Junior Belt Ranks

Junior Judo Belt Requirements | Jacksonville Judo

Our junior judo ranking system gives Jacksonville students a clear path for developing safe falling skills, throws, groundwork, rules knowledge, leadership, and character. Requirements are cumulative: students must retain and improve the skills learned at every previous rank.

Promotion eligibility: Minimum age, attendance, and time-in-grade are benchmarks—not automatic promotions. Students must demonstrate the required skills, participate consistently, show good moral character, and receive instructor approval. Active competitors may advance faster based on exceptional ability and their documented competition record and performance.
  1. 11th Kyu

    Juichikyu

    White Belt
    Minimum age
    4
    Attendance
    Starting rank
    Time-in-grade
    Starting rank
    White Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Become comfortable in the dojo, learn to participate safely, and begin developing independence.

    Basics and conduct

    • Put on the judogi.
    • Participate appropriately in judo class.
    • Begin learning respectful dojo behavior and listening skills.
  2. 10th Kyu

    Jukyu

    White/Yellow Belt
    Minimum age
    5
    Attendance
    20 classes
    Time-in-grade
    2 months
    White/Yellow Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Demonstrate beginning dojo etiquette, basic movement, safe falling habits, and introductory standing and groundwork techniques.

    Basics and vocabulary

    • Standing and kneeling bows; tie the belt; count to 10 in Japanese; spell “judo.”
    • Shizentai and jigotai.
    • Migi, Hidari, Rei, Obi, Sensei, Gi, Hajime, and Mate.

    Ukemi

    • Ushiro, Yoko, and Zenpo-kaiten.
    • Protect the head, avoid landing on sharp points, and slap the mat correctly.

    Techniques

    • Tachi-waza: O-soto-gari, Deashi-barai, Ippon Seoi-nage.
    • Ne-waza: Kesa-gatame; Yoko-shiho-gatame, hon and kuzure.

    History and character

    • Explain what judo means, name its founder, and identify the country where it began.
    • Show good moral character and participate in class activities.
  3. 9th Kyu

    Kyukyu

    Yellow Belt
    Minimum age
    5
    Attendance
    30 classes
    Time-in-grade
    3 months
    Yellow Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Improve all previous skills while showing better posture, movement, control, rules knowledge, and technical understanding.

    Basics and vocabulary

    • Hon, Migi, and Hidari shizentai; Ayumi-ashi, Tsugi-ashi, and Suri-ashi.
    • 90-degree and 180-degree tai-sabaki; Migi and Hidari kumi-kata.
    • O, Ko, Soto, and Uchi.

    Rules and ukemi

    • Explain Ippon, Waza-ari, Waza-ari awasete Ippon, Osaekomi, and Toketa.
    • Demonstrate Mae-ukemi with improving control.

    Techniques

    • Tachi-waza: Uki-goshi, O-soto-gari, O-uchi-gari.
    • Ne-waza: Makura Kesa-gatame, Ushiro Kesa-gatame, and one escape from Kesa-gatame.

    History and character

    • Name judo’s original school, founding year, city, and country.
    • Show good moral character and participate in class activities.
  4. 8th Kyu

    Hachikyu

    Yellow/Orange Belt
    Minimum age
    6
    Attendance
    35 classes
    Time-in-grade
    3-4 months
    Yellow/Orange Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Understand how throws work, move safely on the ground, follow dojo procedures, and demonstrate stronger technical control.

    Basics and vocabulary

    • Three parts of a throw: Kuzushi, Tsukuri, and Kake.
    • Ebi and reverse Ebi; parts of the judogi: Uwagi, Shitagi, Obi, and Zori; proper dojo entry.
    • Goshi, Ashi, Hiza, Nage, Waza, and Shiai.

    Rules and techniques

    • Explain Sono-mama, Yoshi, Shido, and Hansoku-make.
    • Tachi-waza: Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, Hiza-guruma, Morote Seoi-nage.
    • Ne-waza: Kata-gatame, Kamishiho-gatame, and one escape from Yoko-shiho-gatame.
    • Age 13 and older only: Hadaka-jime.

    Character

    • Show good moral character, class participation, and improved knowledge of all previous requirements.
  5. 7th Kyu

    Nankyu

    Orange Belt
    Minimum age
    7
    Attendance
    40 classes
    Time-in-grade
    4 months
    Orange Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Connect movement to technique, begin combining attacks, understand common penalties, and escape from multiple hold-downs.

    Basics and rules

    • Shintai: Ayumi-ashi and Tsugi-ashi.
    • Tai-sabaki: 180-degree, Mae-sabaki, Ushiromae-sabaki, and Maemawari-sabaki.
    • Proper shiai-jo entry; vocabulary Mae, Ushiro, and Waza; name two Shido penalties.

    Techniques

    • Tachi-waza: Tai-otoshi, Koshi-guruma, Ko-uchi-gari, one opposite-side throw, and one combination.
    • Ne-waza: Kuzure Kamishiho-gatame, Tate-shiho-gatame, and escapes from Kata-gatame and Kamishiho-gatame.
    • Age 13 and older only: Okuri-eri-jime and Kata-ha-jime.

    Character

    • Show good moral character, class participation, and improved proficiency in earlier skills.
  6. 6th Kyu

    Rokkyu

    Orange/Green Belt
    Minimum age
    8
    Attendance
    50 classes
    Time-in-grade
    5 months
    Orange/Green Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Demonstrate multidirectional kuzushi, adaptable gripping, both-sided technique, combinations, and improved falling and groundwork.

    Basics and rules

    • Happo-no-kuzushi and kumi-kata variations.
    • Give one example of Hansoku-make and name two Shido penalties.
    • Demonstrate improved Mae-ukemi and previous ukemi.

    Techniques

    • Tachi-waza: Tsurikomi-goshi, Harai-goshi, Ko-soto-gari, Okuri-ashi-harai; two techniques both Migi and Hidari; one combination.
    • Ne-waza: Kuzure Tate-shiho-gatame and one escape from Tate-shiho-gatame.
    • Age 13 and older only: Nami-juji-jime, Kata-juji-jime, and Gyaku-juji-jime.

    Character

    • Show good moral character, consistent participation, and improvement in all previous requirements.
  7. 5th Kyu

    Gokyu

    Green Belt
    Minimum age
    10
    Attendance
    60 classes
    Time-in-grade
    6 months
    Green Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Show dependable fundamentals, practice refereeing, execute more advanced throws and combinations, and solve common groundwork positions.

    Rules and techniques

    • Practice refereeing in the dojo.
    • Tachi-waza: Sode-tsurikomi-goshi, Uchi-mata, Tomoe-nage, and two combinations.
    • Ne-waza: Sankaku turnover, Sankaku-gatame, one turnover from uke’s side, and two entries from uke’s guard.
    • Age 13 and older only: Kata-te-juji-jime.

    Judo values and character

    • Explain Jita Kyoei: mutual welfare and benefit.
    • Show good moral character, participation, and improved proficiency in all earlier requirements.
  8. 4th Kyu

    Yonkyu

    Green/Blue Belt
    Minimum age
    11
    Attendance
    65 classes
    Time-in-grade
    7 months
    Green/Blue Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Begin serving as a junior leader by helping younger students, continuing referee practice, and demonstrating combinations, counters, hold-downs, and transitions.

    Leadership and techniques

    • Continue refereeing in the dojo and assist the Sensei with teaching younger students.
    • Tachi-waza: Hane-goshi, Ko-soto-gake, Tsuri-goshi, two Renraku-waza, and two Kaeshi-waza.
    • Ne-waza: Demonstrate all osaekomi-waza, a standing technique into osae-waza, and a turnover from the bottom.
    • Age 13 and older only: escapes from Hadaka-jime and Nami-juji-jime.

    Judo values and character

    • Explain Seiryoku Zenyo: maximum efficiency with minimal effort.
    • Show good moral character, consistent participation, and improved knowledge of earlier ranks.
  9. 3rd Kyu

    Sankyu

    Blue Belt
    Minimum age
    12
    Attendance
    75 classes
    Time-in-grade
    7-8 months
    Blue Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Demonstrate cumulative technical knowledge, gain tournament experience or serve at an event, begin kata study, and contribute to the judo community.

    Experience and rules

    • Compete in shiai or assist with a judo tournament.
    • Understand Hiki-waki and practice refereeing in the dojo.

    Techniques

    • Tachi-waza: Kata-guruma, Ashi-guruma, and Nage-no-kata—three sets as uke for a non-competitor.
    • Ne-waza: Escape uke’s leg coil and demonstrate a method of getting around the guard.
    • Age 13 and older only: Sankaku-jime and improved knowledge of prior shime-waza.

    Character and service

    • Show good moral character, participate consistently, and contribute to the dojo, state, or community program.
  10. 2nd Kyu

    Nikyu

    Blue/Purple Belt
    Minimum age
    13
    Attendance
    85 classes
    Time-in-grade
    8-9 months
    Blue/Purple Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Display advanced junior-level knowledge, take meaningful roles in competition or service, referee locally, and demonstrate kata, submissions, escapes, and technical control.

    Experience and refereeing

    • Compete in shiai or assist with a tournament, dojo, committee, or other judo process.
    • Referee at a local shiai and pursue local referee certification.

    Techniques

    • Tachi-waza: Harai-tsurikomi-ashi and Yoko-otoshi; Nage-no-kata—competitor: three sets as uke; non-competitor: three sets as tori.
    • Ne-waza: Examiner selects three osaekomi-waza; demonstrate correct application and multiple escapes.
    • Shime-waza, age 13+: Morote-jime, Sode-guruma, and escapes from prior shime-waza.
    • Age 17 and older only: Juji-gatame, Ude-garami, and Hara-gatame.

    Character and service

    • Show good moral character, participate consistently, and contribute to the dojo, state, or community program.
  11. 1st Kyu

    Ikkyu

    Purple Belt
    Minimum age
    14
    Attendance
    95 classes
    Time-in-grade
    1 year
    Purple Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Perform as a mature senior junior student who can teach beginners, referee, demonstrate broad technical proficiency, complete kata requirements, and actively serve judo.

    Leadership and refereeing

    • Participate in tournaments or assist with tournaments, the dojo, a committee, or another judo process.
    • Referee club or local shiai; pursue local or regional referee certification.
    • Teach beginners ukemi.

    Techniques

    • Tachi-waza: Retain previous techniques; Nage-no-kata—competitor: first three sets as tori; non-competitor: all five sets as uke.
    • Ne-waza: Know all osaekomi-waza, proper entries, and multiple escapes.
    • Shime-waza: Prior techniques plus escapes from Nami-, Gyaku-, and Kata-juji-jime and Kata-ha-jime.
    • Age 17 and older only: Ude-gatame, Hiza-gatame, Hara-gatame, and Waki-gatame.

    Character and service

    • Demonstrate good moral character, consistent participation, maturity, and contribution to the dojo, state, or community program.
  12. 1st Degree

    Junior Shodan

    Black Belt
    Minimum age
    14-16
    Attendance
    Instructor review
    Time as Ikkyu
    6 months-2 years*
    Junior Black Belt expectations and requirements

    Rank expectation: Demonstrate maturity, leadership, service, and increased proficiency in every lower-rank requirement. Shodan represents the beginning of advanced study—not the end of learning.

    Time-in-grade as Ikkyu

    • Non-competitor: 2 years.
    • Competitor with 5 points: 1 year.
    • Competitor with 10 points: 9 months.
    • Batsugun or 15 points: 6 months.

    General and leadership

    • Know lower-rank terminology and demonstrate improved proficiency in all prior requirements.
    • Good moral character and maturity; assistant-teacher, teacher, or coaching certification is suggested.
    • CDC HEADS UP and SafeSport requirements apply as stated by the governing organization.

    Techniques and kata

    • Nage-waza: Yoko-otoshi, Ashi-guruma, O-tsuri-goshi, Ko-tsuri-goshi, Harai-tsurikomi-ashi, Morote-gari, Kuchiki-taoshi, Kibisu-gaeshi, plus three opposite-side throws, three combinations, and three counters.
    • Osaekomi-waza: Increased proficiency in all lower-rank holds and additional escapes.
    • Shime-waza: Tsukkomi-jime, Ryote-jime, and defenses.
    • Kansetsu-waza: Improved understanding and ability across prior requirements, subject to age restrictions.
    • Kata: Non-competitor—Nage-no-kata, all five sets as tori. Competitor—all five sets as uke.

    Experience and service

    • Continued tournament experience and broader understanding of the sport phase.
    • Non-competitors should gain experience as a club/local referee, club coach, beginners’ assistant, or tournament timekeeper/scorekeeper.

    Competition rules change. Techniques prohibited under current competition rules must not be used in shiai.

Character and maturity at every rank: Students are expected to respect instructors and fellow judoka, behave responsibly at school and in the community, complete responsibilities without excuses, and represent Jacksonville Judo Training Center with pride at formal judo events.

Requirements adapted from USJF Section VII, Junior Rank Recommendations, revision dated May 1, 2021. Jacksonville Judo Training Center instructors retain final promotion discretion.