Red Belt (9th Kyu)

• The student completes the required techniques without needing individual assistance.
• The student demonstrates consistently good technique for this grade, including good preparation, finishing positions and targets.
• The student performs with good speed, power and timing.
• The student remains focused and demonstrates good intensity throughout their techniques.
• Adult students complete their Kihon without a count.

• The student completes Kihon Kata independently, without a count or assistance.
• The student performs the correct techniques in the correct order and directions.
• The student demonstrates consistently good technique for this grade.
• The student performs with good speed, power and timing.
• The student remains focused and demonstrates good concentration and intent throughout the Kata.

• The student completes their three-step sparring without needing individual assistance.
• The student performs the correct attacks, blocks and counterattacks with good technique.
• The student demonstrates good speed, power and timing while maintaining control.
• The student shows good engagement with their partner, including distance, targeting and eye contact.
• The student remains focused and moves with good intent.
• Adult students complete their Kumite without a count.

• The student completes the required techniques without needing individual assistance.
• The student demonstrates mostly good, developing technique.
• The student shows some good speed, power and timing, although these may not always be consistent.
• The student is generally focused.
• Adult students complete their Kihon without a count.

The student achieves a Merit by meeting either of the following standards:

• The student completes Kihon Kata correctly to count without needing individual prompts and demonstrates some good technique, speed, power and timing.

OR

• The student completes Kihon Kata correctly and independently, but their technique is still basic or developing.

• The student completes their three-step sparring without needing individual assistance to remember or complete the sequence.
• The student demonstrates mostly correct technique with some good speed, power and timing.
• The student shows some good engagement with their partner, including distance, targeting and eye contact, although this may not always be consistent.
• The student maintains appropriate control.
• Adult students complete their Kumite without a count.

• The student completes the required Kihon within the normal supported grading format.
• The student may need some individual guidance or correction to help them perform the techniques correctly.
• The student demonstrates a basic understanding of the techniques.
• Their technique may still be inconsistent or developing and may lack precision, speed, power or timing.
• Their focus may also be inconsistent.

• The student completes Kihon Kata to count within the normal supported grading format.
• The student may need some individual guidance, reminders or corrections.
• The student demonstrates a basic understanding of the correct sequence and directions.
• Their technique may still be basic or developing and may lack precision, speed, power or timing.

• The student completes their three-step sparring within the normal supported grading format.
• The student may need individual guidance, reminders or demonstrations.
• The student demonstrates a basic understanding of the attacks, blocks and counterattacks.
• Their technique, speed, power, timing, distance or engagement with their partner may still be developing.
• The student completes the exercise safely and with appropriate control.

The student is unable to complete the required Kihon content correctly after the permitted support and further attempts.

The student is unable to complete Kihon Kata correctly after the permitted support and further attempts.

The student is unable to complete the required three-step sparring correctly after the permitted support and further attempts.