Rising Sun Martial Arts
Rank Advancement Page
Rank Advancement in the Martial Arts is very important. It is a reflection of your personal training and effort. It is not something to take lightly. All Karate-ka should have pride in the rank they wear. It was earned!
Rank advancement is NOT a right of passage. Rank advancement IS a result of your "Conviction to training" and your "Commitment to your Art."
Here is your rank advancement schedule. Our sessions are 16-weeks long and each session you have the ability to test for the next rank, whether it is a stripe or belt test. So there must be at least 16 weeks of training for each student before they become eligible to test.
Here are the requirements to become test eligible:
A student MUST be currently active in training to be eligible for the current testing period.
A student's tuition Must be up-to-date and current in order to receive a new rank and/or certificate.
Attendance and effort points must be earned through your "In-Class" training during the session.
* If a student takes off one month of training, they will not lose any training points.
* If a student takes off two consecutive months of training, they will lose up to 15 training points.
* If a students takes off three or more consecutive months of training, they will lose all training points
A complete knowledge of your rank advancement requirements must be displayed during training times. Please use the links below for your current rank to make sure you are proficient at all requirements.
Eligible students must be current members, which means tuition must be up-to-date before a student can advance in rank.
Our Rank Advancement policy effective January 1, 2025 will change. Students will be advanced in Rank when:
I. They have completed the required minimum "Time-in-Grade" of 17 weeks between rank advancements.
II. They have earned the required minimum training points. Training points are earned by
A. Effort and discipline shown in class.
B. Effectively displaying their required rank advancement material on a consistent basis.
C. Time spent in class.
i. Points are also determined by the length of class time and the students time spent in class.
Example: If a class is 2 hours long, students receive points based on that time.
If a student arrives late, or leaves early, their points will be determined by the
amount of time spent in class.
III. Parents will be informed prior to the student's rank advancement so they may be present for the advancement.
IV. The most important part of this new policy is for the student to NOT ASK WHEN THEY WILL BE PROMOTED!
V. Concentrate on your training and you'll be fine. "Damatte Kunren Suru" (Shut up and Train)
The following requirements are for each solid belt rank advancement. As you continue to train and earn the required points, you will test on a portion of these requirements for each stripe and all of the requirements to advance to the next belt.
*If you would like additional help with any of your requirements, please contact Rising Sun to schedule a private lesson or to receive video help of your requirement.
Yellow Belt to Orange Belt:
| Punches | Blocks | Kicks | Kata | Self-Defense |
| Center Punch | Traditional Down Block | Knee Thrust | Get off the line | |
| Double Center Punch | Traditional Forearm Block | Front Kick | *All Attacks | |
| Backfist | Traditional Rising Block | Side Kick | ||
| Reverse Jab | Traditional Swordhand Block | Back Kick | Kneeling Front Rolls | |
| Combination | Combination Down Block | Standing Front Rolls | ||
| Front Punch | Combination Forearm Block | Roundhouse Kick | Taikyoku | Seated Back Breakfalls |
| Reverse Punch | Combination Rising Block | Hook Kick | Squatting Back Breakfalls | |
| Spearhand Strike | Combination Swordhand Block | Wheel Kick | Standing Back Breakfalls |
Orange Belt to Blue Belt:
| Punches | Blocks | Kicks | Kata | Self-Defense |
| Hammer Strike | Traveling Doublefist Block | Ax Kick | Heian Shodan | Applied Collar Grab, Choke |
| Shuto Strike | Traveling Hammer Block | Shuffle Front Kick | Takedown Position | Applied Wrist Grab, Front Punch |
| Claw Strike | Traveling Cover Block | Applied Round Punch, Push | ||
| Elbow Strike | Traveling Palm Block | Applied Earslap, Bearhug | ||
| Applied Headlock | ||||
| Applied Uppercut, Overhead |
Blue Belt to Purple Belt:
| Punches | Blocks | Kicks | Kata | Self-Defense |
| Jump Front Kick | Heian Nidan | Takedown Collar Grab, Choke | ||
| Double Jump Front Kick | Hip Throw Position | Takedown Wrist Grab, Front Punch | ||
| 360 Turning Hook Kick | Takedown Round Punch, Push | |||
| 360 Turning Wheel Kick | Takedown Earslap, Bearhug | |||
| 360 Jump Turning Wheel Kick | Takedown Headlock | |||
| 360 Double Jump Turning Wheel Kick | Takedown Uppercut, Overhead | |||
| Double Jump Reverse Wheel Kick | Randori: Takedown |
Purple Belt to Green Belt:
| Punches | Blocks | Kicks | Kata | Self-Defense |
| Heian Sandan | Hip Throw Collar Grab, Choke | |||
| Takeover Position | Hip Throw Wrist Grab, Front Punch | |||
| Hip Throw Round Punch, Push | ||||
| Hip Throw Earslap, Bearhug | ||||
| Hip Throw Headlock | ||||
| Hip Throw Uppercut, Overhead | ||||
| Randori: Takedown, Hip Throw |
Green Belt to Brown Belt:
| Punches | Blocks | Kicks | Kata | Self-Defense |
| Heian Yodan | Takeover Collar Grab, Choke | |||
| Heian Godan | Takeover Wrist Grab, Front Punch | |||
| Takeover Round Punch, Push | ||||
| Takeover Earslap, Bearhug | ||||
| Takeover Headlock | ||||
| Takeover Uppercut, Overhead | ||||
| Randori: Takedown, Hip Throw, Takeover |
Brown Belt to Solid Black Belt:
| Punches | Blocks | Kicks | Kata | Self-Defense |
| Bassai | Atemi Iti, Ni, San, Si, Go, Roku | |||
| Empi | Shoots 1, 2, 3, 4 | |||
| Jion | POB 1, 2, 3, 4 | |||
| Grappling 1, 2, 3, 4 | ||||
| Chokes 1, 2, 3, 4 | ||||
| Kyusho It, Ni, San, Si/in, Si/out | ||||
| Elbow Drop | ||||
| Stationary Knife: Head, Chest, Stomach | ||||
| Lunge Knife: Stomach | ||||
| Gun: Head, Chest | ||||
| Randori: All Attacks/Defenses |
SOLID BLACK BELT to SOLID LEVEL 1:
Center Punch, Double Center Punch, Backfist, Reverse Jab, Combination
Taikyoku: Individual and Bunkai
Positions: Takedown, Hip Throw, Takeover
Collar Grab - All Defenses, Choke - All Defenses (Applied thru Takeover)
SOLID LEVEL 1 to SOLID LEVEL 2:
Combination Blocks: Down, Forearm, Rising, Swordhand, Doublefist, Hammer
Heian Shodan: Individual and Bunkai
Waza: Iti, Ni
Wrist Grab - All Defenses, Front Punch - All Defenses (Applied thru Takeover)
SOLID LEVEL 2 to SOLID LEVEL 3:
Kicks: Knee Thrust, Front, Side, Back, Roundhouse
Heian Nidan: Individual and Bunkai
Waza: San, Si
Reverse Punch - All Defenses, Round Punch - All Defenses (Applied thru Takeover)
SOLID LEVEL 3 to SOLID LEVEL 4:
Strikes: Spearhand, Shuto, Hammer, Elbow, Claw
Heian Sandan: Individual and Bunkai
Waza: Go, Roku
Push - All Defenses, Earslap - All Defenses (Applied thru Takeover)
SOLID LEVEL 4 to SOLID LEVEL 5:
Blocks: Palm, Cover, Scooping (All 4), Inai
Heian Yodan: Individual and Bunkai
Waza: Siti, Hati
Bearhug - All Defenses, Grab & Punch - All Defenses (Applied thru Takeover)
SOLID LEVEL 5 to SOLID LEVEL 6:
Kicks: Hook, Wheel, Ax, Shuffle Front
Heian Godan: Individual and Bunkai
Waza: Ku, Zyuu
Headlock - All Defenses, Full Nelson - All Defenses (Applied thru Takeover)
SOLID LEVEL 6 to SHODAN BLACK BELT:
Kicks: Jump Front, Double Jump Front, All Turning Kicks
Kata: Taikyoku - Heian Godan -Individual and Bunkai
Waza: Zyuu-Iti
Uppercut - All Defenses, Overhead - All Defenses (Applied thru Takeover)
Black Belt Requirements:
The following new requirements are needed for advancement within the Shodan Black Belt Rank.
SHODAN BLACK BELT to SHODAN LEVEL 1:
Chanbara: Mein Strike
Kata: Bassai -Individual and Bunkai
Kata: Heian Kata - Moves 1 thru first kiai
Kyusho Iti: Against All Attacks
Wrist Grab: Kotegaeshi
SHODAN LEVEL 1 to SHODAN LEVEL 2:
Chanbara: Kote Strike
Kali: 2 count + cobs / blocks
Kata: Empi -Individual and Bunkai
Kata: Heian Kata - First kiai thru end
Kyusho Ni: Against All Attacks
SHODAN LEVEL 2 to SHODAN LEVEL 3:
Chanbara: Do Strike
Kali: 3 count + cobs / blocks
Kata: Jion -Individual and Bunkai
Kata: Heian Kata - Full Kata
Kyusho San: Against All Attacks
SHODAN LEVEL 3 to SHODAN LEVEL 4:
Kali: 4 count + cobs / blocks
Kata: Kwanku -First half
Kyusho Si (Inward): Against All Attacks
SHODAN LEVEL 4 to SHODAN LEVEL 5:
Chanbara: Ashi Strike
Kali: 5 count + cobs / blocks
Kata: Kwanku -Second half
Kyusho Si (Outward): Against All Attacks
Wrist Grab: Sankyo
SHODAN LEVEL 5 to SHODAN LEVEL 6:
Chanbara: Tsuki Strike
Kali: Heaven 6 + cobs / blocks
Kata: Kwanku -Full half
Kyusho's: All - Against All Attacks
SHODAN LEVEL 6 to NIDAN BLACK BELT:
Chanbara: All Strikes
Kali: All Strikes + cobs / blocks
Kata: Kwanku -Full Kata
Kata: Heian Kata - Full Kata
Kyusho's: All - Against All Attacks
Black Belt Requirements:
The following new requirements are needed for advancement within the Nidan Black Belt Rank.
NIDAN BLACK BELT to NIDAN LEVEL 1:
Kali Disarm: Disarm #1
Kata: Agaru-Sho - First Half
Kotegaeshi: Collar Grab, Choke, Wrist Grab, Front Punch
NIDAN LEVEL 1 to NIDAN LEVEL 2:
Wrist Grab: Tenbimnage - Iremi
Kata: Agaru-Sho - Second Half
Sankyo: Collar Grab, Choke, Wrist Grab, Front Punch
NIDAN LEVEL 2 to NIDAN LEVEL 3:
Wrist Grab: Tenbimnage - Tenkan
Kata: Taikyoku Bo, Shodan Bo, Nidan Bo
Kotegaeshi: Reverse Punch, Round Punch, Push, Earslap
NIDAN LEVEL 3 to NIDAN LEVEL 4:
Kali Disarm: Disarm #2
Kata: Sandan Bo
Sankyo: Reverse Punch, Round Punch, Push, Earslap
NIDAN LEVEL 4 to NIDAN LEVEL 5:
Wrist Grab: Shihonage - Iremi
Kata: Yodan Bo
Kotegaeshi: Bearhug, Grab & Punch
NIDAN LEVEL 5 to NIDAN LEVEL 6:
Wrist Grab: Shihonage - Tenkan
Kata: Godan Bo
Sankyo: Bearhug, Grab & Punch
NIDAN LEVEL 6 to NIDAN LEVEL 7:
Kali Disarm: Disarm #3
Kata: Bo Roku
Kotegaeshi: Headlock, Full Nelson
NIDAN LEVEL 7 to NIDAN LEVEL 8:
Kali Disarm: Disarm #4
Kata: Bo Siti
Sankyo: Headlock, Full Nelson
NIDAN LEVEL 8 to NIDAN LEVEL 9:
Kali Disarm: Disarm #5
Kata: Agaru Bo Shodan
Kotegaeshi: Uppercut, Overhead
NIDAN LEVEL 9 to SANDAN BLACK BELT:
Kali Disarm: Disarm #1-5
Kata: 7 Sword Techniques
Sankyo: Uppercut, Overhead
Black Belt Requirements:
The following new requirements are needed for advancement within the Sandan Black Belt Rank.
SANDAN BLACK BELT to SANDAN LEVEL 1:
Kata: Agaru Ni - First half
Tenbimnage Iremi: Collar Grab, Choke, Wrist Grab, Front Punch
SANDAN LEVEL 1 to SANDAN LEVEL 2:
Kata: Agaru Ni - Create a second half
Shihonage Iremi: Collar Grab, Choke, Wrist Grab, Front Punch
SANDAN LEVEL 2 to SANDAN LEVEL 3:
Kata: Katana ShiShi - First half
Tenbimnage Tenkan: Collar Grab, Choke, Wrist Grab, Front Punch
SANDAN LEVEL 3 to SANDAN LEVEL 4:
Kata: Katana ShiShi - Second half
Shihonage Tenkan: Collar Grab, Choke, Wrist Grab, Front Punch
SANDAN LEVEL 4 to SANDAN LEVEL 5:
Kata: Tekki Shodan
Tenbimnage Iremi: Reverse Punch, Round Punch, Push, Earslap
Wrist Grab: Ushiro Kata Otoshi
SANDAN LEVEL 5 to SANDAN LEVEL 6:
Kata: Tekki Nidan
Shihonage Iremi: Reverse Punch, Round Punch, Push, Earslap
Chanbara: Judging Terminology
SANDAN LEVEL 6 to SANDAN LEVEL 7:
Kata: Tekki Sandan
Tenbimnage Tenkan: Reverse Punch, Round Punch, Push, Earslap
Chanbara: Judging Certification
SANDAN LEVEL 7 to SANDAN LEVEL 8:
Kata: Agaru Kuren - First half
Shihonage Tenkan: Reverse Punch, Round Punch, Push, Earslap
Wrist Grab: Hachimawashi
SANDAN LEVEL 8 to SANDAN LEVEL 9:
Kata: Agaru Kuren - Second half
Tenbimnage Iremi: Bearhug, Grab & Punch, Headlock
Wrist Grab: Ikkyo
SANDAN LEVEL 9 to SANDAN LEVEL 10:
Kata: Agaru Kuren
Shihonage Iremi: Bearhug, Grab & Punch, Headlock
Wrist Grab: Nikyo
SANDAN LEVEL 10 to SANDAN LEVEL 11:
Tenbimnage Tenkan: Bearhug, Grab & Punch, Headlock
Wrist Grab: Ireminage
SANDAN LEVEL 11 to SANDAN LEVEL 12:
Shihonage Tenkan: Bearhug, Grab & Punch, Headlock
Wrist Grab: Ude Garame
SANDAN LEVEL 12 to SANDAN LEVEL 13:
Tenbimnage Iremi: Full Nelson, Uppercut, Overhead
Shihonage Iremi: Full Nelson, Uppercut, Overhead
SANDAN LEVEL 13 to YODAN BLACK BELT:
Tenbimnage Tenkan: Full Nelson, Uppercut, Overhead
Shihonage Tenkan: Full Nelson, Uppercut, Overhead
Still have questions? Contact Rising Sun Martial Arts