Grading
Belt ranks and requirements in Tang Soo Do
About Grading
Grading is an integral part of Tang Soo Do. It shows the Head Instructor your training progress not only in the techniques performed, but also your understanding of terminology and Tang Soo Do philosophy.
Your instructor will recommend you for grading to the Federation and, if you have successfully demonstrated your abilities, you will be invited to grading. By acting this way, the instructor shows that you are ready for grading both technically, physically, and spiritually.
Exam Structure
Each grading exam will consist of two parts:
1. Physical ability demonstration
Technique execution, forms, sparring, breaking
2. General knowledge test
Tang Soo Do terminology, history, philosophy
Requirements for successful completion:
For Gup grading: 60% |
For Dan grading: 70%
Information for unsuccessful candidates:
Unsuccessful candidates will be warned immediately and the reasons for failure will be explained. This will allow candidates to focus on the weakest points and give them the opportunity to improve their abilities by retaking the exam. Candidates who do not successfully pass the grading exam will be advised to refrain from retaking the exam until deficiencies in their performance are corrected.
Requirements for Grading
1.
Must be a student of an officially recognized and certified instructor in the International Tang Soo (Soo Bahk) Do Federation Moo Duk Kwan (ITSDF)
2.
Must be a registered member of a national organization recognized by ITSDF
3.
Must be a candidate approved by an ITSDF instructor who meets the exam requirements
4.
Must be at least six years old on the day of the exam
5.
Must attend the minimum required number of classes at an ITSDF recognized martial arts club
6.
Must appear for the exam in an ITSDF approved type uniform (Do Balk) that is clean and pressed
7.
Must be familiar with the etiquette norms and discipline applied when training in Tang Soo Do
8.
Must know the Korean language terminology used to describe the techniques applied in the exam
10. Gup - White Belt
No exam required for white belt - beginner level
9. Gup - Yellow Tag
Knowledge Requirements
• Why they learn techniques in a specific way and not otherwise. This includes general questions such as the use of the shout (Ki Hap), focusing the gaze and proper technique execution.
• What is the name of the martial art you are learning? What is the name of the Federation of which you are a member?
Hand Techniques
- • Low block (Ha Dan Mahk Kee)
- • High block (Sang Dan Mahk Kee)
- • Middle punch (Joong Dan Kong Kyuk)
- • High punch (Sang Dan Kong Kyuk)
Leg Techniques
- • Front stretching kick (Ap Cha Kee)
Stances
- • Ready stance (Joon Bee Jase)
- • Front basic stance (Chon Gool Jase)
Forms
- • Kee Cho Hyung Il Bu
- • Kee Cho Hyung Ee Bu
8. Gup - Yellow Belt
Knowledge Requirements
- • What is the name of the Tang Soo Do Grandmaster?
- • What is the name of your instructor?
- • What is the training hall called in Korean?
- • How do you address a senior member in Korean?
- • What is the uniform called in Korean?
Hand Techniques
- • Middle block from inside to outside (Ahn Ye Seo Bahk Euro Mahk Kee)
- • Side punch (Hoeng Jin Kong Kyuk)
Leg Techniques
- • Front thrust kick (Ap Podo Cha Kee)
Stances
- • Horse stance (Kee Mahk Jase)
- • Back stance (Hu Gul Jase)
Forms
- • Kee Cho Hyung Ee Bu
- • Kee Cho Hyung Sam Bu
Breaking
- • Ap Podo Cha Kee
7. Gup - Orange Tag
Knowledge Requirements
- • How to say 'belt', 'flag' and your current belt level in Korean?
Hand Techniques
- • Low double open hand block (Sang Soo Soo Do Ha Dan Mahk Kee)
- • Middle double open hand block (Sang Soo Soo Do Joong Dan Mahk Kee)
Leg Techniques
- • Side kick (Yup Cha Kee)
- • Side thrust kick (Yup Podo Cha Kee)
Forms
- • Kee Cho Hyung Sam Bu
- • Pyung Ahn Cho Dan
Sparring
- • Sam Soo Sik Dae Ryun - 5
Breaking
- • Yup Podo Cha Kee
6. Gup - Orange Belt
Knowledge Requirements
- • Why do students bow when entering the training hall and to the flag?
- • Count to 10 in Korean
Hand Techniques
- • Double fist middle block (Sang Soo Joong Dan Mahk Kee)
- • Middle block from outside to inside (Bahk Ye Seo Ahn Euro Mahk Kee)
- • Spear hand strike (Kwan Soo Kong Kyuk)
Leg Techniques
- • Roundhouse kick (Dull Ryo Cha Kee)
Forms
- • Pyung Ahn Cho Dan
- • Pyung Ahn Ee Dan
Sparring
- • Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun - 10
- • 1:1 - 1 min
Breaking
- • Dull Ryo Cha Kee
5. Gup - Green Tag
Knowledge Requirements
- • Know the answer to simple questions such as: "What is the meaning of meditation (Muk Nyum)?"
Hand Techniques
- • Backfist strike (Kap Kwon Kong Kyuk)
- • Elbow strike (Pal Koop Kong Kyuk)
- • Various hand combinations
Leg Techniques
- • Circular blocking kick from outside to inside (Bahk Ye Seo Ahn Euro Ma-Go Cha Kee)
- • Circular kick from inside to outside (Ahn Ye Seo Bahk Euro Cha Kee)
- • Pushing kick to the side (Bahl Yup Chit Bal Kee)
Forms
- • Pyung Ahn Ee Dan
- • Pyung Ahn Sam Dan
Sparring
- • Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun - 12
- • 1:1 - 1 min
Breaking
- • Ahn Ye Seo Bahk Euro Cha Kee
4. Gup - Green Belt
Knowledge Requirements
- • Five Tang Soo Do fundamental principles
- • The importance of balance, speed, power, mental attitude and concentration
Hand Techniques
- • Reverse low section open hand block (Ha Dan Yuk Soo Do Mahk Kee)
- • Various hand combinations
Leg Techniques
- • Circular kick from outside to inside (Bahk Ye Seo Ahn Euro Cha Kee)
- • Front pushing kick (Ap Mee Ro Cha Kee)
Forms
- • Pyung Ahn Sam Dan
- • Chil Sung Il Ro
Sparring
- • Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun - 14
- • 1:1 - 2 min
Breaking
- • Bahk Ye Seo Ahn Euro Cha Kee
3. Gup - Blue Tag
Knowledge Requirements
- • All questions from previous exams
Hand Techniques
- • Double fist crossed lower block (Sang Soo Ha Dan Mahk Kee)
- • High section open hand block (Soo Do Sang Dan Mahk Kee)
- • Spear hand strike (Kwan Soo Kong Kyuk)
Leg Techniques
- • Knee kick (Moo Roop Cha Kee)
- • Back kick (Dwee Cha Kee)
- • Front thrust kick in jump (E Dan Ap Podo Cha Kee)
Forms
- • Chil Sung Il Ro
- • Pyung Ahn Sa Dan
Sparring
- • Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun - 17
- • 1:1 - 2 min
Breaking
- • Dwee Cha Kee or
- • E Dan Ap Podo Cha Kee
2. Gup - Blue Belt
Knowledge Requirements
- • Detailed understanding of learned techniques
- • Application of muscle tension and relaxation
- • Application of hip movement power
- • Importance of breathing control and flowing movement techniques
Hand Techniques
- • Double fist crossed upper block (Sang Soo Sang Dan Mahk Kee)
- • Reverse punch (Yuk Jin Kong Kyuk)
Leg Techniques
- • Spinning back kick (Dwee Dull Ryo Cha Kee)
- • Side kick in jump (E Dan Yup Cha Kee)
Forms
- • Pyung Ahn Sa Dan
- • Pyung Ahn Oh Dan
Sparring
- • Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun - 21
- • 1:1 - 3 min
Breaking
- • Dwee Dull Ryo Cha Kee or
- • E Dan Yup Cha Kee
1. Gup - Red Belt
Knowledge Requirements
- • How to ensure safe training conditions for yourself and other Tang Soo Do students
Hand Techniques
- • Any technique from previous exams
Leg Techniques
- • Spinning back hooking kick (Dwee Dull Ryo Chit-Go Cha Kee)
- • Spinning knee kick (Moo Roop Dull Ryo Cha Kee)
- • Spinning kick in jump (E Dan Dull Ryo Cha Kee)
Forms
- • Pyung Ahn Oh Dan
- • Ba Sa Hee
Sparring
- • Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun - 25
- • 1:1 - 3 min
Breaking
- • Soo Do Kong Kyuk (brick)
1. Dan - Midnight Blue Belt ("Black Belt")
Knowledge Requirements
- • Tang Soo Do history and philosophy
- • The main requirement for this exam is successfully passing a written exam that encompasses all aspects of Tang Soo Do training
Hand Techniques
- • Any technique from previous exams
Leg Techniques
- • Any technique from previous exams
- • Circular kick from outside to inside in jump (E Dan Bahk Ye Seo Ahn Euro Cha Kee)
- • Circular kick from inside to outside in jump (E Dan Ahn Ye Seo Bahk Euro Cha Kee)
Forms
- • Ba Sa Hee
- • Chil Sung Ee Ro
- • Chil Sung Sam Ro
Sparring
- • Il Soo Sik Dae Ryun - 30
- • 1:1 - 3 min
- • 2:1 - 3 min
Breaking
- • Soo Do Kong Kyuk (2 bricks)
- • Han Kyool Ja (1/2 brick breaking)