2nd Kyu

Blue Belt

Kihon

(Basic Movements)

The following movements are demonstrated from Zenkustu Dachi (Forward Stance), moving forwards with each movement:

Japanese Movement
Shuto Uke, Mae Geri, Nukite Knife-hand block, Front Kick, Spear Hand
Yoko Geri Kekomi (from Zenkustu Dachi) Thrust Kick, from Forward Stance
Mawashi Geri Roundhouse Kick
Soto Uke, Empi Uchi, Uraken, Gyakuzuki, Gedan Barai Outside Block, Elbow Strike, Snap Back-fist, Punch off back leg, Low sweeping block
Uchi Uke, Kizamizuki, Gyakuzuki, Gedan Barai, Ushirogeri Inside Block, Jab Punch, Punch off the back leg, Low-sweeping block, Back
Mae Geri, Oi zuki, Gyakazuki Front Kick, Forward Punch, Punch off the back leg
Yoko Geri, Uraken, Gyakazuki Thrust Kick, Snap Back-fist, Punch off the back leg
Mawashageri, Uraken, Gyakazuki Roundhouse Kick, Snap Back-fist, Punch off the back leg
Ushirogeri, Uraken, Gyakazuki Back Kick, Snap Back-fist, Punch off the back leg

See the Kihon movements demonstrated for 2nd Kyu.

Where no height is specified for a movement, the student would be expected to perform these at middle (chudan) and upper (jodan) heights.

In training and grading, these would be called out as follows, for example:

Japanese Movement
Jodan Oi Zuki Upper-height Forwards Punch
Chudan Oi Zuki Middle-height Forwards Punch
Jodan Shuto Uke Upper-height Knife-hand block
Chudan Shuto Uke Middle-height Knife-hand block

Kata

(Set of Movements)

Heian Shodan

The first kata, with 21 movements, focuses on stance transitions (forwards and backwards), punching and blocking. It is the foundational kata that all students learn first.

Heian Nidan

The second kata, with 26 movements, and introduces more stances (Kokutsu - Back Stance).

Heian Sandan

The third kata, shorter with only 20 movements, with simultaneous strikes and blocks.

Heian Yondan

The fourth kata, with 27 movements taking place in an I-shape, with elbow strike and kosa-dachi (cross-legged stance) being introduced.

Heian Godan

The fifth kata, with 23 movements reinforcing all of the basic stances, and including a jump towards the end of the kata.

Tekki Shodan

The sixth kata, focusing on kiba dachi (straddle stance), with 23 moves.

Jitte

The seventh kata introduces movement that works with the bo (staff) and comprises of 24 moves.

Ippon Kumite

(One Step Sparring)

One step sparring is where a student defends from a single attack. The attacker will take one step towards the defending student, who will be expected to avoid, or block the incoming attack and respond with an appropriate technique.

At 2nd Kyu the student will be expected to demonstrate 10 different techniques to defend against:

  • Any Attack (Punch and Kicks)

  • Right and Left side

  • Gedan, Chudan and Jodan heights (Lower, Middle and Upper Heights)

Sanbon Kumite

(Three Step Sparring)

Three step sparring is where a student defends from three attacks moving across the mat.

The attacker will prepare (in forward stance) and then move forwards three times attacking at Jodan (upper height), Chudan (middle height) or Gedan (lower-height). The student needs to defend against all three attacks and then finish by counter-attacking.

Jiyu Kumite

(Free Sparring)

During grading, for 2nd Kyu students will take part in Jiyu Kumite, which is a free fighting competition. At Stafford Shotokan Karate we focus on the martial art and traditional technique. Oppononents are decided by the Sensei, and of a similar level.