Adult Test Requirements
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Shudokan Aikido Association

Adult Test Requirements

Note:  A pdf. version is available at:  http://www.shudokanaikido.com/documents/AdultKyuTestRequirements.pdf
Gokyu- (5th Kyu) - Yellow Belt/Stripe

Requirements-60 hours/4-6 months

Skills & Exercises
Required Techniques
  • Seiza/Zaho - Sitting Japanese style with legs folded underneath/formal sitting (pp. 25-26)
  • Rei-bowing, courtesy (p. 24)
  • Shikko-knee walking (pp. 26-27)
  • Kamae (basic stances)-hidari hanmi (left), migi hanmi (right), ai-hanmi (migi/hidari)-mutual, gyaku (migi/hidari)-mirror (p.22). Dojo Cho note: tori’s foot position determines name
  • Kogeki (attacks)-basic grabs (katatetori, katatori, ushiro ryotetori), basic strikes (shomenuchi, yokomenuchi, tsuki)
  • Ukemi (break falls)-p. 38
    Zenpo Kaiten Ukemi (Mae Ukemi)-front break fall (forward roll from standing and kneeling) with and without slap
    Ushiro Hanten Ukemi (Ushiro Ukemi)- backward break fall (back roll from standing and kneeling)
    Yoko Ukemi-side break fall (p. 42)
  • Sabaki (body movement) (p. 30-35)-tenkan with and without partner; tai no henka. Irimi (entering), tenkan (pivot turn); hanten (body turn without moving feet); tenshin (sweeping body turn); tenkai (revolving turn)-step with pivot (hanten).
  • Unsoku (footwork) (p. 28-29)-ayumi ashi-moving forward with alternating sliding step (suri ashi); tsugi ashi-from chudan no kamae bring back foot up from hanmi close to front foot then step forward on front foot; okuri ashi-from a jodan no kamae step forward with the front foot and bring the back foot up

Katame-Waza (locking & pinning)

  • Katate-dori Dai-Ikkyo (F) (gyaku hanmi) (omote & ura)-same side wrist grab 1st technique (to front and rear) with pin (p. 58).
  • Shomen-uchi Dai-Ikkyo (F) (gyaku hanmi) (omote & ura)-strike to front of head with first technique (to front and rear) with pin (p. 60)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breath Power Training (kokyu-ryoku)

  • Suwari waza kokyu Ho (F)-(p.68). Kikyu-Ho (breath powertraining) also Za-ho (kokyu dosa)-Partner practice in seiza postion; exercise to develop timing or "breath" power
  • Morote-dori Kokyu Ho: omote/ura (pp. 64-66)

 

 

Nage-Waza (throwing)

  • Tsuki Kote-gaeshi (B) (irimi/tenshin)-mid section punch with wrist turnout throw with pin (standing and seated) (p.102, 104)
  • Shomen-uchi Irimi-nage (F)-strike to front of head with entering throw (p. 52)
  • Katate-dori Shihonage (F) (gyaku hanmi) (omote & ura)-same side wrist grab 4 direction throw (p. 54-57)

Weapons Requirements

  • Bokken/Bokuto: kiri-kaeshi cuts; kumitachi ikkyo
  • Jo: kiri kaeshi ikkyo; kumijo ikkyo; misogi no jo kata-1st 5 movements.
  

Yonkyu (4th Kyu)-Blue Belt

Requirements-80 hours/6 months; one mini-seminar/workshop

Skills & Exercises
Required Techniques

See 5th kyu requirements

  • Jiyu Randori/Futari-gake (Freestyle/Multiple Attackers):
    Freestyle off katate dori attacks (ai-hanmi and gyaku hanmi)

     

     

    Katame-Waza (locking & pinning)

    • All 5th kyu techniques plus:

    • Kata/Katate-dori Dai-Nikyo (omote/ura)-same side shoulder/wrist grab with 2nd technique and pin (p. 122) Rippo (standing)

    Breath Power Training (kokyu-ryoku)

    • Suwari Waza Kokyu Ho (F)- (p.68) Kokyu-Ho (breath power training) also Za-ho (kokyu dosa) - Partner practice in seiza position; exercise to develop timing or “breath” power
    • Morote-dori Kokyu Ho-omote/ura (pp. 64-66)
    • Katate-dori Kokyu-nage-same side wrist grab breath throw
    		  

    Weapons Requirements:

    • Bokken/Bokuto: kiri kaeshi maai keiko; kumitachi nikyo
    • Jo: kiri kaeshi nikyo; kumijo nikyo; misogi no jo kata-10 moves Required Techniques:

     

     

     

    Nage Waza (throwing techniques):

    • Yokomen-uchi Shiho-nage (omote/ura)-strike to side of head four corner throw
    • Shomen-uchi Irimi-nage-strike to front of head entering throw
    • Ushiro tekubi dori kokyu-nage- rear wrists grabbed with breath throw (projection to front)

     

    Sankyu (3rd Kyu)-Blue Belt/Stripe

    Requirements-100 hours/7-10 months after 4th kyu; mini-seminar/workshop

    Skills & Exercises
    Required Techniques

    Skills from previous kyu ranks plus:

    • Ukemi (break falls)- Tobu Ukemi-flying breakfall
    • Tai No Tenkan (body turning)-ryote-tori shiho-giri (omote), ryote-tori shiho-giri ura (p. 46, 48)


    Jiyu Randori/Futari-gake (Freestyle/Multiple Attackers):

    • Jiyu-Waza-free style off any grabbing attack (katate-dori required)

      All 4th kyu techniques plus:

      Katame Waza (locking & pinning):

      • Shomen-uchi Dai-Ikkyo through Dai-Yonkyo (Tachi/Suwari Waza) (omote & ura)-strike to front of head with 1st through 4th techniques (to front and rear) with pin (p. 60, 122, 138-140, 150)

       

       

       

       

      Breath Power Training (kokyu-ryoku)

      • Suwari Waza Kokyu Ho (F)- (p.68) Kokyu-Ho (breath power training) also Za-ho (kokyu dosa) - Partner practice in seiza position; exercise to develop timing or “breath” power
      • Morote-dori Kokyu Ho-omote/ura (pp. 64-66)

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Nage Waza (throwing techniques):

      • Ryote-dori Shiho-nage (B) (omote/ura)-grabbing both wrists with four direction cutting throw (p. 84)
      • Yokomen-uchi Shiho-nage (B) (ai-hanmi)-strike to side of head with four direction throw (p. 82)
      • Shomen-uchi Irimi-nage (F)-strike to front of head with entering throw (p. 52)
      • Tsuki Irimi-nage (irimi & tenshin)-punch to mid section with entering throw-entering/avoiding (p. 76)
      • Ryote-dori Tenchi-nage (irimi/tenkan)-both wrists grabbed heaven & earth throw
      • Ushiro Tekubi Dori Kote -gaeshi-rear wrists grabbed with wrist turn out throw and pin.
      • Morote-dori Kokyu-Nage (2 ways)-two hand grab breath throw

      Weapons Requirements:

      • Bokken/Bokuto: kiri kaeshi-ushiro & irimi ashi sabaki; kumitachi sankyo
      • Jo: kiri kaeshi sankyo; kumijo sankyo; misogi no jo kata-20 moves

      Katame-Nage Waza (Combination Techniques)

      • Shomen-uchi/Tsuki Kote-gaeshi-strike to front of head/punch to midsection with wrist turn out throw and pin (standing/seated)

       

      Nikyu (2nd Kyu)-Brown Belt

      Requirements-100 hours/7-10 months after 3rd kyu; one seminar

      Skills & Exercises
      Required Techniques

      Skills from previous kyu ranks plus:

      Miscellaneous Technique: Hanmi Hantachi for the following

      • Katate-dori shiho-nage (omote-ura)
      • Yokomenuchi-kotegaeshi
      • Kata-dori ikkyo (omote/ura)

       

      All 3th kyu techniques plus:

      Katame Waza (locking & pinning):

      • Shomen-uchi Dai-Ikkyo through Dai-Yonkyo (Tachi/Suwari Waza) (Omote/Ura)-strike to front of head with 1st through 4th techniques with pin (standing/seated)
      • Kata/Katate-Dori Dai-Ikkyo through Dai-Yonkyo (Tachi/Suwari Waza) (Omote/Ura)-same side shoulder/wrist grab with 1st through 4th techniques with pin (standing/seated)

      Jiyu Randori/Futari-gake (Freestyle/Multiple Attackers):

      • Jiyu-randori (freestyle) off any attack
      • Futari-gake: Ninin-gake: free style off two attackers grabbing morote-dori (kokyu-ho, shiho-nage, dai-nikyo, kokyu-nage)

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Nage Waza (throwing techniques):

      • Katate-dori Shiho-nage (Hanmi Hantachi) (Omote/Ura)-same side wrist grab with four direction throw-tori on knees/uke stands
      • Shomen-uchi Irimi-nage-strike to front of head entering throw
      • Tsuki Irimi-nage (irimi/tenshin)-punch to midsection entering throw
      • Katate-dori Irimi-nage (gyaku/ai hanmi)-same side/opposite side grab entering throw
      • Katate-dori Kaiten-nage (uchi/soto)-same side wrist grab wheel throw (inside and outside turning)
      • Ryote-dori Tenchi-nage (irimi/tenkan)-both wrists grabbed heaven & earth throw
      • Koshi-Nage 2 ways: hip throw two ways
      • Ushiro Ryotekubi/Ryokata Dori 3 ways (one has to be Shiho-nage)-rear wrist grab 4 direction throw

      Breath Power Training (kokyu-ryoku)

      • Suwari Waza Kokyu Ho (F)- (p.68) Kokyu-Ho (breath power training) also Za-ho (kokyu dosa) - Partner practice in seiza position; exercise to develop timing or “breath” power
      • Morote-dori Kokyu Ho-omote/ura (pp. 64-66)

      Katame-Nage Waza (Combination Techniques)

      • Shomen-uchi/Tsuki/Katate-dori Kote-gaeshi-wrist turn our throw omote-ura with strike to front of head, punch to midsection and same side wrist grab

      Weapons Requirements:

      • Bokken/Bokuto: kiri kaeshi-kushin; kumitachi yonkyo
      • Jo: kiri kaeshi yonkyo; kumijo yonkyo; misogi no jo kata-30 moves
      		  

      Ikkyu (1st Kyu)-Brown Belt/Stripe

      Requirements-120 hours/10-12 months after 2nd kyu; one seminar

      Skills & Exercises
      Required Techniques

      Skills from previous kyu ranks plus:

      Miscellaneous Technique

      • Kata-Menuchi (shomenuchi attack): shoulder grab with strike (3 arts).
      • Mae-gaeri Kokyu-nage-front snap kick breath throw with leg pin on one variation

       

       

       

      All 2nd kyu techniques plus:

      Katame Waza (locking & pinning):

      • Shomen-uchi, Kata-dori, Yokomen-uchi, Ushiro-ryotetori Dai-Ikkyo through Dai-Yonkyo (Tachi/Suwari Waza) (Omote/Ura)-strike to front of head/same side shoulder grab/strike to side of head/rear wrist grabs with 1st through 4th techniques with pin (standing/seated)
      • Yokomen-uchi Gokyo (omote/ura)-strike to side of head with 5th technique and pin

      Jiyu Randori/Futari-gake (Freestyle/Multiple Attackers):

      • Jiyu-Randori (freestyle) -free style off any attack standing/seated (katate-dori, ryote-tori and morote-dori required)
      • Futari-gake: Sanin-gake-three grabbing attackers.
      • Randori with 3 attackers

        Nage Waza (throwing techniques):

        • Ryote-dori/Katate-dori Shiho-nage (Hanmi Hantachi/Suwari Waza) (Omote/Ura) -both wrists grabbed/same side shoulder grab with four direction throw-tori on knees/uke stands & both on knees
        • Shomen-uchi/Tsuki/Katate-dori Irimi-nage -strike to front of head/punch to midsection/same side wrist grab with entering throw
        • Shomen-uchi/Tsuki/Katate-dori Kaiten-nage (uchi/soto)-strike to front of head/punch to midsection/same side wrist grab with wheel throw (inside and outside turning)
        • Ryote-dori Tenchi-nage (irimi/tenkan)-grabbing both wrists heaven & earth throw
        • Koshi-nage (3 ways)-hip throw 3 ways.
        • Ushiro Tekubi Dori Juji-Nage-rear wrists grabbed with arm entwining throw
        • Ushiro-kubijime (sankyo/koshi-nage): rear wrist grab with choke, inward wrist turn and hip throw

        Breath Power Training (kokyu-ryoku)

        • Suwari Waza Kokyu Ho (F)- (p.68) Kokyu-Ho (breath power training) also Za-ho (kokyu dosa) - Partner practice in seiza position; exercise to develop timing or “breath” power
        • Morote-dori Kokyu Ho-omote/ura (pp. 64-66)
        • Ryote-tori kokyu-nage (3 ways)-both wrists grabbed breath throw

        Katame-Nage Waza (Combination Techniques)

        • Shomen-uchi/Tsuki/Katate-dori Kotegaeshi (omote/ura) -strike to front of head/punch to midsection/same side wrist grab with wrist turn out throw

        Weapons Requirements:

        • Bokken/Bokuto: shiogi & happo giri; kumitachi gokyo (optional)
        • Jo: kiri kaeshi-gokyo; kumijo gokyo (optional); misogi no jo kata-36 moves
        • Tanto Dori-free style against 3 attacks
        		  

        Legend:
        Red Highlighted Requirement=World Headquarter Aikikai minimum requirements (repeats are shown because required). (F) = fundamental techniques. (B) = basic techniques. (p. )=page reference numbers to Best Aikido by Nidai/Sandai Doshu) and The Aikido Master Course: Best Aikido 2, by Nidai Doshu

        Weapon Requirements are in red.

        Notes to SAA Instructors:
        • The average total time from 5th kyu to Shodan will range from approximately 3.5 to 4.5 years. The hours/time in this range includes the time from ikkyu to shodan (see dan test requirements).
        • Seminar requirements are flexible given the instructor and locale. Seminar participation is an essential part of aikido training at all levels and is to be encouraged. Workshops should be performed by Sandan and above. Full seminars should be no less than 4th dan at 2nd kyu and preferably shihan level. Full seminars at ikkyu and shodan levels should be with shihan (6th dan and above). Alternatives may be available depending on the situation and location (e.g., 2-3 workshops for a full seminar at 2nd kyu with at least 4th dan). Exceptions should be cleared with the Board of Directors.
        • Instructors have the option to add techniques at all levels. Instructors also have the flexibility to determine the comprehensiveness of testing so as to not make tests overly burdensome and long. Core requirements from each level must be tested and it is suggested random selections from prior tests be chosen to round out the test. If testing through shihan, he will determine the comprehensiveness of the test.  When tested by committee, the ranking committee member will oversee the comprehensiveness of the test.

        Note:  Test Requirements were developed by Dr. John Riggs and Jorge Garcia for the association.  The requirements are based on Aikikai requirements.

        		American Aikido Academy promote's the teachings, philosophies and the requirements of the World Headquarters Aikikai of the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan.