Grading material

FUJC follows the technical standards and principles set by Judo Australia and JudoSA. Grading recognises technical competence, safe practice, judo knowledge, and contribution to the club and the wider judo community.

Belt progression flowchart

White Belt 6th Kyu
  • Start training and gain confidence!
  • Learning to breakfall and technique basics.
  • Get your own Gi and train regularly.
Yellow Belt 5th Kyu
  • Judo basics, posture, movement and breaking balance.
  • First 8 throws of the standard syllabus
  • Grappling basics
  • Fundamental breakfalls
Orange Belt 4th Kyu
  • Improved basics and improved speed and control.
  • Second set of 8 throws of the standard syllabus
  • Increased grappling skills
  • Basic understaning of compeition rules
Green Belt 3rd Kyu
  • Increased control of techniques,basics of right and left techniques
  • Third set of 8 throws of the standard syllabus
  • Improved grappling skills, including combination and counter techniques
  • 30 optional contest points
Blue Belt 2nd Kyu
  • Improved combination and counter techniques on both left and right
  • Fourth set of 8 throws of the standard syllabus
  • Basic understanding of refreeing rules
  • 50 optional contest points
Brown Belt 1st Kyu
  • Broad ability to demonstrate a wide variety of technique with practical applications
  • Final set of 8 throws
  • All hold downs, with supplemental submission grappling skills
  • Practical transitional techniques from standing to grappling.
  • 100 optional contest points
Black Belt (Shodan) 1st Dan+
  • Judo Australia Dan grading requirements
  • Advanced technical assessment
  • Minimum time-in-grade
  • Formal recommendation + contribution to judo
All pathways are valid, but competition is the fastest pathway and the one that can take you the furthest in judo.

Technical Ability (Mandatory)

All members must meet the minimum technical requirements for their grade. This includes safe ukemi, correct movement, required techniques, rules awareness, and safe randori behaviour.

Competition (Fastest & Furthest)

Competition accelerates skill development through pressure, timing, and decision-making. Regular competitors typically progress faster through kyu grades and build the foundation for high-level opportunities (state, national, international) and future dan pathways. Coloured grades with the required contest points are elligible for promotion after 6 months.

Knowledge and Service

Strong technical understanding supports progression: principles, rules and scoring, terminology, judo values/history, and helping newer members learn effectively. Coloured grades being promoted through knowledge only are ellible for promition after 12 months and can hold a maximum Dan grade of Fifth Dan. Service points are awarded through dedication via coaching, refreeing, tournament adminsistraion and team management. Service point colour grades are elligible after 9 months and can hold a maximum Dan grade of Fifth Dan.

Kata

Kata competitions award points that can aid in Judoka attaining there first Dan black belt in place of competition points, however the maximum Dan rank achievable through the Kata pathway is Fifth Dan.

Important: Competition results never replace technical standards. Coaches will only recommend a grade when you are safe, consistent, and ready.

Downloads

Official club grading PDFs and checklists live in docs/grading/. Link them here as they are updated.