Training consists of kata (set formats), kihon (basic movements), bunkai (two-person kata application format), Yakusoku kumite (seven sets of pre-arranged kumite drills), two-person conditioning drills and kumite (free combat). Kumite is not compulsory and so students are not tested for this at gradings. Students undertaking kumite training are required to be equipped with personal safety pads and a mouth guard.
Gradings are held three times a year during normal class times. Juniors must complete two separate internal assessments between each full colour belt grading.
Completion of these assessments are recorded by way of adding a white stripe to the student’s current belt. Senior students are not required to complete these assessments.
A typical training session includes, warm up and stretching, basic movements, kata, pad work or kumite drills and conditioning. Conditioning is a two-person drill where contact is made between the two training partners. Conditioning strengthens the student’s mental fortitude and provides a realistic approach to using kata blocking technique.
There are 18 kata in our curriculum that are of Matsubayashi Ryu origin. Matsubayashi Ryu is a Shorin Ryu style created by well-respected Okinawan Master Shoshin Nagamine in 1941.
These are,
Fukyugata ichi
Fukyugata ni
Pinan Shodan
Pinan Nidan
Pinan Sandan
Pinan Yondan
Pinan Godan
Naihanchi Shodan
Naihanchi Nidan
Naihanchi Sandan
Ananku
Wankan
Rohai
Wanshu
Passai
Gojushiho
Chinto
Kusanku
Belt hierarchy
Kids grades are referred to by their belt colour. Adult grades are referred to by number, e.g. 4th kyu. The first black belt grade (shodan) cannot be obtained before age 16.
The second black belt grade (nidan) cannot be obtained before age 20.
Beginner grades.
White belt
Yellow belt 7th kyu
Intermediate grades.
Orange belt 6th kyu
Green belt 5th kyu
Blue belt 4th kyu
Advanced grades
Purple belt 3rd kyu
Red belt, pre senior grade for students 13 years old and under.
Pre-black belt grades
Brown belt 3rd kyu, senior grade
Brown belt 2nd kyu, senior grade
Brown belt 1st kyu, senior grade
Black belt grades
Nidan (2nd degree) Instructor level
Sandan (3rd degree)
Yondan (4th degree)
Godan (5th degree)
Rokudan (6th degree)
Nanadan (7th degree)
Huchidan (8th degree)
Weapons training is supplementary and is not required for belt grading, however, SRKDNZ does have a separate grading system available to adult students and our younger students who are graded green belt and above. Weapons taught are bo staff, nunchaku, tonfa (similar to fixed handle police baton) kama (sickle type weapon) and sai (hand held three-pronged steel weapon).