Belt Curriculum

A structured progression from white belt to black belt. Every rank builds on the last. Throws, ground work, submissions, and combinations are layered so students develop complete judo.

Yellow BeltOrange BeltGreen BeltBlue BeltPurple BeltBrown BeltBlack Belt

Technique Requirements by Rank

Each belt's throws and ground work. Click icons for video and wiki references.

6K
Yellow

Throws

Tachi Waza
Ippon-Seoi-Nage
Hiza-Guruma
Uki-Goshi
Sasae-Tsuri-Komi-Ashi
Osoto-Gari
○

Ground

Ne Waza
Kesa-Gatame
Kata-Gatame
Kesa-Gatame #1
Kata-Gatame
Hadaka-Jime
Yotsunbai
Nogare-Kata
○
○
+ 2 combinations using throws from this level
5K
Orange

Throws

Tachi Waza
Morote-Seoi-Nage
Ko-Uchi-Gari
Ko-Uchi-Gake
Harai-Goshi
O-Uchi-Gari
○

Ground

Ne Waza
Yokoshiho-Gatame
Kamishiho-Gatame
Yokoshiho-Gatame #1
Kamishiho-Gatame #1
Nami-Juji-Jime
Kata-Juji-Jime
Gyaku-Juji-Jime
Ude-Garami
Do-Osae
Hairi-Kata
+ 2 combinations using throws from this level
4K
Green

Throws

Tachi Waza
Ko-Soto-Gari
Tai-Otoshi
Tomoe-Nage
Uchi-Mata
De-Ashi-Barai
Tani-Otoshi

Ground

Ne Waza
Ushiro-Kesa-Gatame
Kesa-Gatame #2
Ushiro-Kesa-Gatame
Okuri-Eri-Jime
Juji-Gatame
Hikikomi-Gaeshi
Ushiro-Dori
○
○
+ 2 combinations using throws from this level
3K
Blue

Throws

Tachi Waza
Seoi-Otoshi
Koshi-Guruma
Hane-Goshi
Okuri-Ashi-Harai
Yoko-Tomoe-Nage
Sumi-Gaeshi

Ground

Ne Waza
Kuzure-Kesa-Gatame
Kesa-Gatame #3
Kataha-Jime
Ude-Gatame
Niju-Garami
○
○
○
○
+ 2 combinations using throws from this level
2K
Purple

Throws

Tachi Waza
Kata-Guruma
Ashi-Guruma
Tsuri-Komi-Goshi
Ura-Nage
Utsuri-Goshi
○

Ground

Ne Waza
Kuzure-Yokoshiho-Gatame
Yokoshiho-Gatame #2
Ryote-Jime
Hiza-Gatame
○
○
○
○
○
+ 2 combinations using throws from this level
1K
Brown

Throws

Tachi Waza
Sode-Tsuri-Komi-Goshi
Hikkomi-Gaeshi
○
Soto-Makikomi
Harai-Makikomi
○

Ground

Ne Waza
Sankaku-Jime
Sankaku-Gatame
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
+ 2 combinations using throws from this level
Shodan
Black

Kata

Forms
Nage-No-Kata-Set-1
Nage-No-Kata-Set-2
Nage-No-Kata-Set-3

3 wins against Ikkyu (1K) or higher in Shiai, or pass an in-house practical test (randori). Wins are cumulative.

Dan Promotions

Nidan

Full Nage-No-Kata required.

4 years time-in-grade for non-competitors. Time decreases as promotion points are collected: 1 pt per win against same rank, 2 pts for win against one rank above.

Sandan

Full Nage-No-Kata and Katame-No-Kata required.

6 years time-in-grade for non-competitors. Same promotion point system applies.

Start Your Journey

Every black belt started as a white belt. Book a free trial class and take the first step.

Get Started