About Gradings

• Grading is a personal matter and aimed at giving you an indication of your own progress.
• Every individual has his/her own personal reasons for practicing karate – your own ‘Why’ – all of us are differently talented, of unequal ability.
• Gradings are important in the sense that you are placed in a ‘stress’ situation, away from your comfort zone, maybe similar to an assault or confrontation in a civilian environment.
• It is aimed at helping you break through personal ‘barriers’ that will ensure your future progress, maturity and development.
• It is you against yourself – never try to ‘compete’ with fellow karate ka.
• Do not attempt grading when you have not prepared for it – it is counterproductive for your own esteem and motivation.
• Achievements (medals/trophies) in Tournaments have no bearing on grading assessment. Participation/challenge/preparation for gradings in tournaments is what is important!

Realities:
• A person who trains more than the minimum two sessions per week, puts more effort into every session, self-trains regularly, tries endlessly to correct his/her technique, will, at some stage or another, progress faster – it’s your own decision/choice, based on your ‘Why’
• As you grade higher you will also need to set a side time to partner train. Developing friendships in the Dojo is important as it is apart of the ethos of a strong Dojo community! Get to know your fellow Karateka!
• You need to goal set for a grading and feel ready and confident when it comes around, this implies an additional effort from your side in the period before the grading. (This is why we have a Dojo schedule which is posted on the schedule/event page!! No excuses about not knowing) At a certain point in your training class time will not be enough!
• A grading can be failed! You still need to produce on the day. We are moving in a society or culture where failing is impossible and dysfunctional productivity is the norm, unfortunately, not in the Martial Arts, ‘not on my watch!’
• Kyu grades are reversible and can be forfeited in total in the event of none training. In the event of non- or minimal training, whatever reason, a white belt is worn until you reach the required level again.
• Instructors do not ‘push’ a student to attempt a grading!
• You can make excuses or you can make progress!