British Aikido Association
Senior grading syllabus – Traditional
This is also available to download as a word document - BAA Traditional Syllabus
6 Kyu (white belt) - no specified training time requirements
Ukemi: front and rear rolling, left and right
Tai-sabaki: irimi and tsugi ashi
Techniques: from Ai katate dori: Ikkyo
Nikkyo
Irimi-nage shomen
Kote-gaeshi
Kokyu-dozo
5 Kyu (yellow belt) - minimum 30 hours training time since 6 Kyu
All the above, plus the following:
Ukemi: side break falls and rolling no arms
Tai-sabaki: irimi tenkan ayumi ashi
Knee walking: shikko forward and back
Basic balance breaks
Techniques: from Ai katate dori and Ikkyo
Gyaku katate dori: Nikkyo
Sankyo
Irimi-nage sukomen
Tenchi-nage
Shiho-nage
Kote-gaeshi
Weapons: Bokken Suburi 1-4,Shiho Geri
Jo Suburi 1-5
Kokyu-nage:
4 Kyu (orange belt) - minimum 60 hours training time since 5 Kyu
All the above, plus the following:
Ukemi: over top breakfalls
Knee walking: shikko: irimi tenkan and with partner
Techniques: from Chudan tsuki Ikkyo
Shomenuchi Nikkyo
Yokomenuchi Sankyo
Irimi-nage sukumen Tenchi-nage
Shiho-nage Kote-gaeshi
Mai-otoshi Sumi-otoshi
Kaiten-nage
Weapons: ` Bokken Suburi 5-7
Jo Suburi 6-10
Ninindori: as Kokyu-nage
3 Kyu (green belt) - minimum 60 hours training time since 4 Kyu
All the above, plus the following:
Techniques: from Kata dori All those from 4th Kyu plus
Kata dori shomenuchi Yonkyo
Ryote dori
Ushiro ryote dori
Ushiro ryo kata dori
Weapons: Bokken Pairs practice 1-4
Jo Suburi 11-13
Ninindori: from tsuki
All to be performed to a very high standard of tai sabaki and control of uke
2 Kyu (blue belt) - minimum 70 hours training time since 3 Kyu
All the above, plus the following:
Techniques: from Ushiro ryote hiji dori All those from 3rd Kyu plus
(tachi-waza) Jodan tsuki Kokyu-nage
Morote dori
Weapons: Bokken Pairs practice 5-7, Tachi dori
Jo Suburi 14-18, Jodori
Suwari-waza: Kansetsu (gripping attacks)
Hanmi handachi: Atemi (striking attacks)
Escape from grip-up attacks from two Uke
Ninindori:
1 Kyu (brown belt) - minimum 100 hours training time since 2 Kyu
This grading will incorporate all the previous Kyu syllabi, plus the following:
Techniques from: Mune dori Gokyo (from shomenuchi and
Ryo mune dori yokomenuchi as tanto attacks)
Ryo kata dori Hijishime Juji-garami Sumi-otoshi
Ushiro eri dori Mai-otoshi Aiki-otoshi
Ushiro katate dori kubishime Uchi-kaiten-nage ,Soto-kaiten-nage
Mune dori shomenuchi
Mune dori jodan tsuki Koshinage: Ikkyo koshinage
Sankyo koshinage
Yonkyo koshinage
Shihonage koshinage
Weapons: Bokken Awase (5 off)
Jo Suburi 19-20, throwing with Jo
Knife Tanto dori
Techniques will be demonstrated from tachi, suwari and hanmi handachi postures
Ninindori: Two unarmed attackers
1 Dan/Shodan (black belt) - minimum of 1 year and 100 hours training time since 1 Kyu
Section 1: Techniques of attack and defence from varying postures, as specified by the lead examiner. Techniques are made up of any of the three elements which form a natural blend and are thus in keeping with the nature of harmony in Aikido movements.
A candidate may be required to demonstrate up to 60 techniques.
Section 2: The candidate will be required to demonstrate six techniques of his/her own choosing from attacks he/she nominates.
Section 3: The candidate will be required to demonstrate his/her ability to ‘escape’ from a situation of being held firmly by two Uke
Section 4: To assess the candidate’s ability to defend against a weapon (tanto, bokken or jo).
Minimum requirement: 2 weapons/10 techniques, which may include repeats and changing applications.
Section 5: Bokken: Kumitachi
Jo: 13 count Kata
Section 6: Futari-Gaekei: free style defence from spirited attacks by two Uke
2 Dan/Nidan - minimum of 2 years training/coaching time since 1 Dan
Defences from nominated attacks, for example, Katate-dori, Ryote-dori, Tsuki, Shomenuchi, Yokomenuchi, Ushiro-dori, Hanmi-handachi and Suwari-waza (each to show positive Irimi (Omoti) & Tenkan (Ura) variations)
Escape from being held by 3 Uke (or 2 + 1 tsuki/geri)
Weapons: Bokken: Kumitachi variations
Jo: 31 Count Kata
Futari-Gaekei: free style defence from spirited attacks by two uke – one armed with Tanto
3 Dan/Sandan - minimum of 3 years training/coaching time since 2 Dan
Self-selection (3 each) of defences from morote-dori, mune-dori, kata-dori-
Shomen/Yokomenuchi, ushiro-dori, hanmi-handachi and suwari-waza (each to show positive Irimi
(Omoti) & Tenkan (Ura) plus applied variations)
Weapons: Bokken: Ken tai Jo
Jo: 31 count Kumijo
Sannin-Gaekei: free style defence from spirited attacks by three Uke – one armed with Tanto
4 Dan/Yondan - minimum of 4 years training/coaching time since 3 Dan
To perform a personal demonstration of not more than 15 minutes duration
National Gradings offered twice yearly for candidates applying for a grade of 1 Kyu or above
Note! Examiners may waive or modify the multiple attack situations in the interest of safety in candidates over 40 years of age – or otherwise impaired.
