Tae-kwon-do Theory for Gradings

Tae-kwon-do is a wonderful martial art and a great form of exercise. This is a fighting sport that will improve your child / teen’s fitness, wellbeing and mental focus, teaching discipline and respect, all while helping to make them stronger, more flexible, improving their cardiovascular health & perhaps most importantly; encouraging their own confidence & bodily autonomy.

They’ll learn a very effective method of self defence, while getting a great workout with tangible, life long benefits!

South Coastal Martial Arts (SCMA) are affiliated to the UK ITF and follow these grading and belt progressions from beginner (10th Kup) to Black Belt (1st Dan and above).

The symbolic meaning reflects the growth of a plant:

  • 10th Kup: White Belt (Signifies innocence; a beginner with no prior knowledge)
  • 9th Kup: Yellow Tag / White Belt with Yellow Stripe
  • 8th Kup: Yellow Belt (Signifies earth; taking root as foundations are laid)
  • 7th Kup: Green Tag / Yellow Belt with Green Stripe
  • 6th Kup: Green Belt (Signifies a growing shoot; developing TKD skills)
  • 5th Kup: Blue Tag / Green Belt with Blue Stripe
  • 4th Kup: Blue Belt (Signifies the sky; the shoot reaches upwards)
  • 3rd Kup: Red Tag / Blue Belt with Red Stripe
  • 2nd Kup: Red Belt (Signifies danger; exercising self-control and caution)
  • 1st Kup: Black Tag / Red Belt with Black Stripe (Candidate for Black Belt)
  • 1st Dan & Above: Black Belt (Maturity; the opposite of white, impervious to fear)
a woman in karate position

Theory Knowledge for Grading of Belts

10th Kup: White Belt (Signifies innocence; a beginner with no prior knowledge)

Who is your instructor and what is his/her grade?
Answer for example: Mr Chris Wood, 6th degree
Which country does Taekwon-do come from?
Answer: Korea
What does the white belt signify?
Answer: innocence – this means that I am a beginner and I have never done Tae-kwon-do before
What is the Korean for training suit’?
Answer: dobok
What is the Korean for “training hall”?
Answer: dojang
What is the Korean word for ‘stance’?
Answer: sogi
What is the Korean word for ‘stance’?
Answer: sogi
What is the Korean word for ‘kick’?
Answer: chagi
Who is the founder of TKD
Answer: General Choi Hong Hi, 9th deg
How many movements in Sajo Jirugi?
Answer: 7 movements
Counting to 10 in Korean:
(1) hanna (hana)
(2) dool (dul)
(3) set (sam)
(4) net (nes)
(5) tasot (daseos)
(6) yasot (yug)
(7) ilgop (ilgob)
(8) yodol (yeodeolb)
(9) ahop (ahob)
(10) yoll (yeol)
Other requirements for this grade the student should demonstrate are:
Demonstrate how to form a proper fist.
10 press ups
10 rising kicks (on each leg)
Sitting stance, performing a single punch, 10 times.
Guarding stance, performing a front kick followed by a jab & cross punch (sometimes called simply “double punch”)
Walking stance, moving forwards and backwards performing a punch.
Walking stance, moving forwards and backwards performing low section block
Walking stance, moving forwards and backwards performing rising block
Pattern level requirement:
Performing the foot movements of Sajo Jirugi 1 and Sajo Jirugi 2 with hands on hips.

9th Kup: Yellow Tag / White Belt with Yellow Stripe

8th Kup: Yellow Belt (Signifies earth; taking root as foundations are laid)

7th Kup: Green Tag / Yellow Belt with Green Stripe

6th Kup: Green Belt (Signifies a growing shoot; developing TKD skills)

5th Kup: Blue Tag / Green Belt with Blue Stripe

4th Kup: Blue Belt (Signifies the sky; the shoot reaches upwards)

3rd Kup: Red Tag / Blue Belt with Red Stripe

2nd Kup: Red Belt (Signifies danger; exercising self-control and caution)

1st Kup: Black Tag / Red Belt with Black Stripe (Candidate for Black Belt)

1st Dan & Above: Black Belt (Maturity; the opposite of white, impervious to fear)

Class Times & Venues

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