The coloured belt ranking system provides a visible indication of the students progress. As students pass through the ranks taking grading assessments they are awarded with different coloured belts. The following coloured belts and associated kyu (rank) are used by Lion Bushido. Once a student has achieved black belt ranking, they progress from 1st Dan to 10th Dan.

10th Kyu - White Belt

9th Kyu - Yellow Belt

8th Kyu - Blue Belt

7th Kyu - Orange Belt

6th Kyu - Green Belt

5th Kyu - Purple Belt

4th Kyu - Red Belt with a white stripe

3rd Kyu - Red Belt

2nd Kyu - Brown Belt with a white stripe

1st Kyu - Brown Belt

Shodan Ho (probationary Black Belt) - Black Belt with a white stripe

Shodan (1st Dan) - Black Belt with one red bar

Nidan (2nd Dan) - Black Belt with two red bars

• Always try to mix partners. This gives you more experience against people of different sizes, lengths and techniques. No one individual is the same as the next.
• Always push each other and offer feedback. This includes areas of improvement but also areas where they are excelling.
• When training by yourself, whether it is outside the dojo or within, picture your mirror image. This will help you target the correct area. This means when doing a block, picture someone exactly your size kicking you. When striking, picture yourself in front and strike the intended target.
• Parents should try and get involved. From simply asking on their child's progress to becoming a member and training themselves. We have lots of parents who join their children in training.
• Take your time when first learning a technique. Understand the fundamentals of the move before going for speed and power. Make sure you feel confident and comfortable with the technique before taking it further.
• When doing a kata, take your time. Concentrate on the present technique rather than the next technique. Thinking about what needs to be done next can rush the kata and technique and form will be lost. Kata is meant to be performed slowly to exhibit control and a proficient technique.
• Always practice your stances. Such a simple thing can form an integral part of your karate. All things stem from a strong balanced stance. It is good habit to regularly check your stance when doing drills and practicing techniques. This should be done all the time when first beginning, and should be done regularly at higher levels.
• Students should never be complacent. Knowing a technique is not good enough, being able to perform the technique proficiently is.
• More tips and advice can be found in the members area.