American Karate Testing Requirements (Upd. 9/23)


 

Kids Karate

  • White*

    • Student Creed

    • Belt Tying

    • Jab, Reverse Punch, Front Snap Kick

  • Leopard*

    • Lead-Leg Round Kick

    • Block, Parry

    • Same-Side Wrist Grab

  • Lion*

    • Rear-Leg Round Kick

    • Ground Guard Fundamentals

    • Cross-Side Wrist Grab

  • Tiger*

    • Heel-Palm Strike, Hammer-Fist Strike

    • Technical Stand-Up

    • Arm Grab


Beginners Karate

  • White

    • Self-Defense:

      • Arm Grab, Same-Side Wrist Grab, Cross-Side Wrist Grab

    • Striking:

      • Jab, Reverse Punch, Front Snap Kick, Heel-Palm Strike, Hammer-Fist Strike, Up Kick

    • Grappling:

      • Ground Guard Fundamentals, Technical Stand-Up

  • Yellow

    • Self-Defense:

      • Arms Down/Double Wrist Grab, Arms Up (Reverse) Wrist Grab, Two-on-One Wrist Grab, Rear Wrist Grab

    • Striking:

      • Knee Strike, Round Kick

    • Grappling:

      • Body-Lock, Over-Under Clinch, Pummeling

  • Gold

    • Self-Defense:

      • Push/Shove, Straight Punches, Haymaker Punch/Slap/Smack

    • Striking:

      • Side Kick, Back-Fist/Side Hammer-Fist Strike

    • Grappling:

      • Clinch & Frame, Back Take, Standing Rear Strangle

  • Orange*

    • Self-Defense:

      • Two-Arm Choke/Grab, One-Arm Choke/Grab, Hair Grab

    • Striking:

      • Straight Elbow Strike, Side (Back) Elbow Strike

    • Grappling:

      • Single/Double Collar-Tie, Standing Front Strangle, Body-Lock Takedown, Back Fall


Intermediates Karate

  • Green

    • Self-Defense:

      • Kick Defense, Takedown Defense

    • Striking:

      • Low Round Kick, Front Push Kick

    • Grappling:

      • Double-Leg Takedown (Two-Hand Reap), Sprawl, Side Fall

  • Blue

    • Self-Defense:

      • Side Headlock, Front Headlock, Standing Rear Strangle

    • Striking:

      • Hook Punch, Heel-Palm Strike, Uppercut

    • Grappling:

      • Rear Takedown/Mat Return, Single-Leg Takedown

  • Purple

    • Self-Defense:

      • Bear Hug (Front/Rear, Arms Pinned/Free)

    • Striking:

      • Shovel (Body) Hook Punch, Shovel Heel-Palm Hook Strike, Overhand Punch

    • Grappling:

      • Trip (Reap) Takedown

  • Brown*

    • Self-Defense:

      • Choke/Strike on Ground - Kneeling/Standing Opponent, Mount Escape

    • Striking:

      • Side Kick to Legs, Oblique Kick, Spinning Strike

    • Grappling:

      • Basic Pinning, Throw, Forward Roll


BLack BElts Karate

  • Wall Work

  • Jacket Defense

  • Arm Bar (Break) - Standing

  • Ground Defense

  • Multiple Attackers

  • Partner Defense

  • Head Kicks

  • Weapon Defense

  • Advanced Takedowns

  • Headbutting

  • Advanced Strength & Conditioning

 

*Cumulative test required for subsequent rank