1st kyu

Brown belt is the point where students are able to defend themselves competently and with style against anything (and anyone) up to two armed attackers. They can and are expected to run their own clubs. Once they've taken their club through a grading, they're able to wear hakama.

A brown belt must run a club for two years before being able to grade to black belt – and then only if their supervising black belt says they're ready. Details of the black belt syllabus are secret.

Other requirements for brown

• Ukemi: assisted 'cut-away' from circle throw
• Throws: shoulder wheel, major outer wheel, knee wheel, corner throw, propping drawing ankle, sweeping, lifting, drawing ankle, backwards spoon throw
• Weapon defences: Defences against a knuckleduster, chair, short and long dull-edged sword, any non-sharp weapon and two armed attackers with non-sharp weapons; single stalking defences against sharp weapons
• Nage no kata: Nage no kata as taught at the phase 1 nage no kata course; full knowledge of judo competition rules
• Groundwork: Use of the guard; getting behind, use of ‘hooks’ and shime waza; countering the ‘turtle’; demonstration of understanding of grappling concepts via kata and smooth movement
• Defence against a kick-boxing style attack and boxer
• Defence at close quarters
• Full knowledge of 'Judo' competition rules
• Students must have completed the club instructor and first aid courses