USJF KATA INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION TEST PROCEDURES

1. The certification test program manager must have received prior approval for conducting the certification test from the Chairperson.
2. Examiner Requirements for Certification Testing

1. Examiner Requirements for Class A Certification Testing

1. A minimum of THREE (3) Class A kata instructors who must hold the certification for the kata which the testing is for;
2. and a minimum of ONE (1) examiner is a member of the USJF Board of Kata Examiners;
3. Or a minimum of TWO (2) members of the USJF Board of Kata Examiners can conduct the certification test (but only for the kata in which the examiners are certified.)

2. Examiner Requirements for Class B Certification Testing

1. A minimum of TWO (2) Class A kata instructors who must hold the certification for the kata which the testing is for;
2. Or a minimum of ONE (1) member of the USJF Board of Kata Examiners can conduct the certification test alone (but only for the kata in which the examiner are certified.)

3. Examiner Requirements for Class C Certification Testing

1. A Class A kata instructor can conduct the certification test alone (but only for the kata in which the examiner are certified.)

3. The examiner or examiners must conduct a clinic prior to the certification testing.
4. The grading of candidates
   
   Certification criteria
   
5. Fees

1. Testing Fee
   $10.00 per candidate, regardless of how many kata they are testing for.

   Make a check payable to USJF.
   

2. Registration Fee

1. Class A $20.00
2. Class B $15.00
3. Class C $10.00

(Note: $5.00 from the Certification Registration Fee goes to the Register’s yudanshakai)

6. Forward a summary of certification test result, funds, application forms and score sheets, one-page essays and a list of the clinic participants to the chairman within a week from the certification date.

USJF KATA INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION CRITERIA

1. The USJF Kata and Certification committee will be certifying kata instructors in Nage No Kata, Katame No Kata, Kime No Kata, Kodokan Goshinjitsu, Ju No Kata, Itsutsu No Kata and Koshiki No Kata.
   
2. There will be three classes of kata instructor with the following rank requirements:

   Class A Instructor - Yondan and above
   Class B Instructor - Shodan, Nidan and Sandan
   Class C Instructor - Shodan, Nidan and Sandan
   

3. The certification test will consist of a kata demonstration both as tori and uke, an essay about kata and an oral examination.
   
   Demonstration test criteria:

A score will be given for the total kata demonstration or for individual techniques and total them at end.

Class A Instructor - Display a greater skill and shows a close to perfect execution in terms of a high degree of spirit, harmony, timing, smoothness and skill.

(Note: Scoring must be 8 and higher)

Class B Instructor - Display more skill, beginning to have more harmony, shows correct timing and smoothness

(Note: Scoring between 7 and 7.99)

Class C Instructor - Basically correct technique without any major errors.

(Note: Scoring between 6 and 6.99)

B. Essay (one page)

1. Candidates write about what is kata, why we need to study kata, history of kata, etc.

2. Write explanation of the kata that candidate is taking test for.

C. Oral Examination

1. Questions to be asked by Kata Examiners at the test.

4. Standardization Publications:

Kodokan Judo, by Jigoro Kano (1986 first edition), published by Kodansha International

Kodokan Kata books and Instructional Kata Video Tapes, published by the Kodokan

CRITERIA FOR SCORING

10 PERFECT

Perfect execution of the technique with uke and tori showing skill, timing, smoothness, sprit and control, as well as progressive movement of kuzushi, tsukuri and kake.

9 ALMOST PERFECT

Displays and shows a close to perfect execution (lacking somewhat in smoothness or sprit)

8 VERY GOOD

Displays a greater degree of skill and sprit shows smooth execution with harmony and correct timing.

7 GOOD

Displays more skill, beginning to have harmony, shows smoothness and correct timing.

6 AVERAGE

Basically correct technique without any major or minor errors.

5 BELOW AVERAGE

A few minor errors, but generally correct technique.

4 POOR

A few major errors, and several minor errors.

3 VERY POOR

Numerous mistakes, poorly performed

Note: 2 and below Criteria for Scoring are used for scoring individual technique.

2 completely wrong movements within the technique

1 Numerous major and minor errors, unrecognizable movements and technique, gross lack of skill.

0 Skipped technique, wrong side technique (i.e. right technique s. left technique) or totally unrelated technique.

Help support the USJF by visiting our sponsors

Contents of the website are Copyright © 2004-2006 by the United States Judo Federation unless otherwise noted.