Goju-Ryu Syllabus

After 9th Kyu each grade will be expected to be able to perform the current grading requirements and that of all previous grades.

9th Kyu – Red Belt

Ten stances
To understand the ten stances and download a stance sheet click here
Punches, upper middle lower
Uke – Blocks, upper middle lower
Mai Geri – Front kick - To see a full demonstration of the Front kick, click here.
Moving front kick with turn
Moving in sanchin

8th Kyu – Yellow Belt

Kata – Sanchin (To see a full demonstration of Sanchin, Talked through by Sensei J, click here.)
To see a video of Sensei doing Sanchin Kata, click here. (For more advanced grades.)
Use blocks to various attacks

7th Kyu – Orange Belt

Kata – Gekisai dai ichi
Three techniques from grading kata
To see a video of technique 1 click hereclick here 3 click here
San dan gi (three step sparring)
Yoko Geri – Side kick

Moving Kake Uke

6th Kyu – Green Belt

Kata – Gekisai dai ni
Three techniques from grading kata
To see a video of technique 1 click hereclick here 3 click here
Tai sabaki – Body shift
Mawashi Geri – Roundhouse Kick
Motobu 1 (To watch on YouTube, click here) & 2 (To watch on YouTube, click here)
Juji Kumite

5th Kyu – Blue Belt

Shinsei Kata

3 Shinsei Techniques
Side break fall
Motobu 3 (To watch on YouTube, click here) & 4 (To watch on YouTube, click here)

Moving stances.

4th Kyu – Purple Belt

Kata – Saifa kata
Techniques from grading kata
Bunkai kumite from Gekisai dai ichi
Mikazuki Geri – Crescent Kick - To see a demonstration of Mikazuki Geri, click here.
Motobu 5 (To watch on YouTube, click here) & 6 (To watch on YouTube, click here)

3rd Kyu – Brown Belt

Kata – Seiyunchin
3 techniques from grading kata
Bunkai kumite of Gekisai dai ni
Motobu 7 & 8
Makiwara – Pad Work

2nd Kyu – Brown 1 Tag

Kata – Sanchin dai ni
Kata – Jutte with and without Jo staff
Three techniques from grading katas
Sanchin clinch drill (paired)
Motobu 9 &10

1st Kyu – Brown 2 tags

Kata – Tensho
Kata – Rohai
Rohai floor bunkai
Techniques from grading katas
Turning Crescent and turning side kick
Kakie (paired)
Kick combinations
Motobu 11 & 12

1st Dan Black

Black belt and above please see Sensei.

Be advised that you will be expected to continue your training with New Forest Martial Arts for at least one year following the award of your black belt with the same commitment and standard that you have shown up to the grading. After this time your certificate will be presented and you will be registered if you have continued to uphold a standard sufficient to be considered worthy of the Koru Obi grade.

Read more about Goju-Ryu:

About · Syllabus · Kata · Stances · Dojo Kun · 8 precepts