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Grading Theory

Here you will be able to access all the information needed to progress to the next grade.

Do your best to remember the Korean terminology, the meanings of the belt colours and patterns, as well as performing your patterns as well as you possibly can (this means all the patterns up until your current grade - not just your current one).

Quick Tip! Hover over or tap the Korean terminology to see the corresponding English meaning highlighted.

[Click here] for general knowledge PDF resources and [click here] to choose your grade syllabus.

Select your grade

Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 10th to 9th kup
  1. Saju Jirugi / Four Directional Punch [Learn Moves]
  2. Saju Makgi / Four Directional Block [Learn Moves]
  3. Narani so kaunde jirugi
    Parallel stance middle punch
  4. Moving Forwards & Backwards
    • Gunnun so kaunde jirugi
      Walking stance middle punch
    • Gunnun so najunde yop bakat palmok makgi
      Walking stance low side outer forearm block
    • Gunnun so najunde yop sonkal makgi
      Walking stance low side knife-hand block
    • Gunnun so kaunde yop an palmok makgi
      Walking stance middle side inner forearm block
  5. Spot exercises in Walking stance (Gunnun sogi)
    • Ap cha olligi / Front rising kick
    • Golcho olligi / Hooking rising kick
    • Ap cha busigi / Front snap kick
    • Dollyo chagi / Turning kick
  6. Sambo Matsogi / Three-Step Sparring
    Demonstrate the following 2 elements of Three-Step Sparring
    • Walking stance middle obverse punch
    • Walking stance inner forearm middle block
  7. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  8. Power Test - Push ups Number set by examiner
  9. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]
Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 9th to 8th kup
  1. All elements up to 9th kup
  2. Chonji Tul [Learn Moves]
  3. Acquaintance of Dan-Gun
  4. Moving Forwards & Backwards
    • Niunja so palmok daebi makgi / L-stance forearm guarding block
    • Niunja so sonkal daebi makgi / L-stance knife-hand guarding block
    • Niunja so sonkal yop taerigi / L-stance knife-hand side strike
    • Niunja so sang palmok makgi / L-stance twin forearm block
  5. Spot exercise in L-stance
    • Naeryo chagi / Downward kick
    • Yop cha jirugi (tora) / Side piercing kick (turn)
      (After pivoting 180 degrees on the ball of the front foot)
  6. Spot exercise in L / Parallel stance
    • Dwit cha jirugi / Back piercing kick
  7. Side / Forward Stepping Sitting / L-stance
    • Yop cha jirugi / Side piercing kick
  8. In an L-stance
    • Twimyo dollyo chagi / Flying turning kick
  9. L-stance / Parallel stance
    • Twimyo yop chagi / Flying side kick
  10. Sambo Matsogi / Three-Step Sparring
    With a partner, demonstrate 6 elements in walking stance and L-stance
    • Walking stance middle obverse punch
    • Walking stance Inner forearm middle block
    • Walking stance varied counter attack
    • L-stance middle reverse punch
    • L-stance Inner forarm middle block
    • L-stance varied counter attack
  11. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  12. Power Test - Push ups - Number set by examiner
  13. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]
Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 8th to 7th kup
  1. All elements up to 8th kup
  2. Dan-Gun Tul [Learn Moves]
  3. Acquaintance of Do-San
  4. Moving Forwards & Backwards
    • Gunnun so sun sonkut tulgi
      Walking stance straight fingertip thrust
    • Gunnun so dung joomuk nopunde yop taerigi
      Walking stance backfist high side strike
    • Gunnun so bakat palmok nopunde yop makgi
      Walking stance outer forearm high side block
    • Gunnun so bakat palmok nopunde hechyo makgi
      Walking stance outer forearm high wedging block
  5. Kicking Techniques
    • Spot Exercises in L-stance
      • Naeryo chagi (tora) / Downward kick (turn)
        (After pivoting 180 degrees on ball of front foot)
      • Goro chagi / Hook kick
      • Bandae goro chagi / Reverse hook kick
    • Moving Forwards in L-stance
      • Naeryo chagi / Downward kick
      • Dwit chagi / Back kick
      • Yop chagi / Side kick
      • Twimyo goro chagi / Flying hook kick
      • Twimyo naeryo chagi / Flying downward kick
  6. Ibo Matsogi - Two-Step Sparring (4 elements)
  7. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  8. Power Test - Push ups - Number set by examiner
  9. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]
Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 7th to 6th kup
  1. All elements up to 7th kup
  2. Do-San Tul [Learn Moves]
  3. Acquaintance of Won-Hyo
  4. Moving Forwards & Backwards
    • Gunnun so dollimyo makgi
      Walking stance circular block
    • Niunja so sonkal nopunde anuro taerigi
      L-stance knife-hand high inward strike
    • Gojung so kaunde baro jirugi
      Fixed stance middle obverse punch
  5. Forward & Backward in L-stance
    • Yop cha jirugi / Side piercing kick
    • Goro chagi / Hook kick
    • Naeryo chagi (tora) / Downward kick (turn)
      Stepping forward in L-stance
      (After pivoting 180 degrees on ball of front foot)
    • Bandae goro chagi / Reverse hook kick
      Stepping forward in L-stance
    • Twimyo dwit chagi / Flying back kick
    • Twiyo yop chagi (180 degrees) / Mid-air side kick (180 degrees)
    • Twimyo naeryo chagi (tora) / Flying downward kick (turn)
  6. Ibo Matsogi - Two-Step Sparring (6 elements)
  7. Self-Defence (5 elements)
  8. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  9. Power Test - Push ups - Number set by examiner
  10. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]
Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 6th to 5th kup
  1. All elements up to 6th kup
  2. Won-Hyo Tul [Learn Moves]
  3. Acquaintance of Yul-Gok
  4. Moving Forwards & Backwards
    • Gunnun so sonbadak golcho baro makgi
      Walking stance palm hooking obverse block
    • Gunnun so sonbadak golcho bandae makgi
      Walking stance palm hooking reverse block
    • Gunnun so ap palkup taerigi
      Walking stance front elbow strike
    • Gunnun so doo palmok nopunde yop makgi
      Walking stance double forearm high side block
    • Niunja so sang sonkal makgi
      L-stance twin knife-hand block
    • Bandae dollyo chagi
      Reverse turning kick
    • Twimyo bandae goro chagi
      Flying reverse hook kick
  5. Jumping Forward
    • Kyocha so dung joomuk nopunde yop taerigi
      X-stance backfist high side strike
  6. Ilbo Matsogi - One-Step Sparring (10 elements)
  7. Ban-Jayoo Matsogi / Semi-Free Sparring
  8. Self-Defence (8 elements)
  9. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  10. Power Test - Push ups - Number set by examiner
  11. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]
Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 5th to 4th kup
  1. All elements up to 5th kup
  2. Yul-Gok Tul [Learn Moves]
  3. Acquaintance of Joong-Gun
  4. Moving Forwards & Backwards
    • Niunja so sonkal dung kaunde bakuro makgi
      L-stance reverse knife-hand middle outward block
    • Niunja so dung joomuk nopunde yop taerigi
      L-stance backfist high side strike
    • Niunja so bandae kaunde jirugi
      L-stance reverse middle punch
    • Gunnun so sonbadak noollo makgi
      Walking stance palm pressing block
    • Gunnun so sang joomuk sewo jirugi
      Walking stance twin fist vertical punch
    • Gunnun so dwijibo jirugi
      Walking stance upset punch
    • Gunnun so kyocha joomuk chookyo makgi
      Walking stance X-fist rising block
    • Gunnun so wi palkup taerigi
      Walking stance upper elbow strike
    • Dwitbal so sonbadak ollyo makgi
      Rear foot stance palm upward block
    • Gojang so degutja makgi
      Fixed stance U-shape block
    • Twimyo dung joomuk yop taerigi
      Flying backfist side strike
    • Twimyo bandae dollyo chagi
      Flying reverse turning kick
  5. Special Techniques
    • Twimyo nopi ap cha busigi / Flying overhead front snap kick
      (1 board height of raised arm - good balance)
    • Twimyo nomo yop chagi / Flying long side kick
      (1 board - male over 3 persons, female over 2 persons - good balance)
  6. Power Test
    • Gunnun so ap joomuk jirugi / Walking stance forefist punch
      (1 board)
    • Niunja so sonkal yop taerigi / L-stance knife-hand side strike
      (1 board)
    • Ap cha busigi / Front snap kick
      (2 boards)
    • Yop cha jirugi / Side piercing kick
      (2 boards)
    • Push ups - Number set by examiner
  7. The examiner will choose 4 destructions (2 from special techniques and 2 from power test including 1 hand technique)
  8. Ilbo Matsogi - One-Step Sparring (10 elements)
  9. Ban-Jayoo Matsogi / Semi-Free Sparring
  10. Jayoo Matsogi / Free Sparring
  11. Self-Defence (8 elements)
  12. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  13. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]
Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 4th to 3rd kup
  1. All elements up to 4th kup
  2. Joong-Gun Tul [Learn Moves]
  3. Acquaintance of Toi-Gye
  4. Movements
    • Gunnun so kyocha joomuk najunde noollo makgi
      Walking stance X-fist low pressing block
    • Gunnun so opun sonkut nopunde tulgi
      Walking stance flat fingertip high thrust
    • Niunja so sonkal najunde daebi makgi
      L-stance knife-hand low guarding block
    • Gunnun so dwijibun sonkut tulgi
      Walking stance upset fingertip thrust
    • Niunja so doo palmok najunde miro makgi
      L-stance double forearm low pushing block
    • Kyocha so kyocha joomuk noollo makgi
      X-stance X-fist pressing block
    • Annun so bakat palmok san makgi
      Sitting stance outer forearm W-shape block
    • Moa so dung joomuk yopdwi taerigi
      Close stance backfist side back strike (Spot Exercise)
    • Ap moorup ollyo chagi
      Front knee upward kick
    • Twiyo yop cha jirugi (360)
      Mid-air side piercing kick (360)
    • Twimyo dollyo chagi (360)
      Flying turning kick (360)
  5. Ban-Jayoo Matsogi / Semi-Free Sparring
  6. Jayoo Matsogi / Free Sparring
  7. Hosin Sul / Self-Defence (10 elements)
  8. Special Techniques
    • Twimyo nopi ap cha busigi / Flying overhead front snap kick
      (1 board height of raised arm - good balance)
    • Twimyo nomo yop chagi / Flying long side kick
      (1 board - male over 4 persons, female over 3 persons - good balance)
    • Twimyo dollyo chagi / Flying turning kick
      (1 board - head height)
  9. Power Test
    • Gunnun so ap joomuk jirugi / Walking stance forefist punch
      (1 board)
    • Niunja so sonkal yop taerigi / L-stance knife-hand side strike
      (1 board)
    • Yop chagi (tora) / Side kick (turning)
      (2 boards, after pivoting 180 degrees)
    • Dollyo chagi / Turning kick
      (2 boards)
    • Push ups - Number set by examiner
  10. The examiner will choose 4 destructions (2 from special techniques and 2 from power test including 1 hand technique)
  11. Ilbo Matsogi - One-Step Sparring (10 elements)
  12. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  13. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]
Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 3rd to 2nd kup
  1. All elements up to 3rd kup
  2. Toi-Gye Tul [Learn Moves]
  3. Acquaintance of Hwa-Rang
  4. Movements
    • Niunja so ollyo jirugi / L-stance upward kick
    • Niunja so bandae kaunde jirugi / L-stance reverse middle punch
    • Niunja so yop palkup tulgi / L-stance side elbow thrust
    • Moa so an palmok nopunde yobap makgi
      Close stance inner forearm high side front block
      (Spot Excercise)
    • Annun so sonbadak miro makgi / Sitting stance palm pushing block
      (Spot Exercise)
    • Soojik so sonkal naeryo taerigi
      Vertical stance knife-hand downward strike
    • Dollyo chagi / Turning kick
      (2 kicks - consecutive kicks at 2 heights)
    • Yop cha jirugi / Side piercing kick
      (2 kicks - consecutive kicks at 2 heights)
    • Twimyo bandae dollyo chagi (360)
      Flying reverse turning kick (360)
    • Twimyo bandae goro chagi (360)
      Flying reverse hook kick (360)
  5. Ban Jayoo Matsogi / Semi-Free Sparring
  6. Jayoo Matsogi / Free Sparring
  7. Hosin Sul / Self-Defence (10 elements)
  8. Special Techniques
    • Twimyo nopi ap cha busigi / Flying overhead front snap kick
      (1 board height of raised arm - good balance)
    • Twimyo nomo yop chagi / Flying long side kick
      (1 board - male over 5 persons, female over 4 persons - good balance)
    • Twimyo bandae dollyo chagi / Flying reverse turning kick
      (1 board - head height)
  9. Power Test
    • Gunnun so ap joomuk jirugi / Walking stance forefist punch
      (2 boards)
    • Niunja so sonkal yop taerigi / L-stance knife-hand side strike
      (2 boards)
    • Twiyo yop chagi / Mid-air side kick
      (2 boards - land keeping balance)
    • Gunnun so ap palkup taerigi / Walking stance front elbow strike
      (2 boards)
    • Niunja so dung joomuk yop taerigi / L-stance backfist side strike
      (2 boards)
    • Yop chagi (tora) / Side kick (turning)
      (2 boards, after pivoting 180 degrees)
    • Dollyo chagi / Turning kick
      (2 boards)
    • Push ups - Number set by examiner
  10. The examiner will choose 5 destructions (2 from special techniques and 3 from power test including 1 hand technique)
  11. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  12. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]
Grading Syllabus: Promotion from 2nd to 1st kup
  1. All elements up to 2nd kup
  2. Hwa-Rang Tul [Learn Moves]
  3. Acquaintance of Choong-Moo
  4. Movements
    • Annun so bakat palmok kaunde ap makgi
      Sitting stance outer forearm middle front block
    • Annun so dung joomuk nopunde yop taerigi
      Sitting stance backfist high side strike
    • Niunja so bakat palmok najunde makgi
      L-stance outer forearm low block
    • Niunja so kyocha sonkal kaunde yop makgi
      L-stance X-knife-hand middle side block
    • Gunnun so sonkal dung nopunde ap taerigi
      Walking stance reverse knife-hand high front strike
    • Gunnun so sonkal nopunde ap taerigi
      Walking stance knife-hand high front strike
    • Gunnun so sang sonbadak ollyo makgi
      Walking stance twin palm upward block
    • Goro chagi - dollyo chagi / Hook kick - turning kick
      Consecutive kicks (same leg)
    • Tora yop chagi / Side kick with turn
      (Double kick)
    • Bandae goro chagi - dollyo chagi / Reverse hook kick - turning kick
      Consecutive kicks (same leg)
  5. Jayoo Matsogi / Free Sparring
  6. Hosin Sul / Self-Defence (10 elements)
  7. Destruction
    • Twimyo nopi ap cha busigi / Flying overhead front snap kick
      (1 board height of raised arm - good balance)
    • Twimyo nomo yop chagi / Flying long side kick
      (1 board - male over 6 persons, female over 5 persons - good balance)
    • Twimyo goro chagi / Flying hook kick
      (1 board - head height)
    • Twimyo yop chagi / Flying side kick
      (1 board - head height)
    • Bandae dollyo chagi / Reverse turning kick
      (2 boards - head height)
    • Twimyo ap chagi / Flying front kick
      (2 boards)
    • Niunja so sonkal yop taerigi / L-stance knife-hand side strike
      (2 boards)
    • Twiyo yop chagi (180) / Mid-air side kick (180)
      (1 board - head height)
    The examiner will choose 6 destructions including 1 hand technique
  8. Power Test - Push ups - Number set by examiner
  9. Flexibility Test - Show stretching ability
  10. Theory - Knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do [Theory Cheat Sheet]

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Student Resources

The Tenets & Oath

Learn the Tenets and the Oath
Tenets Explanation

Learn the meanings of the tenets
Pattern Meanings

Learn the meanings of the patterns
Dojang Commands

Learn the commands you hear in class
Belt Meanings

Learn the meanings of the belt colours
Taekwon-Do Basics

Learn some basic Taekwon-Do terminology
Stances

Learn about the different stances
Stance Measurements

A summary of stance measurements
Blocking

Learn about the different types of blocks
Kicks

Learn about the different types of kicks
Tools

Learn the tools we use in Taekwon-Do
Tools

Learn the tools we use in Taekwon-Do
Tools: Hands

Learn about parts of the hand
Tools: Feet

Learn about parts of the foot
Vital Spots

Learn about the vital spots of the body
The Theory of Power

Learn about the theory of power
Taekwon-Do Dictionary

A glossary of Korean terminology