HOW ARE THE BELTS RANKED?
Beginners will achieve their first belt early in their Tae Kwon Do training
starting with white and on to orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, purple trim,
brown, red, and finally, black. Juniors, or students under the age of 16, will
earn a Junior Black Belt, or Poom. Adults earn a first degree Black Belt, or 1st
Dan. Black Belts are ranked from 1st, 2nd, 3rd and a 4th degree ranking is
considered a Master Instructor. A 5th degree ranking is a Kwan Jang Nim (or
President of the Association) as in Master Michael Lee, president of Lee's Tae
Kwon Do. The next rank is 6th degree Black Belt and 7th is a Grand Master, as
are 8th and 9th degrees. The highest rank of distinction is a 10th degree Black
Belt who is considered to be a Great Grand Master.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER REACHING BLACK BELT?
Upon reaching black belt, a student will realize that black belt is not an
end, but a beginning. While a Black Belt often helps instruct other students and
beginners, they also recognize how much more there is for them to learn and
continue their own training, advancement and individual betterment, while they
also pass on what they have learned to new students. This is part of the circle
of Tae Kwon Do. Of all the training once learned from an instructor, upon
reaching black belt a student becomes the teacher, or assistant, and gives that
knowledge back to the program in the form of teaching new students who may one
day do the same. This keeps the art of Tae Kwon Do alive for many generations
and is the principle on which Tae Kwon Do has sustained itself for over 2000
years. The knowledge and art of Tae Kwon Do is a gift that is meant to be shared
with others who strive to learn and to better themselves.
WHAT IS A BLACK BELT?
A Junior Black Belt (Poom) or Adult Black Belt (Dan) is a student recognized
for their commitment to Tae Kwon Do who has achieved a high level of proficiency
and knowledge in the art of kicking and punching. This proficiency includes
speed, accuracy, strength, and thorough knowledge of a large amount of
technique, both theory and application, as well as information and history. A
black belt is worn by a person who possesses the qualities of courtesy,
integrity, self-control, perseverance, and indomitable spirit in addition to
demonstrating a knowledge and understanding of the aspects of Tae Kwon Do as
presented to them by their instructor.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE INSTRUCTOR?
The instructor's goals are to build and support the development of confident
students. These students are individuals with goals, discipline, and a sense of
proper direction in their lives. Students will also have needs and the
instructors are there to see that those needs are met in the training to help
students become better human beings. The method of training, in all aspects, is
a goal-oriented system which serves as a positive reinforcement to growth as
individuals.
HOW DOES THE INSTRUCTOR DISCIPLINE WHEN NECESSARY?
Since Tae Kwon Do aims to help individuals become better persons, there is an
appropriate place for discipline within the training. When a student fails to
perform or behave in an appropriate manner, disciplinary actions may include:
push-ups, sitting out, verbal scolding, or in extreme cases, demotion or
expulsion from the gym. Any disciplinary action taken in any case will be
discussed with the student or parent(s) in private so that the nature of the
circumstances and discipline are fully understood. Parents should not hesitate
to include the instructor if there is a discipline problem outside of the gym.
WHAT IS BELT TESTING?
When the student has completed the required time and material training
requirements, only at that point will a test date be set. As in any educational
institution, the instructors know when a student is ready to test so please
trust their judgment. The colored belt exams are open for family and friends to
attend and watch. The student will perform the required material in front of the
testing instructor as well as the audience, and then finish by breaking the
required board or boards, to advance to the next level. Beginner students and
children are given the assistance if needed to help them fulfill the
requirements to earn their belt. This helps build confidence. Advanced students
are required to complete the exam with little or no assistance. Junior and adult
black belt tests must be passed with no assistance.
CAN A STUDENT FAIL?
No. If a student continues to try and persevere, then she/he will never fail.
She/he may not complete all the requirements at the time of their test, but
re-tests are always offered a week later on material missed for colored belts
and a month later for Black Belts. Tae Kwon Do is not about failing, but about
succeeding. Instructors will see that each student can succeed no matter what it
takes. In the gym, four letter words like "can't" and "don't" are replaced with
"can", "do" and "try" There is no giving up so there is no failing.
HOW OFTEN DO THE STUDENTS TEST/GET NEW BELTS?
Beginners test for white belts a few weeks to a month after they begin
training. The next tests for orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, purple trim,
brown and red are held in about three-month intervals. Preparation for black
belt testing may span 6 to 12 months, but always depending on the ability of the
student. When students appear ready to test, they will be given advance notice
as to the exact date of the test.
WHAT ARE TEST FEES?
There is a fee for each level of belt testing. The fee covers the costs of
belts, boards, certificates and the examiner's fee, which may include travel.
There is a one-time fee for each rank. Test fees are due prior to testing and
monthly fees must be current in order to test. Any special arrangements with
testing fees must be made with the instructor and examiner at least a week prior
to the test.
WHY LEARN KOREAN TERMINOLOGY?
Korean is the universal language of Tae Kwon Do. It is also fun for the
students to learn words in another language. It also prepares students for
competition, as all competition and commands in the sport arena are conducted
and given in Korean. Students could go to any Tae Kwon Do training center in the
world and understand the training. Learning and using Korean is also very
crucial in the event that other Masters, Grand Masters or even the Great Grand
Master should make a visit to our gym. Instructors from Korea, naturally,
conduct their classes, training, and commands in Korean and are always impressed
when American students understand them.
WHY ARE THE STUDENTS REQUIRED TO BOW?
Bowing is a tradition in Korea used when entering or leaving the gym. It is
also used when asking a question of an instructor or entering the gym in which
higher ranks and Black Belts are present. It is a sign of respect for their
experience, knowledge and commitment to Tae Kwon Do. It is also out of respect
for the gym, the ranks, and the instructors. It is similar to an American
handshake. When you meet someone it is proper etiquette to shake their hand. In
Korea, and especially Tae Kwon Do, it is proper to greet people in this way each
time they meet. This method of recognizing authority, experience, and greater
knowledge helps to strengthen a student's respect for authority in and out of
the gym whether it is parents, teachers, police, adults or other persons of
stature. It also fosters a sense of respect for the training, the goals and the
person they aspire to become.
WHY DO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, SOMETIMES YOUTHS, LEAD THE WARM-UP EXERCISES?
As part of the training for advanced students, young or adult, they must
learn to lead. Leading warm-ups are part of this process. Assistants never work
without supervision until they are qualified and absolutely ready. All
assistants are specially selected by the instructors.
CAN AND SHOULD PARENTS STAY TO WATCH THEIR CHILDREN IN CLASS?
For the first class or two you may want to watch to see what your child is
doing, and to make sure they are comfortable. After that it is best to bring
them to class, leave and come back for the end of class. Most children and
beginners have very short attention spans and are easily distracted. Instructors
can do their best job when they have the undivided and complete attention of the
students. Parents are always welcome to stay.
WHAT IF A STUDENT WANTS TO QUIT?
Almost all students reach this point periodically and need guidance and
encouragement from their parents and their instructor. Each belt can be viewed
as a short term commitment and used as an evaluation point. The long term
commitment may be the black belt with the smaller goals established to get a
student there. Tae Kwon Do is a means for learning how to establish, set and
achieve goals as well as setting new goals and creating long term goals. Small
set backs or frustrations should not deter a student from their short or long
term goals. Many times a child is unable to make long term decisions like this.
They are more concerned with here and now. Parents need to give their children
guidance and not just let them quit and give up. In our experience, the children
that give up generally wish they would not have at some point down the road.
Students or parents with concerns are always encouraged to talk to their
instructor.
HOW MUCH DO STUDENTS NEED TO PRACTICE?
Students may need very little practice to begin with and increasing practice
outside the gym as they advance to higher ranks. It is important to give
encouragement but not to expect perfection because both children and adults need
room to grow. Part of growing is making mistakes and learning from them. Until
green belt, there is no real need to practice technique outside the gym. The
most important thing you can practice at home is oral test material. The more
they practice their oral test, the better they know the material and the greater
their confidence at test time.
WHAT IF STUDENTS USE THEIR TAE KWON DO TO HIT, KICK OR INJURE SOMEONE?
The instructors need to know about such behavior immediately. Whether it
happens on the playground with classmates or at home with siblings, this should
be addressed immediately and can only be done with your help. In some cases,
teachers will report such behavior directly to the instructor. It is important
to remember that Tae Kwon Do is for self-defense only, not malicious attacks or
horseplay; someone could get hurt.
ARE STUDENTS REQUIRED TO COMPETE IN TOURNAMENTS?
It is not required, but strongly recommended that students participate in a
tournament or two during their training.
WHAT CAN STUDENTS DO TO GET THE MOST OUT OF TAE KWON DO?
The most important thing students, as well as parents, can do to ensure the
best possible training available is to trust the instructors with the training
for you and/or your child. The instructors work very hard to develop the best
training programs they can with every step taken, every method used for a
reason. Your confidence and support guarantees that you will get the most from
your Tae Kwon Do training.
WHY IS TAE KWON DO SO POPULAR?
Tae Kwon Do's popularity comes mainly from the fact that it is not a passing
fad. It has withstood the tests of time. It is much more than self-defense
skills training. It is a lifestyle of physical and mental training and
challenges that encourage an individual to strive to do more and be more. The
training is proven to develop an individual's complete being, mental and
physical, joined by an indomitable spirit.