Brown and Black Belt Standards

Shizendo Karate Organization is a member of Martial Arts Standard Agency

There are margins for errors etc up to green belt but beyond this each student of karate must have good basics, fist on the hip, knee bent, defined body shape with stances and concentration etc. Fundamental skills are taught up to this point and should be a part of the students movements, ingrained as to be constantly accurate through repetitious performance of karate techniques. Green, Blue and purple belt are specialist kata (see section kata – one) with added skill, pairs work is also introduced at this level. This now takes us to brown belt and beyond.

Most people recognize brown and black belt as being a high grade, if standards are not met by coaches and students what worth do they bring. If you want a brown belt or black belt be prepared to work for it, because it’s worthless without the skill associated with such a grade, good standards mean good grades. All techniques are to be applied with the necessary skill to warrant the belt worn. The standard of the club lays with each and single student white belt through to black belt. If we want good level of karate then we have to meet them in the Dojo (training hall) and on the grading’s too. Each student’s performance is the bench mark from which a martial art school is judged; in our martial art school it will be met. All said and done its up to every student, both adult and child to fulfill the criteria. We as coaches will do our bit for the student, the student needs to their bit for themselves and the club; this is the way of martial arts.

Quality of the art is the only importance to a martial artist

Below are the examples set out by the Shizendo Karate Organization to meet these criteria which align with MASA Martial Arts Standard Agency. Hopeful this section will help you, whether you are a child or adult student as to what is expected from you to reach your goal, also to the parents of the children as to what is necessary to maintain these standards. Remember all students want to improve and grade, there’s nothing wrong in that, its human nature, what is wrong is letting a student grade too soon if the skill level is not there. I want nothing more than for you to reach the best level possible, be it child or adult.

Kata The Way lies in constant training to develop the art

All techniques are to be preformed with speed, power, balance, focus and with a lively spirit accumulating into a well defined sharpness. Uke Waza – Uke Tski Waza – Empi Waza – Naihanchi
Kushanku – Seishan - Chinto

Speed

The speed of the kata may vary depending on the kata being preformed, in general two types of speed will be shown by the performer.

First type of speed

Slow, soft yet also with powerful movements, these being similar to the type of action associated with pulling and pushing force to power the body, this force could provide the energy for a lock or restraining technique. These types of kata are the heavy grounded forms which tend to have smaller stances and arm movements much closer to the body. The energy of these forms tends to be at a constant level neither dipping nor raising. Maintaining body control and focus of the mind in the performance of these types of kata’s, Sanshin and Tensho (first half of Seishan) are good examples of such skill.

Second type of speed

Lively, powerful, crisp and sharp movements with a clear cut finish to every technique are the requirement of these types of kata. Kushanku, Seishan (second half of the kata) and Chinto are good examples of such kata. Each student must clearly shape every posture, body positioning and stance with correct weight distribution. Balance from one posture to another with no wobbles or loss of body positioning. There should also be an accelerated start to the movement with a sharp crisp finish to the technique, focusing of the mind together with the movements when coming to an abrupt stop whilst maintaining the required posture. The spirit is also lively throughout and sharp with the minds intent leading the movements. Kiai in the appropriate places in the kata.

Basic techniques A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind

In general all karate movements are made up of basic building blocks learnt from the previous sections i.e. red, yellow and orange belt etc, brown belt Uke Waza should be performed at brown belt standard. Examples are-

All brown belts must be able to perform a junzuki punch in a zenkutzudachi. The back must be straight, front knee bent rear leg straight and foot forty-five degrees, with seventy percent of the weight in the forward leg. This is a red belt posture used for uke waza but preformed in kushanku kata as a punch or spear hand and also in the performance of the back fist after the kick. As you can now see brown belt techniques should be preformed at brown belt level and worthy of the grade worn.

Shikodachi (horse stance) should be crisp and at the correct height and shape with power and intent, remember this is the first stance you do as a white belt in your warm ups and developed in Empi Waza and into your pairs work, at brown belt it should be accurate.

All students both child and adult develop at a level dependant on the ability to understand and to interpret that that’s been taught. Physical strength is a major factor as is the ability to be able to link the understanding of the art into a physical reality, this takes time. There is no limit to this time, it could take six, twelve, or eighteen months, and it’s the student whom determines how long it will take by the amount of time spent training and developing. Instruction is given; this instruction is measured by the progress the student makes. Progress takes effort, effort brings rewards, and the reward is real skill and the next grade. Remember the students responsibility is to improve what they are doing from the information gained from class.

Good karate makes good students, bad karate makes bad students

For the kids, we will never lose sight of the fun element

Hope this helps you to understand us as Instructors and what MASA stands for; your interest is our sole concern as is the art. If you are true to the art you will agree with the criteria.

Thank you

Steve