Shotokan Karate Club at
The following information is an example on what you can expect to perform during your test. Your actual experience may vary somewhat from the following example. During testing you will be asked to perform basics (kihon), form (kata), and sparring (kumite) exercises. First 3-4 beginners are called up to perform kihon and kata. When they finish another 3-4 beginners are called up to do the same exercises. (The exercises for a particular rank will be the same in a given test). After finishing their kihon and kata the first beginners are called up to perform sparring (three step sparring for beginners). When all the beginners finish the examiner will call up the intermediate and then the advanced students. The sequence of events will be similar to those for beginners.
Please note the following: during the description of these exercises moving forward means that you are moving away from your starting point, while moving back means that you are returning to your starting point. Stepping forward or stepping in means that you step towards your front and stepping back means that you step towards your back.
The directions are usually given in English for the beginners, but you are expected to learn the Japanese terms as you progress.
Rank refers to your current rank.
The actual directions that you will hear are in italics.
Kihon
Once you are at your mark, face the examiners' table, bow, and then turn to left (so your right side faces the examiners). Assume ready position (feet shoulder-width apart, make fist, keep hands relaxed at your side). Wait for the commands looking forward (not at the examiners).
Beginners
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Step forward punch face - moving forward
Step back upper block - moving back
Step forward outside-inside block - moving forward
Step back knife hand block - moving back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward front kick to stomach - moving forward
Turn
Step forward front kick to stomach or face (your choice) - moving back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
8th kyu
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Step forward punch face - moving forward
Step back upper block - moving back
Step forward outside-inside block - moving forward
Step back knife hand block - moving back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward front kick to stomach - moving forward
Turn
Step forward front kick to face - moving back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
7th kyu
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Step forward punch face - moving forward
Step back upper block - moving back
Step forward outside-inside block - moving forward
Step back knife hand block - moving back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward front kick to stomach - moving forward
Turn
Step forward front kick to face - moving back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
6th kyu
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Step forward punch face - moving forward
Step back upper block and reverse punch to stomach- moving back
Step forward outside-inside block and reverse punch to face- moving forward
Step back knife hand block, change to front stance and reverse punch to stomach - moving back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward front kick to stomach - moving forward
Turn
Step forward front kick to face - moving back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Make side stance facing the table
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move back
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move back
Turn (in side stance)
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
5th kyu
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Step forward punch face - moving forward
Step back upper block and reverse punch to stomach- moving back
Step forward outside-inside block and reverse punch to face- moving forward
Step back knife hand block, change to front stance and reverse punch to stomach - moving back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward front kick to stomach - moving forward
Turn
Step forward front kick to face - moving back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Make side stance facing the table
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move back
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move back
Turn (in side stance)
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
4th kyu
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Step forward punch face - moving forward
Step back upper block and reverse punch to stomach- moving back
Step forward outside-inside block and reverse punch to face- moving forward
Step back knife hand block, change to front stance and reverse punch to stomach - moving back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward front kick to stomach - moving forward
Turn
Step forward front kick to face - moving back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Make side stance facing the table
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move back
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward roundhouse kick to stomach- moving forward
Turn
Step forward roundhouse kick to stomach followed by reverse punch to stomach - move back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
3rd kyu
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Step forward triple punch (face, stomach, stomach) - moving back
Step back upper block, back fist strike to face, and reverse punch to stomach- moving back
Step forward outside-inside block, jab to face with same hand, and reverse punch to stomach- moving forward
Step back knife hand block, front leg front kick to stomach, change to front stance and reverse punch to stomach - moving back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward twice, first with front kick to stomach, then with front kick to face - moving forward
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Make side stance facing the table
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move back
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward roundhouse kick to stomach- moving forward
Turn
Step forward roundhouse kick to stomach followed by back fist strike to face (same side) and reverse punch to stomach - move back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
2nd kyu
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Step forward triple punch (face, stomach, stomach) - moving back
Step back upper block, back fist strike to face, and reverse punch to stomach- moving back
Step forward outside-inside block, jab to face with same hand, and reverse punch to stomach- moving forward
Step back knife hand block, front leg front kick to stomach, change to front stance and reverse punch to stomach - moving back
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward twice, first with front kick to stomach, then with front kick to face - moving forward
Make side stance facing the table
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side snap kick - move back
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move forward
Turn (in side stance)
Step to the side and perform side thrust kick - move back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Left leg forward down block - step forward with your left leg and make left side down block
Hands to the side- move your right hand to the side (double down block, the movement of the right hand should be smooth and without power)
Step forward roundhouse kick to stomach- moving forward
Turn
Step forward roundhouse kick to stomach followed by back fist strike to face and reverse punch to stomach - move back
Turn
Relax - step back and resume ready stance
Kata
Beginners
Heian Shodan
8th kyu
Heian Nidan
7th kyu
Heain Sandan
6th kyu
Heian Yondan
5th kyu
Heian Godan
4th kyu
Tekki Shodan
3rd kyu
Bassai Dai
2nd kyu
Bassai Dai
Kumite
Beginners
Three step sparring
8th kyu
Three step sparring
7th kyu
Three step sparring
6th kyu
One step sparring
Punch face and stomach
Your best side, side can be varied
5th kyu
One step sparring
Punch face, stomach, and front kick
Your best side, side can be varied
4th kyu
One step sparring
Punch face, stomach, and front kick, side kick to stomach
Your best side, side can be varied
3rd kyu
Semi free sparring
Punch face, stomach, and front kick, side kick to stomach
2nd kyu
Semi free sparring
Punch face, stomach, and front kick, side kick to stomach