For Juniors (17 and under), each belt level is divided into two halves, and they test for one half-rank at a time.

For Seniors (18 and above), each belt is one level and they test for a full rank each time. In other words, a senior student will need to know all of the Junior First Grade and Second Grade techniques for each test.

Yellow Belt Requirements

Juniors, First Grade Yellow
1) Perform a back fall, side fall (each side), and a front roll out
2) Throws:
– O Soto Gari
– Deashi Harai
– Ippon Seoi Nage
3) Hold Down: Kesa Gatame
4) One Escape from hold down
5) One Turnover from turtle

Juniors, Second Grade Yellow
1) All previous techniques plus…
2) Throws:
– Morote Seoi Nage
– Ouchi Gari
– Ogoshi
– Tai Otoshi

Orange Belt Requirements

Juniors, First Grade Orange
1) All previous techniques, plus…
2) Throws:
– Koshi Garuma
– Hiza Garuma
– Tsurikomi Goshi
3) Hold Down: Kata Gatame
4) Two Escapes from hold down
5) Two Turnovers from turtle

Juniors, Second Grade Orange
1) All previous techniques, plus…
2) Throws:
– Kosoto Gari
– Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
– Kouchi Gari
3) Hold Down: Yoko Shiho Gatame

Green Belt Requirements

Juniors, First Grade Green
1) All previous techniques, plus…
2) Throws:
– Sode Tsurikomi Goshi
– Harai Ogoshi
– Kosoto Gake
3) Hold Down: Kami Shiho Gatame
4) Three Escapes from hold down
5) Three Turnovers from turtle

Juniors, Second Grade Green
1) All previous techniques, plus…
2) Throws:
– Uchi Mata
– Hane Goshi
– Okuriashi Harai
– Osoto Makikomi
3) Hold Down: Tate Shiho Gatame

Blue Belt Requirements (Seniors 1st Degree Brown)

1) All previous techniques, plus…
2) Throws:
– Tomoe Nage
– Hane Makikomi
– Sumi Otoshi
– Nidan Osoto Gari
3) Chokes:
– Gakyi Juji Jime
– Nami Juji Jime
– Kata Juji Jime
– Okurieri Jime
– Kataha Juji Jime
– Sankaku Jime

Purple Belt Requirements (Seniors 2nd Degree Brown)

1) All previous techniques, plus…
2) Throws:
– Sumi Gaeshi
– Ushiro Goshi
– Utsuri Goshi
– Uchi Maki Komi
– Soto Maki Komi
3) Shimi Waza:
– Ryote Jime
– Hadaka Jime
4) Kensetsu Waza
– Ude Gatame
– Juji Gatame
– Hiza Gatame

Brown Belt Requirements (Seniors 3rd Degree Brown)

1) All previous techniques, plus…
2) Throws:
– Kata Garuma
– Ura Nage
– Yoko Garuma
– Uki Waza
– Tani Otoshi
3) Kensetsu Waza
– Te Gatame
– Ude Gatame

Judo & JiuJitsu Facts & Info to Know for Grading

Sensei will often ask questions during grading. In addition to the terms and definitions above, Sensei is known to ask some of the following questions…

Who invented/founded Judo?
A: Jigoro Kano

What year was Judo invented?
A: 1882

Where was Judo invented?
A: Tokyo, Japan

What was the name of the first Judo Dojo?… the Dojo Jigoro Kano founded?
A: the Kodokan

Who is the first American medal winner in the Olympics in Judo?
A: James Bregman in 1964 won Bronze in the Tokyo Olympics

Who is the only American Judoka to win Gold in the Olympics?
A: Kayla Harrison won gold in both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics

Who are other Americans to win medals in Judo at the Olympics?
A: Travis Stevens won Silver in 2016, Ronda Rousey won Bronze in 2008, Jimmy Pedro won Bronze in 2004 and 1996. A full list of USA medal winners in Judo can be found here: https://www.usajudo.com/meet-team-usa/olympic-games-medalists

Who is the only Undefeated Judoka in the history of Judo?
A: Yasuhiro Yamashita – 4 time world championship and Olympic champion, won 203 consecutive fights