Black: Opposite to white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in TaekwonDo. It is also a symbol of the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear.
Grading Requirements
For promotion to 1st degree black belt
(at the discretion of the Examiner; not in any particular order)
Please remember that anything from previous gradings may also be required by the Examiner
Patterns (Tul)
- Choong Moo
- All previous Tul
- Exercises: Sajo Jirugi & Sajo Makgi
Linework
The Examiner will instruct students to perform a variety of techniques relevant to grade. You can expect a very thorough test, using a wide variety of techniques, including jumping techniques.
The test is for ‘fit for purpose’ techniques where the student demonstrates a good level of understanding and physical capability.
Note: A senior student may demonstrate the techniques required.
Pre-Arranged Sparring
3 step sparring (Sambo Matsogi) 1 – 6
1 step sparring (Ilbo Matsogi)
Free Sparring (Jayoo Matsogi)
You will be expected to spar with other students, demonstrating a variety of attacking, defensive and counter- attacking techniques and combinations, using an appropriate level of contact (which may be heavier than in previous gradings but must still be very well controlled)
Breaking
You will be asked to break multiple breaking-board with hand techniques specified by the Examiner, or maybe of your choice, and kicks specified by the Examiner, or maybe of your choice, including jumping kicks. Perform the same technique using both sides.
Points will be awarded for effort and accuracy, as well as for a successful break.
If you do not break, this does not necessarily mean you will be unsuccessful in your promotion.
Pad Work/Fitness
You may be asked to perform various techniques using focus pads or kick-shields, and a short fitness ‘spirit test’. Do your best and keep pushing until the end. This is a demonstration of Indomitable Spirit – one of the Tenets of TaekwonDo.
New Theory Terms:
Please learn these new words/terms. Don’t forget all your previous theory!
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Pattern Meaning & Number of Moves | |
| Meaning of Black Belt | |
| Korean for Flying | Twimyo |
| Korean for Knifehand high front strike | Sonkal nopunde ap taerigi |
| Korean for Reverse knifehand high front strike | Sonkal dung nopunde ap taerigi |
| Korean for Outer forearm inwards block | Bakat palmok anuro makgi |
| Korean for X-knifehand checking block | Kyocha sonkal momchau makgi |
| Korean for Twin palm upwards block | Sang sonbadak ollyo makgi |
| Korean for flying side piercing kick | Twimyo you cha jirugi |
| List the parts of the Theory of Power, being able to explain the principles of each part |
Theory Test
You will be tested on your theory at your Black Belt grading by the Examiner. Please make sure you have revised all previous theory and reviewed all of the contents of the information sections.
Below is a comprehensive list of other questions you MAY be asked, demonstrating the level of knowledge required to achieve your promotion to Black Belt:
- Why did you start Tae Kwon-Do?
- What is the difference between a colour belt and a black belt?
- What are the first two moves of Choong Moo used for?
- Why do we chamber?
- When would you use your toes to perform a kick?
- Name 5 patterns containing a backfist.
- Name 3 types of fingertip thrust.
- Name 3 patterns containing releases.
- What is the difference between dwit and dung?
- Why do we learn pattern meanings?
- Why do we pull the reaction hand back to the hip?
- What are your strengths? (Prepare to be challenged on this!)
- What are your weaknesses? (Prepare to be challenged on this!)
- How do you intend to improve? (Prepare to be challenged on this!)
- What are the purposes of stances?
- Name 3 patterns where we do a bending stance.
- Describe the history of Tae Kwon-Do.
- How do you know if a stance is a left or a right stance?
- Why is there a jump in Toi-Gye and Yul-Gok?
- What will you do if you get promoted to black belt?
- Name 3 kicks that use the heel.
- How have you changed since you were a white belt?
- How would you teach someone to do a walking stance?
- Name 5 vital spots on the upper body (Philtrum, mandibular joint, jaw, eyes, Adam’s apple)
- Name 5 vital spots on the middle body (Sternum, solar plexus, kidneys, floating ribs, stomach/abdomen)
- Name 5 vital spots on the lower body (Coccyx, groin, instep, knee, shin)
- If a beginner asked why a blue belt was beating a black belt in sparring, what would you say?
- Why do we do a power test?
- Where do you see yourself in Tae KwonDo in five years?
- Why do we twist the fist when we punch?
- What does the last sentence of the meaning of Choong-Moo actually mean?
- What makes a good Tae Kwon-Do student?
- If you had to suggest a 6th tenet what would it be, and why?
- What is your favourite pattern and why?
- What does indomitable spirit mean?
- What is Neo-Confucianism?
- Demonstrate a reverse punch in walking stance and in L-stance.
- What is Buddhism?
- What does Tae Kwon-Do mean to you?
- What is the difference between Tae Kwon-Do as a sport, and an art?
- What can you offer your instructor if you become a black belt?
- Why do we do one-step sparring?
- What does the black trim on a black belt dobok signify?
- Name all the stances you know – in Korean.
- Name all the parts of the hand and foot – in Korean.
- Describe how to do a side kick without moving.
- What is the difference between the fixed stance side punch movement in Won-Yho and Hwa-Rang?
- Why do we learn Korean history/theory?
- What is the definition of power / how is power created?
Pattern:
Choong Moo
Movements: 30
Meaning: Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reported to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to have been the precursor of the modern day submarine. The reason this pattern ends with a left-handed attack is to symbolise his regrettable death having had no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality, checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to his king.
(Pattern meaning must be learned word for word)
Diagram
Ready Posture: Parallel Ready Stance
1. Move the left foot to B forming a right L-stance toward B while executing a twin knife-hand block.
(Niunja so sang sonkal makgi)
2. Move the right foot to B forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a high front strike to B with the right knife-hand and bring the left back hand in front of the forehead.
(Gunnun so sonkal nopunde ap taerigi)
3. Move the right foot to A turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward A while executing a middle guarding block to A with a knife-hand.
(niunja so sonkal kaunde daebi makgi)
4. Move the left foot to A forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a high thrust to A with the left flat finger tip.
(Gunnun so opun sonkut nopunde tulgi)
5. Move the left foot to D forming a right L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block to D with a knife-hand.
(Niunja so sonkal kaunde daebi makgi)
6. Turn the face to C forming a left bending ready stance A toward C.
(Guburyo junbi sogi A)
7. Execute a middle side piercing kick to C with the right foot.
(Kaunde yopcha jirugi)
8. Lower the right foot to C forming a right L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block to D with a knife-hand.
(Niunja so sonkal kaunde daebi makgi)
9. Execute a flying side piercing kick to D with the right foot soon after moving it to D and then land to D forming a left L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block to D with a knife-hand.
(Twimyo yopcha jirugi, wen niunja so sonkal kaunde daebi makgi)
10. Move the left foot to E turning counter clockwise to form a right L-stance toward E at the same time executing a low block to E with the left forearm.
(Niunja so palmok najunde yop makgi)
11. Extend both hands upward as if to grab the opponent’s head while forming a left walking stance toward E, slipping the left foot.
12. Execute an upward kick to E with the right knee pulling both hands downward.
(Moorup ollyo chagi)
13. Lower the right foot to the left foot and then move the left foot to F forming a left walking stance toward F while executing a high front strike to F with the right reverse knife-hand, bringing the left back hand under the right elbow joint.
(Gunnun so sonkal dung nopunde bandae ap taerigi)
14. Execute a high turning kick to DF with the right foot and then lower it to the left foot.
(Nopunde dollyo chagi)
15. Execute a middle back piercing kick to F with the left foot.
(Kaunde dwitcha jirugi)
Perform 14 and 15 in a fast motion.
16. Lower the left foot to F forming a left L-stance toward E while executing a middle guarding block to E with the forearm.
(niunja so palmok kaunde daebi makgi)
17. Execute a middle turning kick to DE with the left foot.
(kaunde dollyo chagi)
18. Lower the left foot to the right foot and then move the right foot to C forming a right fixed stance toward C while executing a U-shape block toward C.
(Gojung so digutja makgi)
19. Jump and spin around counter clockwise, landing on the same spot to form a left L-stance toward C while executing a middle guarding block to C with a knife-hand.
(Twigi, wen niunja so sonkal kaunde daebi makgi)
20. Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C at the same time executing a low thrust to C with the right upset fingertip.
(Gunnun so dwijibun sonkut najunde tulgi)
21. Execute a side back strike to D with the right back fist and a low block to C with the left forearm while forming a right L-stance toward C, pulling the left foot.
(Niunja so dung joomuk baro yopdwi taerigi wa palmok najunde bandae makgi)
22. Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a middle thrust to C with the right straight finger tip.
(Gunnun so sun sonkut kaunde tulgi)
23. Move the left foot to B turning counter clockwise to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a high block to B with the left double forearm.
(Gunnun so doo palmok nopunde makgi)
24. Move the right foot to B forming a sitting stance toward C while executing a middle front block to C with the right forearm and then a high side strike to B with the right back fist.
(Annun so orun palmok kaunde ap makgi, orun dung joomuk nopunde yop taerigi)
25. Execute a middle side piercing kick to A with the right foot turning counter clockwise and then lower it to A.
(Kaunde yopcha jirugi)
26. Execute a middle side piercing kick to A with the left foot turning clockwise.
(Kaunde yopcha jirugi)
27. Lower the left foot to A and then execute a checking block to B with an X-knife-hand while forming a left L-stance toward B pivoting with the left foot.
(Niunja so kyocha sonkal momchau makgi)
28. Move the left foot to B forming a left walking stance toward B while executing an upward block to B with a twin palm.
(Gunnun so sang sonbadak ollyo makgi)
29. Move the left foot on line AB and then execute a rising block with the right forearm while forming a right walking stance toward A.
(Gunnun so palmok chookyo makgi)
30. Execute a middle punch to A with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward A.
(Gunnun so kaunde bandae jirugi)
END: Bring the left foot back to a ready posture.