Teaching and Grading Syllabus 

Kaizen Kwai follows the teaching and grading syllabus of Judo New Zealand.  Full colour belts are awarded - 6th kyu white, 5th kyu yellow, 4th kyu orange, 3rd kyu green and 2nd kyu blue. 

Within the club, we have a system using tabs and half colour belts. These levels are designed to progressively learn the judo techniques, recognise a players knowledge of Judo and acknowledge their contribution to the club through their attitude and participation. 

New players will start with a red belt. Once they know and are able to show the basic foundational skills in the 6 Kyu grade (white belt syllabus) they will move to this grade and change from a red belt to a white belt.  

Moving through the grades is a personal journey and players make progress at their own pace - this is recognised through awarding the tabs and belts as appropriate to each players strengths and abilities. 

The following progression is how we recognise achievements. These are intentional graduated steps so all players have progress regularly recognised. 

Red Belt - all beginners start with a red belt   

White belt  (6 Kyu)

White belt with 1, 2, 3 or 4 yellow tabs

White and Yellow belt - tabs can also be given before progression to the next full belt

Yellow Belt (5 Kyu)

Yellow belt with 1, 2, 3 or 4 orange tabs

Yellow and Orange belt - tabs can also be given before progression to the next full belt

Orange Belt (4 Kyu)

Orange belt with 1, 2, 3 or 4 green tabs

Orange and Green belt - tabs can also be given before progression to the next full belt

Green Belt (3 Kyu)

Green belt with 1, 2, 3 or 4 blue tabs

Green and Blue belt - tabs can also be given before progression to the next full belt

Blue Belt

JUDO NEW ZEALAND Teaching and Grading syllabus 

6kyu (White) to 2kyu (Blue)

1kyu (Brown) and Dan (Black) syllabus follows on from 2 kyu.