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Dan Gradings

Last Updated: 15th April 2022

The aim of the dan grading system is to provide karateka with a clear, unambiguous, and definitive measure of the progress, development and current level of their karate. Dan gradings are opportunities for karateka to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding of Shotokan Karate. The decision to undertake a dan grading should shape a karateka’s approach to training and encourage the attainment of a higher level of karate skills and knowledge. Dan gradings also provide the opportunity for the Shotokan Connect to assess the development of the instruction provided by the association and the standard of our karate.

 

  1. Shotokan Connect karateka will be eligible to take a dan grading if all of the following criteria are met:

    • they hold a current Shotokan Connect licence, which must be shown at the grading

    • they have trained regularly at a Shotokan Connect club, twice a week wherever possible

    • they have the permission of their club instructor to grade. Where the karateka grading is the most senior grade in the club, permission must be obtained from a more senior Shotokan Connect karateka with whom they train on a regular basis

    • the appropriate time period has elapsed since their last grading

    • karateka taking a grading for 1st dan must be 1st kyu, not intermediate 1st kyu

  1. Dan gradings may only be taken at designated Shotokan Connect courses, details of which will be circulated to all relevant Shotokan Connect members.

  2. The minimum time periods between dan gradings and grading fees are: 

Grading 

Minimum time period 

Grading fee 

1st kyu to 1st dan 

26 weeks 

£90 

1st dan to 2nd dan 

2 years 

£100 

2nd dan to 3rd dan 

3 years 

£110 

3rd dan to 4th dan 

4 years 

£120 

4th dan to 5th dan 

5 years 

£130 

5th dan to 6th dan 

6 years 

£140 

  1. Gradings for 6th dan may only be undertaken at the invitation of the Shotokan Connect Quality Assurance Committee. This invitation will be issued on the basis of:

      • at least six years having elapsed since the karateka’s 5th dan grading
      • attendance at Shotokan Connect events
      • instructor, assessor, timekeeper, judge and referee qualifications
      • other contributions to the organisation and running of Shotokan Connect

  1. The grade of 7th dan and above will be awarded by Shotokan Connect Quality Assurance Committee, and must be ratified by the Shotokan Connect Steering Group. The award will be made on the basis of:

      • the appropriate number of years (current grade plus 1) having elapsed since the award of the karateka’s current grade
      • attendance at Shotokan Connect events
      • instructor, assessor, timekeeper, judge and referee qualifications

  1. Other contributions to the organisation and running of Shotokan Connect and its clubs. There will be no charge for the award of 7th dan and above.

  2. The performance of a karateka during their grading will be assessed using the five criteria described in the kyu grading syllabus.

  3. Criteria will be judged to have been met, partially met or not met.

  4. Where the threshold number of criteria have not been met, but an appropriate number of criteria have been met or partially met, in either the kata or the kumite sections of the grading, the karateka will be permitted to retake that section of the grading at a later date, not less than 13 weeks and not more than 12 calendar months, after the original grading. The grading fee for the retake of that section will be £70.

  5. Karateka who have joined Shotokan Connect from another association and are 1st or 2nd dan grades, must retake their current grade within 12 calendar months of joining Shotokan Connect. The cost for the grading, and any subsequent retake gradings, will be £25.

  1. Karateka who have joined Shotokan Connect from another association and are 3rd dan or above must:

      • train on a minimum of three Shotokan Connect courses and record the date, location and the name of the senior instructor for each course
      • introduce themselves to the most senior instructor on each course
      • having attended three courses, contact the Shotokan Connect Quality Assurance Committee for guidance on the date of the most appropriate grading
      • at their grading present their most recent licence from their last association together with an official record of their gradings to date

  1. During the grading of karateka who have joined Shotokan Connect from another association and are 3rd dan or above, the grading examiners may, at their discretion, require the karateka to undertake elements of the syllabus for any dan grading up to that for which they are grading.

  2. Having undertaken a grading, karateka who have joined Shotokan Connect from another association and are 3rd dan or above, will be awarded a grade commensurate with their Shotokan Connect standard, which will be deemed to apply from the date of their most recent grading with their last association.

  3. There are no age restrictions for Shotokan Connect karateka undertaking 1st or 2nd dan gradings.

  4. The minimum age for Shotokan Connect karateka to be eligible to take 3rd dan is 21 years of age.

  5. Gumshields, groin protectors (where appropriate) and hand mitts are compulsory for jiyu ippon and jiyu kumite. Chest protectors (where appropriate) are recommended for jiyu ippon and jiyu kumite.

  6. There is no appeal process with regard to the outcome of a dan grading. The decision of the grading examiners is final.

Download Dan Grading Syllabus