+ White Belt (10th Kup) Terminology

White Belt Colour Meaning: Signifies innocence. No previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do, as that of the beginner student.

Four Direction Punch Exercise (saju jirugi)

Four Direction Punch Exercise consists of the following techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

Attention Stance - Charyot Sogi

Parallel Ready Stance - Narani Junbi Sogi

Walking Stance - Gunnun Sogi

Defensive Techniques

Outer Forearm Low Block - Bakat Palmok Najunde Makgi

Offensive Techniques

Forefist Middle Front Punch - Apjoomuk Kaunde Ap Jirugi

Ap Chagi - Front Kick (Using the ball of the foot - Apkumchi) Apcha Busigi - Front Snap Kick (Cha is short for Chagi when we refer to a snap kick)

Four Direction Block Exercise (Saju Makgi)

Four Direction Block Exercise consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

Same As Above

Defensive Techniques

Knifehand Low Block (Sonkal Najunde Makgi)

Inner Forearm Middle Block (An Palmok Kaunde Makgi)

+ Yellow tag (9th Kup) Terminology

Yellow Belt Colour Meaning: Represents the earth where the seed of Taekwon-Do is planted as the foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid.

Chon-Ji Tul

Number of Movements: 19

Pattern Meaning: Means literally "The Heaven, The Earth." It is, in the Orient, interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history, therefore, it is the initial pattern played by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar parts; one to represent the heaven and the other the earth.

Pattern Chon Ji consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

L-Stance - Niunja Sogi

Defensive Techniques

As above

Offensive Techniques

Yop Chagi - Side Kick (Using the foot sword - Balkal) Yopcha Jirugi - Side Piercing Kick (Jirugi means punch and also in this example can mean rotation)

+ Yellow Belt (8th Kup) Terminology

Yellow Belt Colour Meaning: Represents the earth where the seed of Taekwon-Do is planted as the foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid.

Dan-Gun Tul

Number of Movements: 21 Pattern meaning: Dan-Gun is named after the Holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2,333 BC.

Pattern Dan Gun consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

As above

Defensive Techniques

Knifehand Middle Guarding Block - Sonkal Kaunde Daebi Makgi

Twin Forearm Block - San Palmok Makgi

Outer Forearm Rising Block - Bakat Palmok Chookyo Makgi

Offensive Techniques

Forefist High Punch - Apjoomuk Nopunde Jirugi

Knifehand Middle Side Strike - Sonkal Kaunde Yop Taerigi

Dollyo Chagi - Turning Kick (Using the ball of the foot (Apkumchi) in the pattern and in free sparring we use the instep - Baltung)

Dwit Chagi - Back Kick (Using the foot sword - Balkal)

Additional Information

Continuous Motion - Gaesok Dongjak (Two movements, two sine waves and one breath)

+ Green Tag (7th Kup) Terminology

Green Belt Colour Meaning: Represents the green plant growing as the skills of Taekwon-Do develop.

Do-San Tul

Number of Movements: 24

Pattern Meaning: Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938). The twenty-four movements represent his entire life which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement.

Pattern Do San consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

Annun Sogi - Sitting Stance

Defensive Techniques

Outer Forearm High Block - Bakat Palmok Nopunde Makgi

Outer Forearm High Wedging Block - Bakat Palmok Nopunde Hechyo Makgi

Offensive Techniques

Straight Fingertip Thrust - Sun Sonkut Tulgi

Backfist High Side Strike - Dung Joomuk Nopunde Yop Taerigi

Middle Front Snap Kick - Kaunde Apcha Busigi (in the pattern)

Bandae Dollyo Chagi - Reverse Turning Kick (Using the back heel - Dwitchook)

Additional Information

Fast Motion - Barun Dongjak (One full sine - down,up,down and one part sine wave - up,down keeping the back leg strainght and just raising the heel up and then down)

+ Green Belt (6th Kup) Terminology

Green Belt Colour Meaning: Represents the green plant growing as the skills of Taekwon-Do develop.

Won-Hyo Tul

Number of Movements: 28

Pattern Meaning: Won Hyo was the noted Monk who introduced Buddism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD.

Pattern Won Hyo consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

Close Stance 'A' - Moa Junbi Sogi 'A' (left hand covers right fist and is 30cm from your philtrum)

Fixed Stance - Gojung Sogi

Bending Ready Stance - Guburyo Junbi Sogi

Defensive Techniques

Circular Block - Dollimyo Makgi (angles at 25' running parallel to the back foot in walking stance)

Forearm Middle Guarding Block - Palmok Kaunde Daebi Makgi

Offensive Techniques

Knifehand High Inward Strike - Sonkal Nopunde Anuro Taerigi

Middle Side Piercing Kick - Kaunde Yopcha Jirugi (in the pattern)

Low Front Snap Kick - Najunde Apcha Busigi (in the pattern)

Double Side Kick - Doo Yop Chagi

Reverse Hooking Kick - Bandae Goro Dollyo Chagi (Using the back heel - Dwitchook)

+ Blue Tag (5th Kup) Terminology

Blue Belt Colour Meaning: Signifies the sky and the heavens, towards which the tree grows as Taekwon-Do training progresses.

Yul-Gok Tul

Number of Movements: 38

Pattern Meaning: Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar, Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed 'The Confucius of Korea'. The thirty-eight movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the thirty-eighth degree latitude and the diagram represents 'scholar'.

Pattern Yul Gok consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

'X' Stance - Kyocha Sogi

Defensive Techniques

Palm Middle Hooking Block - Sonbadak Kaunde Golcho Makgi

Twin Knifehand Block - Sang Sonkal Makgi

Double Forearm High Block - Doo Palmok Nopunde Makgi

Offensive Techniques

Low Front Snap Kick - Najunde Apcha Busigi (in the pattern)

Middle Side Piercing Kick - Kaunde Yopcha Jirugi (in the pattern)

Front Elbow Strike - Ap Palkup Taerigi

Additional Information

Connecting Motion - Ierjin Dongjak (Two movements, one sine wave and one breath)

Move number one and four are line ups and are performed in a natural movement with the arm straight. The fist finishes shoulder height and infront of the shoulder.

+ Blue Belt (4th Kup) Terminology

Blue Belt Colour Meaning: Signifies the sky and the heavens, towards which the tree grows as Taekwon-Do training progresses.

Joong-Gun Tul

Number of Movements: 32

Pattern Meaning: Joong-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese Governor-General of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. There are 32 movements in this pattern to rpresent Mr Ahn's age when he was executed at Lui-Shung Prison (1910).

Pattern Joong Gun consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

Close Stance 'B' - Moa Junbi Sogi 'B' (left hand covers right fist and is 15cm from your belly button)

Rearfoot Stance - Dwitbal Sogi

Low Stance - Nachuo Sogi

Defensive Techniques

Reverse Knifehand Middle Side Block - Sonkal Dung Kaunde Yop Makgi

Palm Upward Block - Sonbadak Ollyo Makgi (th block is angled at 25')

X-Fist Rising Block - Kyocha Joomuk Chookyo Makgi

Palm Pressing Block - Sonbadak Noollo Makgi

U-Shape Block - Digutja Makgi

Offensive Techniques

Side-Front Snap Kick - Yobap Cha Busigi (not a mistake it is caled yobap when refering to this technique)

Upper Elbow Strike - Wi Palkup Taerigi

Twin Vertical Punch - Sang Sewo Jirugi

Twin Upset Punch - Sang Dwijibo Jirugi

Middle Side Piercing Kick - Kaunde Yopcha Jirugi

Angle Punch - Giokja Jirugi (the fist finishes on opposite chestline)

Additional Information

Slow Motion - Neurin Dongjak

Slipping - This is where we move the front foot from one stance to another. For example the ball of the right foot will move to where the heel of the right foot was and cicle round into the new stance

+ Red Tag (3rd Kup) Terminology

Red Belt Colour Meaning: Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control, and warning an opponent to stay away.

Toi-Gye Tul

Number of Movements: 37

Pattern Meaning: Toi-Gye is the pen-name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th Century), an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The thirty-seven movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the thirty-seventh degree latitude and the diagram represents 'scholar'.

Pattern Toi Gye consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

Same as above

Defensive Techniques

X-Fist Pressing Block - Kyocha Joomuk Noollo Makgi

W-Shape Block - San Makgi

Double Forearm Low Pushing Block - Doo Palmok Najunde Miro Makgi

Knifehand Low Guarding Block - Sonkal Najunde Daebi Makgi

Offensive Techniques

Upset Fingertip Thrust - Dwijibun Sonkut Tulgi

Backfist Side Back Strike - Dung Joomuk Yopdwi Taerigi

Middle Front Snap Kick - Kaunde Apcha Busigi (in the pattern)

Twin Side Elbow Thrust - Sang yop palkup Tulgi

Knee Upward Kick (moorup ollyo chagi)

Flat Fingertip Thrust - Opun Sonkut Tulgi

Additional Information

Stamping Motion - Gurunun Dongjak

+ Red Belt (2nd Kup) Terminology

Red Belt Colour Meaning: Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control, and warning an opponent to stay away.

Hwa-Rang Tul

Number of Movements: 29

Pattern Meaning: Hwang-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang Youth Group which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th infantry division where Taekwon-Do developed to maturity.

Pattern Hwa-Rang consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

Close Stance 'C' - Moa Junbi Sogi 'C' (left hand covers right hand and is 1ocm from your abdomen)

Vertical Stance - Soojik Sogi (60-40 weight ratio)

Defensive Techniques

Middle Palm Pushing Block - Kaunde Sonbadak miro makgi (the block finishes at shoulder line)

Inner Forearm Side Front Block - An Palmok Yopap Makgi (the fist finishes level with your temple)

Offensive Techniques

Forefist Upward Punch - Apjoomuk Ollyo Jirugi

Knifehand Downward Strike - Sonkal Naeryo Taerigi

High Turning Kick - Nopunde Dollyo Chagi (the two kicks are done fast motion and are angles at 75')

L-Stance Obverse Punch - Niunja So Baro Jirugi (when we say the satnce and technique in a sentence then sogi is shorten to so) (the angle of the punch is 15' and runs parallel to the front foot) (it is an obverse punch because there is more weight on the back foot in this technique)

Side Elbow Thrust - Yop Palkup Tulgi

Additional Information

Sliding Motion - Mikulgi Dongjak (sliding motion is wear both feet move one shoulder width) (there are two sliding motions in this pattern)

+ Black Tag (1st Kup) Terminology

Black Belt Colour Meaning: The opposite of white, therefore signifying a maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. It also indicates the holder's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

Choong-Moo Tul

Number of Movements: 30

Pattern Meaning: Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Lee Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine. The reason this pattern ends with a left hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.

Pattern Choong Moo consists of the following different techniques:

Stances (Sogi)

As above

Defensive Techniques

Outer Forearm Middle Front Block - Bakat Palmok Kaunde Ap Makgi (the block finishes on the centreline of your body)

X-Knifehand Checking Block - Kyocha Sonkal Momchau Makgi

Twin Palm Upward Block - Sang Sonbadak Ollyo Makgi

Offensive Techniques

Knifehand High Front Strike - Sonkal Nopunde Ap Taerigi (the knifehand finishes on your body centreline with your body full facing)

Middle Side Piercing Kick - Kaunde Yopcha Jirugi (in the pattern)

Flying Side Piercing Kick - Twimyo Yopcha Jirugi

Reverse Knifehand High Front Strike - Sonkal Dung Nopunde Ap Taerigi

High Turning Kick - Nopunde Dollyo Chagi

Middle Back Piercing Kick - Kaunde Dwitcha Jirugi (the angle of this kick is 45')

Middle Turning Kick - Kaunde Dollyo Chagi

Backfist High Side Strike - Dung Joomuk Nopunde Yop Taerigi

Additional Information

The fast motion move from the high turning kick to the midle back piercing kick is fast because you put your feet together inbetween each kick)

+ Black Belt Terminology

BLACK I to III Degree – National/Assistant Instructor (Boo Sabum)

Wear black piping along the lower edge of dobok shirt. Considered 'novice.'

BLACK IV to VI Degree – International Instructor (Sabum)

All grades from IV Degree wear additional black piping along sleeves and trouser legs. Considered 'Expert.'

BLACK VII to VIII Degree – Master (Sahyun) IX Degree – Grand Master (Sasung)

Considered 'the elite'. Grand Master denotes a full knowledge of Taekwon-do, and many decades of experience at the fore of teaching & promoting the art.