Below is a description of each requirement that you must complete in order to graduate from the Shodan Academy. A Personal Record Sheet is available in order to track your progress and record the dates of the event and the initials of the instructor confirming its completion. The Personal Record Sheet will be presented to the Shodan Academy Instructors before graduation to show that you have met these requirements. 

1. Bunkai

Demonstrate Bunkai from each of the katas learned from 10th Kyu Sho through 4th Kyu Dai. For each kata you will complete two series of Bunkai applications, with each series ranging from three to five techniques. There is no limitation to the number of attackers as long as it is logical for the sequence. Each Bunkai should start and stop at points that are not transitional, meaning that the techniques before and after the Bunkai should not flow into another technique that would affect the application. The chief instructor will sign and date the completion of the Bunkai for each kata on the Personal Record Sheet. 

2. Class "A" Kata

 Learn and Demonstrate the Class "A" Katas. You must be able to perform each kata individually without count. This does not mean technical mastery of every technique, but you should know the sequence of techniques. The UKAI Midwest website (https://www.midwestukai.com/shotokan-karate/katas) has video reference to the correct performance of the techniques for each kata. For even further reference, the Best Karate series book numbers five, six, and seven cover all of the Class "A" katas in great detail. There are plenty of options available on YouTube and other media websites as well, however there may be some slight variances in how they are performed. 

3. Evaluation Panel

Sit on and be a member of two Evaluation Panels that observe and determine rank advancement. You are not expected to run the panel, but to sit alongside a black belt as they lead the evaluation, take notes while the evaluation is happening, provide feedback to those who have evaluated, and be a part of the discussion process in determining rank advancement. Participating in an evaluation panel will help to build your skills in seeing positive and negative aspects to other people’s techniques, taking notes on how they are doing, and providing feedback in a constructive way that is both critical and complementary.  

4. Teaching

Teach during six beginner and six intermediate/advanced rank classes. This includes one on one instruction, small group, or walking around and assisting the group while an instructor is leading the entire class. You may be teaching in these different situations by yourself, or be paired with a black belt mentor that will assist you in picking out things to correct and work on with whomever you are teaching. Make sure that the content of each class is appropriate for the ranks in attendance.

You must be present and teaching for the whole class in order for it to be signed off by an instructor. This means that you must bow in at the beginning of the class and stay in class until bow out (not sitting on the side). During large group instruction time, you will be looking for individual students who need assistance and helping them by giving a quick tip or by training alongside them. In small groups, you will be the group leader. This may include reading off kihon, teaching the sequence of a kata, or other small group activities. Class titles and actual amount of teaching required in each dojo is up to Chief Instructor discretion, as UKAI dojo class structures vary. Coordinate with your instructor to reserve your teaching time. After the class has been taught, your Chief Instructor will sign off on your Personal Record Sheet.

5. Online Quizzes 

There are five quizzes that are to be completed by graduation. The five topics include Stances, Kicking, Japanese Terms, Blocking, and Striking. They are a mix of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and short paragraph essays. It may be helpful to write the answers on paper or in a Word document, then enter in all your answers at once and submit the quiz. It is not a "closed book", so you may use any resource you wish, but your answers must be in your own words. After submitting a quiz, the information will be sent to the Shodan Academy instructors and graded. After passing the quiz, record the date of completion on the Personal Record Sheet. 

6. Attend three outside of your dojo trainings/events

These events can be any tournament, large group training, or one-on-one with an instructor that is outside of your regular weekly class. In order for a training/event to count towards your required three, you must get the signature of the chief instructor hosting the event. 

7. Write one paper

This paper will be about one precept from the Shoto Niju Kun. You will select one of Funakoshi's twenty precepts and explain the precept to the reader and what you think it means. Then write about how it best applies to you. Think about how it not only applies to karate, but your everyday life as well. This paper will be two pages double spaced in 12 point font. Once you have completed the paper, you will email it to your instructor. You may be asked to answer questions verbally about your paper on your evaluation for your 1st kyu. 

This 20 Precepts paper is NOT your Black Belt paper. You will begin writing your Black Belt Paper after completing Shodan Academy. Requirements are listed in the UKAI Midwest Handbook.

It is expected that students complete Shodan Academy materials when they are brown belts. All pieces must be completed before the rank of Shodan will be awarded, even if all other requirements for the rank are met.  

Shodan Academy participants must complete the following to be eligible for the rank of 2nd kyu:

Bunkai - Demonstrate bunkai for three of the listed katas

Class “A” Kata - Demonstrate any two class “A” katas 

Teaching - Teach in three beginner classes & three Intermediate classes

Quizzes - Complete any two online quizzes

Events - Attend one outside of dojo event. 

Shodan Academy participants must complete the following to be eligible for the rank of 1st kyu:

Bunkai - Demonstrate bunkai for the remaining three katas

Class “A” Kata - Demonstrate the remaining three class “A” katas 

Teaching - Teach in two advanced classes

Quizzes - Complete the remaining three online quizzes

Events - Attend two outside of dojo events. 

Paper - Submit 20 Precepts Paper

In order to assure that all material needed to be completed for Shodan Academy, we will be completing the following material during the Fall, Winter, and Spring classes. Any material not completed during this time will be worked on over the Summer classes. Students must complete approximately half of their Shodan Academy requirements in order to be eligible to advance to 2nd kyu, and must complete all requirements in order to be eligible to advance to 1st kyu.