CTK WHITE BELT

(BEGINNER)

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Every Karate student begins with a White Belt.

 

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CTK WHITE BELT TO CTK RED STRIPE BELT 

(BEGINNER – 13TH KYU) 

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 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) 

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 CTK RED STRIPE BELT TO CTK RED BELT  

(13TH KYU – 12TH KYU)

 

Kihon (Basic Techniques)

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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)

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CTK RED BELT CTK YELLOW STRIPE BELT

(12TH KYU – 11TH KYU)

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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

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 CTK YELLOW STRIPE TO CTK YELLOW BELT 

(11TH KYU – 10TH KYU) 

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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 

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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. 

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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).  

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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)

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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

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CTK ORANGE BELT TO CTK BLUE BELT 

(9TH KYU - 8TH KYU) 

 

 Kihon: (Basic Techniques)

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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 

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CTK BLUE BELT TO CTK GREEN BELT 

(8TH KYU – 7TH KYU)  

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 Kihon: (Basic Techniques)

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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)

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Kihon: (Basic Techniques)

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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) 

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CTK GREEN STRIPE TO CTK PURPLE BELT

(6TH KYU – 5TH KYU) 

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 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 Kamae (fighting stance):

 1. Kizami Mae Geri, Mae Geri (Front Kick from

front leg and back leg) 

2. Mawashi Geri (Roundhouse Kick)  

 

From Kokutsu Dachi (Back Stance):

5 forwards, turn, 5 forwards 

1. Shuto Uke-Nukite (Knifehand Block-Spearhand Thrust)  

 

Kata:

Heian Yondan 

 

Kumite:

Jiyu Kumite (Free Sparring)  

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CTK PURPLE BELT TO CTK PURPLE STRIPE 

(5TH KYU – 4TH KYU)  

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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) 

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CTK PURPLE STRIPE TO CTK BROWN BELT 

(4TH KYU – 3RD KYU) 

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 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)   

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CTK BROWN BELT TO 

CTK BROWN WITH SINGLE WHITE STRIPE 

(3RD KYU -  2ND KYU)

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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  

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 BROWN WITH SINGLE WHITE STRIPE

TO BROWN WITH DOUBLE WHITE STRIPE

(2ND KYU TO 1ST KYU )

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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, Empi, 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.

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BROWN WITH DOUBLE WHITE STRIPE

TO BLACK

(2ND KYU TO 1ST KYU )

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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, Empi, 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.

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CTK BLACK BELT FIRST DAN

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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, Empi, 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 

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This is where the 

Crouching Tiger Shodan Syllabus ends

and our Nidan Syllabus begins.

 

CTK BLACK BELT SECOND DAN

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Kihon: * (Basic Techniques)

 

All Kihon techniques are performed from Jiyu-Dachi. 

 

1. Kizame-Zuki, Oi-Zuki,

Suri-Ashi, Gyaku-Zuki x2

Turn – same back

 

2. Gyaku-Zuki, Oi-Gyaku-Zuki x3

Turn – same back

 

3. Kizame-Zuki, Oi-Zuki, Suri-Ashi,

Gyaku-Zuki, Oi-Zuki, Suri-Ashi, Gyaku-Zuki x1

Turn – same back

 

4. Mae Geri, Oi-Zuki, Gyaku-Zuki x3

Turn – same back

 

5. Mae-Geri, same leg, Yoko-Geri-Kekomi,

Uraken-Uchi, Gyaku-Zuki x3

Turn – same back

 

6. Mae-Geri, same leg, Mawashi-Geri,

Uraken-Uchi, Gyaku-Zuki x3

Turn – same back

 

7. Mawashi-Geri, same leg, Yoko Geri,

Uraken-Uchi, Gyaku-Zuki x3

Turn – same back

 

8. Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri-Kekomi, Mawashi-Geri,

Ushiro-Geri, Uraken-Uchi, Gyaku-Zuki x1

Turn – same back

 

9. Any Zuki Combination

Turn – same back

 

10. Any Geri Combination Turn – same back

 

11. Stationary Kicking: Mae-Geri, Yoko-Geri, Ushiro-Geri,

Mawashi-Geri, Ura-Mawashi-Geri x3

Both legs

 

 Kata:

 Candidate chooses from:

Kanku-Sho, Jitte, Nijushiho, Bassai-Sho, Tekki-Nidan

 Examiner chooses from:

Basai-Dai, Jion, Kanku-Dai, Enpi,

Hangetsu or any previous Kata

 

Kumite:

Jiyu Kumite.  Format and number of rounds

to be decided by the examiner 

 

Self-Defence:

Weapons defence for adults x 5

Unarmed self-defence (attacker’s choice)

 

Kata Applications:

One drill from each Kata in the Examiner’s choice list 

OR the complete bunkai of the Kata of the candidate’s choice 

 

Thesis on request of instructor 

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