BELT LEVEL REQUIREMENT SUMMARY
Regular, Weekly attendance of a minimum of one "A" day class (before Wednesday), and one "B" day class (After Wednesday). The required curriculum is split accordingly.
Demonstrating an understanding of a good example in one's best effort in class and a serious attitude towards training.
Demonstrating a proficiency in all required material pertaining to one's Belt level during the week prior to the scheduled Belt test week.
Earning the Required number of classes pertaining to one's Belt level.
All Belt and Stripe tests will be held in class, with the material split throughout the week during the regularly held schedule.
FOR STUDENTS AGE 12 AND UNDER:
The signing of a Belt test candidate sheet by a student's parent/caregiver, as well as one's school teacher, attesting to a student's best effort and conduct outside of the Training hall.
CANDIDATE BELTS:
These are interim level belt presented in class to the Blue stripe and Brown stripe level to better indicate where a student is in their advancement requirements.
Red Belt Candidate: A Blue belt, with a horizontal red stripe down the length to indicate that a student has the required number of classes to advance to Red belt, as well as the ability to demonstrate both Blue belt forms with strong stances and technique. At this point, a student is ready to review/re-learn the previous belt forms up to his/her Belt level (yellow belt forms through Adv. Blue) Also pre-tested will be the ability to demonstrate a basic counter-attack with a partner in a sparring situation. It is generally understood that if student can make it to the advanced level of Red belt, then he/she has shown the serious attitude and ability to achieve the future Black belt rank.
Black Belt Candidate: A Brown belt, with a horizontal black stripe down the length to indicate that a student has earned the required number of classes to advance to Black belt, as well as the demonstration of all forms up to that level, for a total of 10 forms (poomsae). It is at this point that a student will begin the final phase of his/her preparation, including all that is both physically and mentally expected of a Black belt in this Program.
Colored Pre-test stripes will be given for the required forms for advancement (ie. Yellow stripe for Yellow-belted forms). While not Rank stripes, they are a method for achieving good technique habits, assisting with setting and achieving goals, and for a more tangable indication of where a student is with regard to a student's Forms requirements for advancement.
FOR THE 1st DEGREE BLACK BELT LEVEL
Completion of a six-month probationary period upon testing, thereby demonstrating an understanding of the attitude, example, and motivation, expected of the Black belt rank. This in-class training as a Black belt is a pre-requisite to official 1st degree Ranking and certification. Any and all classes earned up to this point will be credited toward the 2nd degree Black belt level requirement.
If a student fails to complete the six-month probationary requirement within a year of belt testing, he/she will be required to re-test in order to receive official Ranking and certification.
Black belt test fee, which includes embroidered uniform and belt, certificates, frames and test materials. There are no Belt test fees below the rank of black belt. Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) international registration and certification will be offered in-house with no additional requirements, but with a separate fee (fee set by the Kukkiwon).
FOR STUDENTS AGE 18 AND UNDER:
Maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) in school, absent of failing any classes.
It will take a diligent student a minimum of 3 1\2 to 4 years to attain Black belt rank. Students under 15 years old reaching the "degree" level receive "Poom" (junior or children's degree). This is noted by a belt which is half red and half black. Upon reaching the age of 15, a ceremonial presentation will be held to award the Sr. Degree "Dan" rank (solid black belt), with no additional requirements.
As with colored belt testing's, Black Belt tests will be conducted over 2 classes during the regularly held schedule.
SUMMARY FOR THE 1ST GUP
(REQUIREMENTS FOR 1ST DAN/POOM TEST)
Black Belt represents the next major step in your Taekwondo journey. It is the beginning of to understand the depth of Taekwondo. Combining yellow, green, purple, blue, red, and brown produces black. Black represents the combined knowledge of the lower levels in Taekwondo training. The journey in Taekwondo is never ending. The black belt phase must be approached as a new beginning. One should start again with a new beginning as Taekwondo is a never ending journey.
Must be a minimum of 10 years of age, and attended a minimum of 90 classes per year, with four years minimum time-in-grade from the beginning White belt rank, as well as be training on a regular basis.
Kicking Techniques:
Must demonstrate a high proficiency in all Basic kicks, as well as perform all the required Advanced kicking techniques.
Front Kick: Chamber knee straight up high before thrusting into kick.
Side Kick: Pivot, Chambering knee and foot up across body before thrusting from the hip
into kick.
Round Kick: Bring knee straight up and chamber across, pointing knee at target, pivoting as you pull foot past
the target.
Forms/Poomse:
Must be able to proficiently perform all movements of the 14 required traditional forms a minimum of one month before the eligible testing date, including the demonstration of proper stance and advanced technique.
Self Defense Grappling:
Must be able to demonstrate the Self-defense Form, as well as proficiently perform the techniques with partners.
Sparring:
Must be able to demonstrate a proficiency in offensive Olympic style sparring combinations. Must also be able to demonstrate basic as well as advanced counter-attack defensive techniques with proper footwork, while maintaining a balanced sparring stance.
Although not required, students are highly recommended to have sparring experience in at least one large regional, Olympic style Taekwondo tournament. Seniors must also have officiating knowledge along with an understanding of the rules of competition.
Must also demonstrate Self-defense sparring capabilities (as opposed to Olympic-sport sparring), as well as basic Ground escape techniques.
Breaking:
Will have the option of breaking 1 or more boards using hands and/or feet. Bricks will not be allowed for those under the age of 16.
Required Reading:
"The Peaceful Way" (Juniors) by Claudio Ledwab and Roxanne Standefer.
"The Kuk Ki Won's Tae Kwon Do" by Dr. Daeshik Kim
Personal Essay - Topics (Due one week before the Testing date):
What Tae Kwon Do means to me.
What a Black belt means to me.
What I have learned in Tae Kwon Do.
Must be a minimum of three typed pages in length (six handwritten), and is due one week before the eligible Test date.
Written Examination:
Will be given one week before the eligible Test date covering Taekwondo history, etiquette, philosophy, and Korean terminology. Questions will be taken from in-class discussions, the curriculum handbook, and the Kukkiwon textbook.
SUMMARY FOR THE 1st DEGREE BLACK BELT
(REQUIREMENTS FOR 2nd DAN/POOM TEST)
Must have attended a minimum of 90 classes per year, and three years minimum time in grade from the last Belt Promotion, and be training on a regular basis.
Kicking Techniques:
All Basic Kicks must be performed with a high degree of proficiency, as well as all Advanced Kicking techniques.
Forms/Poomse:
Must be able to proficiently perform all movements of the required Black belt forms/poomse (Koryo and Bassai), as well as all required non-black belt forms.
Self Defense Grappling:
Should be able to perform the Self-defense Form, with or without partners. Should also be able to demonstrate their own versions of Self-defense techniques with multiple partners.
Sparring:
Must be able to demonstrate a proficiency in both offensive and defensive sparring combinations and counter attacks, basic as well as advanced. Will be assessed on technique, timing, recognizing position, and the ability to control distance.
Should have knowledge of the rules of Olympic Sparring competition.
Must also demonstrate a proficiency in Self-defense sparring capabilities (non-sport freestanding sparring), as well as basic Ground fighting techniques.
Breaking:
Will have the option of breaking 1 or more boards using hands and/or feet. Bricks will be allowed for those over the age of 15.
Martial Arts Resume:
A report showing a student's history of training in the martial arts, including Belt promotional dates, assistant teaching hours, event participation (assisting, tournaments, training and certification seminars, etc.)
Personal Essay - Topics (Due one week before the Testing date):
Short-term and Long-term goals in Taekwondo
Report (Due one week before the Testing Date):
Must provide a report on the general History of Taekwondo. Must be a minimum of 5 pages in length. Should include the Origins of Taekwondo, the Three Kingdoms Period and Korean Dynasties, the Laws of Taekwondo and the Muye Dobo Tongji, covering through the 20th century and present day. Suggested additional resources: Kukkiwon Textbook.
SUMMARY FOR THE 2nd DEGREE BLACK BELT
(REQUIREMENTS FOR 3rd DAN/POOM TEST)
Must have attended a minimum of 90 classes per year, and three years minimum time in grade from the last Belt Promotion, and be training on a regular basis.
Kicking Techniques:
All Basic Kicks must be performed with a high degree of proficiency, as well as all Advanced Kicking techniques. Must know the progression of techniques, from basic to advanced, in order improve the ability in teaching such techniques.
Forms/Poomse:
Must be able to proficiently perform all movements of the required Black belt forms/poomse (Koryo, Bassai, Keumgang), as well as all non-black belt forms, including all eight Taegeuk forms.
Self Defense Grappling:
Should be able to perform the Self-defense Form, with or without partners. Should also be able to demonstrate their own versions of Self-defense techniques with multiple partners.
Sparring:
Must be able to demonstrate a proficiency in both offensive and defensive sparring combinations and counter attacks, basic as well as advanced. Will be assessed on technique, timing, recognizing position, and the ability to control distance.
Should have knowledge of the rules of Olympic Sparring competition.
Must also demonstrate a proficiency in Self-defense sparring capabilities (non-sport freestanding sparring), as well as basic Ground fighting/sparring techniques.
Breaking:
Will have the option of breaking 1 or more boards using hands and/or feet. Bricks will be allowed for those over the age of 15.
Weapons:
Should be able to develop and perform a basic movement pattern and techniques with a weapon of choice.
Required Reading:
"Living the Martial Way" by Forrest Morgan.
Martial Arts Resume:
A report showing a student's history of training in the martial arts, including Belt promotional dates, and event participation (assisting, tournaments, training and certification seminars, etc.) Templets are available.
Personal Essay - Topics (Due one week before the Testing date):
Short-term and Long-term goals in Taekwondo
The Martial Way and it's personal meaning with regards to your life.
Report (Due one week before the Testing Date):
Must provide a report on the general History of Taekwondo. Must be a minimum of 5 pages in length. Should include the Origins of Taekwondo, the Three Kingdoms Period and Korean Dynasties, the Laws of Taekwondo and the Muye Dobo Tongji, covering through the 20th century and present day. Suggested additional resources: Kukkiwon Textbook.
