Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Train consistently for 3+ months
3 months
Commit to regular training in your chosen martial art — a minimum of 3 sessions per week for at least 3 months. This builds the muscle memory, conditioning, and technique foundation required to pass a yellow belt grading in any discipline. Most styles require this minimum before being eligible to grade.
Proof required
Submit: attendance record from your dojo or gym showing 36+ classes over the past 3 months, signed or stamped by the instructor.
What gets checked
- Attendance record shows ≥36 sessions over 3 months — 3 sessions/week average
- Record is signed, stamped, or confirmed by the instructor — not a self-reported log
- Attendance is from a single recognised school or club, not scattered drop-in sessions
Common mistakes
- Training irregularly: one session one week, six the next — consistent low-intensity repetition outperforms sporadic high-volume training for martial arts technique retention
- Cross-training in multiple styles before grading: trying to split time across two or three martial arts dilutes the technique depth required for any single grading
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Does the attendance record show 36+ sessions over 3 months from a recognised school?
- Is it signed or stamped by the instructor — not a self-reported spreadsheet?
- Is the school affiliated with a governing body for the claimed martial art?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Learn and practise the full grading curriculum
Concurrent with M1 training — finalised in final 4 weeks before grading
Master the complete yellow belt curriculum for your specific martial art — techniques, kata, terminology, and any theory elements the grading board assesses. Film yourself performing each required element to identify technique gaps before the grading.
Proof required
Submit: instructor's signed pre-grading checklist or your video demonstrating the required curriculum elements — specific to your martial art's yellow belt syllabus.
What gets checked
- Checklist or video covers the complete published curriculum for yellow belt in the specific style — not a partial list
- Instructor has reviewed and signed off readiness to grade
- Video shows all required techniques performed to a standard the instructor confirms is sufficient
Common mistakes
- Practising only favourite techniques: many students over-train their natural strengths and avoid weak areas — the grading tests the full curriculum, not selected elements
- Memorising kata without understanding: performing the sequence correctly but without grasp of the technique's purpose leads to robotic performance that most gradings distinguish
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Does the checklist or video cover the complete published yellow belt curriculum for the specific style?
- Has the instructor signed off on readiness to grade?
- Are all required techniques visible or documented — not just the ones the student prefers?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Pass the yellow belt grading
1 day
Attend and pass the formal yellow belt grading in your martial art. The promotion certificate or belt presentation is the definitive proof. Gradings in most martial arts are conducted by a panel including at least the head instructor and often an examiner from the governing body.
Proof required
Submit: belt promotion certificate or photo at the promotion ceremony with the instructor present, confirming yellow belt rank and date.
What gets checked
- Certificate names you, the belt rank, the style, and is dated
- Instructor or examiner is from a school affiliated with a recognised governing body
- If a photo only: instructor is clearly present and the context is a recognisable grading or promotion
Common mistakes
- Attempting the grading before the instructor confirms readiness: most styles do not allow self-nomination — confirm your instructor has put you forward
- Missing the grading date: gradings in many styles occur only a few times per year — confirm dates well in advance and book early
Resources
Foundationstart here
What a verifier looks for
- Does the certificate or promotion photo confirm yellow belt rank with a date?
- Is the instructor or examiner from a governing-body affiliated school?
- Are you named specifically — not a group photo without individual naming?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
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