Judo Grading – Belt Up! Technical requirements for Mon and Kyu Grade
Understanding the British Judo Grading System
The journey from beginner to black belt in judo follows a structured path designed to build technical knowledge and competitive skills at each level. Developed by Colin McIver (9th Dan) and Joyce Heron (7th Dan), the British Judo grading system provides a clear progression pathway for judoka of all ages.
Read on to see what techniques are required at each level.
But first, we have a useful tool to keep track of your progress.
Download this Mon Grade Achievement Record: Track your progress through all 18 Mon grades with our printable record sheet. As you belt up to the next level, record the date you achieve each belt and keep track of your judo journey from red belt to brown belt.
Junior Judo Grades: How the Mon System Works
The Mon Grade System is specifically designed for junior judoka.
The Mon system consists of 18 grades spread across six coloured belts, with three Mons at each colour. Each new Mon is represented by a coloured strip on the belt.
At each grade, judoka must demonstrate techniques, answer questions on judo knowledge, show an understanding of Japanese terminology and be able to explain the moral code.
As the grade advances so do the skills. Higher grades will be expected to show combinations and transitions. During randori, judoka will be expected to show a variety of gripping skills as they attack with different techniques. There is also a personal choice element at each grade.
What is the order of judo belts?
The British Judo Association follows this sequence of colored belts:
- Red
- Yellow
- Orange
- Green
- Blue
- Brown
- Black
- Red-and-white (for higher dan grades)
- Red (for highest dan grades)
This sequence applies to both junior and adult judoka, though the grading systems differ in structure.
Read more about the Koka Kids and British Judo partnership
For complete requirements get the Koka Kids British Mon Grade Syllabus available as a paperback series, the Koka Kids British Judo Kyu Grade Syllabus, or see the British Judo digital resources.
Techniques required at each level
Here’s an overview with some of the techniques required at each level.
1st – 3rd Mon (Red Belt)
Red Belt focuses on ukemi (breakfalls), basic throws, and fundamental groundwork and introduces the judoka to the moral code and Japanese terminology
Some of the techniques required at red belt are:
Practice Ushiro Ukemi (1st Mon) →
Get the book:
Red Belt Mon Grade Syllabus Book →
4th – 6th Mon (Yellow Belt)
Yellow Belt builds on those basics with additional new techniques and combinations. Focus is one developing gripping skills (kumi-kata), groundwork escapes, and basic contest rules.
Some of the techniques required at yellow belt are:
Holding with Kami-Shiho-Gatame (4th Mon) →
Turning your partner into Kesa-Gatame (5th Mon)→
Get the book:
Yellow Belt Mon Grade Syllabus Book →
7th – 9th Mon (Orange Belt)
Orange Belt introduces more advanced techniques with combinations and counters and builds on randori skills, judo knowledge and contest rules.
Some of the techniques required at orange belt are:
Kouchi-gari into Osoto-Gari (7th Mon) →
How to do a Double Arm Roll (9th Mon) →
Get the book:
Orange Belt Mon Grade Syllabus Book →
10th – 12th Mon (Green Belt)
Green Belt introduces judoka to armlocks (juji-gatame, ude-gatame) along with new techniques to learn, an advanced combinations and counters.
Some of the techniques required at green belt are:
Get the book:
Green Belt Mon Grade Syllabus Book →
13th – 15th Mon (Blue Belt)
Blue Belt introduces shime-waza (strangleholds) and sutemi-waza (sacrifice throws), with advanced randori and personal choice skills.
Some of the techniques required at blue belt are:
Koshi-Jime after a drop attack (15th Mon) →
Get the book:
Blue Belt Mon Grade Syllabus Book →
16th – 18th Mon (Brown Belt)
Brown Belt is the highest junior grade requiring exceptional technical proficiency. There is the opportunity to demonstrate kata sequences at 18th Mon.
Some of the techniques required at brown belt are:
Counter Koshi-Guruma with Ura-Nage (16th Mon) →
Sumi-Gaeshi from different grips (17th Mon)→
Get the book:
Brown Belt Mon Grade Syllabus Book →
Adult Judo Grades: The Kyu System Explained
At 16 years of age, judoka can transition to the adult Kyu Grade System. Requirements are very similar to the Mon Grade System however some techniques are introduced at different levels.
The Kyu system consists of six grades: 6th Kyu (red), 5th Kyu (yellow), 4th Kyu (orange), 3rd Kyu (green), 2nd Kyu (blue), 1st Kyu (brown).
Here is an overview of what to expect at each level and a link to the book that covers each grade.
6th Kyu (Red Belt)
6th Kyu establishes fundamental skills, judo moral code and terminology. Core techniques include osoto-otoshi and de-ashi-barai.
Get the book:
Red Belt Kyu Grade Syllabus Book →
5th Kyu (Yellow Belt)
5th Kyu builds on fundamental skills, with additional techniques. Introduction to gripping, and groundwork escapes and turnovers.
Get the book:
Yellow Belt Kyu Grade Syllabus Book →
4th Kyu (Orange Belt)
4th Kyu expands tachi-waza knowledge with combinations and counters. Knowledge of contest rules and judo moral code.
Get the book:
Orange Belt Kyu Grade Syllabus Book →
3rd Kyu (Green Belt)
3rd Kyu introduces judoka to armlocks with safety protocols. Development of personal technical repertoire
Get the book:
Green Belt Kyu Grade Syllabus Book →
2nd Kyu (Blue Belt)
2nd Kyu contains advanced techniques including strangleholds and sacrifice throws. Higher technical expectations during demonstrations
Get the book:
Blue Belt Kyu Grade Syllabus Book →
1st Kyu (Brown Belt)
1st Kyu is the highest kyu grade requiring exceptional proficiency. May include kata demonstrations as part of assessment.
Get the book:
Brown Belt Kyu Grade Syllabus Book →
Dan Grades: The Black Belt and Beyond
After achieving 18th Mon or 1st Kyu, judoka progress to the Dan grade system:
- 1st-5th Dan: Black Belt
- 6th-8th Dan: Red and White Belt
- 9th-10th Dan: Red Belt
Preparing for Your Judo Grading
Essential Preparation Checklist
Mental Preparation Tips
Resources to Help You Prepare
Official Study Materials
For comprehensive guidance on your judo journey:
These tools provide detailed information on techniques, terminology, and requirements for each grade, helping you prepare confidently for your next grading.
This guide was written by Nik Fairbrother, 8th Dan, to help judoka within the British Judo grading system.
