TSKUK DAN GRADINGS

National Course

April – Essex

National Course

November – Norfolk

TSKUK Gradings

The TSKUK is responsible for the administration of Dan (black belt) Gradings only. All member club are responsible for administering their own Kyu Gradings, with TSKUK providing oversight to ensure a consistent and uniform standard is maintained across the advanced level.

TSKUK black belt gradings are conducted directly after the National courses.

TSKUK Grading Stamps

The TSKUK holds two national and two international courses each year; dates for these are available on our Calendar along with information on times and venues (please note, dates are subject to change).

The National courses are 1-day courses held in April (Essex) and in November (Norfolk). The International courses are held over a full weekend, with one day in Essex & the other in Norfolk. These courses take place in February & September.

TSKUK requires students to have attended a number of official TSKUK events to be eligible to grade. Each event attendance offers 1 TSKUK stamp per day.

TSKUK Regradings

Sometimes, you may not be successful in your grading and will have to retake it in order to progress.

At Dan Grade, if you have not passed any element of your grading (Kihon, Kata or Kumite) then you will be required to retake the whole grading (all three elements) again as long as you meet the following requirements:

  1. At least five months have elapsed since your current referral.
  2. You have completed 40 lessons since your current referral.

SEN & Adapted Provisions

TSKUK is committed to ensuring that members with Special Educational Needs (SEN) have a fair opportunity to access the Black Belt pathway and demonstrate their Karate ability.

We recognise that some aspects of national courses and the traditional Dan grading environment can create additional barriers for students with SEN. Our adapted provisions are designed to help remove these barriers while maintaining the syllabus, requirements and standard expected of a TSKUK Dan grade.

Supported SEN Course Sessions

For students who may find the size, noise or structure of a national course challenging, TSKUK offers a Supported SEN Session as part of its two-hour national courses.

The supported session follows the same general course structure but is led by an experienced instructor, with additional Student Leaders available where possible. Students have greater flexibility to take breaks, observe and rejoin the session, and a smaller or quieter training space will be used where facilities allow.

Students are encouraged to participate to the best of their individual ability and are not required to complete every minute of the session for their attendance to count.

Students can request the Supported SEN Session when booking the course, and attendance counts towards TSKUK grading requirements in the same way as attendance at the main course.

Adapted Dan Grading

The TSKUK Adapted Dan Grading is available for members whose additional needs may make aspects of the traditional Dan grading format difficult to access.

The principle is similar to reasonable adjustments used in other assessment environments. The syllabus, required knowledge and standard remain the same, but aspects of the assessment process can be adjusted to enable a candidate to demonstrate their Karate ability.

Candidates must meet the usual minimum eligibility requirements, attend the pre-grading course, demonstrate the required syllabus and achieve the standard expected of a TSKUK Dan grade.

Reasonable adjustments available include:

• A separate, quieter grading area with a smaller panel of senior TSKUK examiners
• The option to complete Kihon independently or under a guided count from the panel
• A pre-determined selection of two of the possible six Heian/Tekki Kata announced in advance of the grading, with one selected by the panel on the day
• The opportunity to choose a familiar Kumite partner who the candidate has trained and practised with beforehand for the usual set and free sparring requirements
• Up to two panel-directed retries in circumstances such as freezing, becoming overwhelmed or experiencing a clear processing difficulty.

Adapted Dan Regradings

For candidates completing an Adapted Dan Grading, successfully completed sections of the grading can be retained.

If a candidate is unsuccessful in one element (Kihon, Kata or Kumite), they will only be required to retake the unsuccessful element rather than the full grading.

The usual regrading requirements still apply:

  1. At least five months must have elapsed since the referral.
  2. The candidate must have completed 40 lessons since the referral.

SYLLABUS

Kihon

Kihon (basics) is the practice of fundamental techniques that underpin all of Karate.

Kata

Kata (forms) is the formal practice of Karate’s techniques and principles, expressed through a structured sequence of movements against a number of imaginary opponents.

Click HERE for the TSKUK Sanctioned Kata List

Kumite

Kumite (sparring) is the practice of applying Karate techniques to an opponent in a controlled setting.

TSKUK DAN GRADE SYLLABUS

Minimum Grading Requirements

Instructor authorisation

Minimum 10 months training period, 80 lessons & 10 TSKUK official stamps (Compulsory) 3 stamps to be obtained within the 10 month period leading up to the grading. Minimum age requirements: 9 years old

Students must demonstrate an upgrading of quality in stance, speed and power. Kata should be performed without mistakes and using tempo, continuation and transmission of power. Kumite should be accurate in offence and demonstrate effective defence and counter-attack.

KIHON (BASICS)
NB: All from gedan-barai (groin block)
1. Sanbonzuki X 4 Forward Steps (triple punch) / mawatte (turn) Gyaku-zuki (reverse punch ready)

2. Rotate forward 360’ gyaku-zuki chudan X 4 (reverse punch stomach level)

3. Step back age-uke mae-geri gyaku-zuki X 4 (head block / front kick – back leg kicks – reverse punch)

4. Step forward soto-uke in zenkutsu-dachi enpi uraken in kiba-dachi (outside block in front stance elbow strike back fist in horse stance) gyaku-zuki in zenkutsu-dachi X 4 (reverse punch in front stance)

5. Step back shuto-uke in kokutsu-dachi (knife hand block in back stance) mae-geri (front kick with front-leg) nukite in zenkutsu-dachi X 4 (spear-hand strike in front stance)

6. Step forward uchi-uke kizami-zuki gyaku-zuki, X 4 (inside block snap punch reverse punch) / mawatte (turn)

7. Mae-geri chudan mae-geri jodan nidan-geri X 4 (front kick stomach front kick head two-level jumping kick) / mawatte (turn)

8. Step forward mae-geri yoko-geri kekomi X 4 (front kick side thrust kick with same leg), / mawatte (turn)

9. From kiba-dachi (horse stance). Yoko-geri keage (side snap kick) change leg yoko-geri kekomi (side thrust kick) X 4

10. Mawashi-geri gyaku-zuki (roundhouse kick reverse punch) X 4, / mawatte (turn)

11. Ushiro-geri gyaku-zuki, (back kick reverse punch) X 4, / mawatte (turn)

12. Step forward double jodan shuto-uchi X 4 (head level knife hand-strike from outside then inside)

KATA (FORM)

Candidates Choice – Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion or Enpi

Examiners Choice – Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Godan or Tekki Shodan

KUMITE (SPARRING)

Jiyu Ippon : One-Attack Semi-Free Sparring from Jiyu Kamae Jodan oi-zuki (head lunge punch). Chudan oi-zuki (stomach lunge punch). Mae-geri (front kick). Mawashi-geri (roundhouse kick). Ushiro-geri (back kick).

Jiyu Kumite: Free Sparring

Minimum Grading Requirements

Instructor authorisation

Minimum 24 months training period, 192 lessons & 6 TSKUK official stamps (Compulsory)
(all stamps must be obtained after 1st Dan).

Minimum age requirements: 13 years old

KIHON (BASICS)

NB: All from jiyu kamae (free ready position)
1. Kizami-zuki Sanbonzuki X 4 Forward Steps (snap punch triple punch) / mawatte (turn)

2. Kizami-zuki mae-geri oi-zuki X 4 (snap punch front kick lunge punch stomach level)

3. Step back age-uke forward mawashi-geri uraken oi-zuki X 4 (head block / roundhouse kick back fist strike lunge punch stomach level) / mawatte (turn)

4. Ushiro-geri uraken gyaku-zuki X 4 (back kick back fist reverse punch) / mawatte (turn)

5. Gyaku mawashi-geri X 4 (inside roundhouse kick) / mawatte (turn)

6. Ura mawashi-geri gyaku-zuki X 4 (reverse roundhouse kick reverse punch) / mawatte (turn)

7. Facing examiner: mae-geri, yoko-geri keage, ushiro-geri X 4 (front kick, side kick, back kick same leg, do not put down) left and right side

KATA (FORM)

Candidates Choice – Tokui kata – Favourite kata from TSKUK sanctioned kata list

Examiners Choice – Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion or Enpi

KUMITE (SPARRING)
Jiyu Kumite: Free Sparring

Minimum Grading Requirements

TSKUK authorisation

Minimum 36 months training period, 288 lessons & 6 TSKUK official stamps (Compulsory)
(all stamps must be obtained after 2nd Dan).

Minimum age requirements: 21 years old

KIHON (BASICS)

NB: All from jiyu kamae (Free ready position)

1. Kizami-zuki gyaku-zuki choku-zuki oi-zuki gyaku-zuki X 4 (gohon renzoku oi-komi – five tsuki one step plus yori-ashi) / mawatte

2. Step forward age-enpi (kokutsu-dachi), mawashi-enpi (zenkutsu-dachi), yoko-enpi (kiba-dachi) X 4 / mawatte.

3. Gyaku mawashi-geri mawashi-geri X 4 (same leg), mawatte.

4. Ura mawashi-geri gyaku-zuki, X 4 / mawatte.

5. Mae-geri oi-zuki, mawashi-geri uraken, ushiro-geri gyaku-zuki X 4

6. Facing examiner: mae-geri, yoko-geri keage, ushiro-geri, mawashi-geri X 4 (same leg, do not put down) left and right side

KATA (FORM)

Candidates Choice – Tokui kata – Favourite kata from TSKUK sanctioned kata list

Candidates Second Choice – Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion or Enpi

KUMITE (SPARRING)

Jiyu Kumite: Free Sparring

Minimum Grading Requirements

TSKUK authorisation

Minimum 48 months training period, 384 lessons & 6 TSKUK official stamps (Compulsory)
(all stamps must be obtained after 3rd Dan)

Minimum age requirements: 25 years old

KIHON (BASICS)

Examinee must have mastered all karate techniques, can understand their principles, apply them fully and be able to give general instruction. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique.

KATA (FORM)

Candidates Choice – Tokui kata – Favourite kata from TSKUK sanctioned kata list

Candidates Second Choice – Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Bassai Dai, Jion, Enpi, Kanku Dai, Hangetsu, Jitte

KUMITE (SPARRING)
Jiyu kumite or (by prior arrangement with examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui-waza with a partner.

Minimum Grading Requirements

TSKUK authorisation

Minimum 60 months training period, 480 lessons & 6 TSKUK official stamps (Compulsory)
(all stamps must be obtained after 4th Dan)

Minimum age requirements: 30 years old

KIHON (BASICS)

Examinee must have attained an exceptionally high level of karate technique and displayed originality in their karate. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique.

KATA (FORM)

Candidates Choice – Tokui kata – Favourite kata from TSKUK sanctioned kata list

Candidates Second Choice – Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, Jiin, Wankan, Chinte, Unsu, Sochin

KUMITE (SPARRING)
Jiyu kumite or (by prior arrangement with examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui-waza with a partner.

Minimum Grading Requirements

TSKUK authorisation

Minimum 72 months training period, 672 lessons & 6 TSKUK official stamps (Compulsory)
(all stamps must be obtained after 5th Dan)

Minimum age requirements: 36 years old

KIHON (BASICS)

The examinee must have obtained an exceptionally high level of karate both in technique and soul. Questions will be asked in reference to a basic technique.

KATA (FORM)

Candidates Choice – Tokui kata – Favourite kata from TSKUK sanctioned kata list.

Candidates’ Second Choice – Bassai Dai, Bassai Sho, Kanku Dai, Kanku Sho,  Jion, Jiin, Enpi, Hangetsu, Tekki Nidan, Tekki Sandan, Nijushiho, Gojushiho-sho, Gojushiho-dai, Meikyo, Jitte, Gankaku, Wankan, Chinte, Unsu or Sochin.

KUMITE (SPARRING)
Jiyu Kumite or (by prior arrangement with the examining board) either self-defense or detailed explanation of tokui-waza with a partner.