Yodan (4th Dan)
Black belt · 9 techniques required at grading · Dan grades (USJF), United States Judo Federation
Rokudan to Hachidan wear a red and white belt, shown here as red with a white stripe.
0 of 9 learned
Nage-waza · throws
The official syllabus
As printed in Rank Requirement Recommendations Handbook, Section VI. Skills that are not a single technique (breakfalls, escapes, turnovers, grips, randori) are listed in the document's own words.
Minimum age and time in grade
- Minimal Age: 21-22
- Minimal Time in Grade: Time in grade as Sandan
- Non-competitor - 8 years
- Competitor, 5 pts - 5.5 years
- Competitor, 10 pts - 4 years
- Competitor, 15 pts - 3 years
- Batsugun or 20 pts - 2 years
Minimum time in grade by competitor class
- Class A: 1 ½ years
- Class B: 3 ½ years
- Class C: 4 years
- Class D: Points earned
General requirements
- Terminology required for lower ranks increased proficiency in all lower rank requirements.
- First Aid, CPR, Safe Sport and CDC Heads Up Certification.
- Excellent moral character and maturity
Nage waza
- Yoko GurumaYoko-guruma
- Ushiro goshiUshiro-goshi
- Ura nageUra-nage
- Sumi otoshiSumi-otoshi
- Yoko gakeYoko-gake
- Yoko WakareYoko-wakare
- Daki ageDaki-age
- Kani-basami*Kani-basami
- Kawazu-gake *Kawazu-gake
- (* illegal techniques – too dangerous to attempt but candidate must be aware of these techniques)
Osaekomi waza
- All Osae-komi-waza and escapes
Shime waza
- All Shime-waza, defense against each
Kansetsu waza
- All Kansetsu-waza, defense against each
Kata
- Non-competitor - Kime no Kata (Tori & Uke) or Kodokan Goshinjutsu (Tori & Uke), and Ju no Kata (Tori & Uke).Kime-no-kata (kata)Kodokan Goshin-jutsu (kata)Ju-no-kata (kata)
- Competitor - Kime no Kata (Tori) or Kodokan Goshinjutsu (Tori).Kime-no-kata (kata)Kodokan Goshin-jutsu (kata)
Tournament experience
- Continued contest experience with expanded interpretation of the sport phase.
Additional experience for non-competitors
- Recommend the following - Referee – regional/national, Coach – Regional, Teacher/Instructor, Tournament official – timekeeper/scorekeeper regional certification
Promotion application
- For Nidan and above they must have current membership plus three years prior membership.
- All applicants for Shodan and above must undergo the USJF background/screening program per USJF documented procedure. (If candidate is a minor this is not needed.)
Filmed for this grading
Flashcards
Drill the names before the day: an Anki deck for each grade turns the Japanese names into quick recall.
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