Your first grades - 5th Kyu to 2nd Kyu

Gradings, up to and including 2nd Kyu, will generally take place in the local club and be conducted by the Club Leader (Dojo Cho). There will be occasions when another Club Leader is there, in a supportive role, to the local Club Leader to fulfil the Technical Director's requirements as to who may conduct a grading.

Ukes are most likely to be chosen by the Club Leader. Occasionally, the candidate may be permitted to suggest a Uke. Generally Ukes should not be widely different in grade.

As you gain experience as a Aikidoka you will appreciate the benefit of training on our courses and visiting other Clubs, to gain new perspectives and learning to adapt to differing people quickly.

Taking ukemi in the widest sense is important.

The syllabus will list the requirements for the grade and includes all the techniques from earlier grades that you have already covered. Examiners may ask to see items to see how you perform / react.

Grading is generally by invitation from your sensei, but you can ask to grade if you feel ready and have the necessary prerequisites of hours trained (these are a minimum).

What happens in a grading

Your name is called out and you line-up in front of your Club Leader who then calls the Uke who sits alongside you.

See the Etiquette page for the formal detail - sometimes shortened and directed by the Club Leader to put you at your ease.

After the Grading, at the end of the class, the Club Leader will call out your name, you will stand up and the outcome will be announced.

The Candidate feedback sheet is usually given to you. Sometimes it is at the next practise so feedback is not rushed.

 

Gradings in Clubs

There will be slight variations by Examiners and / or there may be times when it's specifically varied :-

• It's important to listen closely to the instructions given. If you find it hard to understand don't hesitate to ask your Club Leader to repeat it for you.


• For lower grades, Club Instructors may specify each technique by name. However, for higher grades, the techniques will more likely be grouped. For example, you may be asked to perform shomenuchi ikkyo twice, followed by nikkyo two twice, then sankyo, yonkyo, and so forth, going through the sequence in both omote and ura.


• When instructed to demonstrate a series of techniques, such as Ikkyo through to Sankyo, candidates should perform each technique twice (once omote and once ura). It is not required to show each technique on both the left and right sides. Unless told otherwise.


• If asked to perform a specific technique or defence, continue with it until Sensei says change.


• Remember to "Only do what has been asked for". When requested to demonstrate a range of techniques, refrain from adding any extras.