BELT LEVEL REQUIREMENT SUMMARY

Belt Level Advancement Summary

Regular, Weekly attendance of a minimum of one "A" day class (Mon. /Tues.), and one "B" day class (Thurs. /Fri.). 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 Pre-test week of a scheduled Belt Level test.

Earning the Required number of classes pertaining to one's Belt level.

Yellow belt level test (9th Gup) will be conducted in class, along with all Stripe tests below the rank of Blue belt. Upon reaching Blue belt level (6th Gup), all Belt and Stripe advancement tests will be conducted on an official Belt promotional day, scheduled for Saturday afternoons, app. 5 times per year (see the yearly schedule of events).

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 Taekwondo academy.
Completion of three (3) Self-discipline sheets per year. These sheets list routine activities/chores performed by the student before being asked.
For Red belt level and above: Additional attendance of a minimum of one (1) Wednesday Advanced youth Olympic sparring class per month. This class is scheduled approximately twice per month (see calendar).

CANDIDATE STRIPES:

These are interim level stripes added, in class, to the Green-striped belt, Blue-striped belt, and Brown-striped level to better indicate where a student is in their advancement requirements. Candidate-striped students are re-evaluated twice per year in March and September.

Green Stripe (9th Gup/Advanced Yellow belt): A Green stripe is placed over the Advanced (black) stripe to indicate that a student has the required number of classes to advance to Green belt, as well as the ability to demonstrate both Yellow belt forms.

Blue Stripe (5th Gup/Advanced Blue belt): A red stripe is placed over the Advanced (black) stripe 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. At this point, a student is ready to review/re-learn all previous belt forms up to his/her Belt level (white belt forms, yellow belt forms, green, etc.) These 10 forms will be pre-tested on the Wednesday of the Pre-test week of the desired Belt test date. Also, pre-tested will be the ability to demonstrate a basic counter-attack with a partner in a sparring situation. It is generally agreed that if a student can make it to the advanced level of Red belt, then he/she has shown the ability to achieve the future Black belt rank.

Brown Stripe (1st Gup/Advanced Brown belt): A second, double width Black stripe is placed on the belt 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 14 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 at this Academy.

Blue and Brown Candidate-striped belt students will be offered additional, in-depth, belt specific classes for advancement.

FOR THE 1st DEGREE BLACK BELT LEVEL

(See "Belt level rank requirements" for complete listing):

Completion of a six-month probationary period upon testing, thereby demonstrating an understanding of the attitude, example, and motivation, expected of the Blackbelt 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 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 (set by Kukkiwon).

FOR STUDENTS AGE 18 YEARS AND UNDER:

Maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) in school, absent of failing any classes.

Due to the time needed to conduct these testings, all Black belt tests will be conducted at a dedicated Teen & Adult Belt Promotionals. These are can be scheduled 3 times per year in March, August, and November (see "Calendar/Schedule of Events").

It will take a diligent student approximately 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.

FOR STUDENTS AGE 13 AND OVER:

Required Viewing:

"Peaceful Warrior" 2007 (PG-13)

SUMMARY FOR THE 1ST GUP

(Requirements for 1st Dan/Poom Blackbelt Test):

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 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 the kick.

Side Kick: Pivot, Chambering knee and foot up across body before thrusting from the hip

into kick (keeping shoulder adjacent to the floor).

Round Kick: Bring knee straight up and chamber across, 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.

Students are required to have Olympic-style sparring competition experience (our In-house, School tournament being a minimum). Seniors must have officiating knowledge along with an understanding of the rules of competition.

Must also demonstrate Self-defense sparring capabilities (non-sport freestanding 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 age 12 & under) 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.

BLACK BELT QUALIFIERS:

Held twice yearly in April and August, these qualifiers are for technique evaluation and feedback, and to keep Black belts abreast of any new changes/additions in our curriculum and Kukkiwon standards. A minimum of two (2) are required for Black belt degree advancement.

Summary For the 1st Dan

(Requirements for 2nd Dan/Poom Black belt 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.

Must be currently assisting with three Belt Promotionals per year (see annual schedule of events).

Kicking Techniques:

All Basic Kicks must be performed with a higher degree of proficiency, as well as all Advanced Kicking techniques.

Forms/Poomse:

Must be able to perform all movements of the required Black belt forms/poomsae (Koryo and Bassai), as well as all required non-black belt forms with a higher level of proficiency.

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 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 experience with Olympic tournament sparring. Dan holders should have also had experience with Tournament officiating and coaching, as well as 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.

Weapons:

Should be able to develop and perform a basic movement pattern, or a combination of techniques with a weapon of choice.

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, www.napataekwondo.com/tkdhistory

Must also complete any part of written test not covered in Poom requirements (ie. Listing all Prohibited acts for Olympic Sparring competition).

Summary for the 2nd Dan

(For the 2nd Dan (Requirements for 3rd Dan 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.

Must be currently assisting with three Belt Promotionals per year (see annual schedule of events).

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 to improve the ability in teaching such techniques.

Forms/Poomsae:

Must be able to proficiently perform all movements of the required Black belt forms/poomsae (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 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.

Teaching

Must be able to teach/take-over a class with all age levels and required curriculum.

Required Reading:

"Living the Martial Way" by Forrest Morgan.

Martial Arts Resume:

An updated report showing a student's history of training in the martial arts, including Belt promotional dates, event participation (assisting, tournaments, training and certification seminars, etc.)

Personal Essay - Topics (Due one week before the Testing date):

Updated Short-term and Long-term goals in Taekwondo

Report

The current interpretation of the "justifiable use of force" provision as recognized by California State Law.

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