U.S.U. Tae Kwon Do Club

Testing at black belt level is done significantly different than colored belt testing. Much of the test requirements are the same, forms and sparring skills, but the test itself is conducted differently. Up until this time testing was done most often just with the schools instructor or local high rank. At black belt level testing is done at the annual Chung Do Kwan spring training seminar in Tucson, in front of the headmaster, and in front of lots of spectators. Black belt testing is a major event and something to remember for a lifetime! It's also something great to watch as well!

Forms

Black belts are expected to master their own forms as well as knowing all the previous forms (they are given one or more "surprise" forms from the previous forms they learned).

Testing for given rank the forms performed are...

• 1st Dan --- Pyong-On O Dan, Kuk Mu O-Dan, Chul-gi Cho Dan, 1 suprise form
• 2nd Dan --- Pal-Sek, Chul-gi E Dan, 5 suprise forms
• 3rd Dan --- Yoon-Bee, Ship Soo, 10 suprise forms
• 4th Dan --- Ja-oon, Chul Gee Sam Dan, all other forms (18 in all)

Sparring

Testing for given rank the sparring drills performed are...

• 1st Dan --- Free Sparring, Self-Defense, 1 and 3 step sparring. , Instant sparring.
• 2nd Dan --- Free Sparring, Self-Defense, 1 and 3 step sparring , Instant sparring, 2-on-1 sparring.
• 3rd Dan --- Free Sparring, Self-Defense, 1 and 3 step sparring (both punching and kicking), Instant sparring, 3-on-1 sparring.
• 4th Dan --- Free Sparring, Self-Defense, 1 and 3 step sparring (both punching and kicking), Instant sparring, 4-on-1 sparring.

Board Breaking

Also at Black Belt students are required to break boards as part of their advancement. As a demonstration that they have developed sufficient power in their technique.

The list of techniques that can be used:

• Ahp Cha-Gee (front kick)
• Yuhp Cha-Gee (side kick)
• Dol-ya Cha-Gee (Roundhouse)
• Punch
• Soo Do Chee Gee (Knife hand)
• Elbow
• Duiee Lo Dol Ya Yuhp Cha Gee (Back Kick)
• E Dan Ahp Cha Gee (Flying front kick)
• E Dan Yuhp Cha Gee (Flying side kick)

Required break

Testing for given rank the breaks are...

• 1st Dan ---- 3 boards with a hand technique and 3 with a foot technique.
• 2nd Dan ---- 4 boards with hand 4 with foot technique
• 3rd Dan ---- 4 boards with hand 2 sets of 4 with foot technique, all done right after each other within 30 seconds.
• 4th Dan ---- 5 boards with hand 5 with foot technique

Minimum time period between tests.

• no-belt to 1st Dan --- 2 and a half years.
• 1st to 2nd Dan --- 3 years.
• 2nd to 3rd Dan --- 4 to 5 years.
• 3rd to 4th Dan --- 6 to 7 years.