Our belt system provides a clear path for progress, helping students grow step by step and determine competition eligibility. Exceptional students may earn accelerated promotions.
Promotion Requirements
- Good attendance and strong work ethic
- Respect for dojo rules: https://www.silveradokarate.com/students-menu/dojo-rules
- Skill in techniques and knowledge of the art
- Strong performance in kata and kumite at tournaments
Testing Guidelines
- Train regularly for 3 months between kyu ranks
- 6 months between Sankyu and Shodan
- Join local or federation events
- Pay test fee before testing
Kata is required. Students choose kumite, bunkai, or jitsu techniques. Perform both sides with control and complexity. Approved variations in standing or ground techniques are allowed.
Progress & Expectations
- No fixed timeline—brown belt in ~2 years, black belt in ~3
- Ranks reflect technical skill and personal growth
Before Testing
- Practice katas 5x daily for 2 weeks
- Rest the day before
- Arrive clean, in full uniform, 15 minutes early
TEST CHART
| Rank | Rank Name | Link | Required Kata | Belt Color |
| 9th Kyu | Ku kyu |  |
Bassai Dai fragment |
 |
| 8th Kyu | Hachi kyu | |
Bassai Dai fragment |
 |
| 7th Kyu | Nana kyu | |
Bassai Dai fragment |  |
| 6th Kyu | Roku kyu | |
Bassai Dai |  |
| 5th Kyu | Go kyu | |
Kanku Dai |  |
| 4th Kyu | Shi kyu | |
Kanku Dai |  |
| 3rd Kyu | San kyu | |
Kanku Dai |
 |
| 2nd Kyu | Ni kyu | |
 |
|
| 1st Kyu | Ik kyu | |
 |
|
| 1st Dan | Shodan | |
3 kata + bunkai + strategic sparring |  |
| 2nd Dan | Nidan | |
Any sentei kata |  |
| 3rd Dan | Sandan | |
Any jiyu kata + teaching skill |  |
KIHON (Basic techniques):
Hands:
- Age-uke (rising block-front stance)
- Soto-uke (middle inside block-front stance)
- Uchi-uke (middle outside block-front stance)
- Gedan-barai (down block-front stance)
- Shuto-uke (knife hand block-back stance)
- Oi-zuki (lunge punch-front stance)
- Gyaku-zuki (reverse punch-front stance)
- Enpi-uchi (elbow)
Kicks:
- Mai-geri (front kick-front stance)
- Mawashi-geri (round kick-front stance)
- Yoko-geri kekomi (side thrust kick-horse stance)
- Yoko-geri keage (side snap kick-horse stance)
- Ura-mawashi geri (round hook kick-front stance)
- Ushiro-geri (back kick)
- Ushiro-mawashi geri (back roundhouse kick)
- Mikazuki-geri (crescent kick (inside to outside). Also called soto mikazuki geri)
- Kakato otoshi-geri (rising kick to head with leg fully extended)
Jitsu/Jutsu:
- Ukemi waza - rolling and falling
- Tori gaeshi waza - escaping techniques
- Kansetsu waza - joint locking techniques
- Nage waza - throwing techniques
- Ne waza - ground techniques
- Tachi waza - standing techniques
- Suwari Waza - seated techniques
- Kyusho jutsu - Pressure Point Tactics
- Katame waza - grappling techniques
- Iai jutsu - sword drawing art
- Tanto jutsu - knife arts
- Shiatsu - finger pressure massage
- Breathing and meditation techniques
Important Points:
- Strong Spirit, and a clear mind, show through eyes. Kiai!
- Low stance. Hips go in.
- Strong standing leg. The heel stays down.
- No power in shoulders. Strong pulling hand.
- Proper breathing
