At each rank the student is required to take a rank testing to promote. This is to evaluate the student's progress, as well as to guide the instructors on what needs work. There are a few rules and formalities that go along with a belt evaluation.
All students who have a full uniform, must wear it to all belt testings. It does not matter if the student is not testing, a full uniform is still required. Beginning students do not need to wear a formal uniform if they do not have one, but a full uniform is required at 9th gup.
Friends and family are invited to spectate the belt evaluations. We do ask all spectators to remain quiet during the testing, and respect the space around the head table. All parents attending must be responsible for their children. All persons must stay within our designated area at all times.
There is a board breaking requirement at each level. This is mandatory for adults above the age of fifteen, and those below fifteen are encouraged to attempt breaking.
You must never turn your back on the head table. If you are dismissed by the instructor walk backwards to your spot.
Students and those responsible for students must allow enough time to pay the testing fee before the test begins. This fee helps the instructor cover materials used, as well as belts and certificates awarded.
At each rank there are set requirements for belt testing. The testing includes all of the student's training, as well as the new material. Typically the student will be required to learn one new form at each rank below black belt. The student is also responsible for all other material taught in class (one step, four angles technique, self defense, etc.). Outlined below is a set of guidelines to help the student know where they need to be in the class.
Keep in mind the time requirements for each belt level are simply a minimal time required. This does not mean the student will test. If the instructor feels the student is not ready to test for belt promotion, it is his choice, and is best for the student.
Students are also responsible for any additional material learned in class that is not outlined here.
| 9th Gup | 8th Gup |7th Gup | 6th Gup | 5th Gup | 4th Gup | 3rd Gup | 2nd Gup | 1st Gup |
Requirements for Promotion to 9th Gup, White Belt with Yellow Stripe
Minimum training time: 15 hours
Form : Chonji, 19 movements, meaning: heaven and earth
Stances : Ready, Front, Back, Horse
Stretch Kicks : Rising kick, crescent kick, hooking kick
Kicking Techniques : Front snap kick, front switch, turning kick, step side kick,
Combination : Front leg snap kick, double punch, back leg front snap
One Step Sparring : Basic: 3 hand techniques, 2 foot techniques, right hand attack
Self Defense : Cross hand grab, 3 techniques, double lapel grab, 2 techniques
3 Step Sparring
Knowledge : Definition of “Taekwondo": Art of hand and foot fighting
Breaking : Step side kick, 1 board
Requirements for Promotion to 8th Gup, Yellow Belt
Minimum time since last test: 15 hours
Form : Taegeuk 1, 20 movements, Symbol: KEON, meaning heaven and earth or
the creation of the earth
Stances : Walking stance, Fighting stance
Strikes & Blocks : knife hand - inward, outward, double
Combination Techniques : (a) Front snap kick, double punch, turning kick, (b) switch kick using turning kicks
Kicking Techniques : Front snap, turning, side kicks with front or back leg
One Step Sparring : Basic: 5 hand techniques, 5 foot techniques
Self Defense : Same side grab, 3 techniques
Knowledge : Tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Perseverance, Self Control, Integrity, Indomitable Spirit
3 Step Sparring
Breaking : Back leg side kick, 1 board
Requirements for Promotion to 7th Gup, Yellow Belt with Green Stripe
Minimum time since last test: 20 hours
Form : Taegeuk 2, 23 movements, Symbol: TAE, meaning still water, as in a lake
Kicking Techniques : Double turning kick, front leg hook kick, back kick
Combination Techniques : Turning kick, back kick
One Step Sparring : Basic: 5 hand techniques, 5 foot techniques against left hand attack
Arnis : Single Sinawali, Trapping Hands
Self Defense : Two hands grabbed from in front or behind
3 Step Sparring
Knowledge : Explanation of Tenets of Taekwondo
Breaking : Adult: 1 board front snap kick, 1 board knife hand Junior: 1 board back kick
Requirements for Promotion to 6th Gup, Green Belt
Form : Taegeuk 3, 34 movements, Symbol: RI, meaning fire, sun, or light
Kicking Techniques : reverse hooking kick, sliding side kick
Combination Techniques : sliding kick, jump side kick
One Step Sparring : Intermediate, 3 hand techniques, 2 foot techniques
ARNIS : Single Sinawali, empty hand, one vs. two
ABC’s of Self Defense : A, B
Self Defense : bear hug
Knowledge : First two Tenets of the Taekwondo – Arnis Academy:
(1) I am respectful to my parents, loyal to my country, and faithful to my friends.
(2) An active alert mind is my best self defense. Mental toughness combines elements of
courtesy, perseverance, self control, integrity, and indomitable spirit.
3 Step Sparring, Free sparring (limited)
Breaking : Adult: 2 boards turning kick, 2 boards palm heel strike
Junior: 1 board jump side kick, 1 board palm heel
Requirements for Promotion to 5th Gup, Green Belt Blue Stripe
Minimum Training Requirement: 30 hours
Form : Taegeuk 4, 29 movements, Symbol: JIN, meaning “Thunder”.
Kicking Techniques : Axe kick, jump back kick
Combinations : (a) Front hook kick, turning kick, (b) reverse hook, turning kick
Arnis : Double sinawali
ABC’s of self defense: C, D.
Self Defense : Technique: Two hand choke from front
One Step techniques : Intermediate, 5 hand, 5 foot against right hand attack
Free Sparring
Knowledge : TKD-Arnis Tenet #3: I believe in a personal right to self defense. If forced to defend myself or others, I will do so with courage and conviction.
Breaking : Adult: front switch kick 2 boards, axe kick 2 boards
Junior: jump back kick 1 board
Requirements for Promotion to 4th Gup, Blue Belt
Minimum time since last test: 35 hours
Form : Taegeuk 5, 32 movements, symbol: SEON, meaning “wind and wood”.
Kicking Technique : tornado kick
Combinations : Double punch, crescent kick, jump side kick
Four Angles Techniques : at least two
Self Defense : Technique: hair grab ABC’s of self defense: E.
One Step techniques : Intermediate, 5 hand, 5 foot against left hand attack
Chaining : first three movements
Arnis : Strikes 1 – 5 with cut/check/return
Basic Knife Defense
Free Sparring
Knowledge : TKD-Arnis Tenet #4: Fear and ignorance are my enemies; knowledge is the weapon to defeat them and my greatest victory will be over myself.
Breaking : running jump side kick, adult 2 boards, junior 1 board
Requirements for Promotion to 3rd Gup, Blue Belt Red Stripe
Minimum time since last test: 35 hours
Form : Taegeuk 6, 31 movements, symbol: GAM, meaning “flowing water”.
Kicking Technique : twisting kick
Combinations : (a) sliding side kick, jump back kick, (b) reverse hook, jump side kick
Four Angles Techniques : all four
Self defense : legal implications
One Step techniques : Advanced, 2 hand, 3 foot against right hand attack
Chaining : first four movements
Arnis : Sinawali: single, double, heaven six, high/low, reverse
Knife Defense : thrust, three techniques
Free Sparring
Knowledge : TKD-Arnis Tenet #5: In public or in private, in the light of day or the
dark of night, I will stand tall, act with honor, and speak the truth.
Breaking : Adult: 2 jump back kick, 2 hand technique
Junior: 2 back kick, 1 hand technique
Requirements for Promotion to 2nd Gup Recommended, Blue Belt Double Red Stripe
Minimum time since last test: 35 hours
Form : Taegeuk 7, 33 moves, Symbol: GAN, meaning mountains or hills
Combinations : Any
Four Angles Technique : All Four
Self defense : All Previous
One Step techniques : All Basic/Intermediate against left or right hand attack; Advanced, 2 hand, 3 foot against right hand attack
Chaining : All
Arnis : 1-5 Empty hand disarming
Knife Defense : Overhead attack
Free Sparring
Knowledge : All Previous
Breaking : Not Required
Requirements for Promotion to 2nd Gup, Red Belt
Minimum time since last test: 40 hours
Form : Hwa Rang, 29 moves, named after the Hwa Rang youth group, one of the
driving forces for the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea
Combinations : Any
Speed hitting
Four Angles Techniques : all four with multiple counterattack
Self defense : Any
One Step techniques: Basic/Intermediate against left or right hand attack
Advanced, 3 hand, 5 foot against right hand attack
Chaining : All
Arnis : umbrella, slanting, six count drill
Knife Defense : Any
Free Sparring
Knowledge : All previous
Breaking : Adult: 3 back kick, 2 hand technique, 1 speed technique
Junior: 2 back kick, 1 hand technique, 1 speed technique
Requirements for Promotion to 1st Gup, Red Belt/black stripe
Minimum time since last test: 40 hours
Form : Taegeuk 8, 38 moves, Symbol: GON, meaning earth
Combinations : Any
Speed hitting
Four Angles Techniques : all four with multiple counterattack
Self defense : Any
One Step techniques : Basic/Intermediate against left or right hand attack
Advanced, 5 hand, 5 foot against right hand attack
Chaining : All
Arnis : umbrella, slanting, six count drill
Knife Defense : Any
Free Sparring
Knowledge : All previous
Breaking : Adult: 3 jump side kick, 2 speed techniques
Junior: 2 jump side kick, 2 speed techniques
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