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The belt path

Five belts, white to black

Each color adds a few skills. A student tests when the instructor sees them, and a stripe of tape marks each step in between.

01
White belt
Everyone starts here
Skills
- Bowing at the door and on the mat
- A basic stance and a straight punch
- The first form, in short steps
02
Yellow belt
Skills
- Blocks and kicks from the stance
- The second form
- Counting in Japanese
Moving up
When the instructor sees the skills, at a belt test
03
Green belt
Skills
- Longer forms with a change of direction
- Slow partner drills with set steps
- Calling the count for the line
Moving up
When the instructor sees the skills, at a belt test
04
Brown belt
Skills
- Forms from memory
- Controlled partner practice, a little faster
- Helping newer students on the mat
Moving up
When the instructor sees the skills, at a belt test
05
Black belt
Skills
- Every form of the lower belts
- The first black belt form
- Teaching a short part of a class
Moving up
When the instructor sees the skills, at a belt test

Sample levels.

No belt comes with a date. Every student moves at their own pace.

Belt tests

Tests follow the skills, not the calendar

The instructor decides when a student is ready.

A hand holding a belt with two stripes of tape at one end

When
A test happens at the end of a regular class, once the instructor sees the skills.
What happens
A student shows the forms and basics for their belt, with a slow partner drill at the end.
Who watches
Families are welcome to stay on the bench. The instructor says a few words to each student afterward.

Start at white

Every student begins with a white belt, at any age.