1st Degree Black Belt Shodan...
Time for the real training to begin...living the martial arts way

At Shodan level the student has attained deep understanding of the BASIC skills represented in the martial arts. They have their core development done and understand these concepts extremely well. This is the final stage of BASIC training and the student is now prepared to enter REAL training as a dedicated, hard working and respectful member of the dojo. ONLY THE BEST WILL BECOME BLACK BELTS AT OUR DOJO.

KATA - All Previous Plus
Chikyu no Kata - Earth - Click here for Kata Training Section

Etiquette and Traditions
   1. Demonstrates pride in their Gi (uniform) - keeps it cleaned and hemmed.
   2. Properly ties the Obi (belt) and has etiquette with it
   3. Assists in Cleaning and Keeping the Dojo Clean
   4. Respects all Senior Level Students
   5. Respects and helps guide Junior Level Students
   6. Attends all mandatory functions of the Dojo as assigned by the Sensei
   7. Leads by example
   8. Listens Attentively During Classes
   9. Has shown great dedication and respect to preserving the dojo and ryu

Stance & Postures - Click on each one for picture or diagram.
   1.  Ready Stance
   2.  Attention Stance
   3.  Rei - Bowing
   4.  Natural Standing Stance
   5.  Horse Stance
   6.  Front Stance
   7.  C Stepping
   8.  Traditional Kumite Stance
   9.  Back Stance
  10.  Open Kumite Stance
  11.  Natural Standing Stance
  12. Hourglass Stance
  13. Tiger Stance
  14. Leopard Stance
  15. Crane Stance
  16. Snake Stance
  17. Dragon Stance

Blocking Techniques
   1.  Down Block
   2.  Rising Block
   3.  Middle Inside Block
   4.  Middle Outside Block
   5.  Palm Heel Blocks
   6.  Trapping Hands Training
   7.  Countering Applications
   8.  Knee Checking / Blocking
   9.  Parrying Application
  10. Body Movement / Ukemi
  11. Tai Sabaki (Angling / Evading)

Hand Strikes
   1.  Front Punch
   2.  Reverse Punch
   3.  Back Fist
   4.  Palm Heel Strike 
   5.  Upper Cut 
   6.  Back Knuckle 
   7.  Shuto Knife Hand Strike
   8.  Side Knife Hand 
   9.  Over Head Knife Hand 
  10.  Inside Knife Hand 
  11.  Reverse Elbow 
  12. Upper Cut Elbow 
  13. Side Elbow Strike 

Kicking Ability
   1.  Front Snap Kick
   2.  Front Thrust Kick 
   3.  Side Snap Kick 
   4.  Side Thrust Kick 
   5.  Fade Away Defensive Side Kick
   6.  Back Leg Round House Kick 
   7.  Front Leg Round House Kick 
   8.  Double Round House Kick Attack 
   9.  Inside Crescent Kick 
  10.  Outside Crescent Kick 
  11. Back Kick 
  12. Axe Kick
  13. Wheel Kick
  14. Spin Back Kick
  15. Spin Side Kick
  16. Spin Roundhouse Kick
  17. Spin Wheel Kick
  18. Spin Crescent Kick
  19. Flying Side Kick
  20. Jump Fake Front Kick
  21. Jump Fake Round House Kick
  22. Jump In Side Kick
  23. Inverted Front Kick
  24. Outside Sweep Takedown
  25. Inside Sweep Takedown
  26. Double Leg Drop Sweep Takedown
  27. Scissor Takedown Technique
  28. Ground Kicking Defense
  29. Tornado Kick
  30. Hurricane Kick 

Throws / Chokes / Holds / Pins
   1.  Hip Throw
   2.  Shoulder Throw
   3.  Rear Choke Take Down
   4.  Side Arm Bar Take Down
   5.  Reverse Counter Throw Drill
   6.  Wrist Locking Techniques (5 total)
   7.  Rear Choke
   8.  Sleeper Hold
   9.  Front Arm Choke
  10. Uniform Choke Applications
  11. Ukemi / Randori Application Study

Self Defense Training - Level 1 Defense
   1.  Straight Wrist Grab
   2.  Double Wrist Grab 
   3.  Cross Wrist Grab 
   4.  Double Lapel Grab 
   5.  Hair Grab from front 
   6.  Rear Choke 
   7.  Bear Hug 
   8.  Head Lock 
   9.  Knife (at chest, overhead swing, side swing, rear choke) 
  10. Club (at chest, overhead swing, side swing, rear choke)
  11. Gun Defense
  12. Hip Throw

Self Defense Training - Level 2 Defense
   1.  Straight Wrist Grab
   2.  Double Wrist Grab 
   3.  Cross Wrist Grab 
   4.  Double Lapel Grab 
   5.  Hair Grab from rear 
   6.  Rear Choke Counter
   7.  Bear Hug 
   8.  Head Lock 
   9.  Knife (at chest, overhead swing, side swing, rear choke) 
  10. Club (at chest, overhead swing, side swing, rear choke)
  11. Gun Defense
  12. Shoulder Throw
  13. Circle 2 and Circle 4 Self Defense Drill

Self Defense Training - Level 3 Defense
   1.  Ground Defense Bottom
   2.  Ground Defense Mounted Top 
   3.  Freestyle Against Knife 
   4.  Freestyle Against Club 
   5.  Freestyle Against Gun 
   6.  Escorting Fighting Attacker
   7.  Control Attacker - 1 Minute Drill 
   8.  Circle 6 and Circle 8 Self Defense Drill 
   9.  All Throws
  10. All Sweeps
  11. Perfected Being and Uke

Kumite Training Ability
   1.  Kihon Kumite One Steps
   2.  Sanbon Kumite Three Steps
   3.  Jiyu Kumite Freestyle Against Announced Attack
   4.  Self Defense Kumite
   5.  2 on 1 Kumite & Randori
   6.  3 on 1 Kumite & Randori
   7.  4 on 1 Kumite & Randori
   8.  Evasion Kumite Principles

Other Requirements as per Sensei assignment
   1.  Thesis Paper - Topic Assigned by Franz Shihan
   2.  Proper Attendance for classes (3 per week at this level)
   3.  Proper Academic Progress for Elementary, Middle, High School and College Level
   4.  Human Kinetics / Power Principle & Theory Study with Franz Shihan
   5.  Psychology of Kumite & Self Defense Study with Franz Shihan
   6.  Self Discipline / Self Restraint Understanding in terms of Martial Art Skill Use
   7.  Understanding Self Defense Laws
   8.  Community Service Project Completion