MAINE SHOTOKAN KARATE ASSOCIATION
All applicants for Dan Grading are required to have attended and participated fully in a minimum of 2 SKIFSponsored Seminars (International, National or Regional, Events, or Special Training...Tournaments do NOT count) within the previous twelve months prior to Dan testing. " Dan candidates and/or those seeking to test for senior Dan grades must show evidence of having trained with other Senior grade SKIF Yudansha...teaching classes in one's Dojo does not constitute additional training.
SHODAN GRADING EXERCISES - 1st Degree Black Belt
| KIHON | |
| ZENKUTSU DACHI – GEDAN BARAI | (Front Stance – Low Block) |
| FORWARD: SANBON ZUKI - OI ZUKI | (Jo-Chu-Chu) 5 TIMES (Triple punch: high, reverse middle, middle), then a back leg mawate (turn)) |
| FORWARD: SANBON ZUKI - GYAKU ZUKI | (Chu-Jo-Chu) 5 TIMES (Reverse triple punch; reverse middle, high, reverse middle) |
| BACKWARD: JODAN AGE UKE - GEDAN BARAI - CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI | 5 TIMES (High rising block, same arm low sweeping block, middle reverse punch) |
| FORWARD: CHUDAN SOTO UKE - CHUDAN YOKO ENPI UCHI- JODAN URAKEN UCHI - CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI | 5 TIMES (Middle outside block, middle side elbow strike, high back-fist strike, and middle reverse punch, with the second and third technique of each set in KIBA DACHI (straddle stance) and last technique in ZENKUTSU DACHI (front stance); mawate (turn)) |
| FORWARD: CHUDAN UCHI UDE UKE - JODAN KIZAMI ZUKI - CHUDAN MAE GERI - CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI | 5 TIMES (Middle inside block, high lead-hand punch, middle front kick, step back and middle reverse punch) |
| BACKWARD: CHUDAN SHUTO UKE - KIZAMI MAE GERI - CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI | 5 TIMES (In KOKUTSU DACHI, CHUDAN SHUTO UKE, lead-leg front kick, stepping down into ZENKUTSU DACHI, middle reverse spear-hand) |
| ZENKUTSU DACHI – GEDAN BARAI | (Front Stance – Low Block) |
| FORWARD: MAE GERI – MAWASHI GERI - CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI - GEDAN BARAI | 5 TIMES (Front kick, round kick, middle reverse punch, low block) |
| FORWARD: MAE GERI – YOKOGERI KEKOMI - CHUDAN GYAKU ZUKI - GEDAN BARAI | 5 TIMES (Front kick, side thrust kick, middle reverse punch and low block) |
| TURN into KIBA DACHI facing the front | |
| YOKOGERI KEAGE, YOKOGERI KEKOMI | 3 TIMES (Side snap kick, side thrust kick - different legs) |
| KIME WAZA | Focus technique |
| GYAKU ZUKI | (Stepping out into ZENKUTSU DACHI stance, execute GYAKU ZUKI against moving target) |
| KATA | |
| SHITEI (Compulsory): | HEIAN SHODAN - GODAN TEKKI SHODAN |
| SENTEI (Free; candidate chooses one) | BASSAI-DAI JION ENPI KANKU-DAI JITTE |
| KUMITE | |
| JIYU IPPON KUMITE (HIDARI/MIGI) | (Semi Free One Step Sparring) |
Standards: This is the level at which the karate practitioner has mastered the basic techniques, the basic kata, and basic and advanced prearranged kukmite (sparring) with correct form, speed, focus, timing, and control.