Home Syllabus History Theory Links Shop Joining Dojangs Competitions News Sitemap What is Korean for Front Pushing Strike? Click here!	Belts TAGB Tae Kwon-Do uses 10 "student" (or "colour") belts, ranging from the White Belt through to the Black Tag Belt: a Red Belt with a central black stripe (Tag), to indicate a students rank. Black (or "instructor") Belts are marked with smaller stripes ("Dans"). These belts identify ability and are also used to help set goals and extend existing abilities. The colour belts consist of ten ranks indicated by the Korean word geup (Romanized as Kup). Use the menu on the right to select a belt and discover what training is required at that rank. Students progress through the colour belts from 10th Kup to 1st Kup before achieving the distinction of Black Belt 1st Dan. We have also detailed the training requirements for the first five Black Belt Dan: there are nine in total. To advance through the ranks, you must first satisfy your instructor (Sabum) that you have spent sufficient time and energy training towards your next rank and have achieved a necessary level of proficiency. Once satisfied that you have the necessary skills, you will be entered into a "Grading" (these are usually held at the National Academy in Bristol) where a panel of senior TAGB judges will test your proficiency. Once again, use the menu on the right to discover what you will need to have learned before your next Grading. Typically, a Grading will consist of performing patterns, linework exercises and answering questions on terminology, philosophy, concepts and history, with the later addition of sparring and, for Black Belts, board breaking (also known as Destruction). Promotion from one Kup to the next can proceed fairly rapidly (typically every three months) in the lower ranks, but, understandably becomes increasingly difficult the higher you progress. Blue Belts through to Black Tag Belts are generally graded every six months. For Black Belts, however, promotion from one Dan to the next can often take years. A general rule of thumb is that a black belt may advance from one Dan to the next only after the number of years equivalent to the rank pursued have passed. For example, a newly-promoted Black Belt Fourth Dan may not be allowed to promote to Fifth Dan until five more years have passed. Those achieving Black Belt status before reaching their sixteenth birthday are further limited to achieving their next Dan every four years, acquiring "stars" for each year of Black Belt training completed in the interim. This is primarily to ensure that their developing physique is not overburdened by intensive training. If your Sabum permits, you can enter Tae Kwon-Do competitions. Do try it. They are both exciting and instructive. You may be surprised by what you achieve!	Belts: White Yellow Tag Yellow Green Tag Green Blue Tag Blue Red Tag Red Black Tag Black - 1st Dan Black - 2nd Dan Black - 3rd Dan Black - 4th Dan Black - 5th Dan Tenets: Courtesy To be polite to one's instructors, seniors and fellow students. Integrity To be honest with oneself. One must be able to define right and wrong. Perseverance To achieve a goal, whether it is a higher grade or any technique, one must not stop trying; one must persevere. Self Control To lose one's temper when performing techniques against an opponent can be very dangerous and shows lack of control. To be able to live, work and train within one's capability shows good self control. Indomitable Spirit To show courage when you and your principles are pitted against overwhelming odds.