Thank you for coming to support one or more of the individuals evaluating for a black belt (dan) rank today. Please note that your presence is the biggest support you can provide. We ask that you do everything you can to avoid distracting any of the candidates evaluating. 

Spectator Expectations

Spectators must follow these expectations during the evaluation:

• Cell phones must be on silent. Any calls must be taken outside the gymnasium. 

• No talking allowed.

• You are welcome to take pictures or video of your family member with their consent, but your flash must be turned off. 

• No applause or cheering is allowed during the evaluation. The evaluating panel will initiate applause at appropriate times, typically only when rank is awarded. 

• If you must leave the gymnasium for any reason, please leave and return at a time when your presence will be the least distracting, such as during a transition between sections of the evaluation. 

• If any medical concerns arise during the evaluation, we ask that they be handled by the evaluation panel members and if any consultation or help is needed after the panel has addressed the issues initially, parents or family members may then be called onto the floor. 

A rank represents an individual’s personal development and accomplishments in Shotokan Karate-Do. Ranks are EARNED, not purchased or given. Rank advancement is based on the United Karate Associations International (UKAI) grading standards, and are awarded based on hard work, discipline, consistency in training, and the improvement of oneself.

There are two different systems to distinguish an individual's progress in their martial arts journey: Kyu and Dan. Both Kyu and Dan translate closest to “step” or “stage” from Japanese, but they are used to refer to an individual's rank, grade, or station in Shotokan karate. The Kyu and Dan ranks are used to help easily identify a person’s progress and determine which material should be covered to help further them along the way to achieving their goals. Rank does not indicate whether an individual is better or worse than other karateka of a different rank. 

Kyu

The Kyu ranks descend numerically from 10 being the lowest rank and 1 being the highest rank. They are represented by different colored belts, some that are solid in color and others that have a stripe through the middle. Brown with a Black Stripe belt represents 1st Kyu. 

Dan

The Dan ranks ascend numerically, with 1st Dan being the lowest grade, and 10th Dan being the highest. All Dan ranks are represented by a solid black belt, often with the individual's name sewn into the belt translated into Japanese Kanji. There are no distinguishing marks on the belts to differentiate between the Dan ranks. 

Rank will still increase at the Dan level, but a new belt will not be received. There is a minimum amount of time that must be completed at each Dan level in order to be eligible to advance to the next rank. 

There are no provisional ranks that occur within either the Kyu or Dan system. For example, certain styles/organizations will have two separate Kyu systems: one for youth and one for adults. For the UKAI Midwest, all students will progress in the same manner under the same curriculum, and progress will be based on the individual meeting these standards. Another example of this is that certain styles will have a “ho” or “kari” ranking system for Dan ranks. These are typically used for trial periods before achieving the full rank. We believe that an individual is either ready to advance to a Dan rank, or not

It can be tempting for spectators to compare one candidate versus another and form opinions on who has "better" karate. However, each candidate has their own strengths and weaknesses that the evaluation panel will assess based on set standards. Candidate's will not be compared to each other when determining whether they are ready to advance or not. 

The evaluation panel will take a holistic view of the candidates. They will consider the following when determining a student’s eligibility for their next rank:

• Progress made since the student’s last evaluation

• Injuries, disabilities, age, and other factors: This means that a 50 year old and a 15 year old may have very different karate, and be found to be the same rank after an evaluation.

• Attitude, spirit, intent, and eagerness to endeavor can improve a student’s evaluation result. Arrogance, lack of spirit, and poor sportsmanship can weaken a student’s result.

• Consistency in performance: Is the evaluation an accurate reflection of how the student has performed in class since their last advancement?

Many circumstances are taken into account to determine if a candidate is ready to advance. Physical and technical ability alone is not enough. No individual will have every criteria met for every aspect of an evaluation. While perfection should remain the standard that candidates strive toward, it should not be expected as a consistent outcome.

The evaluation is conducted much like a professional degree, such as an attorney who must pass a bar exam. Each of the sections are conducted until the individual performs all sections to their best technical ability. There are three possible results for the dan evaluation: 

1. The candidate performs well in each of the sections and they receive their new rank, belt, and certificate.

2. The candidate performs well in most of the sections, they receive their new rank belt, and certificate, but additional content may need to be submitted by video to the panel members for slight corrections.

3. The candidate does not perform well in most of the sections, they don’t receive their new rank, belt and certificate, and will need to reevaluate at a later date after more time making corrections. The candidate will not need to repeat the sections they successfully completed on their first evaluation.

The evaluation is broken up into multiple sections. While each section has material that the candidates have been practicing and are aware of, they are a guideline only.  Much of the Shodan Evaluation is about how well a person can adapt mentally to any verbal commands and perform under pressure. If there are any physical limitations that the candidate has, the panel may change the requirements and material in the sections to best fit their abilities. More details for each section are listed below. The sections of the evaluation are: 

1. One Kata of Candidates choice 

2. One Kata of Panel’s choice 

3. Traditional Stance Kihon 

4. Free Stance Kihon

5. Ippon (One - Step) Kumite 

6. HAPV Self Defense 

7. Jiyu (Free Sparring) Kumite 

8. Written Thesis Paper and Oral Report (Thesis defense).

1. One Kata of Candidate's Choice

A kata is a formal pattern of movements and techniques that are completed in order. Turns and changes in directions complete these sequences. Techniques will vary from Kihon. The Dan Evaluation will consist of a demonstration of one Tokui (favorite) Kata appropriate for their rank. Shodan candidates will choose from one of the Class A katas, while Nidan candidates will choose from one of the Class B katas. 

2. One Kata of Panel’s Choice

Candidates are responsible for knowing and having a good understanding of all the Heian katas as well as Tekki Shodan. From these six katas, one will be selected by the panel at time of evaluation to be demonstrated. (Taikyoku Shodan is not a part of this list.) This will be performed immediately after the kata the candidate has chosen with little to no break in between. Nidan candidates will perform two katas of the panel’s choice.

Kata Application (Optional)

This is not a requirement, but depending on panel decision after performing both the candidate's and panel’s choice katas, a demonstration of bunkai (applications) from any of the katas performed may be requested. Candidates will demonstrate with a partner, slowly at first with verbal explanation of the technique, rules of combat, and vital points employed; then repeat at full (but safe) speed. 

3. Traditional Kihon

Kihon are basic techniques that may be done individually or in combinations. It includes blocks, punches, kicks, and stances done in place and moving forward and backward. While Kata has speed variation to show body dynamics and control, all techniques will be executed with speed and fast timing without compromising form. 

4. Free Stance Kihon 

Unlike the traditional kihon section where candidates will remain in low stances through the entirety of the execution, the free stance section has them start and end each combination in a higher fighting position with the arms up in a guard/cover. Some techniques and combinations will overlap from the traditional kihon section, while others will be unique to this section. 

5. Ippon (One - Step) Kumite 

Kumite refers to techniques performed against a partner and emphasizes body movement and angles. One-step kumite is a traditional method of examining a candidate's ability to apply body shifting for defense and countering various attacks. Candidates will exchange chances to be the attacker and defender. The attacks are a pre-determined list of techniques that will be announced. Then, the defender acknowledges they are prepared to receive the attack. Attacks will consist of different punches and kicks that  must be defended against.

6. HAPV Self Defense 

Habitual Acts of Physical Violence (HAPV) is a system of self defense developed to defend against common attacks such as grabs, strikes, chokes, and strangulations. All of the HAPV that were covered through the Kyu ranks will be possible options for the candidates to defend against during the Dan Evaluation. There are two aspects to a successful defense against one of the attacks: escaping the attack and then gaining control of the opponent afterwards (reverse positions by using joint locking, strangling, throwing, takedowns, or striking). 

Each attack and defense will be completed twice: once to see the technique done with minimal resistance for technique, and one with more resistance to see effectiveness of the application of the technique. 

Spirit is by far the most important aspect of this section. The panel will be looking to see if the candidates will give up or continue to fight when they are starting at a disadvantage. Control and safety are also critical. The goal is not to harm their partner, only to safely take over each situation and demonstrate what they would do in a real life situation. 

7. Jiyu (Free Sparring) Kumite

This is the type of kumite that is done in tournament competition. It is free flowing and not predetermined like Ippon (one-step) kumite. It is no-contact but requires speed, timing, and control to execute techniques properly while maintaining safety for all participants. A minimum of two rounds of jiyu (free sparring) kumite. Fights will last roughly 1 minute each. Unlike tournament free sparring, points are not awarded, and you continue to fight until yame (stop) is called out. Candidates will fight at least two different opponents. Not all opponents will be evenly matched; this is done on purpose to assess the candidate's skill level and control against opponents who are bigger or smaller, older or younger, lower or higher ranking, or more or less skilled than they are.  Safety remains a top priority whether the opponents are evenly matched or not. Elder students may be exempt from free sparring at the exam board’s discretion.

8. Thesis Paper

After all the physical aspects of the evaluation have been completed, Dan candidates will present their thesis papers to the examining board for discussion and questions. Each Dan rank has different options for the thesis selection. The most common topic for Shodan Papers is “What a black belt means to me” encompassing a self-reflective look at the candidate's journey from where they began to where they are now, and what the future might bring. Papers will not be read aloud in their entirety, but instead be summarized by the Dan candidates. Questions may be asked about anything written in the paper, anything not fully explained in the paper, or any other related topic.