ECK Program Change and Testing Policy!
Little Dragons Belt Policy
Students moving from Dragons class to Tigers class will be promoted up to the full Purple Belt at the very next belt test considering they have met all of the necessary curriculum requirements for that belt.
Jr. Black Belt Policy
Students moving from the Warrior program to the Teen/Adult program will continue to be tested through the Jr. Black Belt System until they meet the following requirements. 1. They must complete and be able to perform all the curriculum requirements for Adult 1st Degree Black Belt. 2. Students reaching the Adult Shodan level must also be at least at a 8th grade age level or higher. (Summer before their 8th grade is acceptable).
Adult Black Belt and Dan Level Requirements
Shodan: A student must have a minimum of 3.5 years in training to achieve a Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt. Students must also be at the youngest, of the 8th grade age level in high School or higher.
Nidan: Students attaining a Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt must have a minimum of 2 years in grade as a Shodan before becoming eligible for Nidan. Students must be versed in all areas of their Karate training…i.e.: Kata, Yakusoku, Kumite and Kobudo relative to the curriculum to be eligible. High school aged students are limited to this rank until last quarter of their senior year.
Sandan: Students attaining a Sandan, 3rd Degree Black Belt must have a minimum of 2-3 years in grade
As a Nidan before becoming eligible for Sandan. Students must be well versed in all areas of their Karate training…i.e.: Kata, Yakusoku, Kumite and Kobudo relative to the curriculum to be eligible.
Yondan: Students attaining a Yondan, 4th Degree Black Belt must have a minimum of 2-3 years in grade as a Sandan before becoming eligible for Yondan. Students must be very well versed in all areas of their Karate training…i.e.: Kata, Yakusoku, Kumite and Kobudo relative to the curriculum to be eligible. Students must have the ability to teach students lower rank that them in a fair-exceptional manner. Minimum age for Yondan is 21 years old.
Godan: Students attaining a Godan, 5th Degree Black Belt must have a minimum of 3 years in grade as a Yondan before becoming eligible for Godan. Students must be highly skilled in all areas of their Karate training…i.e.: Kata, Yakusoku, Kumite and Kobudo relative to the curriculum to be eligible. Teaching skill must be of the highest level. Students testing from Godan and above are required to test before a panel of at least 3 Kyoshi or Higher. If a Kyoshi is not available, a Renshi may be substituted. Minimum age for Godan is 30 years old.
Rokudan: Students attaining a Rokudan, 6th Degree Black Belt must have a minimum of 4 years in grade as a Godan before becoming eligible for Rokudan. This person’s character shall be of the highest caliber. They should be considered an asset to Karate-Do and a teacher of the highest quality. Students testing from Godan and above are required to test before a panel of at least 3 Kyoshi or Higher. If a Kyoshi is not available, a Renshi may be substituted.
Nanadan and Above: All Students testing to Nanadan and above are first pre-approved by the US Kyoshi-Kai and then tested before the Grandmaster in Okinawa, Japan. Minimum age for Nanadan is 40 years old. Minimum age for Kudan is 60 years old.