Karate Yellow Belt Requirements

Yellow Belt Kata Requirements

• Must demonstrate the entire Taikyoku Shodan kata
• Must demonstrate the first half of Taikyoku Shodan to earn the yellow belt

Stances

• Front Stance: a basic stance used throughout karate
• Guarding Stance: a stance used in kumite (sparring)

Kicks

• Front Kick: a powerful kick executed with the ball of the foot
• Side Kick: a kick performed with the instep of the foot
• Back Kick: a kick using the heel of the foot

Punches

• Front Punch: basic, strong punch executed with a closed fist
• Reverse Punch: punch where the fist rotates inwards
• Backfist: punch delivered with the back of the hand

Blocks

• High Block: used to deflect high incoming attacks
• Low Block: used to defend against low attacks
• Middle Block: used to block punches and kicks to the torso

Techniques/Combinations

• High Block/Reverse Punch: a defensive technique used to intercept attacks
• Low Block/Reverse Punch: another defensive technique with a counterpunch
• Frontkick/Front Punch: a combination attack with a kick followed by a punch
• Side Kick/Backfist: a combination attack using different strikes
• Front Punch/Reverse Punch: a punch combination used to confuse opponents

Terms

• Ichi- One: the first number in karate terminology
• Ni- Two: the second number, used for counting movements in kata
• San- Three: the third number, used for counting movements in kata
• Shi- Four: the fourth number, used for counting movements in kata
• Go- Five: the fifth number, used for counting movements in kata
• Ruku- Six: the sixth number, used for counting movements in kata
• Shichi- Seven: the seventh number, used for counting movements in kata
• Hachi- Eight: the eighth number, used for counting movements in kata
• Ku- Nine: the ninth number, used for counting movements in kata
• Ju- Ten: the tenth number, used for counting movements in kata
• Gi- Uniform: the traditional clothing worn by karate practitioners
• Obi- Belt: the belt worn by karate practitioners to indicate their rank
• Dojo- Karate School: a place where karate is practiced
• Sensei- Karate Teacher: the instructor in a dojo
• Deshi- Student: a person learning karate
• Seiza- Formal Sitting Position: a kneeling position used in ceremonies
• Kiotsuke (Kilskit)- Attention: a command used to gain the student's attention
• 'Rai- Bow: a gesture of respect
• Mokuso- Command To Begin Cleansing Breath: starts a period of meditation
• Hajime- Begin: a command to start a practice session
• Yame- Stop: a command to end a practice session
• Taikyoku- First Cause: the first kata in karate
• 'Oi Zuki- Front Punch: basic punch used in kata
• Gyaka Zuki- Reverse Punch: a fist strike with a twist used in kata
• Uraken- Backfist: punch using the backside of the hand
• Mai Geri- Front Kick: a straight-on kick using the ball of the foot, used in kata
• Yoko Geri- Side Kick: a kick with the instep performed sideways
• Ushiro Geri- Back Kick: kick using the heel of the foot
• Jodan Uke- High Block: block used to defend the head
• Kiai- Spirit Shout: a verbal shout during techniques to generate power
• Kumite Dachi- Guarding Stance: the stance used in sparring
• Kiate- Switch: a command to change techniques

Judo/Ju-Jitsu/Grappling/Aikido

• Back Break Fall: a self-defense technique to escape a hold
• Basic Wrist Escape: a technique used to break an attacker's grip

Other Requirements

• Students must attend class regularly
• Students must have a positive attitude
• Students must know and demonstrate previous belt requirements
• Age is considered when testing students