Dan 1-5 (or Poom)

Demonstration of Basic Movements

Participants must perform each movement twice then change to the other side and perform twice again.

1. Momtong Chireugi - Juchum Soegi x6
   Standard mid-section punch on horse stance

2. Momtong Dulban Chireugi - Juchum Soegi x6
   Double punch (mid-section) on horse stance

3. Ap Chagi
   Front kick

4. Bandal Chagi
   Round kick/half-turning

5. Dolyo Chagi
   Round kick/full-turning

6. Naeryo Chagi
   Drop kick/Axe kick

7. Yop Chagi
   Side kick/cut kick

8. Dwit Chagi
   Back kick

9. Momdolyo Chagi
   Spinning round kick/tornado kick

10. Dwit Hooryo Chagi
    Spinning hook kick

11. Dubon Bandal Chagi
    Twin round kick

Next, participants must perform:

1. [For 1-3 Dan/Poom] - Three connective kicking combinations of three kicks on targets (twice on each side). Each connective kicking combination is to be performed three times. Here, the participants choose their kicks. The judges will score depending on proficiency and reasonableness.

2. [For 4-5 Dan] - Five connective kicking combinations of three kicks on targets (twice on each side). Each connective kicking combination is to be performed for a 30-second round. separated by a 10-second rest period Here, the participants choose their kicks. The judges will score depending on proficiency and reasonableness.

Poomsae

The following are mandatory poomsae for participants:

1. Taeguk Pal Jang (VIII) for 1st Poom/Dan

2. Koryo for 2nd Poom/Dan

3. Keumgang for 3rd Poom/Dan

4. Taebek for 4th Dan

5. Pyongwon for 5th Dan

After each participant performs their respective grading Poomsae, examiners can choose two additional Poomsae from Taeguk Il Jang (I) up until the mandatory Poomsae. This can also be done at random.

Kyopka (Breaking)

Breaking assessment is to be performed on a reusable plastic board for all Poom participants. Dan grading participants will break a wooden board of 2 - 2.5 cm thickness. The board must be 30 x 30 cm or less.

1. 1st Dan/Poom - Any kicking movement and any hand strike.

2. 2nd Dan/Poom - Any turning/spinning kicking movement and any hand strike.

3. 3rd Dan/Poom - Any jumping turning kicking movement and any hand strike.

4. 4th Dan - Any kicking movement and any hand strike (with two 2 cm thickness wooden boards).

5. 5th Dan - Any kicking movement and any hand strike (with two 2 cm thickness wooden boards).

Kyorugi (Sparring)

Participants are to use full protection.

1. 1st Dan/Poom - 1 or 1.5 minutes of sparring, one against one. Participants need to score at least twice. Once with a punch and once with a turning/spinning kick). Participants also need to perform two effective kicking techniques and at least one with a punch.

2. 2nd Dan/Poom - 1 or 1.5 minutes of sparring, one against one. Participants need to score at least twice. Once with a punch and once with a turning/spinning kick). Participants also need to perform three effective kicking techniques and at least one with a punch.

3. 3rd Dan/Poom - 1 or 1.5 minutes of sparring, one against one. Participants need to score at least three times with a kicking technique and at least twice via punches. Participants also need to score at least once with a high spinning/turning kick. Finally, participants must be scored against less than five times.

4. 4th Dan - Two rounds of 1 or 1.5 minutes of sparring with 30 seconds break, one against one. Participants must score at least three times and concede less than five times.

5. 5th Dan - Two rounds of 1 or 1.5 minutes of sparring with 30 seconds break, one against one. Participants must score at least three times and concede less than five times.

Hanbon Kyorugi (Step Sparring)

Participants are to perform the following:

1. Two examples of defending and countering against a face punch (one from a straight trajectory, one from a side trajectory).

2. Three examples of defending and countering against a body punch (one from a straight trajectory, two from a side trajectory).

3. One example of defending and countering against a grapple/grabbing attempt, including an effective and practical escape.

4. Two examples of the participant’s own choice.

For all techniques, the attacker needs to show the attack method once to his/her partner. Then, the movement needs to be performed at his/her normal speed.

Fitness Assessment

Participants are to perform:

1. 1st Dan/Poom - 50 push-ups (male)/30 push-ups (female), 40 sit-ups and 40 squats.

2. 2nd Dan/Poom - 60 push-ups (male)/40 push-ups (female), 50 sit-ups and 40 squats.

3. 3rd Dan/Poom - 60 push-ups (male)/40 push-ups (female), 50 sit-ups and 40 squats.

4. 4th Dan - 65 push-ups (male)/45 push-ups (female), 60 sit-ups and 60 squats.

5. 5th Dan - 65 push-ups (male)/45 push-ups (female), 60 sit-ups and 60 squats.

Each movement should be in the correct shape. It can be done slowly but with attention to quality. If 20% of the repetitions are not done in the correct form then this constitutes a fail.

Theory

For Dan 4 and 5 ONLY. Here, participants are to write a paper on any subject related to taekwondo. The document must be 3000 words (+/- 10%) and submitted to the examiner’s board.