Complete progression from White Belt to 1st Dan Black Belt (World Taekwondo)
White Belt (10th Kup)
• Poomsae: Kibon (Basic Form) or H-Form
• Kicks: Front kick (Ap-chagi), Roundhouse kick (Dollyo-chagi), Side kick (Yop-chagi), Inside crescent kick (An-chagi), Outside crescent kick (Bakat-chagi)
• Hand techniques: Straight punch (Jireugi), Reverse punch (Ap-jireugi), Knife-hand strike to neck
• Stances: Attention stance, Ready stance, Horse-riding stance (Juchum-seogi), Front stance (Ap-kubi), Back stance (Dwit-kubi)
• Blocks: Low block (Araemakgi), Inward middle block (Momtong-an-makgi), Outward middle block (Momtong-bakat-makgi), High block (Olgul-makgi)
• Theory: Count 1–10 in Korean, meaning of belt colors, Taekwondo oath
• Board breaking: 1 board – Front kick or straight punch
Yellow Belt (9th Kup)
• Poomsae: Taegeuk Il Jang (1)
• New kicks: Jumping front kick, Switch roundhouse kick
• Hand techniques: Backfist + reverse punch combo
• New blocks: Double middle block, Rising knife-hand block
• Self-defense: 2 basic wrist escapes
• Theory: Count 1–20 in Korean, 5 Tenets of Taekwondo
• Board breaking: 1 board – Roundhouse kick
Orange Belt (8th Kup)
• Poomsae: Taegeuk Ee Jang (2)
• New kicks: Hook kick (Huryeo-chagi), Back kick (Dwit-chagi)
• Hand techniques: Ridge-hand strike, Forearm strike
• New blocks: Reinforced block (Geodeureo-makgi)
• Combinations: Step + roundhouse + reverse punch
• Theory: Names of uniform parts (dobok), Korean terminology for all techniques
• Board breaking: 1 board – Jumping side kick
Green Belt (7th Kup)
• Poomsae: Taegeuk Sam Jang (3)
• New kicks: Jumping roundhouse, Basic spinning heel kick
• Hand techniques: Uppercut, Elbow strikes
• Self-defense: 3 escapes + simple takedown
• Sparring: First light-contact round
• Theory: History of Taekwondo (basic), meaning of Taegeuk 1–3
• Board breaking: 1 board – Back kick or spinning heel kick
Blue Belt (6th Kup)
• Poomsae: Taegeuk Sa Jang (4)
• New kicks: Jumping back kick, Double roundhouse kick
• Hand techniques: Palm heel strike, Spear-hand thrust
• Self-defense: Defense against lapel grab (2 hands)
• Sparring: 2 rounds with controlled contact
• Theory: Meaning of Taegeuk 4, Olympic Taekwondo rules (basic)
• Board breaking: 2 boards – Jumping roundhouse or chosen technique
Red Belt (5th–4th Kup)
• Poomsae: Taegeuk Oh Jang (5) + Taegeuk Yuk Jang (6)
• New kicks: Tornado kick (360° roundhouse), Jumping spinning heel kick
• Self-defense: Defense against punches + ground escape basics
• Sparring: Full gear, 3 rounds
• Theory: Meaning of all Taegeuk up to 6, Taekwondo philosophy
• Board breaking: 2–3 boards (speed or power technique)
Red-Black Belt (3rd–2nd Kup)
• Poomsae: Taegeuk Chil Jang (7) + Taegeuk Pal Jang (8)
• Advanced kicks: 540° kick, triple kicks, advanced combinations
• Self-defense: Complete series (wrist, choke, bear hug, ground)
• Sparring: Strategy, timing, counter-attacks
• Theory: Full Korean terminology, history of WT and Kukkiwon
• Board breaking: 3+ boards (multiple stations possible)
Black Belt 1st Dan (Cho Dan Bo → 1st Dan)
• Poomsae: Koryo + all previous Taegeuk (review)
• All kicks: Mastery of all previous + creative combinations
• Self-defense: Full demonstration (10+ techniques)
• Sparring: 2 vs 1 and strategy round
• Theory exam: Written test (history, philosophy, terminology)
• Board breaking: Minimum 4–5 stations (power, speed, spinning, jumping)
• Thesis: Short essay or oral presentation about personal journey in Taekwondo