4th Dan syllabus (Dan grades). Black belt. Awarded by British Judo Association. The senior grades of the British Judo Association, 1st to 6th Dan, as they stand for promotions from 1 January 2026. 1st to 5th Dan are examined; 6th Dan is by application. Two routes reach them, competitive and technical, and the syllabus below is common to both: the routes differ in the paper that examines a candidate and in what they must have done to be eligible, not in the techniques they have to be able to do. The hundred techniques the Kodokan recognises are divided into five sets of twenty, one to a dan grade. A candidate demonstrates the whole set for the grade being taken, five techniques of their own choice from each set already passed, and then performance skills, where the technique is theirs to choose from any of the hundred: throws linked into combinations and counters, groundwork combined, escaped or entered, and standing judo carried into groundwork. Each grade below lists the techniques it can be examined on by name, which is its own twenty and every set beneath it; the performance sections range over all hundred. Both papers, with their marks and pass marks, are in the examinations section, one per grade per route. The BJA recently replaced their 1982 scheme, built on 67 techniques, to teach the wider Kodokan curriculum and to bring its dan grade policy into line with IJF policy. 80 techniques are set for this grade. Nage-waza · throws ------------------ De-ashi-harai (出足払, であしはらい), advancing foot sweep. https://wazabook.com/techniques/de-ashi-harai/ Hiza-guruma (膝車, ひざぐるま), knee wheel. https://wazabook.com/techniques/hiza-guruma/ O-goshi (大腰, おおごし), major hip throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/o-goshi/ O-soto-gari (大外刈, おおそとがり), major outer reap. https://wazabook.com/techniques/o-soto-gari/ O-uchi-gari (大内刈, おおうちがり), major inner reap. https://wazabook.com/techniques/o-uchi-gari/ Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi (支釣込足, ささえつりこみあし), propping drawing ankle throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/sasae-tsurikomi-ashi/ Seoi-nage (背負投, せおいなげ), shoulder throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/seoi-nage/ Harai-goshi (払腰, はらいごし), sweeping hip throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/harai-goshi/ Ko-soto-gari (小外刈, こそとがり), minor outer reap. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ko-soto-gari/ Ko-uchi-gari (小内刈, こうちがり), minor inner reap. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ko-uchi-gari/ Koshi-guruma (腰車, こしぐるま), hip wheel. https://wazabook.com/techniques/koshi-guruma/ Tai-otoshi (体落, たいおとし), body drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/tai-otoshi/ Tsurikomi-goshi (釣込腰, つりこみごし), lifting pulling hip throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/tsurikomi-goshi/ Uchi-mata (内股, うちまた), inner thigh throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/uchi-mata/ Ashi-guruma (足車, あしぐるま), leg wheel. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ashi-guruma/ Hane-goshi (跳腰, はねごし), spring hip throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/hane-goshi/ Harai-tsurikomi-ashi (払釣込足, はらいつりこみあし), sweeping drawing ankle throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/harai-tsurikomi-ashi/ Kata-guruma (肩車, かたぐるま), shoulder wheel. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kata-guruma/ Ko-soto-gake (小外掛, こそとがけ), minor outer hook. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ko-soto-gake/ Tomoe-nage (巴投, ともえなげ), circle throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/tomoe-nage/ Yoko-otoshi (横落, よこおとし), side drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/yoko-otoshi/ Hane-makikomi (跳巻込, はねまきこみ), spring wrapping throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/hane-makikomi/ O-guruma (大車, おおぐるま), major wheel. https://wazabook.com/techniques/o-guruma/ Soto-makikomi (外巻込, そとまきこみ), outer wrapping throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/soto-makikomi/ Sumi-gaeshi (隅返, すみがえし), corner reversal. https://wazabook.com/techniques/sumi-gaeshi/ Tani-otoshi (谷落, たにおとし), valley drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/tani-otoshi/ Uki-otoshi (浮落, うきおとし), floating drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/uki-otoshi/ Utsuri-goshi (移腰, うつりごし), changing hip throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/utsuri-goshi/ Ushiro-goshi (後腰, うしろごし), rear hip throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ushiro-goshi/ Yoko-gake (横掛, よこがけ), side hook. https://wazabook.com/techniques/yoko-gake/ Yoko-guruma (横車, よこぐるま), side wheel. https://wazabook.com/techniques/yoko-guruma/ Yoko-wakare (横分, よこわかれ), side separation. https://wazabook.com/techniques/yoko-wakare/ Daki-wakare (抱分, だきわかれ), hugging separation. https://wazabook.com/techniques/daki-wakare/ Hane-goshi-gaeshi (跳腰返, はねごしがえし), springing hip counter. https://wazabook.com/techniques/hane-goshi-gaeshi/ Harai-makikomi (払巻込, はらいまきこみ), sweeping wraparound. https://wazabook.com/techniques/harai-makikomi/ Hikikomi-gaeshi (引込返, ひきこみがえし), pulling-in reversal. https://wazabook.com/techniques/hikikomi-gaeshi/ Ippon-seoi-nage (一本背負投, いっぽんせおいなげ), one-armed shoulder throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ippon-seoi-nage/ Kani-basami (蟹挟, かにばさみ), crab scissors. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kani-basami/ Kibisu-gaeshi (踵返, きびすがえし), heel reversal. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kibisu-gaeshi/ Ko-uchi-gaeshi (小内返, こうちがえし), minor inner reversal. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ko-uchi-gaeshi/ Ko-uchi-makikomi (小内巻込, こうちまきこみ), minor inner wrap-around. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ko-uchi-makikomi/ Kuchiki-taoshi (朽木倒, くちきたおし), single-leg drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kuchiki-taoshi/ O-soto-gaeshi (大外返, おおそとがえし), major outer reap counter. https://wazabook.com/techniques/o-soto-gaeshi/ O-soto-otoshi (大外落, おおそとおとし), major outer drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/o-soto-otoshi/ O-uchi-gaeshi (大内返, おおうちがえし), major inner reversal. https://wazabook.com/techniques/o-uchi-gaeshi/ Obi-otoshi (帯落, おびおとし), belt drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/obi-otoshi/ Obi-tori-gaeshi (帯取返, おびとりがえし), belt grab reversal. https://wazabook.com/techniques/obi-tori-gaeshi/ Seoi-otoshi (背負落, せおいおとし), shoulder drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/seoi-otoshi/ Sode-tsurikomi-goshi (袖釣込腰, そでつりこみごし), sleeve lifting pulling hip throw. https://wazabook.com/techniques/sode-tsurikomi-goshi/ Tawara-gaeshi (俵返, たわらがえし), rice-bale reversal. https://wazabook.com/techniques/tawara-gaeshi/ Uchi-makikomi (内巻込, うちまきこみ), inner wraparound. https://wazabook.com/techniques/uchi-makikomi/ Uchi-mata-makikomi (内股巻込, うちまたまきこみ), inner thigh wrap-around. https://wazabook.com/techniques/uchi-mata-makikomi/ Uchi-mata-sukashi (内股透, うちまたすかし), inner thigh throw slip. https://wazabook.com/techniques/uchi-mata-sukashi/ Yama-arashi (山嵐, やまあらし), mountain storm. https://wazabook.com/techniques/yama-arashi/ Osaekomi-waza · hold-downs -------------------------- Kata-gatame (肩固, かたがため), shoulder hold. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kata-gatame/ Kesa-gatame (袈裟固, けさがため), scarf hold. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kesa-gatame/ Kuzure-kami-shiho-gatame (崩上四方固, くずれかみしほうがため), modified upper four-quarter hold. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kuzure-kami-shiho-gatame/ Kuzure-kesa-gatame (崩袈裟固, くずれけさがため), modified scarf hold. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kuzure-kesa-gatame/ Tate-shiho-gatame (縦四方固, たてしほうがため), vertical four-quarter hold. https://wazabook.com/techniques/tate-shiho-gatame/ Uki-gatame (浮固, うきがため), floating hold. https://wazabook.com/techniques/uki-gatame/ Ushiro-kesa-gatame (後袈裟固, うしろけさがため), reverse scarf hold. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ushiro-kesa-gatame/ Yoko-shiho-gatame (横四方固, よこしほうがため), side four-quarter hold. https://wazabook.com/techniques/yoko-shiho-gatame/ Shime-waza · strangles ---------------------- Do-jime (胴絞, どうじめ), trunk squeeze. https://wazabook.com/techniques/do-jime/ Gyaku-juji-jime (逆十字絞, ぎゃくじゅうじじめ), reverse cross strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/gyaku-juji-jime/ Hadaka-jime (裸絞, はだかじめ), naked strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/hadaka-jime/ Kata-ha-jime (片羽絞, かたはじめ), single wing strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kata-ha-jime/ Kata-juji-jime (片十字絞, かたじゅうじじめ), half cross strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kata-juji-jime/ Kata-te-jime (片手絞, かたてじめ), one-hand strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/kata-te-jime/ Nami-juji-jime (並十字絞, なみじゅうじじめ), normal cross strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/nami-juji-jime/ Ryote-jime (両手絞, りょうてじめ), two-hand strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ryote-jime/ Sankaku-jime (三角絞, さんかくじめ), triangle strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/sankaku-jime/ Sode-guruma-jime (袖車絞, そでぐるまじめ), sleeve wheel strangle. https://wazabook.com/techniques/sode-guruma-jime/ Kansetsu-waza · joint locks --------------------------- Ashi-garami (足緘, あしがらみ), entangled leg lock. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ashi-garami/ Ashi-gatame (足固, あしがため), leg armlock. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ashi-gatame/ Hara-gatame (腹固, はらがため), stomach armlock. https://wazabook.com/techniques/hara-gatame/ Juji-gatame (十字固, じゅうじがため), cross armlock. https://wazabook.com/techniques/juji-gatame/ Te-gatame (手固, てがため), hand armlock. https://wazabook.com/techniques/te-gatame/ Ude-garami (腕緘, うでがらみ), entangled armlock. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ude-garami/ Ude-gatame (腕固, うでがため), straight armlock. https://wazabook.com/techniques/ude-gatame/ Waki-gatame (脇固, わきがため), armpit armlock. https://wazabook.com/techniques/waki-gatame/ The official syllabus --------------------- Transcribed from British Judo Association's published document. This wording is the authority for what is examined; everything above is this reference's own arrangement of it. Fundamental skills ------------------ 1. Kata-guruma 2. Yama-arashi 3. Kuchiki-taoshi 4. Sode-tsurikomi-goshi 5. Utsuri-goshi 6. Ko-uchi-gari 7. Harai-tsurikomi-ashi 8. O-guruma 9. Hane-goshi-gaeshi 10. Tawara-gaeshi 11. Uchi-makikomi 12. Daki-wakare 13. Kani-basami 14. Kata-gatame 15. Uki-gatame 16. Hadaka-jime 17. Sode-guruma-jime 18. Do-jime 19. Ude-hishigi-ude-gatame in this reference: Ude-gatame 20. Ude-hishigi-te-gatame in this reference: Te-gatame Fundamental skills: prior learning ---------------------------------- 1. Five techniques of the candidate's choice from the 1st Dan fundamental skills in this reference: Seoi-nage, Tai-otoshi, Uchi-mata-sukashi, O-goshi, Harai-goshi, De-ashi-harai, O-soto-gari, Uchi-mata, O-soto-otoshi, Tomoe-nage, Tani-otoshi, Soto-makikomi, Yoko-wakare, Kesa-gatame, Kuzure-kami-shiho-gatame, Nami-juji-jime, Kata-ha-jime, Sankaku-jime, Juji-gatame, Waki-gatame 2. Five techniques of the candidate's choice from the 2nd Dan fundamental skills in this reference: Ippon-seoi-nage, Obi-otoshi, Ko-uchi-gaeshi, Koshi-guruma, Ushiro-goshi, Hiza-guruma, O-uchi-gari, Ko-soto-gake, O-soto-gaeshi, Sumi-gaeshi, Yoko-otoshi, Hane-makikomi, Yoko-guruma, Harai-makikomi, Kuzure-kesa-gatame, Yoko-shiho-gatame, Gyaku-juji-jime, Kata-te-jime, Ude-garami, Hara-gatame 3. Five techniques of the candidate's choice from the 3rd Dan fundamental skills in this reference: Seoi-otoshi, Uki-otoshi, Obi-tori-gaeshi, Kibisu-gaeshi, Tsurikomi-goshi, Hane-goshi, Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, Ko-soto-gari, Ashi-guruma, O-uchi-gaeshi, Hikikomi-gaeshi, Yoko-gake, Uchi-mata-makikomi, Ko-uchi-makikomi, Ushiro-kesa-gatame, Tate-shiho-gatame, Kata-juji-jime, Ryote-jime, Ashi-gatame, Ashi-garami Performance skills ------------------ 1. Six nage-waza of the candidate's choice from the hundred, at least one from the fundamental skills for this grade, each shown with a renzoku-waza, a renraku-waza and a kaeshi-waza in this reference: Nage-waza, Renzoku-waza, Renraku-waza, Kaeshi-waza 2. Six katame-waza of the candidate's choice from the hundred, at least one from the fundamental skills for this grade, each shown with a combination, an escape or a complex entry in this reference: Katame-waza, Osaekomi-waza, Shime-waza, Kansetsu-waza 3. Four throws carried into an osaekomi-waza and four into a kansetsu-waza or a shime-waza in this reference: Tachi-waza, Ne-waza Kata ---- 1. Kime-no-kata, to BJA Level 1, examined separately from the skills assessment and not necessarily on the same day in this reference: Kime-no-kata, Kata Promotion requirements ---------------------- 1. Minimum age 24 2. Held 3rd Dan for at least 4 years 3. 120 competition points How this grade is examined -------------------------- The syllabus above is what 4th Dan covers. What follows is the paper it is examined by, where the federation has one and it has been transcribed. 4th Dan Competitive Examination. Pass mark 519 of 670. https://wazabook.com/exams/bja-competitive-4th-dan/ 4th Dan Technical Examination. Pass mark 536 of 670. https://wazabook.com/exams/bja-technical-4th-dan/ Competitive Dan Grade Skills Examination (replaced, and kept only because older certificates were awarded against it). Pass mark 700 of 900. https://wazabook.com/exams/bja-competitive-dan-grade-skills/ Also required for this promotion -------------------------------- BJA Kata Certification: Kime-no-kata https://wazabook.com/exams/bja-kata-certification/ Examined on its own terms and need not be taken on the same day. Flashcards ---------- Drill the names before the day: an Anki deck for each grade turns the Japanese names into quick recall: https://wazabook.com/flashcards/ From Waza Book: https://wazabook.com/grades/bja-competitive-dan/4th-dan/