Going for Yellow Belt (8th Kup)

At least 20 lessons trained since passing last grade. Recommended to grade by instructor in pre-grading assessment.
Student should be stretching regularly using a range of different stretching techniques.
Student’s level of fitness is not important yet but if it is low they should be working to improve this.

Patterns & Kiboms

Skill	Advice
Tae Geuk il Jang Demonstrated at examiners request.	Try to be relaxed in your movement and not too robotic and stiff as can be common with beginners. Make effort to show the difference between walking stance and long stance.
All Previous Patterns & Kiboms Demonstrated at examiners request.	It is important that the standard of patterns and kiboms from previous gradings is very high. These should be performed with confidence, power and no mistakes.

Stances

Skill	Advice
Attention Stance Hands held behind back, moving left foot into position while adjusting/pivoting the right foot to suit.	Stand up straight, toes and heels together. There should be no gap between your feet.
Ready Stance Hands held behind back, moving left foot into position while adjusting/pivoting the right foot to suit.	Stand up straight, toes and heels together. There should be no gap between your feet.
Horse Back Riding Stance Hands held behind back, moving left foot into position while adjusting/pivoting the right foot to suit.	Feet two times the width of your shoulders, knees bent and feet pointing forwards.

Blocks

Skill	Advice
All Previous Stances Demonstrated at examiners request.	It is important that the accuracy of these stances along with the whole body posture improves and shows clear understanding of the correct weight distribution.

Strikes

Skill	Advice
High Block and Punch Combination Starting from ready position and moving forwards and backwards in long stance to the examiners count. Move off with left leg first. Block and punch with each step.	Try to get both arms working together to create a smooth “push and pull” movement. Always block with the same side arm as leg that is forwards.
Middle Block and Punch Combination Starting from ready position and moving forwards and backwards in long stance to the examiners count. Move off with left leg first. Block and punch with each step.	Try to get both arms working together to create a smooth “push and pull” movement. Always block with the same side arm as leg that is forwards.
Outer Block and Punch Combination Starting from ready position and moving forwards and backwards in long stance to the examiners count. Move off with left leg first. Block and punch with each step.	Try to get both arms working together to create a smooth “push and pull” movement. Always block with the same side arm as leg that is forwards. Outer block should pass around the opposite arm elbow, raise up to shoulder level then twist out to the front finishing with the fist at shoulder level and back of the fist facing towards you.
Low Block and Punch Combination Starting from ready position and moving forwards and backwards in long stance to the examiners count. Move off with left leg first. Block and punch with each step.	Try to get both arms working together to create a smooth “push and pull” movement. Always block with the same side arm as leg that is forwards.
Double Punch (Ages 13+ only) Starting from low block ready position and moving forwards and backwards in long stance to the examiners count.	Always throw the first of the two punches with the same side arm as leg that is forwards (obverse then reverse punch).
Single Knife Hand Strike Starting from low block ready position and moving forwards and backwards in long stance to the examiners count.	The start of this movement is similar to that of a middle block with the hand raising beside you and striking out to the front. Push the palm of your knife hand up to avoid creating a bowl shape.
Elbow Strike Starting from low block ready position and moving forwards and backwards in long stance to the examiners count.	Turn your shoulders with this movement so you end with almost a straight line from one shoulder to the other and on to the striking elbow. Avoid forming the elbow too late which will make it look like a hook punch instead of an elbow strike.

Kicks

Skill	Advice
Side Kick From kicking exercise long stance position. To instructors count; perform the move, pull the leg back into stance and block.	Make sure to turn your body to the side and lift the knee up to belt height before striking with the base of the heel (or blade of the foot).
Pushing Kick (Ages 13+ only) From kicking exercise long stance position. To instructors count; perform the move, pull the leg back into stance and block.	Make sure the knee is bent when lifting the kick up and that you try to push the ball of your foot forwards when striking.
Inner Crescent Kick 20 times from guard and block position kicking with alternate legs and counting out loud.	Swing the leg in a wide circle striking inwards with the side of the foot. Place your feet together and push the other leg back to set up for the other side.
Outer Crescent Kick (Ages 13+ only) 20 times from guard and block position kicking with alternate legs and counting out loud.	Swing the leg in a wide circle striking outwards with the side of the foot. Place your feet together and push the other leg back to set up for the other side.

Sparring

Skill	Advice
One for One Kicking Demonstrated with a partner using both legs and a range of kicking techniques.	This is a reaction exercise so try to kick fast without kicking below belt height as a minimum.
Free Sparring Demonstrated with a partner using light or no contact as instructed by the examiners.	Move around, try to put combinations of kicks together and start to show an understanding of stance.

Breaking

Skill	Advice
Breaking with Side Kick (Ages 16+ Only) Demonstrated to one board as instructed by the examiners.	Position the braking board at a height that in comfortable for you, concentrate on hitting the centre of the board hard with the heel of your foot. Kick through the board not at it.
Breaking with Elbow Strike (Ages 16+ Only) Demonstrated to one board as instructed by the examiners.	Position yourself so the forearm ridge lays flat across the board with your front foot past the board. Draw back twisting towards your back foot and then strike forward with speed and power.

Theory

Students aged 12 years and under are only required to learn items marked with a “*”

Pattern Information

The 1^st pattern is called “Tae Geuk il Jang” has 18 moves and means “Heaven and Light”. *

The Body
You should be able to identify where each of these are located on your body:
– Mandible*
– Point of Chin*
– Sternum*
– Floating Ribs*

Taekwondo Knowledge
There are two styles of Taekwondo, International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and World Taekwondo (WT). The style we practice is WT. *

WT Taekwondo is both a traditional martial art and an Olympic sport.

Task: Find out your instructor’s name and grade. *

Translations