top of page
CTK WHITE BELT
(BEGINNER)
​
Every Karate student begins with a White Belt.
​
CTK WHITE BELT TO CTK RED STRIPE BELT
(BEGINNER – 13TH KYU)
​
Kihon (Basic Techniques)
From Standing Position:
1. Choku Zuki (Straight Punch)
2. Age-Uke (Rising Block)
3. Soto-Uke (Outside Block)
4. Uchi-Uke (Inside Block)
5. Gedan-Barai (Low Block)
6. Mae-Geri (Front Kick)
​
CTK RED STRIPE BELT TO CTK RED BELT
(13TH KYU – 12TH KYU)
Kihon (Basic Techniques)
​
From Standing Position:
1. Choku Zuki (Straight Punch)
2. Age-Uke (Rising Block)
3. Soto-Uke (Outside Block)
4. Uchi-Uke (Inside Block)
5. Gedan-Barai (Low Block)
6. Mae-Geri (Front Kick)
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch)
2. Mae Geri (Front Kick)
​
CTK RED BELT CTK YELLOW STRIPE BELT
(12TH KYU – 11TH KYU)
​
Kihon (Basic Techniques)
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch)
2. Age-Uke (Rising Block)
3. Soto-Uke (Outside Block)
4. Uchi-Uke (Inside Block)
5. Gedan-Barai (Low Block)
6. Mae Geri (Front Kick)
Kata
1st half of Taikyoku Shodan
​
CTK YELLOW STRIPE TO CTK YELLOW BELT
(11TH KYU – 10TH KYU)
​
Kihon: (Basic Techniques)
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch)
2. Age-Uke (Rising Block)
3. Soto-Uke (Outside Block)
4. Uchi-Uke (Inside Block)
5. Gedan-Barai (Low Block)
6. Mae Geri (Front Kick)
Kata: Taikyoku Shodan
​
Well done! You have now graduated
from our Tiger Cubs Syllabus and will begin our
Crouching Tiger Shotokan Syllabus.
Tips from the examiner
All Karateka must perform techniques with
confidence, focus and martial spirit.
Katas should be performed without mistakes, demonstrating correct stances,
good posture, exact technique and tempo.
In particular, examiners will be checking:
9th-8th Kyu
Kihon and Kata: Exact stances and block preparations.
7th-6th Kyu
Kihon and Kata: Good posture and hip rotation.
​
Kumite: Awareness of their own safety at all times
(effective guard and knowing when to
engage/disengage) with balance and
good control (skin touch).
5th -4th Kyu
Kihon and Kata: Each technique
and stance must be executed exactly
and with strong kime (focus).
​
Kumite: Accurate, technical strikes with good timing.
3rd-1st Kyu
Kihon and Kata: Strong kime and indomitable spirit.
Kumite: Powerful strikes with good control
to the head maintaining
zanshin (awareness) constantly.
CTK BEGINNER TO CTK ORANGE BELT
(10TH KYU - 9TH KYU)
Kihon: (Basic Techniques)
​
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch)
2. Age-Uke (Rising Block)
3. Soto-Uke (Outside Block)
4. Uchi-Uke (Inside Block)
5. Gedan-Barai (Low Block)
6. Mae Geri (Front Kick)
Kata:
Taikyoku Shodan
​
CTK ORANGE BELT TO CTK BLUE BELT
(9TH KYU - 8TH KYU)
Kihon: (Basic Techniques)
​
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch)
2. Age-Uke (Rising Block)
3. Soto-Uke (Outside Block)
4. Uchi-Uke (Inside Block)
5. Gedan-Barai (Low Block)
6. Mae Geri (Front Kick)
From Kokutsu Dachi (Back Stance):
5 forwards and backwards
1. Shuto Uke (Knifehand Block)
Kata:
Heian Shodan
​
CTK BLUE BELT TO CTK GREEN BELT
(8TH KYU – 7TH KYU)
​
Kihon: (Basic Techniques)
​
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Oi Zuki (Lunge Punch)
2. Age-Uke (Rising Block)
3. Soto-Uke (Outside Block)
4. Uchi-Uke (Inside Block)
5. Gedan-Barai (Low Block)
6. Mae Geri (Front Kick)
From Kokutsu Dachi (Back Stance):
5 forwards and backwards
1. Shuto Uke (Knifehand Block)
From Kiba Dachi (Side Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Yoko Geri Keage (Side Snap Kick)
Kata:
Heian Nidan
CTK GREEN BELT TO
CTK GREEN STRIPE BELT
(7TH KYU – 6TH KYU)
​
Kihon: (Basic Techniques)
​
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Nidan-Zuki (Double Punch)
2. Age-Uke-Gyaku Zuki (Rising Block-Reverse Punch)
3. Soto-Uke-Gyaku Zuki (Outside Block-Reverse Punch)
4. Uchi-Uke-Gyaku Zuki (Inside Block-Reverse Punch)
5. Gedan-Barai-Gyaku Zuki (Low Block-Reverse Punch)
From Kokutsu Dachi (Back Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Shuto Uke-Nukite (Knifehand Block-Spearhand Thrust)
From Kiba Dachi (Side Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Yoko Geri Kekomi (Side Thrust Kick)
Kata:
Heian Sandan
Kumite:
Jiyu Kumite (Free Sparring)
​
c
​
​
CTK PURPLE BELT TO CTK PURPLE STRIPE
(5TH KYU – 4TH KYU)
​
Kihon: (Basic Techniques)
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Sanbon-Zuki (Triple Punch)
2. Age-Uke-Gyaku Zuki –Gedan Barai (Rising
Block-Reverse Punch-Low Block)
3. Uchi-Uke, Nidan Zuki, Gedan Barai (Inside Block,
Double Punch, Low Block)
From Kamae (Fighting Stance):
1. Mawashi Geri, Gyaku-Zuki (Roundhouse Kick,
Reverse Punch)
From Kokutsu Dachi (Back Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Shuto Uke, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite (Knifehand
Block, Front Kick, Spearhand Thrust)
Kata:
Heian Godan
Kumite:
Jiyu Kumite (Free Sparring)
​
CTK PURPLE STRIPE TO CTK BROWN BELT
(4TH KYU – 3RD KYU)
​
Kihon: (Basic Techniques)
From Zenkutsu Dachi (Forward Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Sanbon-Zuki (Triple Punch)
2. Age-Uke-Gyaku Zuki –Gedan Barai (Rising
Block-Reverse Punch-Low Block)
3. Soto-Uke, Enpi-Uchi, Uraken-Uchi, Gyaku Zuki
(Outside Block, Elbow Strike, Backfist, Reverse Punch)
4. Uchi-Uke, Nidan Zuki, Gedan Barai (Inside Block,
Double Punch, Low Block)
From Kamae (Fighting Stance):
1. Mawashi Geri, Gyaku-Zuki (Roundhouse Kick,
Reverse Punch)
2. Ushiro Geri (Back Kick)
From Kokutsu Dachi (Back Stance):
5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards
1. Shuto Uke, Kizami Mae Geri, Nukite
(Knifehand Block, Front Kick, Spearhand Thrust)
Kata:
Tekki-Shodan
Kumite:
Jiyu Kumite (Free Sparring)
​
​
CTK BROWN BELT TO
CTK BROWN WITH SINGLE WHITE STRIPE
(3RD KYU - 2ND KYU)
​
Kihon (Basic Techniques)
All Kihon techniques are performed
from Jiyu-Dachi (Free Stance):
1. Kizame-Zuki (Jab) x5
Turn – same back
2. Oi-Zuki (Lunge Punch) x5
Turn – same back
3. Gyaku-Zuki (Reverse Punch) x5
Turn – same back
4. Mae-Geri (Front Kick) x5
Turn – same back
5. Yoko-Geri-Kekomi (Side Thrust Kick) x5
Turn – same back
6. Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse Kick) x5
Turn – same back
7. Ushiro-Geri (Back Kick) x5
Turn – same back
8. Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri Kekomi, Mawashi-Geri,
Ushiro-Geri (Front Kick, Side Thrust Kick,
Roundhouse Kick, Back Kick) x1
Turn – same back
9. Stationary Kicking: Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri ,
Mawashi-Geri (Front Kick, Side Kick, Roundhouse Kick) x3
Both legs
Kata:
Bassai Dai
Kumite:
Jiyu-Kumite. Format and number of rounds
to be decided by the examiner
​
BROWN WITH SINGLE WHITE STRIPE
TO BROWN WITH DOUBLE WHITE STRIPE
(2ND KYU TO 1ST KYU )
​
Kihon (Basic Techniques)
​
All Kihon techniques are performed
from Jiyu-Dachi (Free Stance):
1. Kizame-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Gyaku-Zuki
(Jab, Half-Step, Reverse Punch) x3
Turn – same back
2. Kizame-Zuki, Oi-Zuki
(Jab, Lunge Punch) x3
Turn – same back
3. Oi-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Kizame-Zuki
(Lunge Punch, Half-Step, Jab) x3
Turn – same back
4. Oi-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Gyaku-Zuki
(Lunge Punch,
Half-Step, Reverse Punch) x3
Turn – same back
5. Kizame-Zuki, Oi-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Gyaku-Zuki
(Jab, Lunge Punch, Half-Step, Reverse Punch) x2
Turn – same back
6. Any Zuki Combination (Any Punching Combination)
Turn – same back
7. Gyaku-Zuki, Mae-Geri (Reverse Punch, Front Kick) x3
Turn – same back
8. Gyaku-Zuki, Yoko-Geri-Kekomi Reverse
Punch, Side Thrust Kick) x3
Turn – same back
9. Ushiro-Geri, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku-Zuki
(Back Kick, Backfist, Reverse Punch) x3
Turn – same back
10. Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri Kekomi, Mawashi-Geri,
Ushiro-Geri, Uraken-Uchi, Gyaku-Zuki
(Front Kick, Side Thrust Kick, Roundhouse Kick,
Back Kick, Backfist, Reverse Punch) x1
Turn – same back
11. Any Geri Combination
(Any Kicking Combination)
Turn – same back
12. Stationary Kicking: Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri,
Mawashi-Geri, Ushiro-Geri (Front Kick, Side Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Back Kick) x3
Both legs
Kata:
Candidate chooses from:
Jion, Kanku-Dai, Enpi, Hangetsu, Tekki Nidan
(Must be a different Kata from your previous Grading)
Examiner chooses from:
Bassai-Dai, Tekki Shodan, Heian Katas 1-5
and Taikyoku Shodan.
Kumite:
Jiyu-Kumite. Format and number of rounds
to be decided by the examiner.
​
This is where the
Crouching Tiger Shotokan Syllabus ends
and our Shodan Syllabus begins.
​
​
CTK BLACK BELT FIRST DAN
​
Shodan Grading Written Assessment
1. Write Karate-Do in Japanese calligraphy.
2. Name 5 blocks in English and Japanese.
3. Name 5 kicks in English and Japanese.
4. Name 5 hand attacks in English and Japanese.
5. Name 5 stances in English and Japanese.
6. Explain ways to increase power
in karate techniques.
7. What is the meaning of Karate?
8. What is the meaning of Shotokan?
9. Summarise the importance of Anko Itosu
and Gichin Funakoshi to the history of Karate.
10. Name another martial artist who has inspired
your training and give reasons why.
11. Why is insurance important for
both instructors and students?
12. What is your favourite of the five
Dojo Kun and why?
13. What is your favourite of
Funakoshi's 20 precepts and why?
14. Explain the 'Do' in Karate-Do
15. Explain the reason for having different
colour belts or ranks
16. Why do you want to become
a Black Belt in Karate?
​
Shodan Grading Syllabus
Kihon: (Basic Techniques)
All Kihon techniques are performed from Jiyu-Dachi.
1. Kizame-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Gyaku-Zuki x3
Turn – same back
2. Kizame-Zuki, Oi-Zuki x3
Turn – same back
3. Oi-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Kizame-Zuki x3
Turn – same back
4. Oi-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Gyaku-Zuki x3
Turn – same back
5. Kizame-Zuki, Oi-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Gyaku-Zuki x2
Turn – same back
6. Any Zuki Combination
Turn – same back
7. Gyaku-Zuki, Mae-Geri x3
Turn – same back
8. Gyaku-Zuki, Yoko-Geri-Kekomi x3
Turn – same back
9. Ushiro-Geri, Uraken Uchi, Gyaku-Zuki x3
Turn – same back
10. Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri Kekomi, Mawashi-Geri,
Ushiro-Geri, Uraken-Uchi, Gyaku-Zuki x1
Turn – same back
11. Any Geri Combination
Turn – same back
12. Stationary Kicking: Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri,
Mawashi-Geri, Ushiro-Geri x3
Both legs
Kata:
Candidate chooses from:
Jion, Kanku-Dai, Enpi, Hangetsu,
Examiner chooses from:
Bassai-Dai, Tekki Shodan, Heian Katas 1-5
and Taikyoku Shodan.
Kumite:
Jiyu-Kumite. Format and number of rounds
to be decided by the examiner.
Demonstration of five self-defence techniques
Demonstration of five Kata applications
​
​
This is where the
Crouching Tiger Shodan Syllabus ends
and our Nidan Syllabus begins.
​
click your current belt below to see your syllabus
Crouching Tiger Karate
Shotokan Karate Colour Belt Syllabus
bottom of page