Mike Liptrot

The Grading System
Judo like other martial arts has a grading system
This system differs from country to country, organisation to organisation
The base of it being a like a badge award system , showing progression of skill and fighting ability. The different coloured belts showing your improvement.

i.e. The British Judo Association ( for Adults )

Kyu Grade  ( Student grade)
Yellow belt — 9th Kyu
Orange belt –8th & 7th Kyu
Green belt — 6th & 5th Kyu
Blue belt — 4th & 3rd Kyu
Brown belt — 2nd & 1st Kyu

Dan Grade ( Master grade)
Black belt — 1st to 5th Dan ( these grades are to be fought and competed for)
Red and White belt — 6th to 9th Dan ( given once you have attend 5th Dan for services to the sport of judo)
Red belt — 10th to 12 Dan ( given after 9th Dan again for services to judo )

Maybe the most important aspect of the grading system is to keep your students interested in the sport
Sadly some judo players see it as there only goal and I have seen many judokas give up the sport when they have achieved a certain grade usually first Dan.
Maybe they have achieved their goal but the sport of judo has so much more to offer than just this.