THE
BCS
CURRICULUM
We believe that rank represents an individual's pursuit of certain knowledge and skills. Rank is not a prize that's awarded to tell everyone "how good at karate" you are, it's an individual indicator of where you are in the Shotokan curriculum. It reminds us all, every time we put our belt on, of what we're expecting of ourselves every time we train. Rank is about what you're doing right now, not about what you've done in the past.
Advancing to a higher rank with BCS is a challenge to go further, push harder, and commit yourself to continuing on the path of karate-dō.
You can almost think of each step in the rank progression as a textbook - moving on to a higher level happens naturally when you've progressed to the point where you'll get more out of the next textbook than the one you're studying right now.
When you're invited to be reviewed for advancement, your instructor will look for "areas of the textbook" that you might get more out of before pursuing additional skills. If it's agreed that you have a thorough understanding of everything that your current rank represents, and also agreed that you can demonstrate those concepts to the best of your individual ability, that's when you're ready to advance to the next step in your training.
As such, given enough time and effort, nearly everyone is able to make progress through our complete syllabus from 9th kyu to 5th dan.
THE BCS CURRICULUM
Our training focuses on three inter-related forms of practice: kihon (fundamentals), kata (pre-arranged forms), and kumite (partner exercises).
9th Kyu White Belt
Students are introduced to our fundamental techniques: our basic stances, blocks, and punches.
Students begin their study of kata with an introduction to Heian Shodan.
Students will begin their study of kumite by learning about maai - distance - and how we control distance when moving toward and away from opponents.
On average, students spend approximately 3 months at this level before advancing.
8th Kyu White Belt
The introduction to kihon continues by isolating and examining the individual techniques of our kata.
Heian Nidan and Heian Sandan are introduced.
Introduction to gohon (five-step) kumite, with a continued emphasis on distance, stepping, and posture while introducing the roles of uchidachi (attacker) and shidachi (defender).
On average, students spend approximately 3 months at this level before advancing.
7th Kyu White Belt
At 7th Kyu, we complete your introduction to kihon tachikata (stances), ukewaza (blocks), tsukiwaza (punches), keriwaza (kicks), and uchiwaza (strikes).
Heian Yondan and Heian Godan are introduced.
A further examination of the roles of uchidachi (attacker) and shidachi (defender) using the stepping pattern of sanbon kumite.
On average, students spend approximately 6 months at this level before advancing.
The green belt level of training (6th, 5th, and 4th Kyu) focuses on the study of the Tekki Kata and refines the practice of kumite concepts through the study of ippon kumite.
6th Kyu GREEN Belt
Refinements in the performance of kihon with an emphasis on stances and hip movement.
Tekki Shodan
Introduction to kihon ippon (single attack) kumite.
On average, students spend approximately 6 months at this level before advancing.
5th Kyu GREEN Belt
Continued emphasis on proper stance formation, stepping, and hip movement.
Tekki Nidan
Examination of offensive and defensive theories from the Heian kata using ippon kumite.
On average, students spend approximately 6 months at this level before advancing.
4th Kyu GREEN Belt
Isolating and refining specific performance elements in kihon.
Tekki Sandan
Examination of offensive and defensive theories from the Tekki kata using ippon kumite.
On average, students spend approximately 9 months at this level before advancing.
The brown belt level of training (3rd, 2nd, and 1st Kyu) introduces students to advanced kata with the study of Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, and Jion. Kumite skills are further developed through the introduction of advanced yakusoku and jiyu kumite.
3rd Kyu brown Belt
Isolating and refining specific performance elements in kihon.
Kanku Dai
Kaeshi ippon kumite and okuri jiyu ippon kumite are introduced to further study distance, position, targeting, and timing.
On average, students spend approximately 9 months at this level before advancing.
2nd Kyu brown Belt
Integrating the performance elements for all kihon waza.
Bassai Dai
Jiyu ippon kumite and happo kumite are introduced to continue your study of distance, position, targeting, and timing.
On average, students spend approximately 9 months at this level before advancing.
1st Kyu brown Belt
Integrating the performance elements for all kihon waza.
Enpi and Jion
Jiyu kumite is the focus of study at Ikkyu (1st Kyu), to integrate the performance elements studied in kihon, kata, and yakusoku kumite.
On average, students spend approximately 9 months at this level before advancing.
The black belt levels of training, comprising five technical ranks, will complete the Shotokan curriculum for committed students.
SHODAN - 1st dan
The rank of Shodan (1st Dan) is earned by demonstrating competency in the Brown Belt curriculum. The ability to execute kihon waza correctly, the ability to demonstrate the required kata with the correct performance elements, and the ability to manage distance, timing, and control in kumite will be examined by a panel of qualified judges. Candidates for the rank of Shodan will also be expected to demonstrate knowledge of Shotokan's principles, history, and philosophy.
With regular attendance and sufficient effort, it will generally take about four to five years of training with the BCS to earn the rank of Shodan.
Upon reaching Shodan, you've acquired all of the tools necessary to begin exploring Shotokan (and other martial arts) from a solid foundation. To continue with Shotokan, at this level you'll want to complete your understanding of the core Shotokan kata. At the brown belt level, you began studying Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi and Jion, having already demonstrated competency in the five Heian and three Tekki kata.
As a new Shodan, you'll be studying the remaining three kata in Funakoshi's original 15-kata syllabus - Hangetsu, Jitte, and Gankaku.
For Shodan-level kumite, we use jiyu ippon and jiyu kumite to examine theories of combat in greater detail. At the shodan level, your specific focus will be on developing greater skill with shikake waza, mi gamae, and ki gamae.
A minimum of two years at this level before advancing.
NIDAN - 2nd dan
To reach Nidan, you'll be expected to demonstrate competence with Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Enpi, Jion, Hangetsu, Jitte, and Gankaku.
In jiyu kumite, you'll demonstrate your understanding of shikake waza, mi gamae, and ki gamae.
Kata training will focus on Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, and Jiin.
The practice of kumite will focus on a deeper understanding oji waza, uchikiru, and kokoro gamae.
A minimum of three years at this level before advancing.
SANDAN - 3RD DAN
For Sandan, you'll demonstrate Bassai Sho, Kanku Sho, and Jiin, and compare and contrast their relationship to Bassai Dai, Kanku Dai, Jion, and Jitte.
For the kumite portion of this exam, you'll demonstrate the differences between shikake and oji waza, and how the elements of mi gamae, ki gamae, kokoro gamae, and uchikiru are applied.
Upon reaching Sandan, you've demonstrated your knowledge of 18 Shotokan kata. There are eight kata remaining in the complete Shotokan syllabus: Sochin, Chinte, Nijushiho, Gojushiho Sho, Gojushiho Dai, Meikyo, Wankan, Unsu.
You'll choose four of the remaining kata to study as a Sandan-level practitioner.
Kumite at the level of sandan is focused on further developing seme and applying your understanding of issoku itto no ma, san sappo, san satsu and shikai.
Assist two people with their progress from Shodan to Nidan.
A minimum of four years at this level before advancing.
YONDAN - 4TH DAN
You'll demonstrate the four kata you selected to study as a Sandan, explaining how each kata presents similar and different theories for responding to attacks.
For kumite, you'll explain and demonstrate your insight on the psychological elements of kumite and jissen.
You will also explain how assisting two people with their efforts to advance from Shodan to Nidan helped you better understand your own practice of karate.
Complete your study of the Shotokan kata syllabus with the four remaining kata.
Complete your study of kumite by understanding and applying the concepts of ki ken tai ichi and datotsu no kikai. Become able to consistently demonstrate gan soku tan riki and control shikai (kyo ku gi waku).
Assist two people with their progress from Nidan to Sandan.
A minimum of five years at this level before advancing.
GODAN - 5TH DAN
Achieving the rank of Godan represents the capstone achievement in our club and our organization, typically requiring 20 or more years of consistent training and progress.
With BCS, this is more of a thesis presentation than an examination. When you are invited to be examined for the rank of Godan, you will be free to choose how you demonstrate your understanding of Shotokan karate-dō to the most senior instructors and members of the Shotokan Karate Association. The two individuals that you helped progress from Nidan to Sandan will be permitted to assist you with your presentation, and they will be asked to explain how their interaction with you shaped their understanding of karate-dō.
The stage is yours; you will have one hour to present, followed by questions from the panel.
Upon reaching Godan, you will be responsible for charting the remaining course of your training, wherever your interests may take you - an even deeper exploration of Shotokan's many variations, further examination of karate's Okinawan and Chinese roots, the study and incorporation of other martial arts, or other elements of budo.
This is where your own insights and curiosity become free to manifest themselves, resulting in a practice that is personal and unique to you as a martial artist. In the spirit of shu ha ri, this is where ha begins, in pursuit of your own ri.
By this point, you will have friends and colleagues that you've trained with for many years to help you, inspire you, and encourage you to find new ways to contribute to our club's and our organization's understanding of karate-dō.
Godan (5th Dan) is the highest rank awarded by BCS and the highest rank based on technical skill awarded by the Shotokan Karate Association.
The Shotokan Karate Association may award three levels of honorary ranks above Godan:
6th Dan | Rokudan – Designating SKA Senior Instructors, with 30+ active years of training, teaching, and leadership. Awarded by the SKA Chief Instructor.
Rokudan is reserved for individuals who have contributed to the SKA by continuing to teach and mentor others for at least 10 active years after reaching Godan.
7th Dan | Nanadan – Designates the Executive Director of the SKA, as selected by the SKA Club Directors.
Nanadan is reserved for the individual appointed to handle administrative matters in the role of Executive Director.
8th Dan | Hachidan – Designates the Chief Instructor of the SKA, as selected by the SKA Club Directors.
Hachidan is reserved for the individual who has been chosen as the organization’s Chief Instructor, our “leader among equals” by the SKA Club Directors and Senior Instructors.
Our organization does not use or award any honorific titles such as Renshi, Kyoshi, or Hanshi.