The Dan Grading Scheme

 

There are TWO routes available to grade to your Black Belt with the British Judo Association.

 

Competitive Dan Grade

Technical Dan Grade

In summary, to achieve your Competitive Dan Grade, you will need to gain points at judo tournaments (Level 3 Point Scoring or above) or by entering a National Dan Grading.  At tournaments, you will be able to gain points for any win by an Ippon against a player who is the same grade or higher than you.  So, as a 1st Kyu aiming to get promotion points, a win against any other 1st Kyu or Dan Grade will count towards your Dan Grade points.  You will receive a British Judo Points Card from a tournament technical official or your coach and this must be kept safe with your licence and submitted to the Competition Controller at any competiiton you enter.  You will also need to pass your theory and it is only when you have completed your theory and the required tournament points will you obtain your grading.

To achieve your Technical Dan Grade, you will be tested on theory only (no competitive element).  With this route, your techincal ability will need to be far higher than that of a Competitive Dan Grade and you will also need to demonstrate the full Kata requirements for each Dan Grade.  There is a 5 year minimum time in grade in between each Dan Grade for the Technical route.

Links to the syllabus and requirements for both Technical and Competitive Dan Grade can be found in the links.