This is a summary of the BAA Kyu Grading Syllabus.

Red Belt
Core Skills Technique Application
Starting belt.
6th Kyu – White Belt
Core Skills Technique Application
Unsoku
Ukemi – side and back breakfalls
Randori-no-kata 1–5 (left or right, candidate’s choice) Kakarigeiko – single attacker, with open-handed attack which must include Shomen-ate and Yokomen-uchi.
5th Kyu – Yellow Belt (Minimum of 40 hrs of practice)
Core Skills Technique Application
Unsoku
Tandoku-undo (Sections 1–3)
Ukemi – Forward roll
Randori-no-kata 1–10 (left or right, candidate’s choice) Kakarigeiko – single attacker with or without Tanto, to include Shomen and Yokomen (Aigamae
and Gyakugamae) attacks.
4th Kyu – Orange Belt (more than 3 months at 5th Kyu recommended)
Core Skills Technique Application
Unsoku
Tandoku-undo
Ukemi – Kote-gaeshi, supported
Shikko – Forward/Turning
Randori-no-kata 1–14 (performed left or right, examiner’s choice).
Suwari-waza – 2 techniques (candidate’s choice, both students kneeling).
Kakarigeiko – grasp attacks, Aigamae and Gyakugamae.
Tanto Kakarigeiko – single attacker with Tanto.
3rd Kyu – Green Belt (more than 3 months at 4th Kyu recommended)
Core Skills Technique Application
Ukemi – Sumi-otoshi, supported. Randori-no-kata
Randori-no-kata-no-ura-waza (1 – 5)
Suwari-waza – 4 techniques (candidate’s choice, both students kneeling).
Kakarigeiko – Multiple attackers e.g. Ninindori, with variation of attack, open-handed.
Hikitategeiko – Single attacker with Tanto. Passive – no counters
2nd Kyu – Blue Belt (more than 6 months at 3rd Kyu recommended)
Core Skills Technique Application
Ukemi (floating/falling leaf) Randori-no-kata
Randori-no-kata-no-ura-waza
Shichi-hon-no-kuzushi (1–7) to show balance disturbance, circular movement and control (no break falls)
Kakarigeiko
Ninindori
Hikitategeiko – Single attacker with Tanto – ‘active’ (with counters).
1st Kyu – Brown Belt (more than 9 months at 2nd Kyu recommended)
Core Skills Technique Application
Randori-no-kata
Randori-no-kata-no-ura-waza
Koryu-dai-Yon (1–14) to show balance disturbance, circular movement and control.
Kuzushi – demonstration of a variety of balance disturbances for randori.
Koryu-dai-san Suwari-waza Section A (8 techniques)
Hikitategeiko – Empty-handed (Toshu)
  • At all levels after 6th Kyu, previous syllabus will be required at the discretion of the examiners.
  • Duration, intensity and quantity of the ‘Application’ sections will be at the discretion of the examiners.

This is a summary of the techniques in the above katas.

Randori-no-kata

  1. Shomen-ate
  2. Ai-gamae-ate
  3. Gyaku-gamae-ate
  4. Gedan-ate
  5. Ushiro-ate
  6. Oshi-taoshi
  7. Ude-gaeshi
  8. Hiki-taoshi
  9. Ude-garame
  10. Waki-gatame
  11. Kote-hineri
  12. Kote-gaeshi
  13. Tenkai-kote-hineri
  14. Shiho-nage
  15. Mae-otoshi
  16. Sumi-otoshi
  17. Hiki-otoshi
Randori-no-kata-no-ura-waza

  1. Shomen-ate – Waki-gatame
  2. Ai-gamae-ate – Kote-mawashi
  3. Gyaku-gamae-ate – Gedan-ate
  4. Gedan-ate – Ai-gamae-ate
  5. Ushiro-ate – Tenkai-kote-hineri
  6. Oshi-taoshi – Kote-mawashi
  7. Hiki-taoshi – Tenkai-kote-hineri
  8. Kote-gaeshi – Kote-gaeshi
  9. Tenkai-kote-hineri – Waki-gatame
  10. Shiho-nage – Shiho-nage
Koryu-dai-san

  • Section A : Suwari-waza
    • Oshi taoshi
    • Gyaku gamae ate
    • Kote gaeshi
    • Ryote mochi sukui nage
  • Section A : Hanza Handachi Waza
    • Tenkai kote hineri
    • Shiho nage
    • Gedan ate
    • Hiji kime
  • Section B : Tachi Waza
    • Kote mawashi
    • Uchi tenkai nage
    • Gyaku gamae ate
    • Hiji kime
    • Mae otoshi
    • Ushiro waza mae otoshi
    • Ushiro waza tenkai kote hineri
    • Mune tori kata gatame
  • Section C : Tanto Dori
    • Ushiro ate
    • Gyaku gamae ate
    • Tentai oshi taoshi
    • Ushiro ate
    • Ude gamtame
    • Kote gaeshi
    • Tenkai kote hineri
    • Shomen giri gedan ate
  • Section D : Bokken Dori
    • Mae otoshi
    • Shiho nage
    • Aigamae ate
    • Oshi taoshi
    • Oshi taoshi
    • Hiji kujiki
  • Section E : Jo Dori
    • Gyaku gamae ate
    • Shomen ate
    • Hishigi
    • Renraku waza hiji hishigi
    • Irimi mae otoshi
    • Hiji kujiki
  • Section E : Jo No Tsukai
    • MiGyaku gamae ate
    • Shomen ate
    • Hishigi
    • Renraku waza hiji hishigi
    • Irimi mae otoshi
    • Hiji kujiki
  • Section F : Tachi tai Tachi (Bokken)
    • Ai uchi men
    • Hidari men
    • Migi men
    • Tsuki
    • Do
    • Kote nuki kote
    • Kaeshi men
    • Combination of cuts and blocks

Details for the exact requirements for each Kyu grade can be found on the BAA website.