Judo Grading

Yellow Belt Requirements

Among being able to demonstrate some understanding of some of the basic techniques outlined below, the main thing we look for in this step is that the judoka can be thrown without being hurt, taking a proper breakfall to avoid injury. The head must be tucked in and should not touch the mat. There should be a loud resounding slap on the mat.

Throwing Techniques
Name Action
Osoto-otoshi Major Outer Drop
Tai-otoshi Body Drop
Uki-goshi Floating Hip Throw
Osoto-gari Major Outer Reaping
Ouchi-gari Major Inner Reaping
Sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi Drawing Lifting Blocking Foot Sweep
O-goshi Major Hip Throw
Kouchi-gari Minor Inner Reaping
Tsubame-gaeshi Swallow Counter
Ippon seoi-nage One Arm Shoulder Throw
Kosoto-gari Minor Outer Reaping
Okuri-ashi-barai Sliding Foot Sweep
Deashi-barai Advanced Foot Sweep
Morote-seoi-nage Two Arm Shoulder Throw
Hiza-guruma Knee Wheel
Submissions (apply only to students 13 or older)
Holding Techniques Joint-locking Techniques Strangulation Techniques
(Hon) Kesa-gatame Scarf Hold Juji-gatame Straight-arm Cross Armlock Hadaka-jime Naked Choke
Yoko-shiho-gatame Side Control of the Four Corners Hold Ude-garami Arm Entanglement Nami-juji-jime Normal Cross Choke
Kami-shiho-gatame Top Control of the Four Corners Hold Juji-gatame Arm bar Gyaku-juji-jime Reverse Cross Choke
Tate-shiho-gatame Straight Control of the Four Corners Hold   Kata-juji-jime Single Cross Choke
Kata-gatame Shoulder Hold    
Ushiro-kesa-gatame Back Scarf Hold    

Other Techniques: “Judo Hug” Turn-over

Orange Belt Requirements

The judoka must start to understand and demonstrate the proper footwork for the basic throws that were taught in the yellow and white belt stages. This is most prominent in students who start to bend their knees more when throwing, using more hip to create the shape of the throw. Kuzushi must also be present throughout the throw, even if not completely continuous.

Throwing Techniques
Name and Action Name and Action
Tsuri-goshi Lifting Hip Throw Tani-otoshi Valley Drop
Koshi-guruma (arm to shoulder blade) Hip Wheel Sode-tsuri-komi-goshi Sleeve Lifting Blocking Hip Throw
Tsuri-komi-goshi Lifting Blocking Hip Throw Osoto-gaeshi Major Outer Counter
Kosoto-gake Minor Outer Hook Uchi-mata Inner Thigh Throw
Kouchi-gake Minor Inner Hook Ashi-guruma Foot Wheel
Harai-goshi Sweeping Hip Throw  
Submissions (apply only to students 13 or older)
Holding Techniques Joint-locking Techniques Strangulation Techniques
Mune-gatame Chest Hold Ude-gatame Straight Armlock Kata-ha-jime Single Wing Choke
Makura-kesa-gatame Pillow Scarf Hold Waki-gatame Armpit Armlock Okuri-eri-jime Sliding Lapel Choke
    Sode-guruma-jime Sleeve Wheel Choke

Other Techniques: “Sticker” Throw

Green Belt Requirements

The judoka must demonstrate that there is continuity in their kuzushi from start to finish, with good emphasis on footwork. The shape of the throws must now become more and more obvious and throwing should be visibly more and more effortless without foregoing power at the end of the throw.

Throwing Techniques
Name and Action Name and Action
Kata-garuma Shoulder Wheel Hane-goshi Spring Hip Throw
Uki-otoshi Floating Drop Ushiro-goshi Back Hip Throw
Sukui-nage Scooping Throw Harai-tsuri-komi-ashi Sweeping Lifting Blocking Foot Sweep
Tomoe-nage Circle Throw Morote-gari Double Reaping
Uki-waza Floating Technique Sumi-gaeshi Corner Reversal
Osoto-guruma Major Outer Wheel Ouchi-gaeshi Major Inner Counter
Submissions (apply only to students 13 or older)
Holding Techniques Joint-locking Techniques Strangulation Techniques
(All from previous) Hiza-gatame Knee Arm-lock Ryote-jime Two-hand Choke
    Tsukkomi-jime Plunging Choke
    Sankaku-jime Triangle Choke

Other Techniques: Opposite-gripping Tai-otoshi

Blue Belt Requirements

Judoka at this stage must start to demonstrate a very sound base in the most typical throws. Blue belts should already start to have their own favourite throws that have preferred combinations in and out. The judoka at this stage must be able to demonstrate a feel for stringing attacks together, even if this is not seamlessly done.

Throwing Techniques
Name and Action Name and Action
Hikkomi-gaeshi Pulling Counter Yoko-guruma Side Wheel
Kuchiki-taoshi One Hand Drop Uchi-mata-sukashi Inner Thigh Slip
Kibisu-gaeshi Ankle/Heel Counter Harai-makikomi Sweeping Rolling Throw
Sumi-otoshi Corner Drop Osoto-makikomi Major Outer Rolling Throw
O-guruma Major Wheel Uchi-makikomi Inner Rolling Throw
Yoko-gake Side Hook Soto-makikomi Outer Rolling Throw
Yoko-otoshi Side Drop Uchi-mata-makikomi Inner Thigh Rolling Throw
Submissions (apply only to students 13 or older)
Holding Techniques Joint-locking Techniques Strangulation Techniques
(All from previous) Hara-gatame Stomach Armlock Koshi-jime Hip Choke
  Te-gatame Hand Armlock  

Other Techniques: N/A

Brown Belt Requirements

Brown belts should be able to throw very crisply, demonstrating sound shape and unwavering footwork. Combinations are engrained in muscle memory and are automatic based on feel rather than on sight. The judoka at this stage must be able to throw finishing with power, starting from an effortless and very small exertion of kuzushi – the graduation of power and the acceleration towards the finish of the throw is very obvious and results in a controlled finish with balance, power, and direction.

Throwing Techniques
Name and Action Name and Action Name and Action
Yoko-wakare Side Separation Obi-otoshi Belt Drop Hane-goshi-gaeshi Spring Hip Counter
Utsuri-goshi Switching Hip Throw Yama-arashi Mountain Storm Harai-goshi-gaeshi Sweeping Hip Counter
Ura-nage Back Throw Daki-wakare High Separation Kouchi-gaeshi Minor Inner Counter
Tawara-gaeshi Ricebag Reversal Hane-makikomi Spring Rolling Throw kani-basami Scisors Throw
Daki-age High Lift Uchi-mata-gaeshi Inner Thigh Counter kawazu-gake Leg Entanglement
Submissions (apply only to students 13 or older)
Holding Techniques Joint-locking Techniques Strangulation Techniques
(All from previous) Kannuki-gatame Latch Armlock Kagato-jime Shin Choke
  Gyaku Juji Gatame Reverse Straight Arm Cross Arm-lock Morote-jime Two Hand Choke
  Ashi Gatame Leg Hold Kata-te-jime Single Hand Choke
    Jigoku-jime Hell Strangle

Other Techniques: N/A

Black Belt Recommendation

To be recommended for Shodan (First Degree Black Belt) to the Provincial Grading Board, the judoka must acquire 120 points under the Judo Ontario system. It is a Judo Ontario policy that at least a third of these come from technical activity, and this must include tournament points (fighting in tournaments, not volunteering) for judoka under the age of 21. More leniency is given to older candidates who may not suit the competitor profile. Recommendation is solely at the discretion of the Head Senseis. The same applies for any subsequent recommendation for Nidan, Sandan, etc….