EUTKD

Edinburgh
University
Taekwondo
Club

Grading Syllabus
 Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

The Taekwondo Oath

I shall observe the tenets of Taekwondo

I shall respect my instructors and seniors
I will never misuse Taekwondo
I will be a champion of justice and freedom
I shall build a more peaceful world

The Tenets of Taekwondo

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-control
Indomitable Spirit

Introduction
What is Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that was developed during the 1950s. Taekwondo is a blend
of several native Korean martial arts, including Sul-bak and Tae-kyon, developed into a
distinctively modern style. Taekwondo is an expression of Korean cultural heritage, resurging
after harsh repression by Japanese forces during World War II. Taekwondo is famous for its
dynamic kicking style and has now developed into a major Olympic sport alongside its martial
development.

Why do Taekwondo?
Self-Defence Competition
Confidence Fitness
Discipline Fun

About UTA Taekwondo

World Taekwondo (WT) (formerly World Taekwondo Federation) is the governing body for
Taekwondo, with over 175 member nations. The Kukkiwon is The World Taekwondo
Headquarters and the only official organisation authorised to issue Dan (Black Belt) certification.
The British Taekwondo Control Board (BTCB) is the national governing body for WT Taekwondo
in UK. All recognised WT Taekwondo groups in the UK must be registered with the BTCB.
The United Taekwondo Association (UTA) is a group member of the BTCB. Chairman and Chief
Instructor of the UTA in the UK is 9th Dan Grand Master T W Shin, who trained under 9th Dan
Grand Master Kim Soon Bae. Grand Master Shin has established UTA status through maintaining
a high standard of Taekwondo practice in the UK.
 Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus
The branch of the UTA in Scotland is the Central Taekwondo Academy run by 8 th Dan Grand
Master David Bailey. EUTKD is a member club of Central.

Conduct in the Dojang

No Smoking, eating, or wearing of jewellery in the Dojang.
Taekwondo suits must be washed and ironed with only UTA/WT approved badges. Belt must be
properly tied.
Ensure toe and finger nails are cut to prevent injury.
Upon entering and leaving the Dojang bow to the flags.
At the Beginning and end of training sessions bow to the instructor and most senior Black belt.
If you approach the instructor bow before speaking.
Address the instructor by Sir or Miss.
When a student arrives late they should wait until recognised by the instructor before joining the
class.
When a student wishes to leave the hall (except in emergency) it is good manners to gain
permission first.
If a Master instructor enters the hall, the instructor on the floor or highest ranking student should
call the class to attention and bow.
 Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

Kup Grading Syllabus

We are aware that students come from a variety of backgrounds with different approaches to
Taekwondo. In classes we will try to respect these approaches in your training. However, if you
wish to grade through EUTKD it is necessary to follow the grading syllabus as laid out by Central
Taekwondo Academy and Grand Master Bailey 8th Dan. Each grading comprises basic hand
techniques, basic foot techniques, patterns, sparring, destruction and terminology test. The
requirements for each grade are set out in this booklet.

GRADING SYSTEM

10th Kup White Belt Innocence: the beginning student who

9th Kup Yellow Tags has no previous knowledge of
Taekwondo.
8th Kup Yellow Belt Earth: a plant sprouts and takes root
7th Kup Green Tags as the foundations of Taekwondo are
lain.
6th Kup Green Belt Wood: growth as the Taekwondo skills
5th Kup Blue Tags begin to develop
4th Kup Blue Belt Heaven: towards which the plant
3rd Kup Red Tags matures as training progresses.
2nd Kup Red Belt Danger: cautioning the student to
1st Kup Black Tags exercise control and opponents to be
wary

Kup gradings are conducted by a senior black belt (4th Dan and higher) with assistance from junior
black belts from the club. As the examiner comes from outside the club it is not always possible
to hold gradings on a regular basis. Exams and holidays also place further restrictions on when
students can grade. Nevertheless, from the start of the academic year we will aim to have a
grading every 8-10 weeks (not including holidays). There will, then, usually be 3 gradings over
the course of both semesters.

Dan gradings are conducted in accordance with UTA regulations and are held twice per year. The
spring grading is usually held in Manchester and the autumn grading is hosted by Central
Academy at Carronshore. The UTA Chief Examiner Master Shin conducts the Black Belt
gradings. Anyone wishing to take their Dan grading will also be expected to train, when possible,
with Master Bailey at Central Academy club in Falkirk (this will not conflict with club training).
 Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus
TRAINING PERIODS

There is a minimum training period requirement between gradings. Minimum training is classed
as attending training sessions twice per week. Students must check with their Instructor before
applying to grade.

Between 10th and 6th Kup - Two Months

Between 6th and 4th Kup - Three Months
Between 4th and 2nd Kup - Four Months
Between 2nd and 1st Kup - Six months

So long as you put in the time and effort you can be in a position to go for your 1 st Dan black
belt grading by the time you finish your degree.
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

10TH Kup White Belt to 9TH Kup Yellow Tags

Hand Techniques
Horse Riding Stance - Single Punch, 10 times counting
Walking Stance - Low Block
Walking Stance - High Block
Walking Stance – Inward Block
Long Stance - Middle Punch

Foot Techniques
Fighting Stance – Rising Kick
Walking Stance – Front Kick, Middle Punch
Fight Stance – Bi Chagi
Fighting Stance – Axe Kick

Sparring
One for One

Terminology:

What is the meaning of Taekwondo?

What is the meaning of Tae?
What is the meaning of Kwon?
What is the meaning of Do?
Which country does Taekwondo come from?
What does WTF stand for?
When was WTF established?
What is the WTF Headquarters called?
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

9TH Kup Yellow Tags to 8th Kup Yellow Belt

Hand Techniques
Long Stance – Inward Block, Double Punch
Long Stance – Neck Strike
Long Stance – Front Kick, High Punch

Foot Techniques
Fighting Stance – Bi Chagi
Fighting Stance – Axe Kick
Fighting Stance – Turning Kick
Fighting Stance – Side Kick

Pattern
Taegeuk Il Jang (1)

Sparring
One for One

Terminology

What action should you take when approaching a senor grade or

entering the hall?
What are the tenets of Taekwondo?

What is the Korean word for:

Training Hall – Suit – Belt – Instructor – Chief Instructor – Low
Block – Middle Block – High Block – Inward Block – Front Kick –
Half Turning Kick – Axe Kick
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

8th Kup Yellow Belt to 7th Kup Green Tags

Hand Techniques
Long Stance – Front Kick, Double Punch
Short Stance – Front Kick, Low Block, Punch
Back Stance - Knife Hand Block
Back Stance – Knife hand Block into Long Stance
– Middle Punch

Foot Techniques
Fighting Stance - Side Kick
Fighting Stance - Turning Kick
Fighting Stance – Bi Chagi, Bi Chagi

Patterns
Taegeuk Ee Jang (2)
Taegeuk Il Jang (1)

Sparring
Two for Two

Terminology
What is the Taekwondo oath?

What is the Korean for:

Pattern – Sparring – Short Stance – Long Stance – Back Stance –
Horse Riding Stance – Straight Punch – Reverse Punch – Side
Kick – Turning Kick
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

7th Kup Green Tags to 6th Kup Green Belt

Hand Techniques
Back Stance - Knifehand Guarding Block
Long Stance – Swiftlike Neck Strike
Long Stance – Middle Section Fingertip Thrust

Foot Techniques
Fighting Stance – One Step Bi Chagi
Fighting Stance – Spin Bi Chagi
Fighting Stance – Side Kick

Patterns
Taegeuk Sam Jang (3)
Taegeuk Ee Jang (2)

Sparring
Three Step Semi Free Sparring

Destruction
Side Kick

Terminology
What is the significance of Green Belt?
How many movements are in Taegeuk Sam Jang and what do
they represent?

What is the Korean for:

Knifehand Block – Outward Block – Neck Strike – Back Kick –
Hook Kick – Reverse Turning Kick – Attention – Bow – Ready –
Start – Stop – Straight – Relax
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

6th Kup Green Belt to 5TH Kup Blue Tags

Hand Techniques
Back Stance – Outer Forearm Block
Long Stance – Back Fist Strike
Long Stance – Inward Elbow Strike

Foot Techniques
Fighting Stance – Front Kick
Fighting Stance – Turning Kick
Long Stance – Side Kick with Hammer Fist,
Elbow Strike
Fighting Stance – Counter Bi Chagi
Fighting Stance – Bi Chagi, Back Kick

Patterns
Taegeuk Sah Jang (4)
Taegeuk Sam Jang (3)

Sparring
One Step Set Sparring
Free Sparring

Destruction
Turning Kick

Terminology
What is the theory of power?
In what year was Taekwondo introduced as an Olympic
demonstration sport?

What is the Korean for:

Guarding Block – Fingertip Thrust – Swiftlike Neck Strike – Back
Fist Strike – Back X Stance – Front X Stance – Tiger Stance
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

5TH Kup Blue Tags to 4th Kup Blue Belt

Hand Techniques
Long Stance – High Forearm Block, Middle Punch
Long Stance – Knifehand Twisting Block
Long Stance – Palm Block, Middle Punch
Back Stance – Inward Forearm Block

Foot Techniques
Fighting Stance – Turning Kick
Fighting Stance – Side Kick
Fighting Stance – Reverse Turning Kick
Fighting Stance – One Step Double-up Bi Chagi
Fighting Stance – Counter Back Kick

Patterns
Taegeuk Oh Jang (5)
Taegeuk Sah Jang (4)

Sparring
One Step Set Sparring
Free Sparring

Destruction
Back Kick

Terminology
Describe the meaning of patterns.

What is the Korean for:

Left Easy Stance – Right Easy Stance – Hammer Fist Strike –
Inward Elbow Strike – Side Elbow Strike – Blue – Red – Attention
– Bow – Ready – Start – Break – Time – Warning – Deduction -
Stop
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

4th Kup Blue Belt to 3rd Kup Red Tags

Hand Techniques
Long Stance – Wedging Block
Long Stance – Scissor Block
Long Stance – X Fist Low Block
Tiger Stance – Palm Block Back Fist Strike
Combination

Foot Techniques
Freestyle Stepping Techniques
Fighting Stance – Turning Kick
Fighting Stance – Side Kick
Fighting Stance – Hook Kick

Patterns
Taegeuk Yuk Jang (6)
Examiners Choice – Pattern No.1 to 5

Sparring
One Step Set Sparring
Full Contact Sparring

Destruction
Reverse Turning Kick

Terminology
In poomsae competition describe a 0.1 deduction and give an
example.
In poomsae competition describe a 0.3 deduction and give an
example.

What is the Korean for:

Twisting Block – Palm Block – Crescent Kick – Jumping Kick –
Double-up Kick – Parts of the Hand – Parts of the Foot
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

3rd Kup Red Tags to 2nd Kup Red Belt

Hand Techniques
Long Stance – Knifehand Low block, Arc Hand Thrust
Long Stance – Inward Neck Strike, Low Block
Long Stance – Low Fingertip Thrust
Horse Riding Stance – Side Elbow Strike
Tiger Stance – Knifehand Guarding Block, Front Kick into
Long Stance – Middle Punch

Foot Techniques
Technical Kicking – Examiner’s Choice
Freestyle Stepping Techniques
Freestyle Attacking Kicks

Patterns
Taegeuk Chil Jang (7)
Examiners Choice – Pattern No.1 to 6

Sparring
One Step Set Sparring
Full Contact Sparring

Destruction
Jumping Back Kick

Terminology
Demonstrate how to start and stop and kyorugi match.
Describes two ways in which a player may get a penalty (gam-
jeom) in a kyorugi match.

What is the Korean for:

Wedging Block – Scissor Block – X Fist Block – Half Mountain
Block – Knee Kick – Covered Fist – Push Away Punch – Pulling
Chin Punch
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

2nd Kup Red Belt to 1st Kup Black Tags

Hand Techniques
Free Style

Foot Techniques
Technical Kicking – Examiner’s Choice
Freestyle Stepping Techniques
Freestyle Attacking Kicks
Freestyle Counter Kicks

Patterns
Taegeuk Pal Jang (8)
Examiners Choice – Pattern No.1 to 7

Sparring
One Step Set Sparring
Full Contact Sparring

Destruction
One Step Jumping Back Kick

Terminology
Written test paper
 Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

Poomsae
A Poomsae is a defined pattern of defence and attack techniques against several opponents.
The Taegeuk series of Poomsae was introduced in 1971. The word “taegeuk” refers to the
Daoist principle of the unity opposites (eum and yang). “Taegeuk” is also the name of the
symbol found on the flag of South Korea. Each Taegeuk Poomsae symbolises a specific state
indicative to the belt the study currently holds.

Taegeuk Il Jang Taegeuk Oh Jang

Movements: 18 Movements: 20
Interpretation: Heaven and Light Interpretation: Wind

Taegeuk Ee Jang Taegeuk Yuk Jang

Movement: 18 Movement: 23
Interpretation: Joy Interpretation: Water

Taegeuk Sam Jang Taegeuk Chil Jang

Movements: 20 Movements: 25
Interpretation: Fire and Sun Interpretation: Mountain

Taegeuk Sah Jang Taegeuk Pal Jang

Movements: 20 Movements: 24
Interpretation: Thunder Interpretation: Earth
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

Terminology

Basic
Sabum nim Instructor
Dojang Training Hall
Dobok Uniform
Tee Belt
Charyeot Attention
Joombi Ready
Kyong Ye Bow
Dwiro Dorea About face
Si Jak Begin
Geuman Stop
Barro Return to ready stance
Gamsa hamni da Thank you
Ap Front
Dwit Back
Wen Left
Oreun Right
Bandae Reverse
Poomsae Pattern

Numbers
Hana One
Dool Two
Set Three
Net Four
Dasoot Five
Yasoot Six
Ilgop Seven
Yodul Eight
Ahop Nine
Yol Ten

The Body
Pal Arm
Son Hand
Dari Leg
Bal Foot
Sonnal Knife hand
Joomok Fist
Palmok Forearm
Batang son Palm heel
Apchook Ball of foot
Balnal Blade of foot
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

Stances
Joonbi Ready stance
Pyonhi seogi Easy stance
Ap Seogi Walking stance
Apkoobi seogi Long stance
Dwitkoobi seogi Back stance
Joochoom seogi Horse riding stance
Beom Seogi Tiger stance
Kao Seogi Cross stance
Web seogi L Stance
Haktari seogi Crane stance

Kicks
Chagi Kick
Doobal … Double …
Ap Chagi Front kick
An chagi Inner crescent kick
Bakat chagi Outer crescent kick
Ap challogi/ollyeo chagi Rising kick
Bi chagi 45/half-turning kick
Dolyeo Chagi Turning kick
Yeop Chagi Side Kick
Chigo chagi Axe kick
Naeryo chagi Chop kick
Mireo chagi Pushing kick
Bitereo chagi Twisting kick
Dwit chagi Back kick
Bandae dolyeo chagi Reverse turning kick
Dwi dolla yeop chagi Reverse side kick
Mom-dolyeo chagi Spinning kick
Mom-dolyeo bit chagi 360 half-turning kick
Twio … chagi Jumping … kick
Gama Chagi Hook kick
Mooreup Chigi Knee strike
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

Blocks
Makgi Block
Arae Makgi Low block
Momtong Makgi Middle block
An momtong makgi Inner middle block
Bakat Momtong Makgi Outer middle block
Ulgol Makgi High block
Geodeureo Makgi Guarding block
Sonnal … Makgi Knife hand … block
Eotgeoreo arae Makgi Low X fist block
Eotgeoreo ulgol makgi High X fist block
Hechyo makgi Wedging block
Gawi makgi Scissor block
Batang son Makgi Palm block

Strikes
Jireugi Punch
Chigi Strike
Chirugi Thrust
Doobeon Jireugi Double punch
An sonnal chigi Inner knife hand strike
Bakat sonnal chigi Outer knife hand strike
Palkoop Chigi Elbow strike
Palkoop Olyeo Chigi Lifting elbow strike
Palkoop Yeop Chigi Side elbow strike
Son-nal Chigi Knife hand strike
Peon sonkut chirugi Spear finger thrust
Deung joomok chigi Back fist strike
Mee joomok chigi Hammer-fist strike
Sonnal deung chigi Ridge-hand strike
Yeop Jireugi Side punch
Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

Sparring
Shihap Match
Jeon Round
Chung Blue
Hong Red
Joo sim Referee
Bu sim Judge
Kalyeo Break
Shigan Time out
Kaesok Continue
Jeum Point
Kyong go Warning
Gam jeum Deduction
Shil kyuk Disqualification
Seung Win
 Edinburgh University Taekwondo
Grading Syllabus

Other Things You Should Know...

Your opponent is just as scared of you as you are of your opponent.
A black belt is confused: they are not allowed to beat you up, but they are not allowed to let you
beat them up.
You will get blisters. This is meant to happen, so don’t complain about it – it is a rite of passage
for the club.
If you miss your target board while breaking, it DOES hurt the board-holder's hands or fingers,
no matter how he or she may react.
Being a black belt does not mean you can perform miracles.
Winning all the time simply makes you feel pressured to win all the time.
The horseback-riding stance looks really goofy in pictures without your uniform on ... or even
with your uniform on.
If you want to be great at sparring, you must learn how to relax.
Accidently hitting someone really does feel worse for the person who does the kicking – if the
kicker has a conscience.
Rule 3: You are here to hit people, so don’t apologise for doing so. (Just make sure they’re
alright).
An instructor who is looking at the floor during class is probably trying to suppress their laughter.
There is always someone better, higher ranked, more flexible, better at kicks, and better at
poomsae than you – even at the black belt level.
Your instructor does have friends outside the club.
If a sparring partner or competitor says, “Take it easy on me,” that person usually doesn’t want
to take it easy on you.
From an instructor, "Does anyone need a break?" and "Do you need water?" are usually trick
questions.
Rule 4: You are going to get hurt, you need to embrace that.
Every martial artist has bad days. Just try not to have them at competitions or at gradings.
You may not call your instructor "Honey/Sweetie", "Dude/Dudette" or “Dawg”.
When in doubt, bow.
Drawing blood from your own knuckles is not a good thing. Drawing blood from an opponent is
not a good thing.
The instructor is always right.
Trimming your toenails and fingernails is a MUST.
Knowing the terminology is good, but executing the technique properly is better.
White uniforms and Edinburgh streets do not mix.
When piled up on the floor after practice, everyone’s sparring gear looks very much alike.
Sparring gear does not protect you nearly as well against baseball bats, golf clubs, or other
improvised weapons when you’re messing around with your friends at home.
Rule 5: If you aren’t sweating by the time you finish your poomsae, you haven’t done it properly.
Washing your uniform is a requirement! Please...