Gradings

The syllabus sets out the requirements that we expect from you in order to grade to the next belt level. Each level should test you in new ways. However, there is also a strong progressive nature to our syllabus, so that the elements you learn as a white belt will still serve you well as you attempt to go for your black belt. For instance, with step sparring we continue to practice the same techniques that you learn as yellow tag all the way up to your black belt grading, plus learning new ones along the way.

For the two initial levels 10th Gup (White belt) and 9th Gup (Yellow Stripe) we include the practice of ‘fundamentals’ - basic movements that will allow you become familiar with both techniques and stances that you will use throughout your Taekwon-Do journey.

All levels have patterns (Tuls) associated with them and these will be detailed after the syllabus section. A pattern is a series of moves both attacking and defending against an imaginary opponent. This allows us to practice our techniques at full power without any fear of injuring anyone. At 1st Gup (Black stripe) and above you will be expected to know all the patterns up to and including your grade level (i.e. for 9th Gup going for 1st Dan you will be asked to perform all nine of the colour belt patterns).

At every level above 10th Gup you will introduced to step sparring. These are pre-arranged attacks and defences performed with a partner. These exercises help you learn correct distance and angle for attack and defence, as well as working knowledge of the vital spots and the correct tools to target them with. Obviously self control is a must when performing step sparring since you have a ‘live target’. Used well and taken seriously step sparring will greatly enhance your applied knowledge. You will likely practice step sparring moves from across the syllabus in class, but you will only be tested on the ones relevant to your grade level.

At 8th Gup (Yellow Belt) we start to introduce self defence elements. When deciding the attacks to be defended against we consulted HAPV (Habitual Acts of Physical Violence) put together by Hanshi Patrick McCarthy which provides a list of the most common attacks used. We selected our self defence syllabus from these attacks. Hopefully you will never need to use any of your skills in this area, but having you prepared for the worst is a good start. As with step sparring, you will likely perform self defence movements above your grade, but will only be tested on those relevant to your grade.

At 7th Gup (Green stripe) we start to incorporate a power test - your ability to break a board with a given technique. Board breaking requires good skill in the technique being used, as well as mental focus, and of course, power. The sense of achievement that comes with a successful break is something that many find addictive. There is no greater test of your ability to actually use a Taekwon-Do technique than to able to witness its’ destructive power. We will select an appropriate board in terms of difficulty for you. Power breaking is additionally an event in competitions. The breaks you will perform in course of your colour belt syllabus are the ones you are will see at competitions.

At 6th Gip (Green belt) we introduce the last element to our syllabus, free sparring. Free sparring involves the practice of our techniques whilst we are wearing protective pads (head, hands and feet). The aim is simply to score points, whilst not having points scored against you.

In sparring the only valid targets are the head (front and sides NOT the back), and the trunk of the body from the shoulder to the belt, extending across the body to the line with the armpit vertically. No hits to the back, the neck or below the belt are permitted.

To be a legal attack the technique must be (i) correctly executed, (ii) dynamic, that is to say it is delivered with strength, purpose, speed and precision, and (iii) controlled in terms of contact to the target.

One point is awarded for any legal hand attack, two points for a foot attack to the mid-section, and three points for any foot attack to the high section.

At 2nd Gup (Red belt) we introduce a second style of free sparring which is grade sparring. In normal free sparring, the only aim is end up with the maximum amount of points. This can lead to a relatively limited range of techniques being used. In grading sparring, we really don’t care about the points scored at all. We are looking to see the range of techniques that you deploy, we want to see the breadth and depth of your knowledge of Taekwon-Do techniques on display, including your ability to use blocks.

As always if you have any questions on any aspect of your grading syllabus, please do speak to your instructors