Karate, The Journey Begins…

Why Grade?

  • Gradings are a part of Karate and other martial arts alike. That said, not everyone has to grade.
  • It is perfectly fine to just train just for fitness, however most will want to progress through the belts and ultimately obtain the highly coveted black belt.
  • A belt ranking system (a series of coloured belts through to black) is used in Shotokan karate to indicate experience
ESKA Belts

When and Where are the Gradings?

    • Gradings are held every 3 months and are normally the 2nd Sunday of the month concerned. That said, speak to your club instructor or go to the ESKA website (https://eska.org.uk/events/) for exact dates/times.
    • The venue for gradings is at the Stevenage Honbu (Headquarters) Dojo located inside Stevenage Lifestyles Leisure centre underneath the Gordon Craig Theatre.  Address: Stevenage Lifestyles, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ
    • Timings:
      • JUNIOR YELLOW/YELLOW WHITE STRIPE & BELOW 10AM
      • JUNIOR GREEN & ABOVE 11.00am
      • ALL ADULT GRADES 11.30am”

How many Belts are there?

    • This depends on if you are an adult (14 belts) or junior (19 belts).  For Adults (ages 16+) there are slightly less belts but the gradings are more difficult.
    • You can find details of all of the belts and what you need to do in order to pass your grading, in the ESKA Grading Syllabus. This can be purchased from your club instructor.
    • At ESKA, beginners wear a white belt.  After the student has learnt the initial basics, they are then graded to 10th Kyu (Blue Belt).

How do I know if I can grade?

  • You should not expect to grade every time (each quarter) and the ability to grade is directly related to how hard you train.
  • There are certain conditions that must be met in order to be eligible to grade:
  1.      Number of lessons
  • You must have completed the MINIMUM number of lessons in order to be able to grade.
    • Adults: Beginner to Green – 10 Lessons
    • Adults: Purple & Above – 20 Lessons
    • Junior: Beginner to Purple – 10 Lessons
    • Junior: Purple/Brown & Above – 20 Lessons
  1.  Correctly Licenced
    • You must have an up-to-date ESKA Karate licence. Your licence is proof of your insurance and completed gradings (Annual renewal requirement). Speak to your club instructor if you are unsure.
  1. Know your Grading Syllabus
    • You must know everything you will be asked to perform at your grading. Initially gradings will be conducted in English, but as you progress the examiners will move to Japanese without guidance.
  1. Have your instructors permission
    • This is the most important point. You must have your instructor’s consent to grade. They are experts in Karate and will know if you are likely to pass or not based on how you are performing in the class. Yes mistakes and problems happen on the day, but if you are consistently delivering a good standard of Karate then you should be fine.
    • It is important to ESKA that Karate-Ka are comfortable and ready for their grading

So What’s the Process?

  • Your instructor will announce the grading event when the time is near.   Those considered ready to grade will receive an email “Invitation to Grade”.
  • The link in this email to the ESKA Portal should be traversed in order to book your grading slot (The grading criteria must be satisfied in order to book a grading e.g. a valid karate license, fee submission etc).
  • Online Registration for gradings is available for online members and require each student to book their place and capture key details for the event, including grade and licence number.  Once booked online, you will receive confirmation via email.
  • At the grading, Karate-Ka are required to perform Kihon Basics, Kata and Kumite from the ESKA syllabus (Available from your instructor)
    • Kihon Basics: includes stances, blocks, punches, kicks and combinations
    • Kata: A set sequence of karate moves, a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents
    • Kumite: Sparring, the practical application of Karate

What happens at the Grading?

  • There is no need to sign in at the grading, just arrive slightly before your start time and depending on your grade, you will be called for a warm up.
  • Timings:
    • JUNIOR YELLOW/YELLOW WHITE STRIPE & BELOW 10AM
    • JUNIOR GREEN & ABOVE 11.00am
    • ALL ADULT GRADES 11.30am”
  • Once the warm-up has finished you will be split off into your belt colours for grading and an examiner or instructor will walk you to your grading table.  The Sensei leading the grading will lead the session.
  • Ensure you listen carefully and show great spirit “OSS!”

What Happens After?

  • If you pass, then belts can be purchased on the day by the entrance to the hall. Prices range from £5 (approx).
  • After a successful pass, your hardcopy license will be signed and officially stamped by the grading Sensei.
  • A successful grading will lead to a Certificate of Achievement that will be sent to your club instructors within a few weeks of the grading
  • Certificate achievements will be awarded to Karate-Ka at their respective clubs