Curriculum

SKIA Belt System and Training Requirements

SKIA follows a structured belt ranking system with a well-organised training and grading syllabus. The table below provides an overview of the belt levels and the expected training at each stage.

Karate training is built on three key components:

• Kihon (basics)
• Kata (forms)
• Kumite (sparring)

For more details on the training and grading syllabus, download the relevant documents from our national website. You can find an explanation of belt progression within Shotokan Karate in the below table. Addition resources are also available on our website. 

To progress to higher levels, you must first become proficient in the training material at your current rank.

Training Commitment

To advance through the coloured belt levels (9th kyu to 3rd kyu), a minimum of 36 hours of dojo training (at least 3 months) is required between each rank. For 3rd kyu to black belt (shodan), this increases to 72 hours (at least 6 months) per level.

Training at home is also essential for steady progress:

• Beginners: At least 5 minutes per day reviewing techniques from class will help you build a strong foundation.
• Advanced students: More training time is needed to refine skills and advance efficiently.
• Brown and black belts: At least 2-3 extra hours per week of home practice or additional karate training sessions is strongly recommended.

While dojo training alone will help you improve, consistent practice outside of class will significantly speed up your progress.

Shotokan Karate Belt Progression

Belt	Rank	Training Syllabus
	10th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Shodan (1st basic kata) Gohon Kumite (5-step kumite)
	9th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Shodan (1st basic kata) Gohon Kumite (5-step kumite)
	8th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Nidan (2nd basic kata) Sanbon Kumite (3-step kumite)
	7th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Sandan (3rd basic kata) Sanbon Kumite (3-step kumite)
	6th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Yondan (4th basic kata) Kihon-Ippon Kumite (basic 1-step kumite)
	5th Kyu	Basic Kihon Heian Godan (5th basic kata) Kihon-Ippon Kumite (basic 1-step kumite)
	4th Kyu	Basic Kihon Tekki Shodan (1st advanced kata) Kihon-Ippon Kumite (basic 1-step kumite)
	3rd Kyu	Advanced Kihon Tekki Shodan, Kankudai, Bassai-dai, Jion, Enpi (brown belt kata) Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (Advanced 1-step kumite)
	2nd Kyu	Advanced Kihon Tekki Shodan, Kankudai, Bassai-dai, Jion, Enpi (brown belt kata) Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (Advanced 1-step kumite)
	1st Kyu	Advanced Kihon Tekki Shodan, Kankudai, Bassai-dai, Jion, Enpi (brown belt kata) Jiyu-Ippon Kumite (Advanced 1-step kumite)
	1st Dan	Advanced Kihon Jitte, Tekki-Nidan, Bassai-sho, Kanku-sho, Hangetsu, Gankaku
	2nd Dan	Advanced Kihon Tekki Sandan, Sochin, Ji'in, Chinte, Nijushiho (black belt kata) Jiyu Kumite (free-fighting)
	3rd Dan	Impromptu Kihon & Kumite Meikyo, Unsu, Wankan, Gojushiho Dai, Gojushiho Sho (black belt kata)
	4th Dan	Impromptu Kihon & Kumite Additional Kata, including Seienchin, Seipai, Gankaku-Sho, Nijuhachiho