Rank Requirements

[Charlie Kondek]

Can anyone tell me why requirements for judo rank are not standardized around the world or even in the U.S.? Or am I misreading the situation (the official USJA site says there is a handbook but that grading varies from club to club.)

Are the gokyu no waza divided into five sets as a grading curriculum?

What has been your experience on the requirements for each rank? The USJA site said a shodan should know the gokyu and be proficient in newaza and kata?

I'm just curious, getting back into judo with a great club and wondering what the future will be like. Obviously, I am more concerned with what my instructor wants from me immediately, but I'm just curious as to what others' experience has been. Thanks in advance!