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Requirements and Expectations in BSKA Dojo:

Clothing

Prior to taking your first grading examination you will be required to get a Karate suit (Gi).  You are also advised to buy protective hand mitts, shin pads and a groin protector.  Do seek your instructor's advice before making any purchases.

Belt Colours (under review)

All students are Kyu  grades and their level of achievement in grading examinations can be seen from the colour of the belt worn.  Kyu grades go from 10th Kyu (beginner) to 1st Kyu (the grade which must be achieved to be considered for the black belt examination).  The Kyu grade belt colours are: 

 Belt Colour

 Grade

White 1 plus one ½” thick black strip 3” from each end of the belt.

10th Kyu

White 2 plus two ½” thick black strips 3” from each end of the belt with ½” separating each strip.

9th Kyu

Yellow

8th Kyu

Orange

7th Kyu

Green

6th Kyu

Blue

5th Kyu

Purple

4th Kyu

Brown plus one ½” thick black strip 3” from each end of the belt.

3rd Kyu

Brown plus two ½” thick black strips 3” from each end of the belt with ½” separating each strip.

2nd Kyu

Brown plus three ½” thick black strips 3” from each end of the belt with ½” separating each strip.

1st Kyu

Grading

A minimum time interval of 3 months is required between Kyu examinations, except for those taking brown belts, when the time requirement is 6 months.  There is a minimum time requirement of 36 months before taking the 1st Dan black belt examination and 48 months is a more realistic target. 

Black belt grades are known as ‘Dans’ and they progress from 1st Dan through to 10th Dan.  To gain another Dan an individual also has to pass a grading examination, which may only be taken after all the specified pre-requisites, including the minimum appropriate time interval, have been satisfied.  Time intervals are as follows: 

2 Years            1st Dan`            to         2nd Dan

3 Years            2nd Dan            to         3rd Dan

4 Years            3rd Dan             to         4th Dan

5 Years            4th Dan             to         5th Dan

6 Years            5th Dan             to         6th Dan

7 Years            6th Dan             to         7th Dan

8 Years            7th Dan             to         8th Dan

9 Years            8th Dan             to         9th Dan

6th Dan and above are awarded on merit by the B.S.K.A. Technical Committee and National Grading Panel. 

For juniors (those under 16 years) the same time intervals apply for Kyu and Dan grading examinations, but an allowance is made for age. 

Juniors are recognisable because they are required to wear a 6” by Ύ” white strip on each end and both sides of their coloured belts.  Upon reaching the age of 16 years a junior is eligible to attempt a senior grading examination for recognition of his or her existing junior grade. 

Insurance, Licensing and Membership

All individuals who train in a B.S.K.A. club must have basic insurance cover, which is included within the B.S.K.A. License.  Application forms can be obtained from your club instructor.

 In order to take B.S.K.A. grading examinations you must apply for full membership, this also entitles a B.S.K.A. student to train at any B.S.K.A. registered club.  The first full membership fee also includes a grading record passport.  This passport must be presented at all grading examinations being taken.  It must not be written in by anyone other than an authorised B.S.K.A. official.

Conduct whilst at B.S.K.A. clubs

Most clubs and societies have rules of conduct and B.S.K.A. is no exception.  For a Karate group such rules are particularly important because of the potential danger involved in the practice of Karate techniques.  These rules apply from the time you enter the dojo and are usually referred to as dojo etiquette.

 Such etiquette requires:

1.    That you never cavort around the dojo and never spar, free fight or practice any dangerous techniques unless supervised by the club instructor, or one of his delegates;

2.      A standing bow on entering and leaving the dojo;

3.      A standing bow and a verbal acknowledgement (ouss) to any black belt when addressed by them;

4.      All finger and toe nails to be kept short, rounded and clean;

5.      Two kneeling bows, first to the teacher (sensei ni rei) and second to fellow students (otaga ni rei) at the beginning and end of training sessions;

6.      Permission to be asked of the teacher if you wish to be excused from the dojo;

7.      No chewing, spitting, swearing, eating, smoking, drinking, reckless or irresponsible behaviour in the dojo;

8.      Karate uniform (gi) to be clean and presentable at the start of a training session;

9.      Punctuality and if you are ever late you must kneel and wait for the instructor to bow you in;

10.  No talking unless absolutely essential;

11.  No jewelry whatsoever to be worn;

12.  All black belts to be addressed as “Sensei “ and brown belts to be addressed as “Sempai”