Dan (Black Belt) Grading Information
1 Below is important information you will need before you embark on a Dan Grading.
Your licence/insurance has to be up to date.
You will need to obtain a "Black & Brown Belts Course Attendance Card" and attend the appropriate number of courses* as listed in the table below.
You must obtain a permission letter from your instructor in order for you to grade.
|
GRADE |
Number of Courses * |
|
1st Dan |
3 before grading & 2 after grading |
|
2nd Dan & above |
6 before grading & 3 after grading |
Karate England (KEGB) Certificates can be obtained through the SSKA, cost £20, payable on grading.
2 Re-Grades
If you have to re-grade for any element of your Dan grading (i.e. Kumite, Kata etc) you must grade within four months, otherwise the full grading will have to be re-taken.
3 Grading Time Scales.
The following time in grade restrictions apply to all Dan grades over the age of 16.
|
GRADE |
TIME SCALE |
|
Beginner (10th Kyu) to 1st Dan |
3 years |
|
1st Dan to 2nd Dan |
2 years |
|
2nd Dan to 3rd Dan |
3 years |
|
3rd Dan to 4th Dan |
4 years |
|
4th Dan to 5thDan |
5 years |
4 Minimum Age Criteria
|
GRADE |
MINIMUM AGE |
|
Shodan |
16 |
|
Nidan |
18 |
|
Sandan |
21 |
|
Yondan |
25 |
|
Godan |
30 |
4 Junior Dan Grades (Below 16 Years)
The youngest age in which a junior can grade for Shodan (1st Dan) is 10 years old.
The minimum age for junior Dan gradings are as follows:
|
GRADE |
MINIMUM AGE |
| 1st Dan | 10 years old |
| 2nd Dan | 14 years old |
5 Residential Courses
If attending a residential course, providing you are within the timescale boundaries, you will be able to grade without attending the brown & black belt courses.
A letter of permission to grade must be obtained from your instructor in order for you to grade.
Updated: Friday, 03 August 2007