Our Ranking System

In our dojo we adhere to high standards on ranking, it is of the upmost importance that each student can fullfill the requirements throughly before being allowed to test for any rank. We do not promote people based on how many classes you attend or how much money you offer us. At FFMAC rank is earned not given or bought.

On average someone can make it to black belt in 3.5 to 4 years, however it's an average. In a few cases we have done it in less time but no one is considered for black belt until they have been training consistently for a minimum of 3 years time. At that point the depth of learning changes and they say thats when one really begins to learn karate.

We do offer a Junior black belt to those who have been training for a minimum of 6 years and are 12 years old but are not old enough for the adult ranking. This rank is signified by a white stripe through the belt and without embroidery like our adult black belts have on their belts.

Time for rank testing is offered once a month normally on the first Saturday however one must meet their time in grade and be recomended for promotion before testing. So there are several months a year we do not have anyone testing.

Under Black Belt Ranks (Kyu Grades)

Ju-Kyu (10th Kyu) (Beginner)

Ku-Kyu (9th Kyu)

Hachi-Kyu (8th Kyu)

Nana-Kyu (7th Kyu)

Roku-Kyu (6th Kyu)

Go-Kyu (5th Kyu)

Yon-Kyu (4th Kyu)

San-Kyu (3rd Kyu)

Ni-Kyu (2nd Kyu)

Ik-Kyu (1st Kyu)

Black Belt Ranks (Dan Grades)

Note: The red text depicts masters rank and there are no stripes worn on the actual obi

Shodan (1st Dan)

Nidan (2nd Dan)

Sandan (3rd Dan)

Yondan (4th Dan)

Godan (5th Dan)

Rokudan (6th Dan)

(Kyoshi)

Nanadan (7th Dan)

(Kyoshi)

Hachidan (8th Dan)

(Hanshi)

Kudan (9th Dan)

(Hanshi)

Judan (10th Dan)

Seijitsu Shin Do Kan™ 2006