At each level a student learns a new Kata: a prescribed sequence of movements simulating combat with one or more imaginary opponents. As students advance in rank, they learn new Kata, and are also expected to perform their earlier Kata with more precision and better technique.
There are many more Kata than those listed here – these are the minimum required.
| From | To | Kata | |
| White | Yellow Stripe | Taikyoku Shodan | (No video) |
| Yellow Stripe | Yellow | Heian Shodan | |
| Yellow | Orange | Heian Nidan | |
| Orange | Green | Heian Sandan | |
| Green | Purple | Heian Yondan | |
| Purple | Purple (2) | Heian Godan | |
| Purple (2) | Brown | Tekki Shodan | |
| Brown and Beyond | Bassai Dai | ||
| Kanku Dai | |||
| Enpi | |||
| Jion | |||