal for kids is oftentimes less about the technical or physical aspects of karate and more about the social/mental aspects such as self-discipline and focus. Instructors will work with parents to set age-appropriate goals for both karate instruction and personal growth. 

Although the belt colors are the same as adults, children gain stripes representing how close they are to their next belt color. Each belt has four stripes. The goal is to show progress through time but with additional steps for more visual motivation.  

A child must demonstrate good behavior at school and home to be promoted to their next rank. They must also demonstrate techniques at an appropriate level for their age and development. 

A final note: children learn differently and see the world differently than adults. Therefore, what follows is not a minimum class requirement, but rather an average length of time for a child to remain at their belt color, assuming they are attending class on a somewhat regular basis (~2 times a week). Promotions for children will seem random but are actually planned by instructors and parents to demonstrate a meeting of both personal and karate goals. 

This curriculum is designed for students under the age of 12. A 12-year-old may choose to use the adult ranking system or the children’s ranking system, depending on their personality. Upon completion of the kyu ranks, children under the age of 15 are eligible to test for their junior black belt. If a child sticks with karate beyond the achievement of their junior black belt, Fourth Form will pay for them to test for their official black belt in Uechi-Ryu at the age of 15. 

Beginning Stages – Unranked to Orange Belt

Techniques Learned and Studied

Dojo Etiquette, history, stretching and technique exercises, Prearranged 1&2, Kicking Exercises, Kicking Kumite, Sanchin, Shoshu, Kanshiwa

 

 

Intermediate Stages – Green Belt to Purple Belt

Techniques Learned and Studied

Conditioning, beginner sparring, beginner break falls, Tai Sabaki, moving kicks & blocks, Kyu Kumite, Dan Kumite, Kanshu, Seichin 

 

 

Advanced Stages – Brown Belt to First Degree Black Belt

Techniques Learned and Studied

Advanced sparring, advanced break falls, Okikukai, Seisan Bunkai, New 10 point, Seisan, Seiryu

 

Upon completion of the kyu ranks, children under the age of 15 are eligible to test for their junior black belt. If a child sticks with karate beyond the achievement of their junior black belt, Fourth Form will pay for them to test for their official black belt in Uechi-Ryu at the age of 15.