10th Kup to 9th Kup (White belt-low to White belt –high Yellow Stripe)
Testing Syllabus/Colored Belt Requirements
Kido Kwan Martial Art International™
SECTION 1 – REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE
1a. The meaning of white belt (hin-tti): The white belt signifies the innocence of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
1b. Tying your belt (tti): Find the center of the belt holding it in one hand and making the two sides even. After finding the center, place it over your belly button, then take the left half of the belt and wrap it all the way around your waist. Now wrap the right side of your belt all the way around you, this is placed over the portion of the belt you wrapped already, make sure both ends of the belt are the same length. Feed the end of the belt you just finished wrapping (right) around you up and underneath the two wrap, pull the belt snug and make sure the two ends are again the same length. Make a loose loop with the end of the belt which you just wrapped around you and feed the opposite end of the belt through the loop and pull tight. Both ends of the belt should be even. The finished knot should be square knot with both ends of the belt even.
1c. Counting 1-10 in Korean:
1 = Hana / 하나
2 = dul / 둘 (dhool)
3 = set / 셋 (seht)
4 = net / 넷 (neht)
5 = ta-sat / 다섯 (DA-suht)
6 = yah-sot / 여섯 (YUH-soht)
7 = e-gup / 일곱 (EEL-gohp)
8 = ya-dail / 일곱 (YUH-dohl)
9 = ah-hop / 아홉 (AH-hop)
10 = yeol / 열 (yul)
1d. Uniform Care & folding: Your uniform needs washing after each training session. A warm or cold wash is fine. We know it’s a pain but you do need to iron your doboks, it should not have any creases, however if hang your uniform right after a light dry it should be fine as well. It is not good to arrive at class in a creased uniform.
Iron the trouser legs flat. So the creases are at the side of the leg. And not at the front. Iron the top like a T-shirt with the creases running down the outside of the sleeves.
Have a good look at any lettering on your dobok top. If it’s embroidered it’s fine to iron over. But if it’s a plastic transfer type logo. You’ll need to turn your dobok top inside out and iron it on the reverse. Oh and just a reminder. Never, ever wash your belt!
1e. Bowing: Bowing in any martial art is a sign of respect and should be a sincere slow bow. It is disrespectful to bow incorrectly than to not bow at all as this is a sign that you do not understand the reason behind the gesture.
Some martial arts may differ but in Taekwon-Do you must always be in attention position when you bow. So make sure you have no gaps between your feet and your hands are placed smartly at the sides of your body DO NOT SLAP YOUR HANDS ON YOUR THIGHS.
From your waist bend 45 degrees and lower your eyes to the floor. Hold the position for a second before coming back to your original standing position.
Things to remember when bowing:
Bow from attention position with your feet touching.
Looking at your instructor or partner (in Taekwondo) shows mistrust, so ensure you always lower your eyes.
Bow 45 degrees from your waist slowly.
Never bow while you are moving. Always stop and stand in attention position.
It is important that you also know and understand the correct time to bow. Sometimes you see students bowing all the time without understanding what they are doing. Bowing constantly makes bowing meaningless. It is often just seen as something you have to do and go through the motions of before and after a lesson.
When you bow to someone you are making a public gesture that you respect them as a person in the martial arts and what they stand for. That is why every time you bow it should mean something both to you and the other person. Half hearted bows or a simple nod of the head don’t symbolically mean anything it is a lack of etiquette if anything.
Bowing, especially for adults, is also a very humbling experience. To acknowledge that someone else, irrespective of age, has more experience and knowledge than you can sometimes be quite difficult to grasp. Also bowing when you enter and leave the Dojang is not for anyone else but you. This simple action reminds you that you are there to listen to the advice of the instructor and approach learning with an empty cup.
Ask yourself this question:
Would you bow as you entered or left the Dojang if you were the only one there?
Always remember that a bow is a physical gesture of your inner self. If you do not respect someone for a valid reason do not bow. A false bow or incorrect bow in worse than no bow at all and it is important that every time you bow it is genuine and means something to you. Bear in mind that you do not have to like a person to respect them in the martial arts. To like someone is only an added bonus.
When to bow:
When greeting your instructor, whether inside the Dojang or not.
When wanting advice or help from your instructor or a higher grade.
When entering and leaving the Dojang.
When your instructor has given you advice whether individually or as a class.
Before and after working with a training partner.
SECTION 2 – Hoshin Sul (Self Defense) 1-6 is required
A = Attacker & D = Defender
You should practice with both sides!
1. Il-Sul
1 A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping to the right in a sitting stance, and execute a right mid-section punch.
2. E-Sul
2 A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch) and a right flat fingertip strike to the throat.
3. Sam-Sul
3. A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), execute a right reverse knife and strike to the jaw.
4. Sa-Sul
4. A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right high-section punch.
5. Oh-Sul
5. A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right downward strike.
6. Yuk-Sul
6 A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right straight fingertip to the right arm pit fold.
7. Chil-Sul
7. A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right upper-back elbow strike to the solar plexus.
8. Phal-Sul
8. A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right palm strike to the chin.
9. Koo-Sul
9A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right bow wrist strike to the jaw.
10. Ship-Sul
10. A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right downward strike to the top of the head.
11. Ship Il-Sul
10. A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right bow wrist strike to the pubic area.
12. Ship E-Sul
10. A. Executes a right hand face punch, in a front walking stance, stepping forward. D. Stepping back into a right front walking stance, while executing a left knife hand side block (blocking the punch), and execute a right bow thumb knuckle fist to left side of the neck.
SECTION 3 – New Kicks
Front Rising Kick
Front Snap Kick
Side Kick
Turning Kick
SECTION 4 – New Stances
Charyot sogi – Attention stance
Narani sogi – Parallel stance
Annun sogi – Sitting Stance
Gunnon sogi – Walking stance
SECTION 5 – Patterns/Exercises
SECTION 6 – Step Sparring
Three-step sparring is taught to all new students (10th Gups) in Taekwon-Do. This step sparring format is used to introduce the student to distance, stances, intermediate hand positioning, understanding of vital points, angles of attack and timing used in Step Sparring formats. It is essential for a student to understand these criteria before moving onto other Sparring Formats.
Fundamentals of Basic Three-Steps
Beginning 3-Step Sparring is performed alone, without a partner.
The student will perform the attacking format and the blocking format.
Emphasis should be on Technique
Don’t Rush and use good stances
Attacker Half
Student will come to Attention Stance and the command to begin will step left into parallel ready stance.
Student will then step back into a Left/Walking Stance and perform a low section outer forearm block.
Student will then step forward with their right foot and perform a middle section punch in a right walking stance
Student will step left into a left/L-stance and perform a middle section punch
Student will step right into a right walking stance and perform a middle section punch
Student will then step back with his/her right into a parallel ready stance.
Defenders Half
· Defenders is in a parallel ready stance
· Student will kiap to signify their readiness
· Student will step back with his/her right into a Left W/S and perform a mid section inner forearm block
· Student will step back left into a Right W/S and perform a mid section inner forearm block
· Student will step back right into Left W/S and perform a mid section inner forearm block
· Student will perform in place signal counter attack specified by the Instructor – If a kicking technique the student will put the kicking leg down in front and step back into a mid section outer forearm guarding block
· Student will step forward into a parallel ready stance.
§ Both the attacker and defender should be approximately the same height.
§ Eye contact should be maintained throughout the step sparring format.
§ Attacker and Defender will come to their Attention (Charyot) Ready Stances.
§ Attacker and Defender will bow to each other. The senior in rank shall come up first and the junior in rank second. No exceptions.
§ Attacker and Defender will come to their Parallel Ready Stances.
§ Both attacker and defender shall come to Parallel Ready Stance. (Higher rank student shall step right into Parallel Ready and low rank student shall step left into Parallel Ready) Stepping this way lines both the attacker and defender full facing each other and no adjustments need to be made.
§ Distance measuring is important at this stage and must be learned by all students.
Attacker will challenge with a loud confident kiap as he/she steps back into a designated stance for hand or foot attack format.
Challenger will acknowledge that he/she is ready by giving a loud and confident kiap.
Attacker will then step forward into designate stance and attack – advancing three times and holding the last technique and stance.
Students should have an understanding of distance measuring.
Attacker determines the placement for foot positioning in three step sparring.
1. When both attacker and defender are in W/S the attacker will place his/her forward foot to the outside of the defender’s foot for the first and third steps and on the inside of the defender foot for the second step. Outside-Inside-Outside
2. When both the attacker and defender are in L/Stances the attacker will place his/her forward foot to the inside of the defender’s foot on the first and third steps and on the outside for the second step. Inside-Outside-Inside
3. When the attacker is in an L/Stance and the defender is in a W/Stance the attacker will place his/her foot to the inside of the Defender for all three steps. Inside-Inside-Inside
4. When the attacker is in a W/Stance and the defender is in an L/Stance then the attacker shall place his foot to the outside of the defender for all three steps. Outside-Outside-Outside
Defender will show three appropriate blocks and stances moving in reverse – completing with one designated counter attack (with a loud confident kiap).
Moving in reverse is not considered retreating in step sparring.
Block must be executed just before the attacking tool reaches its target.
Attacker and defender will both step forward into their parallel ready stance.
If the counter attack is a foot technique – both the attacker (after setting his/her kicking leg forward) and defender will step back into a middle section outer fore arm guarding stance before stepping into parallel ready stance.
This shall be repeated each and every time a step sparring format is begun.
Step sparring should have timing in between attacks as in the regular speed of Patterns. There should be one second in between attacks.
Step Sparring should not be rushed and become sloppy.
Attacking tool should be performed to the exact location or vital point designated by the Instructor.
Attacker and Defender will show good stances and technique.
Absolutely no contact is to be made by the attacking student during this format.
Blocking tools can make light contact to the attacking tool.
Students should understand these fundamentals before advancing to three-steps with kicks or advanced hand techniques.
There are absolutely no Takedowns in Basic Three-Step Sparring.
SECTION 7 – Breaking
Breaking at this level is required for students 13 and older.It is optional for 12 and below.Only a front snap kick or side front snap kick is allowed at this level, and must use approved boards.
SECTION 8 – Competition
Tournaments competition is not required at this level, however, if a tournament is available we recommend that every student at least attend as a spectator, this could be local “open” tournaments or any sanctioned Kido Kwan™ event.
ETIQUETTE
1. Students must always be courteous. Advanced students must always set a good example for new students and assist in any way possible.
2. Disrespect will not be tolerated from any student, beginner or advanced.
3. When addressing your instructor(s), bow and refer to them by sir or ma’am or by their last name followed by their instructor’s title. Example Smith Sabom-nim.
4. Bow before entering and leaving the dojang floor.
5. Do not turn your back on your instructor. To adjust your uniform always turn towards your right so your left side is facing the instructor.
6. Students should wear a clean uniform at all times.
7. No smoking, drinking or drugs will be permitted while in uniform.
8. When returning from meditation in the opening and closing ceremonies the students must not return to their feet before the instructor or seniors.
9. If entering the Do-Jang late, you must bow to the instructor and get his or her permission to join the class. And no matter if your senior to the other students you must line up in the back of class unless otherwise instructed.
10. When seated and an instructor addresses you, you must stand in the position of attention to answer him or her.
TIME REQUIREMENTS
At this level a student will have a minimum of 30 hours total training time as a 10th Kup White Belt in order to be able to test to 9th Kup White Belt.
TESTING
Testing is not a requirement. However, it is used for students interested in advancing in the martial arts. It is also used to keep the student interested and gives the martial arts process structure. Without this structure, techniques that are more advanced would be practiced before the students have developed the proper training tools. Thus causing frustration and malcontent. All testing’s must be approved by your instructor, never assume you can test, your instructor will tell you when he or she feels your ready. Never ask to test, however, always ask your instructor what you need to work on to get ready for your next test.
A lot of times people ask “How long does it take to get to black belt” Well there is not one answer to this, as everyone is different! The average is about two years, however, General Choi laid out that to reach 1st Degree Black Belt it should take no less than 940 hours of training time with the ideal training time to be 1250 hours worth of training. The Kido Kwan™ requirement is no less than 1020 hours total training to reach 1st Degree Black Belt!
