JiHoChoi TKD Institute uses one main belt system derived from Kukkiwon. Unfortunately, there are many schools using vastly different variations which can be confusing, especially if a student changes from one Tae Kwon Do dojang (what is dojang?) to another.
We hope that this blog post will help you better understand how TKD belts work.
Overview
The minimal time it takes to become a 1st Dan in Tae Kwon Do can be between 2 and 3 years, with belt promotions taking place approximately every 3 months.
Taekwondo ranks are typically separated into junior (student) and senior (instructor) sections.
Junior Ranks
The junior section typically consists of ten ranks indicated by the Korean word geup (a.k.a. “gup” or in Korean “급”). Geup literally meaning grade. The junior ranks are usually identified by belts of various colors so these ranks are sometimes called “color belts”.
Students begin at tenth geup (often indicated by a white belt) and advance toward first geup (often indicated by a red belt with three stripes).
Typically, advanced students will be assistants to the instructors, helping the senior belts, or Dan, teach demonstrating techniques or showing beginner students how to tie their belts for example.
Senior Ranks
The senior belt section is typically made up of nine ranks. Each rank is called a Dan (“단”) which may also be referred to as “black belt” or “degree” (as in “third dan” or “third-degree black belt”).
Black belts begin at 1st degree and advance to 2nd, 3rd, and so on. The degree is indicated on the belt itself with an embroidered with student’s name, Ji Ho Choi dojang name, and a number of stripes.
Ranking = Knowledge
Click on any ranks for belt promotion study guides:
| Color | Task |
|---|---|
| WHITE (10th Gup) | Initial understanding of Belt appropriate Forms, or Basic Stances (beginners) |
| SR. WHITE (9th Gup) | Initial understanding of Belt appropriate Forms, or Basic Stances (beginners) |
| YELLOW (8th Gup) | Comprehension of Basic Movements and Blocks |
| SR. YELLOW (7th Gup) | Comprehension of Basic Movements and Blocks |
| GREEN (6th Gup) | Complete Memorization of Belt appropriate Forms |
| SR. GREEN (6th Gup) | Complete Memorization of Belt appropriate Forms |
| BLUE (5th Gup) | Comprehension of Kicking Techniques |
| JR. BLUE (5th Gup) | Comprehension of Kicking Techniques |
| SR. BLUE (4th Gup) | Comprehension of Kicking Techniques |
| RED (3rd Gup) | Comprehension of Sparring Footwork techniques |
| Jr. RED (2nd Gup) | Comprehension of Sparring Footwork techniques |
| MED. RED (2nd Gup) | Comprehension of Sparring Footwork techniques |
| SR. RED (1st Gup) | Comprehension of Sparring Footwork techniques |
| BLACK (1st dan) | Memorization of Terminologies and Mental Education |
