Grading

in

General Information 

A grading is a practical examination of a student’s skill at and knowledge of Taekwondo. Upon grading successfully, you will be awarded a new belt or tag. At this club we grade three times a year (normally on the last weekend of each term) and the grading is taken by Master S. Blomeley 6th Dan, assisted by Instructors Dave and Terry, in accordance with the Ki- Taekwondo Association (BTCB) syllabus. The instructors will decide whether or not you have reached the necessary standard to be able to grade.

A club grading normally lasts for 6 hours, although individual students will only be on the floor for between 30 minutes and 90 minutes depending on the grade they are attempting. Students are expected to attend and watch the entire grading, which is often followed by a syllabus seminar by Master Blomeley. Gradings are held in strict exam conditions in accordance with Taekwondo Etiquette.

Students usually grade in groups of 4 or 5, and will be required to demonstrate technique, stamina and knowledge of the art of Taekwondo. You will not be called upon to demonstrate anything that you have not been taught, nor will you be put forward to grade unless you instructor is certain of your ability to perform adequately. All the techniques will be practiced and familiar to you, and the process and form of the grading itself will be demonstrated to you in the classes beforehand.

When you name is called out:

  1. Stand up in charyot (attention stance), raise your right hand and reply, “Present ,sir!”, then bow
  2. Run to your mark, bow and stand in shio (at ease position)
  3. Wait until the command, “Position number n, identify yourself.”
  4. Come to charyot, raise your right hand and reply with your name and grade (e.g. “Joe Bloggs, 6th Kup, sir!”) then return to shio.

The general order of the grading is as follows (only a rough guide):

  • Press ups/warm up
  • Sitting stance techniques
  • Hand techniques in different stances
  • Kicking and combinations
  • Poomse
  • Various sparring (Higher belts only)
  • Destruction (7th kup and above)
  • Theory and philosophy

In order to be put forward to grade, you must:

  • Attend sufficient sessions to know your technique (generally 80% attendance)
  • Have a dobok (uniform) and dhi (belt) with a Ki-Taekwondo badge
  • Own a WTF (BTC) licence
  • Pay the grading fee (£15: for the examiners time, new belt/tag and certificate)