Kata

Below are the katas we practice, along with the grading for which they are required; they are practiced for the duration of the previous belt in preparation.  For example, when you pass your red belt grading, you will start learning Heian Nidan in your lessons, and you’ll need to be able to know this kata when you take your yellow belt grading.

Please note that when you take a grading you are expected to know the kata for the belt you’re grading for, and all previous katas.  For example, if you are taking your purple belt grading, you will be expected to know Heian Yondan in particular, but also Heian Sandan, Heian Nidan, Heian Shodan and Kihon.

Please use the videos as a guide, but note that there are often minor differences in some movements between different karate schools. Your sensei will be able to show you the ‘definitive’ version of the kata you are expected to know for your grading.

Kihon Kata

Kihon  for White belt to 10th Kyu Blue (first 8 moves only) and for Blue to 9th Kyu Orange (full kata) . Tiny Tigers require the first four moves for white belt to white/blue, first eight moves to count for white/blue to white/orange, first eight moves (no count) for white/orange to white/red and all twenty moves for white/red to white/yellow.

Heian Katas

Heian Shodan  for Orange to 8th Kyu Red. Tiny Tigers to count for white/yellow belts and no count for white/green belts.

Heian Nidan  for Red to 7th Kyu Yellow. Tiny Tigers to count for white/purple belts and no count for white/brown belts.

Heian Sandan  for Yellow to 6th Kyu Green.

Heian Yondan  for Green to 5th Kyu Purple.

Heian Godan  for Purple to 4th Kyu Purple/White

Brown Belt Katas

Tekki Shodan  for Purple/White to 3rd Kyu Brown.

Bassai Dai  for Brown to 2nd Kyu Ho Brown/White and 2nd Kyu Brown/Double White.

Kanku Dai  for Brown/Double white to 1st Kyu Ho Brown/Red and for Brown/Red to 1st Kyu Brown/Double Red.

Black Belt Katas

Empi / Jion  for Brown/Double Red belts to Shodan Black.

Hangetsu / Tekki Nidan / Bassai Sho / Kanku Sho / Nijushiho  for Shodan to Nidan Black.

Sochin / Jitte / Gankaku / Tekki Sandan / Jiin / Chinte / Meikyo / Unsu / Gojushiho Dai / Gojushiho Sho  for Nidan to Sandan Black.