Color (Gup) Belt Requirements

Testing and Rank Requirements of Bulsajo TKD.

TTesting is held four times a year, approximately every three months. Testing dates will be provided to students one to two months in advance. All students who are white belts or higher are expected to wear a full dobok (clean, pressed, with sleeves down) for testing. Before a student can test for a new rank, they must fulfill the following prerequisites:

Testing Prerequisites

  • Minimum Class Attendance: Students must attend at least twelve classes between tests.
  • Stripes for Children (Ages 5-17): Children must earn their Red and Blue stripes, which are recorded on a “Stripe Sheet” sent home to parents.
  • Korean Counting: Students must be able to count from one to ten (or higher) in Korean.
  • Ranking Techniques: Students must know their rank-specific breaking techniques, including both English and Korean terminology.
  • Poomsae: Required for adults and children aged 11 and above, or those who are green belts and higher.
  • HoSinSul (Self-Defense): Students must demonstrate their rank-specific self-defense techniques.
  • Ranking Combo: Ability to perform the required ranking combination.
  • Ranking Calisthenics: Students must meet the rank-specific calisthenics requirements (see details).
  • Essay: Required for Bodan and Dan students only.
  • Ranking Terminology & Knowledge: After demonstrating all the above, students will receive a testing sheet and may complete the back section at home or with an instructor or master.
  • Stances, Blocks, Punches, Strikes, and Kicks: Students should know these in both Korean and English, according to their level.
  • White Belt Students: White belt students must be able to tie their belts without assistance before testing for their yellow belt. Children will also receive their yellow stripe along with their testing sheet.

Requirements accumulate with each test, meaning students must continue to demonstrate all prior testing requirements. Children’s Self-Defense may differ from what is listed for teens and adults. Students aged 5-10 who are ranked No Belt to Orange Belt do not need to learn poomsae, but may request to learn it. Once they begin learning poomsae, they are expected to continue and will be tested on poomsae at every subsequent test. Students aged 11 and above, or those who are green belts, must learn poomsae.

Below are the testing requirements for ranks from No Belt to Bodan. Please note that Children’s Self-Defense differs from teen/adult requirements and changes with each test. Beginners learn one technique, intermediates learn two techniques (the beginner technique plus one additional), and advanced students learn three techniques (the beginner and intermediate techniques, plus one additional). All HoSinSul (self-defense) techniques must be performed on both sides, regardless of whether they are children’s or teen/adult techniques. Similar to the Children’s Self-Defense requirements, combinations will change with each test, for everyone. Be on the lookout for updates and newsletters with links to instructional videos.

The Master reserves the right to adjust testing requirements for each test.

Testing Requirements v2.6 (2022)

No-Belt to White Belt.

  1. Stances: Attention, ready/natural, horse riding, walking, back, front, and kicking stance.
  2. Blocks: At least two basic blocks.
  3. Punches / Strikes: Low, middle, high punch, reverse punch, and hammer fist.
  4. Kicks: Front kick, back kick, and knee strike.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Front straight up & back straight up stretching kick movements.
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: Kicho
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): using whatever blocks they know against punches, kicks, and grabs.
  9. Sparring: 3 step sparring.
  10. Breaking Techniques: hammer fist/front snap kick (ball of the foot) or back kick.
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 5 – 10, Sit up = 10 – 15, Squats = 20 – 25. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Beginner Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

White Belt to Yellow Belt.

  1. Stances: Previous. Concentration on horse stance.
  2. Blocks: Basic four blocks. (Low, inside-out middle, outside-in middle and high block)
  3. Punches / Strikes: Previous and palm strike.
  4. Kicks: Previous and sidekick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Previous and side straight-up stretching kick movement.
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: TaeGeuk 1. (il-jahng)
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 1 – 4 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: 3 step sparring.
  10. Breaking Techniques: palm strike/side kick (front leg, off-line or skipping).
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 5 – 10, Sit up = 10 – 15, Squats = 20 – 25. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Beginner Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Yellow Belt to Orange Belt.

  1. Stances: Previous, improved horse stance with a concentration on walking stance and front stance.
  2. Blocks: Previous.
  3. Punches / Strikes: Previous and side hammer fist.
  4. Kicks: Previous and roundhouse kick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: The three previous stretching kick movements plus outside-in crescent kick and inside-out crescent kick.
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsea: TaeGeuk 2 (ee-jahng)
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 5 – 8 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: 3 step sparring.
  10. Breaking Techniques: side hammer fist / roundhouse kick (ball of the foot).
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 5 – 10, Sit up = 10 – 15, Squats = 20 – 25. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Beginner Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Orange Belt to Light Green Belt.

  1. Stances: Previous (Basic Stances) with a concentration on back stance.
  2. Blocks: Previous and single knife-hand middle block.
  3. Punches / Strikes: Previous and knife-hand strike.
  4. Kicks: Previous and axe kick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Concentration on stretching kick movements.
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: TaeGeuk 3 (sahm-jahng)
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 9 – 12 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: 3 step sparring.
  10. Breaking Techniques: knife hand strike/ax kick (with the back of the heel).
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 5 – 10, Sit up = 10 – 15, Squats = 20 – 25. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Beginner Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Light Green Belt to Dark Green Belt.

  1. Stances: Basic stances, improved back stance, and concentration on kicking stance / fighting stance.
  2. Blocks: Double knife hand blocks, “Inside out, palm out” middle block, and palm middle blocks.
  3. Punches / Strikes: Knife hand strike improvement, reverse punches, elbow strikes, and spear hand.
  4. Kicks: Jumping basic kicks (front, back, side and round kicks)
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Swallows form strike to the neck. (from TaeGeuk 4)
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: TaeGeuk 4 (sah-jahng)
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 13 – 16 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: multiple rounds of 1v1 sparring. 
  10. Breaking Techniques: elbow strike (round or thrust) / jumping basic kick (front, back, round or side).
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 15 – 20, Sit up = 20 – 25, Squats = 25 – 30. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Intermediate Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Dark Green Belt to Purple Belt.

  1. Stances: Basic stances, improved kicking and fighting stance. Twisting stance.
  2. Blocks: Improvement on all previous blocks.
  3. Punches / Strikes: Back fist and roundhouse elbow strike.
  4. Kicks: Improvement on all previous kicks and turning back kick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Twisting stance with back fist.
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: TaeGeuk 5 (oh-jahng)
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 17 – 20 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: multiple rounds of 1v1 sparring. 
  10. Breaking Techniques: knuckle punch (reverse punch or stepping punch) / turning back kick.
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 15 – 20, Sit up = 20 – 25, Squats = 25 – 30. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Intermediate Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Purple Belt to Light Blue Belt.

  1. Stances: Basic stances and improved twisting stance.
  2. Blocks: Improvement on all previous blocks.
  3. Punches / Strikes: Improved reverse punch, turning back fist.
  4. Kicks: Improved roundhouse kick, jumping turning back kick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Concentration block.
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: TaeGeuk 6 (yook-jahng)
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 21 – 24 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: multiple rounds of 1v1 sparring. 
  10. Breaking Techniques: turning hammer fist / jumping turning back kick.
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 15 – 20, Sit up = 20 – 25, Squats = 25 – 30. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Intermediate Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Light Blue Belt to Dark Blue Belt.

  1. Stances: Previous stances, left/right stance, tiger stance.
  2. Blocks: Double knife hand low block, double open middle block, and X-low block.
  3. Punches / Strikes: Improved roundhouse elbow strike and back fist. Double uppercut and side punch.
  4. Kicks: Improved front kick, knee strike, and outside-in crescent kick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: “Wrapping-up fists” (TaeGeuk 7 concentration maneuver)
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: TaeGeuk 7 (chil-jahng)
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 25 – 28 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: multiple rounds of 1v1 sparring. 
  10. Breaking Techniques: turning back knife hand or turning back fist/hook kick (off-line or skipping).
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 15 – 20, Sit up = 20 – 25, Squats = 25 – 30. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Intermediate Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Dark Blue Belt to Red Belt.

  1. Stances: Previous stances. Improved left/right and tiger stance. Side stance.
  2. Blocks: Double low block and single mountain block.
  3. Punches / Strikes: Single uppercut and elbow / back fist/punch combo.
  4. Kicks: Improved front snap kicks. Double front snap kick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Single mountain block and “pulling uppercut”. (TaeGeuk 8)
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: TaeGeuk 8 (pahl-jahng)
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 29 – 32 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: multiple rounds of 1v1 sparring. 
  10. Breaking Techniques: speed hammer fist or speed knife hand / turning hook kick.
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 25 – 30, Sit up = 30+, Squats = 30+. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Advanced Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Red Belt to Brown Belt.

  1. Stances: Improvement on all stances thus far.
  2. Blocks: As above.
  3. Punches / Strikes: As above.
  4. Kicks: As above. Twist kick and 360 roundhouse kick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Turning crescent kicks.
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: Kicho – TaeGeuk 8. Optional Palgae 1
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 33 – 36 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: multiple rounds of 1v1 sparring. 
  10. Breaking Techniques: ridge hand strike / two basic kick combination (basic/basic)
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 25 – 30, Sit up = 30+, Squats = 30+. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Advanced Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Brown Belt to Bodan Belt.

Brown to Bodan Checklist

  1. Stances: Improvement on all stances thus far and a greater understanding of them.
  2. Blocks: As above.
  3. Punches / Strikes: As above.
  4. Kicks: As above. Turning back roundhouse kick and turning wheel kick.
  5. Miscellaneous Techniques: Jumping turning crescent kicks.
  6. Combination: instructor/master created per test.
  7. Poomsae: Kicho – TaeGeuk 8. Optional Palgwe 1 & 2
  8. HoSinSul (self-defense): 37 – 40 (both sides)
  9. Sparring: multiple rounds of 1v1 sparring. 
  10. Breaking Techniques: speed palm or speed punch (reverse or stepping) / two kick combination basic
  11. Calisthenics: In one minute: Push up = 25 – 30, Sit up = 30+, Squats = 30+. 
  12. Terminology & Knowledge: See Advanced Terminology and Knowledge Sheet.

Bodan Belts and up should refer to their advanced testing requirement sheets.