Taekwondo Belt Ranks

Belt Ranks

• Taekwondo has a belt ranking system, with 10 Geup (colored belt) ranks and 10 Dan (black belt) ranks.
• The 10 Geup ranks are:
  1. 10th Geup (White belt)
  2. 9th Geup (White belt with yellow stripe)
  3. 8th Geup (Yellow belt)
  4. 7th Geup (Yellow belt with green stripe)
  5. 6th Geup (Green belt)
  6. 5th Geup (Green belt with blue stripe)
  7. 4th Geup (Blue belt)
  8. 3rd Geup (Blue belt with red stripe)
  9. 2nd Geup (Red belt)
  10. 1st Geup (Red belt with black stripe)
• The 10 Dan ranks are:
  1. 1st Dan (Assistant Instructor)
  2. 2nd Dan (Instructor)
  3. 3rd Dan (Senior Instructor)
  4. 4th Dan (Master)
  5. 5th Dan (Senior Master)
  6. 6th Dan (Master Instructor)
  7. 7th Dan (Senior Master Instructor)
  8. 8th Dan (Grand Master)
  9. 9th Dan (Senior Grand Master)
  10. 10th Dan (Supreme Grand Master)

Sparring

• Sparring is a key component of Taekwondo, where practitioners engage in controlled fighting.
• The objective is to score points by landing valid kicks, punches, or strikes on the opponent.
• Sparring is typically divided into three categories:
  1. Point Sparring: Focuses on scoring points, with matches lasting 2-3 minutes.
  2. Olympic Sparring: Focuses on continuous fighting, with matches lasting 3 rounds of 2 minutes each.
  3. Tag Team Sparring: Teams of two or three practitioners compete against each other.

Kicks

• Taekwondo is known for its emphasis on kicks, which are divided into three categories:
  1. Front Kicks: Performed with the ball of the foot, targeting the opponent's stomach or chest.
  2. Roundhouse Kicks: Performed with the instep, targeting the opponent's head or body.
  3. Side Kicks: Performed with the side of the foot, targeting the opponent's head or body.
• Other common kicks include:
  • Back Kick: Performed with the heel, targeting the opponent's stomach or chest.
  • Hook Kick: Performed with the instep, targeting the opponent's head or body.
  • Axe Kick: Performed with the foot, targeting the opponent's head or shoulder.

Self-Defense

• Taekwondo emphasizes self-defense techniques, including:
  • Blocks: Deflecting an opponent's attack with the arm or hand.
  • Evasions: Avoiding an opponent's attack by moving out of the way.
  • Strikes: Counterattacking with punches, kicks, or strikes.
  • Takedowns: Bringing an opponent to the ground using joint locks or throws.
• Self-defense techniques are often practiced in combination with forms and sparring.

Forms

• Forms (also known as Poomsae) are pre-determined patterns of movement that combine kicks, punches, and blocks.
• Forms are used to improve technique, balance, and overall martial arts skills.
• There are 17 official forms in Taekwondo, each with its own unique sequence and focus.
• Forms are often practiced solo, but can also be performed in pairs or groups.

Belt Ranks

• There are 10 Geup (colored belt) ranks and 10 Dan (black belt) ranks in Taekwondo.
• The 10 Geup ranks are: White belt, White belt with yellow stripe, Yellow belt, Yellow belt with green stripe, Green belt, Green belt with blue stripe, Blue belt, Blue belt with red stripe, Red belt, and Red belt with black stripe.
• The 10 Dan ranks are: Assistant Instructor, Instructor, Senior Instructor, Master, Senior Master, Master Instructor, Senior Master Instructor, Grand Master, Senior Grand Master, and Supreme Grand Master.

Sparring

• Sparring is a key component of Taekwondo, where practitioners engage in controlled fighting.
• The objective of sparring is to score points by landing valid kicks, punches, or strikes on the opponent.
• Sparring is divided into three categories: Point Sparring, Olympic Sparring, and Tag Team Sparring.
• Point Sparring focuses on scoring points, with matches lasting 2-3 minutes.
• Olympic Sparring focuses on continuous fighting, with matches lasting 3 rounds of 2 minutes each.
• Tag Team Sparring involves teams of two or three practitioners competing against each other.

Kicks

• Taekwondo is known for its emphasis on kicks, which are divided into three categories: Front Kicks, Roundhouse Kicks, and Side Kicks.
• Front Kicks are performed with the ball of the foot, targeting the opponent's stomach or chest.
• Roundhouse Kicks are performed with the instep, targeting the opponent's head or body.
• Side Kicks are performed with the side of the foot, targeting the opponent's head or body.
• Other common kicks include Back Kick, Hook Kick, and Axe Kick.

Self-Defense

• Taekwondo emphasizes self-defense techniques, including Blocks, Evasions, Strikes, and Takedowns.
• Blocks deflect an opponent's attack with the arm or hand.
• Evasions avoid an opponent's attack by moving out of the way.
• Strikes counterattack with punches, kicks, or strikes.
• Takedowns bring an opponent to the ground using joint locks or throws.
• Self-defense techniques are often practiced in combination with forms and sparring.

Forms

• Forms (also known as Poomsae) are pre-determined patterns of movement that combine kicks, punches, and blocks.
• Forms improve technique, balance, and overall martial arts skills.
• There are 17 official forms in Taekwondo, each with its own unique sequence and focus.
• Forms are often practiced solo, but can also be performed in pairs or groups.

Forms

• Poomsae are pre-determined patterns of movement consisting of stances, blocks, punches, and kicks, used to practice and perfect technique.
• Taegeuk is a set of 17 forms, each representing a different aspect of Korean culture and philosophy.
• Palgwe is an older set of 8 forms, also used in Taekwondo training.
• Black Belt forms are advanced forms, typically taught to black belt holders, focusing on more complex techniques and combinations.

Taekwondo History

• Taekwondo originated in Korea, with roots dating back to the Koguryo Dynasty (37 BC - 668 AD) and the ancient martial art of Subak.
• Taekwondo was formalized in the 1950s and 1960s by a group of Korean martial artists, led by General Choi Hong Hi.
• Taekwondo was introduced as an Olympic sport at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and has been included in every Olympic Games since.
• Taekwondo has become a popular martial art globally, with millions of practitioners worldwide.