The FSKA Bracknell karate grading curriculum follows the program established by 10th Dan, FSKA Chief Instructor Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi.
All gradings for kyu grades (colour belts) are taken with Sensei Russell Peters. There is no set timetable for these gradings, rather they are done whenever each student is ready to progress to the next level.
Gradings are carried out as a normal part of the class, and as such, are relatively informal. The cost of grading is currently £25, and the new coloured belt will be presented at the end of the class if the student is successful.
All exams for black belts are taken only with Shihan Kyle Funakoshi. Dan gradings take place each year after the FSKA weekend seminar in Crawley, Sussex or Online with Shihan Kyle Funakoshi.
Exam Requirements
10th KYU – YELLOW BELT
KIHON
Zenkutsu dachi
(front stance)
Lunge punch – Oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Rising block – Age uke – 4wd & back
Outside block-Ude uke-4xfwd & back
Inside block-Uchi uke-4xfwd & back
Down block – Gedan barrai – 4xfwd & back
Front snap kick – Mae geri keage – 4xfwd & back
KATA
Taikyoku Shodan
KUMITE
5-step sparring Gohon kumite
Face punch – Jodan zuki
Body punch – Chudan zuki
9th KYU – ORANGE BELT
8th KYU – BLUE BELT
KIHON
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)
Lunge punch Oi zuki 4xfwd & back
Rising block Age uke 4xfwd & back
Outside block Ude uke 4xfwd & back
Inside block Uchi uke 4xfwd & back
Down block Gedan barrai 4xfwd & back
Kokutsu dachi (back stance)
Knife hand block – Shuto uke – 4xfwd & back
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)
Front snap kick – Mea geri keage – 4xfwd & back
Front thrust kick – Mae geri kekomi – 4xfwd & back
Kiba dachi (side stance)
9. Side snap kick – Yoko geri keage – 4xfwd & back
10. Side thrust kick – Yoko geri kekomi – 4xfwd & back
KATA
9th kyu: Heian Shodan
8th kyu: Heian Nidan
KUMITE
5-step sparring Gohon kumite
Face punch – Jodan zuki
Body punch – Chudan zuki
7th KYU – STRIPE GREEN BELT
6th KYU – GREEN BELT
KIHON
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)
Double punch – Nidan zuki – 4xfwd & back
Rising block – reverse punch – Age uke, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Outside block – reverse punch – Ude uke, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Inside block, reverse punch – Uchi uke, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Down block, reverse punch – Gedan barrai – gyaki zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kokutsu dachi (back stance)
Knife hand block – spear hand thrust – Shuto uke, nukite – 4xfwd & back
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)
Front snap kick – Mea geri keage – 4xfwd & back
Front thrust kick – Mae geri kekomi – 4xfwd & back
Round house kick – Mawashi geri – 4xfwd & back
Back kick moving backwards (without turning) Ushiro geri 4xfwd & back
Kiba dachi (side stance)
Side snap kick – Yoko geri keage – 4xfwd & back
Side thrust kick – Yoko geri kekomi – 4xfwd & back
KATA
7th kyu: Heian Sandan
6th kyu: Heian Yondan
KUMITE
3-step sparring – Sanbon kumite
Face punch – Jodan zuki
Body punch – Chudan zuki
5 KYU – STRIPE PURPLE BELT
4th KYU – PURPLE BELT
KIHON
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)
1. Triple punch – Sanbon zuki – 4xfwd & back
2. Rising block, double punch – Age uke, nidan zuki – 4xfwd & back
3. Outside block, double punch – Ude uke, nidan zuki – 4xfwd & back
4. Inside block, double punch – Uchi uke, nidan zuki – 4xfwd & back
5. Down block, double punch – Gedan barrai, nidan zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kokutsu dachi (back stance)
6. Knife hand block, (front leg) – Shuto uke, mae ashi mae – 4xfwd & back
7. front snap kick – spear hand thrust
geri keage,nukite(zenkutsu dachi) – 4xfwd & back
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)
8. Outside block, (side stance),elbow strike
kiba dachi Ude uke, empi uchi – 4xfwd & back
KICKS (alternating legs)
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)
9. Front snap kick, front thrust kick – Mae geri keage, mae geri kekomi – 2xfwd & back
10. Front snap kick, round house kick – Mae geri keage, mawashi geri – 2xfwd & back
11. Front snap kick, side thrust kick – Mae geri keage, yoko geri kekomi – 2xfwd & back
12. Round house kick, back kick – Mawashi geri, ushiro geri – 2xfwd & back
13. Side thrust kick, back kick –Yoko geri kekomi, ushiro geri – 2xfwd & back
Kiba dachi (side stance)
14. Side snap kick, side thrust kick – Yoko geri keage, yoko geri kekomi – 2xfwd & back
Zenkutsu dachi (front stance)
Front snap kick, round house kick, side thrust kick, back kick
Mae geri keage mawashi geri yoko geri kekomi ushiro geri, – 1xfwd & back
Front snap kick, lunge punch – Mae geri keaeg, oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Reverse punch, front snap kick – Gyaku zuki, mae geri keage – 4xfwd & back
Front snap kick, side snap kick – Mae geri keage, yoko geri keage – 5 sets each leg
KATA
5th kyu: Heian Godan
4th kyu: Tekki Shodan
KUMITE
1-step sparring (right & left) Ippon kumite
Face punch – Jodan zuki
Body punch – Chudan zuki
Front snap kick – Mae geri keage
Round house kick – Mawashi geri
Side thrust kick – Yoko geri kekomi
Back kick – Ushiro geri
3rd to 1st KYU – BROWN BELT
KIHON Kamae (Free style stance)
Kizami zuki – 6xfwd & back
Uraken uchi – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki – 6xfwd & back
Oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Oi-gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki,oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Oi zuki, half step gyaku zuki – 3xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, oi zuki, half step gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
Tsuki combination –1xfwd & back
Mae geri keage, oi zuki – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, mae geri keage – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, mawashi geri – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, yoko geri kekomi – 6xfwd & back
Ushiro geri, gyaku zuki – 6xfwd & back
Geri combination – 1xfwd & back
Stationary kick
Mae geri keage, yoko geri keage, usiro geri 5 sets each leg
KATA
3rd kyu: Bassi Dai
2nd kyu: Bassai Dai, Jion
1st kyu: Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai
KUMITE
Free-step sparring (right & left) Jyu ippon kumite
Jodan: kizami zuki, gyaku zuki, oi zuki, (nagashi uke*)
Chudan: Kizami zuki, gyaku zuki, oi zuki, (nagashi uke*)
Mae geri (naiwan gedan uke**)
Mawashi geri (uchi uke)
Ygeri kekomi (naiwan gedan uke**)
Ushiro geri (naiwan gedan uke**)
*nagashi uke = sweeping block
**naiwan gedan uke = downward inside forearm block
SHODAN – BLACK BELT
KIHON Kamae Free style stance
Kizami zuki – 6xfwd & back
Uraken uchi – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki – 6xfwd & back
Oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Oi-gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Oi zuki,half step, kizami zuki – 2xfwd & back
Oi zuki, half step, uraken uchi – 2xfwd & back
Oi zuki, half step, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, step forward, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, step forward, uraken uchi – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, oi zuki, half step, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
Zuki combination – 1xfwd & back
Mae geri keage, oi zuki – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, mae geri keage – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, mawashi geri – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, yoko geri kekomi – 6xfwd & back
Ushiro geri, gyaku zuki – 6xfwd & back
Mae geri keage, oi zuki, half step, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
Geri combination – 1xfwd & back
Stationary kick
Mae geri keage, yoko geri keage, mawashi geri, ushiro geri 5 sets each leg
Focus pencil Gyaku zuki
KATA
Pre-Shodan 1: Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai, Hangetsu
Pre-Shodan 2: Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai, Hangetsu, Empi
Pre-Shodan 3: Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai, Hangetsu, Empi, Tekki Nidan
Shodan: All katas for pre-shodan 3 plus the application of the katas
KUMITE
Competitive: Jyu kumite (tournament style) Shobu Ippon
Non competitive: Jyu ippon kumite
Ni DAN – BLACK BELT
KIHON Kamae
Kizami zuki – 6xfwd & back
Uraken uchi – 6xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki – 6xfwd & back
Oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Oi-gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Oi zuki,half step, kizami zuki – 2xfwd & back
Oi zuki, half step, uraken uchi – 2xfwd & back
Oi zuki, half step, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, step forward, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, kizami zuki, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, kizami zuki. oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, oi zuki, gyaku zuki, oi zuki, gyaku zuki – 1xfwd & back
Mae geri keage, oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Mawashi geri, oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Mawashi geri, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Ushiro geri, uraken uchi – 4xfwd & back
Mae geri keage, oi zuki, half step, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
Zuki, geri combination – 1xfwd & back
Stationary kick
Mae geri keage, mae geri kekomi, yoko geri keage, yoko geri – 5 sets each leg
kekomi, mawashi geri, ushiro geri
KATA
Pre-Nidan 1: Kanku Sho
Pre-Nidan 2: Kanku Sho, Bassai Sho
Pre-Nidan 3: Kanku Sho, Bassai Sho, Jitte
Pre-Nidan 4: Kanku Sho, Bassai Sho, Jitte, Chinte
Pre-Nidan 5: Kanku Sho, Bassai Sho, Jitte, Chinte, Tekki Sandan
Nidan: All katas for pre-nidan 5 plus the application of the katas
KUMITE
Competitive: Jyu kumite (tournament style) Shobu Ippon
Non competitive: Jyu ippon kumite
SAN DAN & YONDAN & BEYOND – BLACK BELT
KIHON Kamae
Kizami zuki, gyaku zuki – 3xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, oi zuki – 3xfwd back
Gyaku zuki, step forward, gyaku zuki – 3xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, step forward, uraken uchi – 3xfwd & back
Oi zuki, half step, kizami zuki – 2xfwd & back
Oi zuki, half step, uraken uchi – 2xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, oi zuki – 3xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, kizami zuki, gyaku zuki – 3xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, kizami zuki, oi zuki – 2xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, oi zuki, gyaku zuki, oi zuki, gyaku zuki – 1xfwd & back
Mae geri keage, oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Mawashi geri, oi zuki – 4xfwd & back
Mawashi geri, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
Ushiro geri, uraken uchi – 4xfwd & back
Mawashi geri, uraken uchi, half step, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
Yoko geri keage, uraken uchi, half step, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
Ushiro geri, uraken uchi, half step, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
(Slide back leg forward) Mae ashi yoko geri keage, gyaku zuki – 4xfwd & back
(Slide back leg forward) Mae ashi mae geri keage, kizami zuki – 4xfwd & back
Kizami zuki, gyaku zuki, mawashi geri – 2xfwd & back
Gyaku zuki, mawashi geri, gyaku zuki – 2xfwd & back
(Slide back leg forward) Mae ashi ura mawashi geri – 4xfwd & back
Ura mawashi geri (back leg) – 4xfwd & back
Ushiro mawashi geri – 4xfwd & back
(slide back leg forward) Mae ashi mawashi geri, ushiro mawashi geri – 2xfwd & back
Mawashi geri (back leg) ushiro mawashi geri – 2xfwd & back
KATA
Pre-Sandan 1: Gankaku
Pre-Sandan 2: Gankaku, Sochin
Pre-Sandan 3: Gankaku, Sochin, Nijushiho
Pre-Sandan 4: Gankaku, Sochin, Nijushiho, Wankan
Pre-Sandan 5: Gankaku, Sochin, Nijushiho, Wankan, Jiin
Pre-Sandan 6: Gankaku, Sochin, Nijushiho, Wankan, Jiin, Meikyo
Sandan: All katas for pre-sandan 6 plus the application of the katas
Pre Yondan 1: Gojushiho Sho
Pre Yondan 2: Gojushiho Sho, Gojushiho Dai
Pre Yondan 3: Gojushiho Sho, Gojushiho Dai, Unsu
Yondan: All katas for pre-yondan 3 plus the application of the katas
KUMITE
Competitive: Jyu kumite (tournament style) Shobu Ippon
Non competitive: Jyu ippon kumite