GRADING SYSTEM
Most martial art students like to feel they are progressing in their chosen art and enjoy been rewarded for their
Hard work and time, it is also necessary to receive feed back on performance, To cater to these needs in taekwondo
a grading system has evolved; Il-Chul has a syllabus which guides the student towards the coveted black belt status.
The grading is held every three months , the skills within that syllabus are assessed and students who satisfy the grading
examiner that they are ready to move on to the next level of skills are rewarded the next coloured belt in the system,
within taekwondo there are ten coloured belts that lead to the black belt students who have achieved any of the belts
are called kup grades….the kup grades in chronological order are
10th kup white belt
9th kup white belt yellow tag
8th kup yellow belt
7th kup yellow with green tag
6th kup green belt
5th kup green belt with blue tag
4th kup blue belt
3rd kup blue belt with red tag
2nd kup red belt
1st kup red belt with black tag
Adult black belts are known as dan grades
Junior black belts are known as poome grades
Il-Chul conduct kup grade assessments every three months, only students who train more than once a week will be considered
for every grade, those who train once a week will be considered for alternate grades. The class instructor will enter the student
when he believes that the student is ready to advance to the next level, this is not a guarantee that the candidate will pass the grade.
Many aspects are taken in to account to decide if a student is ready to progress to the next level, physical is not the only consideration,
attitude, effort, regularity of training and etiquette are all important when considering the promotion of a student. The grading
examiner makes a fair judgment on the following criteria: Etiquette, self control, the will to succeed, focus, concentration as well as
the physical demands stamina, breathing control, balance, power and flexibility required at each level. Candidates are given feed
back on their application forms that are returned to the student after the grading. Successful candidates are presented with the next
belt in the system and a certificate of achievement usually at the next lesson they attend, being assessed can be stressful and daunting,
but it is a challenge that most people find very rewarding,
Remember Gradings are held to reward you for your efforts
Fees for grading are shown on the club notice board or ask your instructors
All students must have a valid insurance licence before they can grade, please check and see your
instructor for more information…
TKD Poomsae watch
the video's of club members performing the poomse
TAEGEUK
1 Jang:
Taegeuk 1 Jang represents the symbol of "Keon", one of the 8 Kwaes (divination
signs), which means the "heaven and yang". As the "Keon" symbolizes the
beginning of the creation of all thing in the universe, do does the Taegeuk 1
Jang in the training of Taekwondo. This poomsae is characterized by its
easiness in practicing, largely consisting of walking and basic actions, such
as arae-makki, momtong-makki, momtong-jireugi, and ap-chagi. The 8th Kup-grade
trainees practice this poomsae.
2 Jang:
Taegeuk 2 Jang symbolizes the "Tae", one of the 8 divination signs, which
signifies the inner firmness and the outer softness. An introduction of the
olgul-makki is a new development of Taegeuk poomsae. The ap-chagi actions
appear more frequently than in Taegeuk 1 Jang. The 7th Kup-grade trainees
practice this poomsae.
3 Jang:
Taegeuk 3 Jang symbolizes the "Ra", one of the 8 divination signs, which
represent "hot and bright". This is to encourage the trainees to harbor a
sense of justice and ardor for training. A successful accomplishment of this
poomsae will give the trainees a promotion to a blue belt. New actions are
sonnal-mok-chigi and sonnal -makki and dwit-kubi stance. This poomsae is
characterized by successive makki and chigi, and continued jireugis. Emphasis
is laid on the counterattacks against the opponent's chigi. The 6th Kup-grade
trainees practice this poomsae.
4 Jang:
Taegeuk 4 Jang symbolizes the "Jin", one of the 8 divination signs, which
represent the thunder meaning great power and dignity. New techniques are
sonnal-momtong-makki, pyon-son-kkeut-jireugi, jebipoom-mok-chigi, yop-chagi,
momtong- bakkat-makki, deung-jumeok-olgul-apchigi and mikkeurombal [slipping
foot] techniques. Various movements in preparation for the kyorugi and lot of
dwit-kubi cases characterize it. The 5th Kup-grade trainees practice this
poomsae.
5 Jang:
Taegeuk 5 Jang symbolizes the "Son", one of the 8 divination signs, which
represent the wind, meaning both mighty force and calmness according to its
strength and weakness. New movements are me-jumeok-maeryo-chigi,
palkup-dollyo-chigi, yop-chagi & yop-jireugi, palkup-pyo-jeok-chigi and such
stances as kkoa-seogi, wen-seogi and oreun-seogi. This is characterized by the
successive makkis such as area-makki and momtong-makki and also the chigi by
thumbling after running. The 4th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.
6 Jang:
Taegeuk 6 Jang symbolizes the "Kam", one of the 8 divination signs, which
represents water, meaning incessant flow and softness. New movements are
han-sonnal-olgul-bakkat-makki, dollyo-chagi, olgul-bakkat-makki and batang-son-
momtong-makki in addition to pyonhi-seogi [at-ease stance]. One should be
careful to make the kicking foot land on the ground correctly after
dyollyo-chagi and to lower the hand by a palm's length at the time of
delivering a batang-son momtong-makki lower than in the palmok-makki. This is
practiced by the 3rd Kup-graders.
7 Jang:
Taegeuk 7 Jang symbolizes the "Kan", one of the 8 divination signs, which
represents the mountain, meaning ponder and firmness. New movements are
sonnal-arae-makkki, batangson-kodureo-makki, bo-jumeok-kawi-makki,
mureup-chigi, momtong-hecho-makki, jechin-du-jumeok-momtong-jireugi,
otkoreo-arae-makki, pyojeok-chigi, yop-jireugi and such stances as beom-seogi
and juchum-seogi. Smooth connection of movements is important for training.
The 2nd Kup-graders practice this poomsae.
8 Jang:
Taegeuk 8 Jang symbolizes the "Kon", one of the 8 divination signs, which
represents "Yin" and earth, meaning the root and settlement and also the
beginning and the end. This is the last of the 8 Taegeuk poomsaes, which may
enable the trainees to undergo the Dan [black belt] promotion test. New
movements are dubal-dangsong-bakkat-palmok-momtong-kodureo-bakkat-makki,
twio-chagi, and palkup-dollyo-chigi. Emphasis must be laid on the accuracy of
stepping and the difference between jumping-over kick and dubal-dangsong
[alternate jumping kick in the air]. The 1st Kup-graders practice this poomsae.
Poomsae KORYO
click for video of
koryo
Koryo poomsae symbolizes "seonbae" which means a learned man, who is
characterized by a strong martial sprit as well as a righteous learned man's
sprit. The sprit had been inherited through the ages of Koryo, Palhae and down
to Koryo, which is the background of organizing the Koryo poomsae. The new
techniques appearing in this poomsae are kodeum-chagi,
opeun-sonnal-bakkat-chigi, sonnal- arae-makki, khaljaebi-mureup-nullo-kkokki,
momtong-hecho-makki, jumeok- pyojeok-jireugi, pyonson-kkeut-jecho-jireugi,
batang-son-nullo-makki, palkup-yop-chagi, me-jumeok-arae-pyojeok-chigi, etc,
which only black-belters can practice. The jumbi-seogi is the tong-milgi that
requires mental concentration by positioning the hand in between the upper
abdomen and the lower abdomen where "sin"[divine] and "jeong"[spirit]
converge. The line of poomsae represents the Chinese letter, which means "seonbae"
or "seonbi", a learned man or a man virtue in the Korean language.
Poomsae KEUMGANG
Keumgang [meaning diamond] has the significance of "hardness" and "ponder",
The Keumgang Mountain on the Korean peninsula, which is regarded as the center
of national spirit, and the "Keumgang Yeoksa"[Keumgang warrior] as named by
Buddha, who represents the mightiest warrior, are the background of
denominating this poomsae. New techniques introduced in this poomsae are
batangson-teok-chigi, han-son-nal-momtong-an-makki, Keumgang-makki,
santeoul-makki, kheun dol-tzogi [large hinge], and the hak-dari-seogi. The
poomsae line is symbolic of the Chinese letter. The movement should be
powerful and well balanced so as to befit the black belt's dignity.
Poomsae TAEBAEK
Taebaek is the name of a mountain with the meaning of "bright mountain", where
Tangun, the founder of the nation of Korean people, reigned the country, and
the bright mountain symbolizes sacredness of soul and Tangun's thought of "hongik
ingan"[humanitarian ideal]. There are numerous sites known as Taebaek, but Mt.
Paektu, which has been typically known as the cradle of Korean people, is the
background naming the Taebaek poomsae. New techniques introduced in this
poomsae are sonnal-arae-hecho-makki, sonnal-opeo-japki [grabbing],
japhin-son-mok-ppaegi [pulling out the caught wrist], Kumkang-momtong-makki,
deung-jumeok-olgul-bakkat-chigi, dol-tzeogi [hinge], etc. The line of poomsae
is like a Chinese letter, which symbolized the bridge between the Heaven and
the earth, signifying human beings founded the nation by the Heaven's order.
The poomsae movements are largely composed of momtong-makkis and chigis.
Poomsae PYONGWON
Pyongwon means a plain that is a vast stretched-out land. It is the source of
life for all the creatures and the field where human beings live their life.
The poomsae Pyongwon was based on the idea of peace and struggle resulting
from the principles of origin and use. The new techniques introduced in this
poomsae are palkup-ollyo-chigi, kodureo- olgul-yop-makki, dangkyo-teok-jireugi,
meongye-chigi, hecho-santeul-makki, etc. The jumbi-seogi is the moa-seogi-wen-kyop-son
[left overlapping hands], which requires concentration of force in the
beginning and source of human life. The line of poomsae means the origin and
transformation of the plain.
Poomsae SIPJIN
The word "Sipjin" derived from the thought of 10 longevity, which advocates
there are ten creatures of long life, namely, sun, moon, mountain, water,
stone, pine-tree, herb of eternal youth, tortoise, deer, and crane. They are 2
heavenly bodies, 3 natural resources, 2 plants and 3 animals, all giving human
beings faith, hope and love. The poomsae Sipjin symbolizes those things. The
new techniques introduced in this poomsae are hwangso-makki [bull makki], son-badak[palm]-kodureo-makki,
opeun-son-nal-jireugi, son-nal-arae-makki, bawi-milgi [rock pushing], son-nal-deung-momtong-hecho-makki,
kodeo-olligi [lifting up], chettari-jireugi [fork-shape jireugi], son-nal-otkoreo-arae-makki,
son-nal-deung-momtong-makki, which counts 10. The Chinese letter meaning ten
is the form of the poomsae line, which signifies an infinite numbering of the
decimal system and ceaseless development.
Poomsae JITAE
The word "Jitae" means a man standing on the ground with two feet, looking
over the sky. A man on the earth represents the way of struggling for human
life, such as kicking, trading and jumping on the ground. Therefore, the
poomsae symbolizes various aspects occurring in the course of human being's
struggle for existence. The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are
han-son-nal-olgul-makki, keumkang-momtong-jireugi, and me-jumeok-yop-pyojeok-chigi
only, and the poomsae line signified a man standing on earth to spring up
toward the heaven.
Poomsae CHONKWON
The word "Chonkwon" means the Heaven's Great Mighty, which is the origin of
all the creature and itself the cosmos. Its infinite competence signifies the
creation, change and completion. Human beings have used the name of Heaven for
all principal earthly shapes and meanings because they felt afraid of the
Heaven's mighty. Over 4,000 years ago, the founder of the Korean people, "Hwanin"
meant the heavenly King. He settled down in the "heavenly" town as the capital
near the heavenly sea and heavenly mountain, where the Han people as the
heavenly race gave birth to the proper through and action from which Taekwondo
was originated. The poomsae Chunkwon is based on such sublime history and
thoughts.
The new techniques introduced in thtis poomsae are nalgae-pyogi [wing
opening], bam-jumeok-sosum-chigi [knuckle protruding fist springing chigi],
hwidullo-makki [swinging makki], hwidullo-jabadangkigi [swinging and drawing],
keumgang-yop-jireugi, taesan-milgi, etc., and a crouched walking manner.
The characteristics of movements are large actions and arm sections forming
gentle curves, thus symbolizing the greatness of Chunkwon thought. The poomsae
line "T" symbolizes a man coming down from the heaven, submitting to the will
of Heaven, being endowed power by the Heaven and worshiping the Heaven, which
means the oneness between the Heaven and a human being.
Poomsae HANSU
The word "Hansu" means water is the source of substance preserving the life
and growing all the creatures. Hansu symbolizes birth of a life and growth,
strength & weakness, magnanimity & harmony, and adaptability. Especially, "han"
has the various meanings, namely, the name of a country, numerousness,
largeness, evenness, length and even the heaven and the root of evening, among
others. Above all, the above significances, is the background of organizing
this poomsae.
The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are son-nal-deung-momtong-hecho-makki,
me-jumeok-yang-yopkuri[both flanks]-chigi, kodureo-khaljaebi, an-palmok-arae-
pyojeok-makki, son-nal-keumgang-makki, etc., and also modum-bal as a stance.
Actions should be practiced softly like water but continuously like a drop of
water gathering to make an ocean. The poomsae line symbolizes the Chinese
letter that means water.
Poomsae ILYEO
Ilyeo means the thought of a great Buddhist priest of Silla Dynasty, Saint
Wonhyo, which is characterized by the philosophy of oneness of mind [spirit]
and body [material]. It teaches that a point, a line or a circle ends up all
in one. Therefore, the poomsae Ilyeo represents the harmonization of spirit
and body, which is the essence of martial art, after a long training of
various types of techniques and spiritual cultivation for completion of
Taekwondo practice.
The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are son-nal-olgul-makki,
wesanteul-yop-chagi, du-son-pyo[two opened hands]-bitureo-jabadangkigi
[twisting and pulling], twio- yop-chagi and the first stance of ogeum[knee
back]-hakdari-seogi. Jumbi-seogi is the bo-jumeok-moa-seogi [wrapped-up fist
moa-seogi], in which, as the last step of poomsae training, two wrapped-up
fists are placed in front of the chin, which has the significance of
unification and moderation, so that the spiritual energy can flow freely into
the body as well as the two hands. The line of poomsae symbolizes the Buddist
mark [swastika], in commemoration of saint Wonhyo, which means a state of
perfect selflessness in Buddhism where origin, substance and service come into
congruity. BACK TO MAIN