Weisberg TKD Curriculum/Testing Requirements/Study Guides
Middle school students, high school students, and adult students are expected to know the information on our website that pertains to their belt level and additional general information that is appropriate for their age/grade in school. Please scroll down for study guides.
Examples of additional general information include pledge, tenets, oath, General Choi, why we kiap, belts, why say Tae Kwon, pattern meanings and steps, pattern purpose, why 24 patterns, other patterns information, TKD meaning, sine wave, theory of power, our curriculum though not all inclusive, step sparring, and anything else that has been covered in class.
Older students need to know this information not so much for the test, but more importantly for their general knowledge as they progress. This is in addition to physical skills and techniques.
Testing Agenda for 9th Gup, White Belt with Yellow Stripe Candidates
o Sitting stance punch
o Side turning punch
o Side turning punch with front kick
o Sitting stance side knifehand strike, one time, two times
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks
o Walking stance punch
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks with reverse punch
o Walking stance double side block
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o L stance forearm guarding block
o L stance middle block
o L stance side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance front kick
o L stance turning kick
o L stance side kick
o Walking stance front kick, step down, turning kick
o Walking stance front kick, step down, turning kick, step down, side kick
o Jumping front kick
o Flying front kick
o 4-direction punch-all students
o 4-direction punch-individually
o 4-direction block-all students
o 4-direction block-individually
o Chon-Ji—selected students
o Chon-Ji—individual selected students
o Combination Section A
o 3-step sparring
o Board breaking-front kick (age appropriate)
o Oral test
Testing Agenda for 8th Gup, Yellow Belt Candidates
o Sitting stance punch
o Side turning punch
o Side turning punch with front kick
o Sitting stance side knifehand strike, one time, two times
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks
o Walking stance punch
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks with reverse punch
o Walking stance double side block
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o L stance forearm guarding block
o L stance middle block
o L stance side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance front kick
o L stance turning kick
o L stance side kick
o Walking stance front kick, step down, turning kick
o Walking stance front kick, step down, turning kick, step down, side kick
o Jumping front kick
o Flying front kick
o 4-direction punch-all students
o 4-direction punch-individually
o 4-direction block-all students
o 4-direction block-individually
o Chon-Ji—all students
o Chon-Ji—individually
o Combination Section A
o 3-step sparring
o Board breaking-front kick or side kick (age appropriate)
o Oral test
Testing Agenda for 7th Gup, Yellow Belt with Green Stripe Candidates
o Sitting stance punch
o Side turning punch
o Side turning punch with front kick
o Side turning punch with two times side, one time middle
o Sitting stance side knifehand strike, one time, two times
o Sitting stance side punch
o Walking stance low, middle (with outward and inward forearm), rising blocks, double forearm block, wedging block
o Walking stance punch
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks with reverse punch
o Walking stance (change your hand) double punch
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o Walking stance side backfist strike
o Walking stance front backfist strike
o L stance forearm guarding block and knifehand guarding block
o L stance low block and middle block
o L stance side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance twin block
o L stance side kick
o L stance reverse side kick
o L stance front kick, step down turning kick, step down side kick
o L stance turning kick, step down side kick, step down reverse side kick
o L stance front leg side kick, back leg side kick
o L stance step behind side kick
o L stance front kick low/turning kick middle (same leg)
o L stance back leg axe kick
o L stance back leg turning kick, reverse side kick
o Jumping front kick
o Flying front kick
o Flying side kick to target
o 4-direction punch-all students
o 4-direction punch-individually
o 4-direction block-all students
o 4-direction block-individually
o Chon-Ji—all students
o Chon-Ji—individually
o Dan-Gun—all students
o Dan-Gun—individually
o Combination Section A
o Combination Section B
o 3-step sparring
o free sparring
o Board breaking-turning kick, side kick, flying side kick (age appropriate)
o Oral test
Testing Agenda for 6th Gup, Green Belt Candidates
o o Sitting stance punch
o Side turning punch
o Side turning punch with front kick
o Side turning punch with two times side, one time middle
o Sitting stance side knifehand strike, one time, two times
o Sitting stance side punch
o Stretching
o Walking stance low, middle (with outward and inward forearm), rising blocks, double forearm block, wedging block
o Walking stance punch
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks with reverse punch
o Walking stance (change your hand) double punch
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o Walking stance side backfist strike
o Walking stance front backfist strike
o L stance forearm guarding block and knifehand guarding block
o L stance low block and middle block
o L stance side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance twin block
o L stance front kick, step down turning kick, step down side kick
o L stance turning kick, step down side kick, step down reverse side kick
o L stance front leg side kick, back leg side kick
o L stance step behind side kick
o L stance front kick low/turning kick middle (same leg)
o L stance reverse side kick
o L stance back leg axe kick
o L stance back leg outside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick
o L stance back leg turning kick, reverse side kick
o Jumping front kick
o Flying front kick
o Flying turning kick
o Flying side kick to target
o 4-direction punch-all students
o 4-direction punch-individually
o 4-direction block-all students
o 4-direction block-individually
o Chon-Ji—all students
o Chon-Ji—individually
o Dan-Gun—all students
o Dan-Gun—individually
o Do-San—all students
o Do-San—individually
o Combination Section A
o Combination Section B
o Combination Section C
o 3-step sparring
o 1-step sparring
o Free sparring
o Board breaking-side kick, flying side kick
o Oral test
Testing Agenda for 5th Gup, Green Belt with Blue Stripe Candidates
o Sitting stance punch
o Sitting stance 3-punches, high middle, high
o Side turning punch with two times side, one time middle
o Sitting stance side punch
o Stretching
o Walking stance double forearm block
o Walking stance wedging block
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o Walking stance with inward knifehand strike
o Walking stance side backfist strike
o Walking stance front backfist strike
o Walking stance with high fingertip strike
o Walking stance with middle spearhand strike
o L stance knifehand guarding block
o L stance low knifehand guarding block
o L stance (change your hand) double punch, one punch 45 degrees, next punch is side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance side knifehand strike, reverse knifehand strike
o L stance side backfist strike
o L stance twin block
o Water break
7:00 – 7:15
o L stance front kick, step down turning kick, step down side kick
o L stance reverse side kick
o L stance turning kick, step down side kick, step down reverse side kick
o L stance front leg side kick, back leg side kick
o L stance step behind side kick
o L stance front kick low/turning kick middle (same leg)
o L stance back leg axe kick
o L stance back leg three middle turning kicks
o L stance two turning kicks middle with front leg, then back leg two middle side kicks
o L stance front leg hook kick
o L stance back leg reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg jump reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg turning kick middle/hook kick high (same leg)
o L stance back leg turning kick with instep, other leg knee up by turning/rotating, back leg turning kick with instep, back leg turning kick with instep
o Jumping front kick
o Jumping turning kick
o Flying front kick
o Flying turning kick
o Flying side kick to target
7:15 – 7:25
o Chon-Ji
o Dan-Gun
o Do-San
o Won-Hyo
o Three step sparring (time permitting)
o One step sparring (time permitting)
o Free sparring (time permitting)
7:25 – 7:40
o Board breaking – all students
Technique and size of board based on age and rank
- front kick
- side kick
- step behind side kick
- reverse side kick
- reverse hook kick
- reverse turning kick
-side knifehand strike
7:40 – 7:50
o Oral test
o Concluding remarks
o Belt Ceremony
Testing Agenda for 4th Gup, Blue Belt Candidates
o o Sitting stance punch
o Side turning punch
o Side turning punch with front kick
o Side turning punch with two times side, one time middle
o Sitting stance side knifehand strike, one time, two times
o Sitting stance side punch
o Stretching
o Walking stance low, middle (with outward and inward forearm), rising blocks, double forearm block, wedging block
o Walking stance punch
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks with reverse punch
o Walking stance (change your hand) double punch
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o Walking stance with inward knifehand strike
o Walking stance side backfist strike
o Walking stance front backfist strike
o Walking stance with high fingertip strike
o Walking stance with middle spearhand strike
o L stance forearm guarding block and knifehand guarding block
o L stance low knifehand guarding block
o L stance low block and middle block
o L stance side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance side knifehand strike, reverse knifehand strike
o L stance twin block
o L stance front kick, step down turning kick, step down side kick
o L stance turning kick, step down side kick, step down reverse side kick
o L stance front leg side kick, back leg side kick
o L stance step behind side kick
o L stance front kick low/turning kick middle (same leg)
o L stance back leg axe kick
o L stance back leg reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg jump reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg turning kick middle/turning kick middle/hook kick high (same leg)
o L stance back leg outside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick, tornado kick
o Jumping turning kick
o Flying front kick
o Flying turning kick
o Flying side kick to target
o 4-direction punch-all students
o 4-direction punch-individually
o 4-direction block-all students
o 4-direction block-individually
o Chon-Ji—all students
o Chon-Ji—individually
o Dan-Gun—all students
o Dan-Gun—individually
o Do-San—all students
o Do-San—individually
o Won-Hyo—all students
o Won-Hyo—individually
o Yul-Gok—all students
o Yul-Gok—individually
o Combination Section A
o Combination Section B
o Combination Section C
o Combination Section D
o 3-step sparring
o 1-step sparring
o Free sparring
o Board breaking-side kick, reverse side kick, flying side kick
o Oral test
Testing Agenda for 4th Gup, Blue Belt with Red Stripe Candidates
o Sitting stance punch
o Side turning punch
o Side turning punch with front kick
o Side turning punch with two times side, one time middle
o Sitting stance side knifehand strike, one time, two times
o Sitting stance side punch
o Stretching
o Walking stance low, middle (with outward and inward forearm), rising blocks, double forearm block, wedging block
o Walking stance punch
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks with reverse punch
o Walking stance (change your hand) double punch
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o Walking stance with inward knifehand strike
o Walking stance side backfist strike
o Walking stance front backfist strike
o Walking stance with high fingertip strike
o Walking stance with middle spearhand strike
o L stance forearm guarding block and knifehand guarding block
o L stance low knifehand guarding block
o L stance low block and middle block
o L stance side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance side knifehand strike, reverse knifehand strike
o L stance twin block
o L stance front kick, step down turning kick, step down side kick
o L stance turning kick, step down side kick, step down reverse side kick
o L stance front leg side kick, back leg side kick
o L stance step behind side kick
o L stance front kick low/turning kick middle (same leg)
o L stance back leg axe kick
o L stance back leg reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg jump reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg turning kick middle/turning kick middle/hook kick high (same leg)
o L stance back leg outside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick, tornado kick
o Jumping turning kick
o Flying front kick
o Flying turning kick
o Flying side kick to target
o 4-direction punch-all students
o 4-direction punch-individually
o 4-direction block-all students
o 4-direction block-individually
o Chon-Ji—all students
o Chon-Ji—individually
o Dan-Gun—all students
o Dan-Gun—individually
o Do-San—all students
o Do-San—individually
o Won-Hyo—all students
o Won-Hyo—individually
o Yul-Gok—all students
o Yul-Gok—individually
o Joong-Gun—all students
o Joong-Gun—individually
o Combination Section A
o Combination Section B
o Combination Section C
o Combination Section D
o 3-step sparring
o 1-step sparring
o Free sparring
o Board breaking-side kick, reverse side kick, flying side kick
o Oral test
Testing Agenda for combined 4th Gup, Blue Belt through 1st Gup Black Stripe Candidates
o Sitting stance punch
o Sitting stance double punch
o Sitting stance 3-punches, high middle, high
o Side turning punch
o Side turning punch with front kick
o Side turning punch with two times side, one time middle
o Sitting stance side knifehand strike, one time, two times
o Sitting stance side punch
o Stretching
o Walking stance low, middle (with outward and inward forearm), rising blocks, double forearm block, wedging block
o Walking stance punch
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks with reverse punch
o Walking stance (change your hand) double punch
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o Walking stance with inward knifehand strike
o Walking stance side backfist strike
o Walking stance front backfist strike
o Walking stance with high fingertip strike
o Walking stance with middle spearhand strike
o L stance forearm guarding block
o L stance knifehand guarding block
o L stance low knifehand guarding block
o L stance low block and middle block
o L stance side punch
o L stance (change your hand) double punch, one punch 45 degrees, next punch is side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance side knifehand strike, reverse knifehand strike
o L stance side backfist strike
o L stance twin block
o L stance front kick, step down turning kick, step down side kick
o L stance reverse side kick
o L stance turning kick, step down side kick, step down reverse side kick
o L stance front leg side kick, back leg side kick
o L stance step behind side kick
o L stance front kick low/turning kick middle (same leg)
o L stance back leg axe kick
o L stance back leg three middle turning kicks
o L stance two turning kicks middle with front leg, then back leg two middle side kicks
o L stance back leg reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg jump reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg turning kick middle/hook kick high (same leg)
o L stance back leg reverse turning kick
o L stance back leg outside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick, tornado kick
o Jumping front kick
o Jumping turning kick
o Flying front kick
o Flying turning kick
o Flying side kick to target
o 4-direction punch-all students
o 4-direction block-all students
o Chon-Ji—all students
o Dan-Gun—all students
o Do-San—all students
o Won-Hyo—all students
o Yul-Gok— all students
o Joong-Gun— all appropriate students
o Toe-Gye— all appropriate students
o Hwa-Rang— all appropriate students
o Three step sparring
o One step sparring
o Free sparring
o Board breaking
Based on age and rank
- front kick
- side kick
- step behind side kick
- reverse side kick
- reverse hook kick
- reverse turning kick
-side knifehand strike
o Oral test
Promotion Test
Testing Agenda for Black Stripe Candidates
6:00 – 6:05
o All students testing sit on designated side of room with water bottles and kick pads
o All students testing to line up
o All students bow, salute flag, then sit down
o Mr. Weisberg’s welcoming remarks
o All students testing to stand up
6:05 – 6:15
o Sitting stance punch
o Sitting stance double punch
o Sitting stance 3-punches, high, middle, high
o Side turning punch
o Side turning punch with front kick
o Side turning punch with two times side, one time middle
o Sitting stance side knifehand strike, one time, two times
o Sitting stance side punch
o Stretching
6:15 – 6:25
o Walking stance low, middle (with outward and inward forearm), rising blocks, double forearm block, wedging block, high x block, low x block
o Walking stance punch
o Walking stance low, middle, rising blocks with reverse punch
o Walking stance (change your hand) double punch
o Walking stance with knifehand strike
o Walking stance with inward knifehand strike
o Walking stance side backfist strike
o Walking stance front backfist strike
o Walking stance with high fingertip strike
o Walking stance with middle spearhand strike
o Walking stance with upset punch
o Walking stance with front elbow strike while grabbing head
o Sitting stance with back elbow strike
Water break
6:25 – 6:45
o L stance forearm guarding block
o L stance knifehand guarding block
o L stance low knifehand guarding block
o L stance low block and middle block
o L stance side punch
o L stance (change your hand) double punch, one punch 45 degrees, next punch is side punch
o L stance side knifehand strike
o L stance side knifehand strike, reverse knifehand strike
o L stance side backfist strike
o L stance twin block
o L stance front kick, step down turning kick, step down side kick
o L stance reverse side kick
o L stance turning kick, step down side kick, step down reverse side kick
o L stance front leg side kick, back leg side kick
o L stance step behind side kick
o L stance stepping over log side kick
o L stance front kick low/turning kick middle (same leg)
o L stance back leg axe kick
o L stance front leg axe kick
o L stance back leg three turning kicks, low, middle, high
o L stance two turning kicks middle with front leg, then back leg two middle side kicks
o L stance back leg reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg jump reverse hook kick
o L stance back leg turning kick middle/hook kick high (same leg)
o L stance back leg reverse turning kick
o L stance back leg outside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick
o L stance back leg inside crescent kick, tornado kick
o L stance back leg turning kick with instep, other leg knee up by turning/rotating, back leg turning kick with instep, back leg turning kick with instep
o Jumping front kick
o Jumping turning kick
o Jumping side kick with front leg
o Flying front kick
o Flying turning kick
o Flying side kick to target
o 360 degrees flying side kick
Water break
6:45 – 7:05
o 4-direction punch
o 4-direction block
o Chon-Ji
o Dan-Gun
o Do-San
o Won-Hyo
o Yul-Gok
o Joong-Gun
o Toe-Gye
o Hwa-Rang
o Three step sparring
o One step sparring
Water break
7:05 – 7:25
o Free sparring
Water break
o Board breaking
Based on age and rank
- front kick
- side kick
- step behind side kick
- reverse side kick
- reverse hook kick
- reverse turning kick
-side knifehand strike
7:35 – 7:45
o Oral test
o Concluding remarks
o Belt Ceremony
Study Guides
Promotion Test Study Guides for
White Belts through Green Belts
Please note: This study guide is not all inclusive. The student should know any and all information said and taught in class.
White Belts and up
Taekwon-Do (April 11, 1955)
· tae – kick
· kwon – punch
· do – the art or way of
Father of Taekwon-Do
· General Choi Hong Hi
Weisberg Taekwon-Do Center
· Affiliated with and member of the International Taekwon-Do Federation – ITF (started 1966)
· Affiliated with and member of the ITF-USA
My Pledge
1.) To train both mind and body through Taekwon-Do.
2.) To be a courageous opponent of untruth.
3.) To build friendly relations amongst all people.
4.) To obey all rules of our school, Taekwon-Do, and our instructor.
Tae Kwon and/or Pil Sung
· I will do my best, I am physically present……explain what this means to you
· General Choi explained why we say “Taekwon” when we bow, rather than “Taekwon-Do”: “Taekwon” (foot and hand) represents the physical side of our martial art; so saying “Taekwon” indicates that the person is present physically.
Tenets of Taekwon-Do and explain what this means to you
· Courtesy
· Integrity
· Perseverance
· Self-Control
· Indomitable Spirit
Why do we kiap?
· Scares our opponent
· Makes our technique faster, stronger
· Gets our adrenaline going
Why do we kiap?
· 1. Confuses the opponent
· 2. Startles the opponent
· 3. Makes your opponent aware of your power and spirit
· 4. Stimulates the spirit
· 5. Focuses your resources on a single point
· 6. It declares one’s victory
The meanings of the belts
What does white belt signify?
White signifies innocence as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
The beginner, who is pure in mind and knows nothing.
Counting
· Hana - 1
· Dool - 2
· Set - 3
· Net – 4
· Tazah – 5
· Yasut – 6
· Ikop – 7
· Yadul – 8
· Ahop – 9
· Yul – 10
Pattern (Exercises): 4-direction punch, 14 steps
4-direction block, 16 steps
Pattern: Chon-Ji, Heaven and Earth, 19 steps
Yellow Belts and up
Patterns: Chon-Ji, Heaven and Earth, 19 steps
Dan Gun, named after the legendary founder of Korea, 21 steps
Do San, is the pseudonym (fictitious name) of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho, 24 steps
What does yellow belt signify?
Yellow signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundations of Taekwon-Do are being laid.
Represents gold ore and one must work and dig to achieve.
Green Belts and up
What does green belt signify?
Green signifies the plant’s growth as the Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop.
Represents the green of the tree, and like the tree, the student is growing and wants to grow to great heights.
Patterns: Won Hyo, monk who introduced Buddhism to Korea in 686 A.D., 28 steps
Yul Gok, is the pseudonym (fictitious name) of the great philosopher and scholar Yi I, 38 steps
Patterns (Tul)
Patterns (Tul) are the heart of ITF Taekwon-Do. All ITF Taekwon-Do practitioners demonstrate the 24 Chang Hon patterns the same way. Chang Hon is the pen name of General Choi.
What is the purpose of a pattern?
Patterns are practiced in order for students to train the fundamental movements of their body. Patterns are the foundation of Taekwon-Do and enable the student to develop various techniques like improved mobility and flexibility, improved body shifting, increased muscle tone, enhanced breath control and improved sparring techniques with the blocks, strikes and counters learned. Although free sparring is random and non choreographed and exercised at a much faster pace than patterns, patterns are critical to developing the necessary skills that a Taekwon-Do student needs in order to master sparring with their movements, balance, flexibility and ability to determine which block and counter is appropriate.
Reason for 24 Patterns
There are a total of twenty four patterns in ITF Taekwon-Do.
Per General Choi from the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do:
The life of a human being, perhaps 100 years, can be considered as a day when compared with eternity. Therefore, we mortals are no more than simple travelers who pass by the eternal years of an eon in a day. It is evident that no one can live more than a limited amount of time. Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for thousands of years. And some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations, in this way, gaining immortality. Obviously, the spirit is perpetual while material is not. Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives. Here I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as a trace of man of the late 20th century. The 24 patterns represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life.
Essential Information about Patterns
1. The following points should be considered while performing patterns: Pattern should begin and end at exactly the same spot. This will indicate the performer's accuracy.
2. Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.
3. Muscles of the body should be either tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
4. The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement with an absence of stiffness.
5. Movement should be accelerated or decelerated at the appropriate times.
6. Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next .
7. Students should know the purpose of each movement.
8. Students should perform each movement with realism.
9. Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among right and left hands and feet.
Theory of Power
· Reaction Force
· Concentration
· Equilibrium
· Breath Control
· Speed
The single wrap Taekwon-Do belt goes once around the waist.
One (as in once around the waist) symbolizes:
1. Pursue one goal once it has been determined
2. Serve one master with unshakable loyalty
3. Gain a victory in one blow
Taekwon-Do is a way of life and is a universal art of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of self defense. Modern day Taekwon-Do is practiced by millions of people around the world today. In Korean, Taekwon-Do means the way of the hand and foot, as Tae is literally translated as “to smash with the foot”, kwon means “destroy with the hand or fist” and do means “the art or way of.”
On April 11, 1955, General Choi Hong Hi was credited with officially naming this martial art, calling it Taekwon-Do, which he had developed, initially based off of elements of Taekkyon (an ancient Korean martial art dating back 2000 years) and Shotokan Karate, which he studied while in Japan. General Choi was also credited with starting the spread of Taekwon-Do internationally by stationing Korean Taekwon-Do instructors around the world to promote and teach it. The ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) was officially formed on March 22, 1966. Modern day Taekwon-Do has evolved and has been perfected over the years, encompassing philosophical values and goals which are rooted in the traditional moral culture of the orient. Taekwon-Do is also a technical martial art and based off of principles of physics.
Sine Wave
The sine wave movement is unique to ITF Taekwon-Do. Its purpose is to maximize the power in each technique by maximizing body mass and kinetic energy. Sine wave permits greater control over body movements enabling smoother changes in direction and transition from one movement to another.
There are 3 stages to the sine wave motion:
Stage 1 The body drops slightly by bending the knees. At this stage the body is relaxed and moves into a balanced position while keeping the arms in a neutral position (the arms move slightly to a natural relaxed position but should not drop or make unnecessary movements)
Stage 2 The body rises up but the knees must not straighten completely. The arms extend to prepare for the technique, but must not extend fully (approximately 80% is sufficient). This stretches the muscles that will be used to execute the technique. The whole body should still be relaxed at this stage.
Stage 3 The body drops quickly to maximize the acceleration of the technique. This dropping motion helps the muscles in other parts of the body to remain relaxed (like in freefall), while the muscles used for accelerating the arms work more freely and effectively. At the end of the movement the muscles are tensed to stop the body’s dropping motion, to stop the arms moving (usually ending with a twisting motion), and to end the breath control all at the same time.
The secret to a good sine wave motion is to perform the 3 stages in a continuous flowing motion without stopping.
Promotion Test Study Guide for
Blue Belt with Red Stripe candidates
Please note: This study guide is not all inclusive. The student should know any and all information said and taught in class.
Taekwon-Do (April 11, 1955)
· tae – kick
· kwon – punch
· do – the art or way of
Father of Taekwon-Do
· General Choi Hong Hi
Weisberg Taekwon-Do Center
· Affiliated with and member of the International Taekwon-Do Federation – ITF (started 1966)
· Affiliated with and member of the ITF-USA
My Pledge
1.) To train both mind and body through Taekwon-Do.
2.) To be a courageous opponent of untruth.
3.) To build friendly relations amongst all people.
4.) To obey all rules of our school, Taekwon-Do, and our instructor.
Counting
· Hana - 1
· Dool - 2
· Set - 3
· Net – 4
· Tazah – 5
· Yasut – 6
· Ikop – 7
· Yadul – 8
· Ahop – 9
· Yul – 10
Tae Kwon and/or Pil Sung
· I will do my best, I am physically present……explain what this means to you
· General Choi explained why we say “Taekwon” when we bow, rather than “Taekwon-Do”: “Taekwon” (foot and hand) represents the physical side of our martial art; so saying “Taekwon” indicates that the person is present physically.
Tenets of Taekwon-Do and explain what this means to you
· Courtesy
· Integrity
· Perseverance
· Self-Control
· Indomitable Spirit
Why do we kiap?
· Scares our opponent
· Makes our technique faster, stronger
· Gets our adrenaline going
Why do we kiap?
· 1. Confuses the opponent
· 2. Startles the opponent
· 3. Makes your opponent aware of your power and spirit
· 4. Stimulates the spirit
· 5. Focuses your resources on a single point
· 6. It declares one’s victory
The meanings of the belts: Please see website
Width, length, and weight distribution of each stance: Ask if you have any questions
Pattern (Exercises): 4-direction punch, 14 steps
4-direction block, 16 steps
Patterns: Please see website for meanings and number of steps
Patterns (Tul)
Patterns (Tul) are the heart of ITF Taekwon-Do. All ITF Taekwon-Do practitioners demonstrate the 24 Chang Hon patterns the same way. Chang Hon is the pen name of General Choi.
What is the purpose of a pattern?
Patterns are practiced in order for students to train the fundamental movements of their body. Patterns are the foundation of Taekwon-Do and enable the student to develop various techniques like improved mobility and flexibility, improved body shifting, increased muscle tone, enhanced breath control and improved sparring techniques with the blocks, strikes and counters learned. Although free sparring is random and non choreographed and exercised at a much faster pace than patterns, patterns are critical to developing the necessary skills that a Taekwon-Do student needs in order to master sparring with their movements, balance, flexibility and ability to determine which block and counter is appropriate.
Reason for 24 Patterns
There are a total of twenty four patterns in ITF Taekwon-Do.
Per General Choi from the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do
The life of a human being, perhaps 100 years, can be considered as a day when compared with eternity. Therefore, we mortals are no more than simple travelers who pass by the eternal years of an eon in a day. It is evident that no one can live more than a limited amount of time. Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for thousands of years. And some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations, in this way, gaining immortality. Obviously, the spirit is perpetual while material is not. Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives. Here I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as a trace of man of the late 20th century. The 24 patterns represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life.
Essential Information about Patterns
1. The following points should be considered while performing patterns: Pattern should begin and end at exactly the same spot. This will indicate the performer's accuracy.
2. Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.
3. Muscles of the body should be either tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
4. The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement with an absence of stiffness.
5. Movement should be accelerated or decelerated at the appropriate times.
6. Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next .
7. Students should know the purpose of each movement.
8. Students should perform each movement with realism.
9. Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among right and left hands and feet.
Theory of Power
· Reaction Force
· Concentration
· Equilibrium
· Breath Control
· Speed
Cycle of Taekwon-Do
· Fundamental Movements to Dallyon, to Patterns, to Sparring, to Self-Defense, to Fundamental Movements, etc.
(Dallyon is the Korean word for "equipment maintenance". In Taekwon-Do equipment refers to our bodies. Dallyon is the maintenance of our bodies.)
The True Student
1. Never tires of learning. A good student can learn anytime, anywhere.
2. Must be willing to sacrifice for the art and instructor.
3. Always sets a good example for lower ranks.
4. Always is loyal; never criticizes the instructor; the art, or the teaching method.
5. Practices a technique once it has been taught to him/her by the instructor and attempts
to utilize it.
6. Remembers that conduct outside the dojang reflects on the art and the instructor.
7. Discards immediately any technique that the student has learned from another school
that the instructor disapproves of.
8. Never is disrespectful to the instructor. Though a student may disagree, he/she must
eventually follow the instructor's guidance although it may seem incorrect to the student at
that time.
9. Always is eager to learn and asks questions.
10. Never breaks a trust.
Taekwon-Do is a way of life and is a universal art of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of self defense. Modern day Taekwon-Do is practiced by millions of people around the world today. In Korean, Taekwon-Do means the way of the hand and foot, as Tae is literally translated as “to smash with the foot”, kwon means “destroy with the hand or fist” and do means “the art or way of.”
On April 11, 1955, General Choi Hong Hi was credited with officially naming this martial art, calling it Taekwon-Do, which he had developed, initially based off of elements of Taekkyon (an ancient Korean martial art dating back 2000 years) and Shotokan Karate, which he studied while in Japan. General Choi was also credited with starting the spread of Taekwon-Do internationally by stationing Korean Taekwon-Do instructors around the world to promote and teach it. The ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) was officially formed on March 22, 1966. Modern day Taekwon-Do has evolved and has been perfected over the years, encompassing philosophical values and goals which are rooted in the traditional moral culture of the orient. Taekwon-Do is also a technical martial art and based off of principles of physics.
Promotion Test Study Guide for
Red Belt with Black Stripe candidates
Please note: This study guide is not all inclusive. The student should know any and all information said and taught in class.
Taekwon-Do (April 11, 1955)
· tae – kick
· kwon – punch
· do – the art or way of
Father of Taekwon-Do
· General Choi Hong Hi
Weisberg Taekwon-Do Center
· Affiliated with and member of the International Taekwon-Do Federation – ITF (started 1966)
· Affiliated with and member of the ITF-USA
My Pledge
1.) To train both mind and body through Taekwon-Do.
2.) To be a courageous opponent of untruth.
3.) To build friendly relations amongst all people.
4.) To obey all rules of our school, Taekwon-Do, and our instructor.
Counting
· Hana - 1
· Dool - 2
· Set - 3
· Net – 4
· Tazah – 5
· Yasut – 6
· Ikop – 7
· Yadul – 8
· Ahop – 9
· Yul – 10
Tae Kwon and/or Pil Sung
· I will do my best, I am physically present……explain what this means to you
· General Choi explained why we say “Taekwon” when we bow, rather than “Taekwon-Do”: “Taekwon” (foot and hand) represents the physical side of our martial art; so saying “Taekwon” indicates that the person is present physically.
Tenets of Taekwon-Do and explain what this means to you
· Courtesy
· Integrity
· Perseverance
· Self-Control
· Indomitable Spirit
Why do we kiap?
· Scares our opponent
· Makes our technique faster, stronger
· Gets our adrenaline going
Why do we kiap?
· 1. Confuses the opponent
· 2. Startles the opponent
· 3. Makes your opponent aware of your power and spirit
· 4. Stimulates the spirit
· 5. Focuses your resources on a single point
· 6. It declares one’s victory
The meanings of the belts: Please see website
Width, length, and weight distribution of each stance
Pattern (Exercises): 4-direction punch, 14 steps
4-direction block, 16 steps
Patterns: Please see website for meanings and number of steps
Patterns (Tul)
Patterns (Tul) are the heart of ITF Taekwon-Do. All ITF Taekwon-Do practitioners demonstrate the 24 Chang Hon patterns the same way. Chang Hon is the pen name of General Choi.
What is the purpose of a pattern?
Patterns are practiced in order for students to train the fundamental movements of their body. Patterns are the foundation of Taekwon-Do and enable the student to develop various techniques like improved mobility and flexibility, improved body shifting, increased muscle tone, enhanced breath control and improved sparring techniques with the blocks, strikes and counters learned. Although free sparring is random and non choreographed and exercised at a much faster pace than patterns, patterns are critical to developing the necessary skills that a Taekwon-Do student needs in order to master sparring with their movements, balance, flexibility and ability to determine which block and counter is appropriate.
Reason for 24 Patterns
There are a total of twenty four patterns in ITF Taekwon-Do.
Per General Choi from the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do
The life of a human being, perhaps 100 years, can be considered as a day when compared with eternity. Therefore, we mortals are no more than simple travelers who pass by the eternal years of an eon in a day. It is evident that no one can live more than a limited amount of time. Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for thousands of years. And some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations, in this way, gaining immortality. Obviously, the spirit is perpetual while material is not. Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives. Here I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as a trace of man of the late 20th century. The 24 patterns represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life.
Essential Information about Patterns
1. The following points should be considered while performing patterns: Pattern should begin and end at exactly the same spot. This will indicate the performer's accuracy.
2. Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.
3. Muscles of the body should be either tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
4. The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement with an absence of stiffness.
5. Movement should be accelerated or decelerated at the appropriate times.
6. Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next .
7. Students should know the purpose of each movement.
8. Students should perform each movement with realism.
9. Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among right and left hands and feet.
Theory of Power
· Reaction Force
· Concentration
· Equilibrium
· Breath Control
· Speed
Cycle of Taekwon-Do
Fundamental Movements to Dallyon, to Patterns, to Sparring, to Self-Defense, to Fundamental
Movements, etc.
(Dallyon is the Korean word for "equipment maintenance". In Taekwon-Do equipment refers to our bodies. Dallyon is the maintenance of our bodies.)
The True Student
1. Never tires of learning. A good student can learn anytime, anywhere.
2. Must be willing to sacrifice for the art and instructor.
3. Always sets a good example for lower ranks.
4. Always is loyal; never criticizes the instructor; the art, or the teaching method.
5. Practices a technique once it has been taught to him/her by the instructor and attempts
to utilize it.
6. Remembers that conduct outside the dojang reflects on the art and the instructor.
7. Discards immediately any technique that the student has learned from another school
that the instructor disapproves of.
8. Never is disrespectful to the instructor. Though a student may disagree, he/she must
eventually follow the instructor's guidance although it may seem incorrect to the student at
that time.
9. Always is eager to learn and asks questions.
10. Never breaks a trust.
The single wrap Taekwon-Do belt goes once around the waist
One (as in once around the waist) symbolizes:
1. Pursue one goal once it has been determined
2. Serve one master with unshakable loyalty
3. Gain a victory in one blow
Taekwon-Do is a way of life and is a universal art of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of self defense. Modern day Taekwon-Do is practiced by millions of people around the world today. In Korean, Taekwon-Do means the way of the hand and foot, as Tae is literally translated as “to smash with the foot”, kwon means “destroy with the hand or fist” and do means “the art or way of.”
On April 11, 1955, General Choi Hong Hi was credited with officially naming this martial art, calling it Taekwon-Do, which he had developed, initially based off of elements of Taekkyon (an ancient Korean martial art dating back 2000 years) and Shotokan Karate, which he studied while in Japan. General Choi was also credited with starting the spread of Taekwon-Do internationally by stationing Korean Taekwon-Do instructors around the world to promote and teach it. The ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) was officially formed on March 22, 1966. Modern day Taekwon-Do has evolved and has been perfected over the years, encompassing philosophical values and goals which are rooted in the traditional moral culture of the orient. Taekwon-Do is also a technical martial art and based off of principles of physics.
Sine Wave
The sine wave movement is unique to ITF Taekwon-Do. Its purpose is to maximize the power in each technique by maximizing body mass and kinetic energy. Sine wave permits greater control over body movements enabling smoother changes in direction and transition from one movement to another.
There are 3 stages to the sine wave motion:
Stage 1 The body drops slightly by bending the knees. At this stage the body is relaxed and moves into a balanced position while keeping the arms in a neutral position (the arms move slightly to a natural relaxed position but should not drop or make unnecessary movements)
Stage 2 The body rises up but the knees must not straighten completely. The arms extend to prepare for the technique, but must not extend fully (approximately 80% is sufficient). This stretches the muscles that will be used to execute the technique. The whole body should still be relaxed at this stage.
Stage 3 The body drops quickly to maximize the acceleration of the technique. This dropping motion helps the muscles in other parts of the body to remain relaxed (like in freefall), while the muscles used for accelerating the arms work more freely and effectively. At the end of the movement the muscles are tensed to stop the body’s dropping motion, to stop the arms moving (usually ending with a twisting motion), and to end the breath control all at the same time.
The secret to a good sine wave motion is to perform the 3 stages in a continuous flowing motion without stopping.