American Karate Testing Requirements (Upd. 9/23)
Kids Karate
White*
Student Creed
Belt Tying
Jab, Reverse Punch, Front Snap Kick
Leopard*
Lead-Leg Round Kick
Block, Parry
Same-Side Wrist Grab
Lion*
Rear-Leg Round Kick
Ground Guard Fundamentals
Cross-Side Wrist Grab
Tiger*
Heel-Palm Strike, Hammer-Fist Strike
Technical Stand-Up
Arm Grab
Beginners Karate
White
Self-Defense:
Arm Grab, Same-Side Wrist Grab, Cross-Side Wrist Grab
Striking:
Jab, Reverse Punch, Front Snap Kick, Heel-Palm Strike, Hammer-Fist Strike, Up Kick
Grappling:
Ground Guard Fundamentals, Technical Stand-Up
Yellow
Self-Defense:
Arms Down/Double Wrist Grab, Arms Up (Reverse) Wrist Grab, Two-on-One Wrist Grab, Rear Wrist Grab
Striking:
Knee Strike, Round Kick
Grappling:
Body-Lock, Over-Under Clinch, Pummeling
Gold
Self-Defense:
Push/Shove, Straight Punches, Haymaker Punch/Slap/Smack
Striking:
Side Kick, Back-Fist/Side Hammer-Fist Strike
Grappling:
Clinch & Frame, Back Take, Standing Rear Strangle
Orange*
Self-Defense:
Two-Arm Choke/Grab, One-Arm Choke/Grab, Hair Grab
Striking:
Straight Elbow Strike, Side (Back) Elbow Strike
Grappling:
Single/Double Collar-Tie, Standing Front Strangle, Body-Lock Takedown, Back Fall
Intermediates Karate
Green
Self-Defense:
Kick Defense, Takedown Defense
Striking:
Low Round Kick, Front Push Kick
Grappling:
Double-Leg Takedown (Two-Hand Reap), Sprawl, Side Fall
Blue
Self-Defense:
Side Headlock, Front Headlock, Standing Rear Strangle
Striking:
Hook Punch, Heel-Palm Strike, Uppercut
Grappling:
Rear Takedown/Mat Return, Single-Leg Takedown
Purple
Self-Defense:
Bear Hug (Front/Rear, Arms Pinned/Free)
Striking:
Shovel (Body) Hook Punch, Shovel Heel-Palm Hook Strike, Overhand Punch
Grappling:
Trip (Reap) Takedown
Brown*
Self-Defense:
Choke/Strike on Ground - Kneeling/Standing Opponent, Mount Escape
Striking:
Side Kick to Legs, Oblique Kick, Spinning Strike
Grappling:
Basic Pinning, Throw, Forward Roll
BLack BElts Karate
Wall Work
Jacket Defense
Arm Bar (Break) - Standing
Ground Defense
Multiple Attackers
Partner Defense
Head Kicks
Weapon Defense
Advanced Takedowns
Headbutting
Advanced Strength & Conditioning
*Cumulative test required for subsequent rank