MAINE SHOTOKAN KARATE ASSOCIATION
3rd KYU GRADING EXERCISES - Brown Belt
| KIHON | |
| ZENKUTSU DACHI – GEDAN BARAI | (Front Stance – Low Block) |
| FORWARD: CHUDAN OI TSUKI | 5 TIMES (Middle Lunge Punch) |
| FORWARD: CHUDAN GYAKU TSUKI | 5 TIMES (Middle Reverse Punch) |
| BACKWARD: JODAN AGE UKE | 5 TIMES (High Rising Block) |
| FORWARD: CHUDAN SOTO UKE | 5 TIMES (Middle Outside Block) |
| FORWARD: CHUDAN UCHI UKE | 5 TIMES (Middle Inside Block) |
| KOKUTSU DACHI GAMAE | (Back Stance) |
| BACKWARD: CHUDAN SHUTO UKE | 5 TIMES (Knife Hand Block) |
| ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE | (Front Stance) |
| FORWARD: MAE GERI | 5 TIMES (Front Kick) |
| FORWARD: MAWASHI GERI | 5 TIMES (Roundhouse Kick) |
| KIBA DACHI GAMAE | (Horse Riding Stance) |
| FORWARD: YOKO GERI KEAGE | 3 TIMES (Side Snap Kick) |
| Turn and repeat: YOKO GERI KEAGE | 3 TIMES (Side Snap Kick) |
| FORWARD: YOKO GERI KEKOMI | 3 TIMES ( Side Thrust Kick) |
| Turn and repeat: YOKO GERI KEKOMI | 3 TIMES ( Side Thrust Kick) |
| ZENKUTSU DACHI GAMAE | (Front Stance) |
| FORWARD: USHIRO GERI | 5 TIMES (Back Kick) |
| KATA | |
| TEKKI SHODAN | Shitei (compulsory) |
| KUMITE | |
| KIHON IPPON KUMITE (HIDARI/MIGI) | (Basic 1 Step Sparring) |
| ATTACK AND DEFEND: | 2X JODAN; 2X CHUDAN; 2X MAE GERI; 1X KEKOMI & 1X MAWASHI GERI (perform techniques on left and right sides) |
For the first time within the grading syllabus, the more advanced Back Kick (USHIRO GERI) is now included. Even though it is more difficult to perform than any previously taught kick, a high level of proficiency is expected in order for it to meet the same standard as the rest of the grade. For many candidates Ushiro Geri causes the most problems within this grading mainly due to: losing one’s balance, over rotating, kicking diagonally to the rear rather than straight back, and failing to adopt a low center of gravity as one moves into the midway position. Hence the kick is also made more difficult due to it being performed at the end of the Kihon section, so fatigue will also effect the performance unless one has practiced countless repetitions during training sessions.