Requirements For Yodan

Candidates must:

1. At the time of the examination, have been an active and AJJF registered Sandan for a minimum of three consecutive years, and must hold a current AJJF membership for one full year preceding the Yodan exam.
2. Have been actively instructing their own classes as an instructor, or assistant instructor, or been a school head for a minimum of five years.
3. Be responsible for, or help supervise, three individuals being promoted to AJJF Shodan. Names of these three AJJF Shodans and their promotion dates should be submitted on the Shodan Promotion form with the candidate's application for Yodan.
4. Submit a copy of current AJJF membership card.
5. Submit a copy of current Red Cross Standard or Community First Aid card.
6. Submit a copy of current CPR card.
7. Submit an Application for Examination.
8. Submit a Letter of Recommendation from Sensei (in a sealed envelope) stating, in part, willingness to assume responsibility for applicant. [See Letter of Recommendation form]
9. Submit a notebook containing an organized list of all the arts being examined, with a short description of how to do each art.
10. Fulfill one of the following categories:
    1. Submit an activity sheet listing at least three AJJF Sanctioned mat activities attended per year as Sandan, signed by each activity's director, or signed by him/herself if the director.
       OR
    2. Serve a three-year term as an active member of the AJJF Operations Committee as a National Manager or Committee Chair
       AND
       Submit Activity Sheet listing at least two AJJF Sanctioned mat activities attended per year as Sandan, signed by each activity's director, or signed by him/herself if director.
    Massage classes do not qualify as mat activities.
11. Request a Time-In-Grade letter from Central Office.
12. Find out from Examinations Committee Chair:
    1. Should candidate mail his/her documents, or bring them to the exam?
    2. Does the candidate need to pre-register for the exam date?
    3. How much is the fee for examinations?
13. Be able to demonstrate:
    1. Any or all of the requirements listed in the Shodan, Nidan and Sandan exams.
    2. Any Athletic Taping technique and take the Athletic Taping exam, if requested.
    3. Shinyo No Maki #15-28
       15. Tawara Gaeshi
       16. Tonbo Gaeshi
       17. Keri Komi
       18. Riuko
       19. Haya Nawa
       20. Katate Tai Atari
       21. Tsuki Mi
       22. Ate Mi
       23. Zoo Kurawase
       24. Tora Nirami
       25. Kiai Dori
       26. Senriyu Tome
       27. Yuki Chigai
       28. Munen Musow
       Plus, one or more acceptable Kappo for each Shinyo technique, as required by examiners.
    4. Kiai No Maki
       • Tessen No Maki
         1. Katate Hazushi
         2. Muni Tori (Dori)
         3. Miken Wari
         4. Uchikomi Tome (Dome)
         5. Katate Ori
         6. Katsure Wari
       • Hanbo No Maki
         1. Ganseki Otoshi Garame
         2. Oni Kudaki
         3. Ashi Kujiki
         4. Ashi Gatame
         5. Bo Gaeshi
         6. Koku
       • Daito No Maki
         1. Nukimi Tome
         2. Shiraha Tori (Dori)
         3. Suso Harai
       • Tanto No Maki
         1. Hibara Hazushi
         2. Katate Hazushi
         3. Tsukikomi Hazushi
       • Bo No Maki
         1. Hanbo Uchikomi Tori
         2. Rokushaku Bo Furi
         3. Mune Gatame
         4. Shiho Gatame
         5. Ninin Shime
         6. Furo Shime
         7. Shichinin Shime
       • Tanju No Maki
         1. Me (Gan) Hazushi
         2. Mune Hazushi
         3. Hibara Hazushi
14. Meet the standards of Ethics as set forth in the document Code of Conduct and Procedures for Conflict Resolution.

Further Information

To be thoroughly prepared to take your exam, please read the previous sections, in this handbook, Examination for Blackbelt and Regulations, Policies, Procedures For Blackbelt Exams.

Forms

• Application for Examination
• Sensei Recommendation Letter
• Examination Activity Record Sheet
• Shodan Promotion

Publications

• AJJF Kata Manual
• Code of Conduct and Procedures for Conflict Resolution
• AJJF Taping Manual

Contacts

• Senior Professor
• Board of Professors
• Examinations Committee Chair - regarding exam procedures
• Central Office - regarding Time-In-Grade letter and forms
• Regional Manager or Regional Examination Coordinator - regarding dates, times, locations of exams.

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