3rd Dan (Sandan) syllabus (Senior ranks, Kyu to Sandan (USJA)). Black belt. Awarded by United States Judo Association. The United States Judo Association's senior ranks from 6th Kyu to 3rd Dan, from a minimum age of 14. To 1st Dan a candidate passes a general knowledge and vocabulary paper and then demonstrates a set number of techniques from each technical list, agreed with the coach beforehand; the list below each grade is the pool they choose from, and the kyu grades from Sankyu add parts of an online Nage-no-kata exam. 2nd and 3rd Dan each add a kata, a full list of throws to pass one by one, and a refereeing or coaching certification. Clubs or instructors may add requirements of their own. 8 techniques are set for this grade. Nage-waza · throws ------------------ Daki-wakare (抱分, だきわかれ), hugging separation. https://wazabook.com/techniques/daki-wakare/ Hikikomi-gaeshi (引込返, ひきこみがえし), pulling-in reversal. https://wazabook.com/techniques/hikikomi-gaeshi/ O-soto-otoshi (大外落, おおそとおとし), major outer drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/o-soto-otoshi/ Obi-otoshi (帯落, おびおとし), belt drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/obi-otoshi/ Seoi-otoshi (背負落, せおいおとし), shoulder drop. https://wazabook.com/techniques/seoi-otoshi/ 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/ Yama-arashi (山嵐, やまあらし), mountain storm. https://wazabook.com/techniques/yama-arashi/ The official syllabus --------------------- Transcribed from United States Judo Association's published document. This wording is the authority for what is examined; everything above is this reference's own arrangement of it. Eligibility ----------- 1. You must be a current member of the United States Judo Association. 2. You must have obtained the required age, time in grade, and classes taught or attended for the rank being requested, as indicated in the table below. 3. Must have passed a Background Screen report and have a current Concussion Training and Safe Sport certificate. 4. Age: 23 5. TIG (Years)/classes: 4/384 6. Sign off # Rank or above: (1) 4th Dan 7. Classes must be at least one hour long and no more than 2 classes per day. Additional requirements ----------------------- 1. Katame-no-kata demonstration or certification. in this reference: Katame-no-kata 2. Passing examination of each throw of the Habukareta waza 3. Obtain Local Coaching Certification (can be waived until made available online) Habukareta waza --------------- 1. Obi-Otoshi (Belt Drop) in this reference: Obi-otoshi 2. Daki-Wakare (High Separation) in this reference: Daki-wakare 3. Hiki-Komi-Gaeshi (Back Fall Reversed) in this reference: Hikikomi-gaeshi 4. O-Soto-Otoshi (Major Outer Drop) in this reference: O-soto-otoshi 5. Tawara-Gaeshi (Rice Bag Reversal) in this reference: Tawara-gaeshi 6. Uchi-Makikomi (Inner Wrap Around) in this reference: Uchi-makikomi 7. Seoi-Otoshi (Shoulder Drop) in this reference: Seoi-otoshi 8. Yama-Arashi (Mountain Storm) in this reference: Yama-arashi Filmed for this grading ----------------------- USJA Rank Examination for all Senior Kyu Ranks Through Shodan, and for Senior Nidan and Sandan (PDF) (United States Judo Association): https://www.usja.net/staff/forms/171/document/download Promotion to Shodan, Nidan and Sandan (03/2025) (PDF) (United States Judo Association): https://www.usja.net/staff/forms/170/document/download Promotion System (United States Judo Association): https://www.usja.net/about/promotion 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/usja-senior/3rd-dan/