9th KUP (yellow tag)

Candidates will be asked to perform a variety of basic techniques e.g. moving up and down the hall performing various kicking techniques and striking. All stances such as long, short and possibly back stance will be included also in this part.

Candidates will next be asked to perform pattern number one (tag Geuk IL Jang)

Candidates will be asked to show all their kicks using both legs in a non-contact kick for kick exercise. Please note you may be asked to perform light free sparring.

Prepare to be asked the Korean terminology for Attention, bow, ready stance and thank you.

8th KUP (yellow belt)

Candidates will be asked to perform a variety of basic techniques e.g. moving up and down the hall performing various kicking techniques and blocking and striking. All stances such as long, short, and possibly back stance will be included in this part.

Candidates will be asked to perform pattern one and pattern two. (Tae Geuk Il Jang and Tae Geuk Ee Jang)

Candidates will be asked to show all their kicks using both legs in a non-contact kick for kick exercise. Please note you may be asked to perform light free sparing.

Prepare to be asked the terminology for the name of your pattern, how to count to four and the names of the basic kicks.

7th KUP (green tag)

Candidates will be asked to perform a variety of basic techniques e.g. moving up and down the hall performing various kicking techniques and blocking and striking. All stances such as long, short and possibly back stance will be included also in this part.

Candidates will be asked to perform pattern two and pattern three (Tae Geuk Ee Jang and Tae Geuk Sam Jang).

Candidates will be asked to show all their kicks using both legs in a non-contact kick for kick exercise. Please note you may be asked to perform light free sparing.

Candidates may be expected to perform one-step sparring using hand, foot and self defence techniques.

You may be required to perform a power technique hitting a focus pad, remember the examiner is looking for correct technique not how hard you are hitting.

Prepare to be asked the terminology for the name of your pattern, how to count to four, and the name of basic kicks.

6th KUP (green belt)

Candidates will be asked to perform both attacking and defending techniques of their own choice moving backwards as well as forwards, remembering hand and foot techniques will be required at this stage.

Candidates will be expected to perform pattern four (Tae Geuk San Jang) you will also be required to perform one other pattern of the examiners choice.

You will be asked to perform light free sparring showing kicking with both legs using minimal power.

You may be required to perform a power technique hitting a focus pad, remember the examiner is looking for correct technique, not how hard you are hitting.

You will be asked the names of blocks, kicks and also the name of your pattern as well as any others you have practised.

5th KUP (blue tag)

Candidates will be asked to perform both attacking and defending techniques of their own choice moving backwards as well as forwards, remembering hand and foot techniques will be required at this stage.

Candidates will be expected to perform pattern five (Tae Geuk Oh Jang) a pattern of the examiners choice and also a pattern of your own choice.

You will be asked to perform light free sparring showing kicking with both legs using minimal power.

You may be required to perform a power technique hitting a focus pad, remember the examiner is looking for correct technique, not how hard you are hitting. You may be asked to perform a jumping kick.

You will be asked any question from the previous grading’s, that you have sat.

4th KUP (blue belt)

You are now classed as a senior grade and you should by now have started to act as such. This has been assessed throughout your training time; remember to have been practising at all times the tenants of Taekwondo.

You will be asked to perform pattern six, (Tae Geuk Ryuk Jang) a pattern of the examiner’s choice and also a pattern of your own choice.

You will be asked to perform one-step sparring using hand and foot techniques. Self defence will also be required.

Candidates will be asked to perform multiple strikes against a focus pad and also jumping kicks. At the examiners choice you may be asked to perform a breaking technique on wood, remember only those of a certain age i.e. 16yrs and over WILL be expected to break.

You may be asked to show basic refereeing skills e.g. how are the fighters called onto the mat?

You will be expected to perform kick for kick against two opponents as well as free fighting using minimal power.

You will be asked to count up to six in Korean and also any other question asked previous. You will also be expected to know the meaning of your own pattern as well as the patterns you already know.

3rd KUP (red tag)

You will be asked to perform advanced kicking techniques using both legs and showing speed and power. You will also be asked to show combination of hand techniques and stances that are advanced i.e. tiger stance, palm heel blocks etc.

As well as pattern seven (tae Geuk Chil Jang) you will be required to perform two further patterns of the examiners choice and one of your own choice.

You will be asked to show releases from front and rear attacks as well as advanced one step sparring, using jumping and knife hand strikes.

You will be expected to perform two against one free sparing.

You will be expected to break wood using a jumping technique of your choice.

You must explain why you are training in Taekwondo and what it means to you.

2nd KUP (red belt)

You will be asked to perform any techniques that you have learned through out your training including basic techniques and also advanced techniques, these will be split into purely hand techniques then foot and finally a combination of both. You may also be asked to perform a simple pattern that you have made up that includes a variety of stances, kicks, blocks and any other striking techniques.

You will be required to perform pattern eight (Tae Geuk Pal Jang) and any other patterns of the examiners choice.

You must show, using any technique, defence, and also, defence against knife attack and also defence against turning kick. During one step sparring, you must incorporate jumping kicks, wrist locks and pressure points to release against grappling or a knife release.

You will defend against two attackers using controlled power in a free fighting situation.

You will be asked to perform split kick and a jumping kick one fist above your own head height using both legs hitting a focus pad with accuracy and power.

You will be required to be able to count to ten in Korean and show refereeing skills and also show that you have attended at least one seminar in the previous year.

1st KUP (Black tag)

You will be asked to perform patterns from your previous grading's having been given the names in Korean. You will also perform your own pattern made up using techniques you have previously practiced in class.

You will perform one step sparring showing purely hand foot techniques and progressing to using combination techniques. You must demonstrate release from various attacks and defend against various knife attacks. You may instruct you assailant how you want to be attacked.

You will be asked to perform free fighting for two 90 seconds rounds with a 30 second rest. You will perform this using full protective equipment.

You will be required to break using a combination of techniques against three separate boards of your own choice one technique must be a jumping technique, kicking approximately one fist above your own head height.

Please include with your application a short passage on what you know about Taekwondo, this may include any information at all.

You will be expected to show willingness to learn by attending seminars and also by assisting in the instruction of junior grades.

You may be asked to referee a simulated sparring session.

SUMMARY

The Student must have undertaken 24 sessions between gradings. A two hour class counts as one session.

Throughout the grading’s students are required to display good control techniques to the best of their abilities. However, age and physical condition are taken into account.

Remember you are constantly being assessed throughout your training.

Etiquette and presentation of yourself and your uniform is constantly being scrutinized.

Students must at all times show a willingness to learn and should not disrupt any candidate as they perform their grading.

DO NOT attempt to prompt a candidate during exam conditions as this may lead to both candidates being expelled from the grading.