Premier Dojang · Martial Arts Schools of Excellence

White Belt Yellow Tag

9th Kup
Syllabus

Your complete guide to training, grading and everything in between — for students and parents.

2026 Master Edition
구단계 · 흰 띠 노란 태그

Contents

1Warm-Up & Fitness
2Stances (Sogi)
3Hand Techniques
4Foot Techniques
5Line Drills
6Patterns (Tul)
7Step Sparring
8Power Test
9Theory
10Grading Checklist
THE FOUNDATIONS ARE BEING LAID — YELLOW TAG IS EARNED, NOT GIVEN

1

Warm-Up & Fitness

REQUIRED AT EVERY CLASS AND GRADING — COUNT ALOUD IN KOREAN

Every student must be able to warm themselves up correctly — and lead the class if asked. Count every exercise in Korean, aloud. You will use these counts at your grading.

💡 Parent tip: Call out the numbers in English first, then swap to Korean once your child knows them. Doing it together makes it fun.

Part 1 — Joint Rotations 관절 운동

Identical to 10th Kup — every exercise, every count, no changes.

# Exercise Detail Count
1a Shoulder — Left Arm Forward Full arm circles, forward direction 8 (Yodol)
1b Shoulder — Left Arm Backward Full arm circles, backward direction 8
1c Shoulder — Right Arm Forward Full arm circles, forward direction 8
1d Shoulder — Right Arm Backward Full arm circles, backward direction 8
1e Shoulder — Left Forward, Right Backward Opposite directions simultaneously 8
1f Shoulder — Right Forward, Left Backward Opposite directions simultaneously 8
2a Neck — Look Right then Left Slow and controlled 16
2b Neck — Look Up then Down Slow and controlled 16
3a Lats/Shoulders/Spine — Chicken Wings Forward Elbows circle forward 8
3b Lats/Shoulders/Spine — Chicken Wings Backward Elbows circle backward 8
4a Waist — Hip Circles Clockwise Large, slow circles 8
4b Waist — Hip Circles Counter-Clockwise Large, slow circles 8
5a Knees — Crouches / Squats Together Knees together, controlled squat 8 × 2
5b Knees — Circles Clockwise Hands on knees, circle out 8
5c Knees — Circles Counter-Clockwise 8
6a Ankles — Left Clockwise Foot off floor, rotate ankle 8
6b Ankles — Left Counter-Clockwise 8
6c Ankles — Right Clockwise 8
6d Ankles — Right Counter-Clockwise 8

Part 2 — Vigorous Warm-Up 체력 단련

Reps increase by 5 at every grade. 25 feels hard now — it will be your baseline before this grade is done.

Exercise Count Note
Star Jumps 25 —
Sit-Ups 25 —
Press-Ups 25 Adults and Black Belts from all grades: first two knuckles (Ap Joomuk) — Momtong Bachim
Squat Thrusts 25 —
Sky Divers 25 Lie face down — raise arms and legs off floor simultaneously
⏱️ No time limit at this grade. Correct form and completion is the standard. From 8th Kup the clock starts — use this grade to build the habit of doing them right.
📈 These numbers increase at each grade. What feels hard today is your baseline for tomorrow.

Full Fitness Progression — All Grades

Know where you are going. This is the full journey from White Belt to Red/Black Tag.

Grade Belt Sets Reps Total Time
10th Kup White 1 20 20 No limit
9th Kup ◀ YOU ARE HERE White / Yellow Tag 1 25 25 No limit
8th Kup Yellow 1 30 30 6 min
7th Kup Yellow / Green Tag 1 35 35 7 min
6th Kup Green 1 40 40 7 min
5th Kup Green / Blue Tag 1 45 45 8 min
4th Kup Blue 2 30 60 10 min (inc. 30 sec rest)
3rd Kup Blue / Red Tag 2 40 80 12 min (inc. 30 sec rest)
2nd Kup Red 3 30 90 13 min (inc. 2 × 30 sec rest)
1st Kup Red / Black Tag 3 35 105 15 min (inc. 2 × 30 sec rest)
💪 From 4th Kup the format changes to circuit sets with 30 seconds rest between sets. The rest period does not allow full recovery — that is intentional. Stamina, breath control and mental toughness are all being tested. The work starts here.

2

Stances

Sogi — 서기
KNOW THE ENGLISH NAME, KOREAN NAME, WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION, WIDTH & LENGTH

All stances from 10th Kup carry forward. One new stance is introduced at this grade. The examiner will ask you to demonstrate it and state the weight distribution.

English Name Korean Weight Width Length (front to back)
Parallel Stance Narani Sogi 50/50 Shoulder width N/A
Attention Stance Charyot Sogi 50/50 Heels together, V-shape N/A
Bowing Posture Kongnae Jase 50/50 As Attention Stance N/A
Sitting Stance Annun Sogi 50/50 1½ shoulder widths N/A
Walking Stance Gunnun Sogi 50/50 Shoulder width 1½ shoulder widths
L-Stance ⭐ NEW Niunja Sogi 70% back / 30% front Shoulder width 1½ shoulder widths
⭐ L-Stance — Niunja Sogi — NEW at this grade

Weight: 70% on the back leg — 30% on the front leg.
Feet: Back foot points forward. Front foot turns out at 90°. Both feet remain flat on the floor.
Width: Shoulder width apart (side to side).
Length: 1½ shoulder widths (front heel to back heel).

Why? The L-Stance loads the back leg heavily — the front foot is light and ready to fire a kick. It is the natural pre-kick ready position.

⚖️ Examiner question you must be ready for: “Show me L-Stance. How much weight on each leg?” Answer: Seventy on the back leg, thirty on the front.

3

Hand Techniques

Son Gisool — 손 기술
KNOW WHICH TOOL IS USED AND THE KOREAN NAME FOR EACH TECHNIQUE

All hand parts and techniques from 10th Kup carry forward. Three new techniques are introduced at this grade — each is given its own section below. A hand technique always needs a stance: STANCE + TECHNIQUE.

Hand Parts (Sang Bansin) 상 반신

English Korean Description
Open Hand Son The hand in general — open position
Knife Hand Son Kal Outer edge of the open hand (little finger side)
Fist Joomuk Clenched fist
Forefist Ap Joomuk First two knuckles of the clenched fist — striking tool for punches
Outer Forearm Paka Palmok Outer edge of the forearm — thumb side
Inner Forearm ⭐ NEW An Palmok Inner edge of the forearm — little finger side

Techniques Carried Forward from 10th Kup

English Korean Stance Tool
Forefist Middle Punch Ap Joomuk Kaunde Jirugi Walking Stance Ap Joomuk
Outer Forearm Low Block Pakat Palmok Najunde Maki Walking Stance Outer forearm
Outer Forearm Middle Block Pakat Palmok Kaunde Maki Walking Stance Outer forearm
Knife Hand Low Block Sonkal Najunde Maki Walking Stance Son Kal

⭐ New Technique 1 — Inner Forearm Middle Block

An Palmok Kaunde Maki 안 팔목 중단 막기

Stance: L-Stance (Niunja Sogi)
Tool: Inner forearm — the inside edge of the forearm, little finger side.
Target: Middle section — deflects an attack to the chest or torso.
Action: The blocking arm sweeps from the inside outward. The reaction hand pulls sharply to the hip.
Where you will use it: Saju Maki (revised at this grade) and throughout Chon-Ji from movement 9 onward.

⭐ New Technique 2 — Outer Forearm Rising Block

Paka Palmok Chookyo Maki 바깥 팔목 축여 막기

Stance: Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi)
Tool: Outer forearm — the thumb-side edge of the forearm.
Target: Deflects a high-section attack (to the head) upward and away.
Action: The forearm rises at an angle across the centreline, finishing above forehead height. The fist finishes roughly above the forehead — not behind it.
Where you will use it: Line Drills and Step Sparring Sequence 4 at this grade.

⭐ New Technique 3 — Forearm Guarding Block

Palmok Daebi Maki 팔목 대비 막기

Stance: L-Stance (Niunja Sogi)
Tool: Both forearms simultaneously.
Description: A two-arm guarding position protecting the centreline. One forearm is positioned vertically, the other horizontally — forming a cross-guard in front of the body. The guard covers both high and middle sections simultaneously.
Application: Used as a defensive finishing position after a counter-attack. It signals the end of a sequence while maintaining guard.
Where you will use it: Line Drills and Step Sparring Sequence 4 at this grade.

Body Sections — Height Levels

Korean English Target Area
Olgul High section Face and head
Kaunde Middle section Chest and torso
Najunde Low section Waist and below

5

Line Drills

Gibon Yonsup — 기본 연습
FOUR DIRECTIONAL SEQUENCES + TWO NEW LINE DRILLS — ALL GRADING REQUIREMENTS

At 9th Kup there are four line drill requirements. All sequences start and end in Parallel Stance. Direction tip: imagine a compass on the floor. Your pivot foot turns but does not travel.

Four Directional Punch Saju Jirugi

Carried forward from 10th Kup exactly. 16 steps total. Alternates Middle Punch and Low Outer Forearm Block. First half (Steps 1–8) leads with the Right side; second half (Steps 9–16) mirrors with the Left.

FIRST HALF — Steps 1–8 · Right Side
  • ▶
    Start — Narani SogiFace North. Parallel Stance.
  • 1
    Right foot forward → Right Walking StanceRight Obverse Middle Punch — Ki-Ap!
  • 2
    Pivot Left foot → Turn → Left Walking StanceLeft Low Outer Forearm Block
  • 3
    Right foot forward → Right Walking StanceRight Obverse Middle Punch
  • 4
    Pivot Left foot → Turn → Left Walking StanceLeft Low Outer Forearm Block
  • 5
    Right foot forward → Right Walking StanceRight Obverse Middle Punch
  • 6
    Pivot Left foot → Turn → Left Walking StanceLeft Low Outer Forearm Block
  • 7
    Right foot forward → Right Walking StanceRight Obverse Middle Punch — Ki-Ap!
  • 8
    Ba-ro → Narani SogiReturn to Parallel Stance — midpoint of sequence.
SECOND HALF — Steps 9–16 · Left Side Mirror
  • ▶
    From Narani Sogi — same spot as Step 8Mirror: Left foot leads, Left hand punches, Right hand blocks.
  • 9
    Left foot forward → Left Walking StanceLeft Obverse Middle Punch — Ki-Ap!
  • 10
    Pivot Right foot → Turn → Right Walking StanceRight Low Outer Forearm Block
  • 11
    Left foot forward → Left Walking StanceLeft Obverse Middle Punch
  • 12
    Pivot Right foot → Turn → Right Walking StanceRight Low Outer Forearm Block
  • 13
    Left foot forward → Left Walking StanceLeft Obverse Middle Punch
  • 14
    Pivot Right foot → Turn → Right Walking StanceRight Low Outer Forearm Block
  • 15
    Left foot forward → Left Walking StanceLeft Obverse Middle Punch — Ki-Ap!
  • 16
    Ba-ro → Narani SogiReturn to Parallel Stance. Sequence complete.

🪞 The mirror rule: Every Right in the first half becomes Left in the second half. Right foot → Left foot. Right hand punch → Left hand punch. Left hand block → Right hand block. The pivot foot also swaps.

Four Directional Block Saju Maki — ⭐ REVISED AT THIS GRADE

🔄 Important change from 10th Kup: At 10th Kup the middle block was Outer Forearm. At 9th Kup this becomes Inner Forearm (An Palmok Maki). Your Outer Forearm technique should now be solid — this is the next layer. All other elements remain identical.

18 steps total. Alternates Knife Hand Low Block (stepping back) and Middle Inner Forearm Block (stepping forward). First half (Steps 1–9) leads with Right foot; second half (Steps 10–18) mirrors with Left.

FIRST HALF — Steps 1–9 · Right Foot Leads
  • ▶
    Start — Narani SogiFace North. Parallel Stance.
  • 1
    Right foot backward → Right Walking StanceLeft Knife Hand Low Block
  • 2
    Right foot forward → Right Walking StanceRight Middle Inner Forearm Block
  • 3
    Turn → Right foot backward → Left Walking StanceLeft Knife Hand Low Block
  • 4
    Right foot forward → Right Walking StanceRight Middle Inner Forearm Block
  • 5
    Turn → Right foot backward → Left Walking StanceLeft Knife Hand Low Block
  • 6
    Right foot forward → Right Walking StanceRight Middle Inner Forearm Block
  • 7
    Turn → Right foot backward → Left Walking StanceLeft Knife Hand Low Block
  • 8
    Right foot forward → Right Walking StanceRight Middle Inner Forearm Block — Ki-Ap!
  • 9
    Ba-ro → Narani SogiReturn to Parallel Stance — midpoint of sequence.
SECOND HALF — Steps 10–18 · Left Foot Leads Mirror
  • ▶
    From Narani Sogi — same spot as Step 9Mirror: Left foot steps, Right hand blocks low, Left hand blocks middle.
  • 10
    Left foot backward → Left Walking StanceRight Knife Hand Low Block
  • 11
    Left foot forward → Left Walking StanceLeft Middle Inner Forearm Block
  • 12
    Turn → Left foot backward → Right Walking StanceRight Knife Hand Low Block
  • 13
    Left foot forward → Left Walking StanceLeft Middle Inner Forearm Block
  • 14
    Turn → Left foot backward → Right Walking StanceRight Knife Hand Low Block
  • 15
    Left foot forward → Left Walking StanceLeft Middle Inner Forearm Block
  • 16
    Turn → Left foot backward → Right Walking StanceRight Knife Hand Low Block
  • 17
    Left foot forward → Left Walking StanceLeft Middle Inner Forearm Block — Ki-Ap!
  • 18
    Ba-ro → Narani SogiReturn to Parallel Stance. Sequence complete.

🪞 The mirror rule: Every Right foot step becomes a Left foot step. Right hand blocks Low → Left hand blocks Low. Left hand blocks Middle → Right hand blocks Middle.

⭐ New Line Drill 1 — Front Kick into Middle Obverse Punch

Performed in Walking Stance. Step forward, execute Front Kick (Ap Chagi), land, immediately execute Middle Obverse Punch (Kaunde Jirugi). Perform on both sides.

🎯 What this tests: Kick-to-punch transition, balance on landing, and continuous power. The punch must land with the same force and focus as if thrown from standing. No pause between kick and punch — the landing is the chamber.

⭐ New Line Drill 2 — Rising Block in Walking Stance

Step forward into Walking Stance, execute Outer Forearm Rising Block (Paka Palmok Chookyo Maki). Perform on both sides.

🎯 What this tests: Correct tool (outer forearm, not fist), correct chamber position, and the blocking angle — the forearm rises across the centreline to finish above forehead height.

6

Patterns

Tul — 틀
CHON-JI — 19 MOVEMENTS — FIRST PATTERN IN ITF TAEKWONDO

✅ Chon-Ji is required at this grade. It is the first of 24 patterns in ITF Taekwondo. Learn the name, the number of movements, and the meaning — the examiner will ask all three.

Chon-Ji 천지

Movements Ready Position Pattern Number
19 Narani Junbe Sogi facing D 1st of 24 ITF patterns
🌏 Meaning of Chon-Ji: Chon-Ji means literally Heaven and Earth. It is, in the Orient, interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history. Therefore it is the initial pattern played by the beginner. The pattern consists of two similar parts — one to represent Heaven, the other the Earth.
🧭 Diagram: The pattern uses compass points A, B, C, D. The student starts on line AB facing D. C is behind, A is left, B is right. The pattern travels along all four axes and returns to the start.

Techniques Used in Chon-Ji

  • Walking Stance, Low Outer Forearm Block (movements 1–8)
  • Walking Stance, Middle Forefist Punch (movements 1–8 and 10, 12, 14, 16–19)
  • L-Stance, Inner Forearm Middle Block (movements 9, 11, 13, 15)
FIRST HALF — Movements 1–8 · Low Blocks & Punches
  • ▶
    Ready — Narani Junbe Sogi facing DStand on line AB.
  • 1
    Left foot to B → Left Walking Stance toward BLow Block to B with left forearm
  • 2
    Right foot to B → Right Walking Stance toward BMiddle Punch to B with right fist
  • 3
    Right foot to A (clockwise) → Right Walking Stance toward ALow Block to A with right forearm
  • 4
    Left foot to A → Left Walking Stance toward AMiddle Punch to A with left fist
  • 5
    Left foot to D → Left Walking Stance toward DLow Block to D with left forearm
  • 6
    Right foot to D → Right Walking Stance toward DMiddle Punch to D with right fist
  • 7
    Right foot to C (clockwise) → Right Walking Stance toward CLow Block to C with right forearm
  • 8
    Left foot to C → Left Walking Stance toward CMiddle Punch to C with left fist
SECOND HALF — Movements 9–19 · L-Stance Blocks & Punches
  • 9
    Left foot to A → Right L-Stance toward AMiddle Block to A with left inner forearm
  • 10
    Right foot to A → Right Walking Stance toward AMiddle Punch to A with right fist
  • 11
    Right foot to B (clockwise) → Left L-Stance toward BMiddle Block to B with right inner forearm
  • 12
    Left foot to B → Left Walking Stance toward BMiddle Punch to B with left fist
  • 13
    Left foot to C → Right L-Stance toward CMiddle Block to C with left inner forearm
  • 14
    Right foot to C → Right Walking Stance toward CMiddle Punch to C with right fist
  • 15
    Right foot to D (clockwise) → Left L-Stance toward DMiddle Block to D with right inner forearm
  • 16
    Left foot to D → Left Walking Stance toward DMiddle Punch to D with left fist
  • 17
    Right foot to D → Right Walking Stance toward DMiddle Punch to D with right fist
  • 18
    Right foot to C → Left Walking Stance toward DMiddle Punch to D with left fist
  • 19
    Left foot to C → Right Walking Stance toward DMiddle Punch to D with right fist — Ki-Ap!

📍 Accuracy rule: The pattern must begin and end at the same spot. If you finish in the wrong position, your accuracy needs work — not your memory. Walk the pattern slowly, checking each foot position, until this is automatic.
🔜 What’s next at 8th Kup: You will learn Dan-Gun — 21 movements, named after the holy Dan-Gun, legendary founder of Korea.

7

Step Sparring

Matsogi — 맞서기
3-STEP SEQUENCES 1, 2, 3 REQUIRED · SEQUENCE 4 INTRODUCED

3-Step Sparring (Sambo Matsogi) develops Distance, Focus and Timing. At 9th Kup Sequences 1, 2 and 3 are required. Sequence 4 is introduced and required from 8th Kup.

🏠 Grading requirement — solo or partner: The minimum requirement is to perform sequences solo — attacker and defender roles performed alone, without a partner. This exists to encourage home practice: no partner at home is no excuse. In class, if your instructor is satisfied with your control, focus and timing, you may be paired with a partner to further develop distance and timing. Solo performance at grading is fully acceptable.

Protocol — Every Sequence Begins and Ends the Same Way

Stage What Happens
Start Both students face each other and bow (Kyong-ye)
Distance Attacker steps back into Walking Stance with Low Block to establish correct distancing
Ready signal Attacker signals with Ki-Ap. Defender replies with Ki-Ap.
After counter Attacker returns to guard position. Both return to Parallel Stance.
End Roles swap. Repeat. Both bow and step away.

Grading Requirements by Grade

Grade Sequences Required
10th Kup 1
9th Kup ◀ YOU ARE HERE 1, 2, 3
8th Kup 1, 2, 3, 4
7th Kup 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
6th Kup and above All 6

Sequence 1 Required — carried forward from 10th Kup

Step
Attacker (Player 1)
Defender (Player 2)
1
Step Right foot forward → Right Walking Stance
Obverse Middle Punch with Right hand
Step Right foot back → Left Walking Stance
Left Middle Outer Forearm Block
2
Step Left foot forward → Left Walking Stance
Obverse Middle Punch with Left hand
Step Left foot back → Right Walking Stance
Right Middle Outer Forearm Block
3
Step Right foot forward → Right Walking Stance
Obverse Middle Punch with Right hand
Step Right foot back → Left Walking Stance
Left Middle Outer Forearm Block
↩
Maintain Walking Stance — return to guard
Maintain Left Walking Stance
Execute Reverse Middle Punch with Right hand — Ki-Ap!

Sequence 2 Required — carried forward from 10th Kup

Step
Attacker (Player 1)
Defender (Player 2)
1
Step Right foot forward → Right Walking Stance
Obverse Middle Punch with Right hand
Step Right foot back → Left Walking Stance
Left Middle Inner Forearm Block
2
Step Left foot forward → Left Walking Stance
Obverse Middle Punch with Left hand
Step Left foot back → Right Walking Stance
Right Middle Inner Forearm Block
3
Step Right foot forward → Right Walking Stance
Obverse Middle Punch with Right hand
Step Right foot back → Left Walking Stance
Left Middle Inner Forearm Block
↩
Maintain Walking Stance — return to guard
Maintain Left Walking Stance
Execute Reverse High Front Flat Fingertip Thrust with Right hand — Ki-Ap!

Sequence 3 Required — NEW at 9th Kup

Step
Attacker (Player 1)
Defender (Player 2)
1
Low Front Snap Kick with Right leg
Step down into Right Walking Stance
Step Right foot back → Left Walking Stance
Left Low Outer Forearm Block
2
Left foot Side Kick
Right Outer Forearm Inward Block
↩
—
Counter — Left Low Front Snap Kick with left leg
Lower left leg into Left Walking Stance
⚠️ Note on Sequence 3: The source documentation for this sequence records two attack steps and a counter, but the third attack step is not fully documented in the available source material. The above reflects what is confirmed. Confirm the complete sequence with your instructor before grading.

Sequence 4 Introduced at 9th Kup · Required from 8th Kup

Step
Attacker (Player 1)
Defender (Player 2)
1
Step Right foot forward → Right Walking Stance
Obverse High Front Punch with Right hand
Step Right foot back → Left Walking Stance
Left Outer Forearm Rising Block
↩
—
Counter — Middle Side Kick with Left leg
Lower left leg into Right L-Stance executing Forearm Guarding Block

8

Power Test

Wiryok Siheom — 위력 시험
PAD WORK — NOT BOARD BREAKING

🥊 9th Kup students use a PAD, not a board. A clean, focused strike with correct form is exactly what the examiner is looking for. Power without technique is not the goal — focused technique is.

The examiner wants to see:

  • Correct tool — hitting with the right part of the hand or foot
  • Focus — power delivered at the point of impact, not through it
  • Chamber and recoil — technique starts and ends in the correct position
  • Stance — solid base throughout the strike
  • Breathing — exhale and Ki-Ap on impact
Technique Tool Target
Forefist Middle Punch Ap Joomuk Pad at middle section (chest height)
Front Snap Kick Ap Kumchi Pad at middle/low section
Outer Forearm Rising Block Paka Palmok Pad or partner’s arm (high section)

9

Theory

SAY EVERY ANSWER ALOUD — HESITATION MEANS MORE PRACTICE NEEDED

Theory is cumulative — you are responsible for all 10th Kup knowledge plus the new questions below. Read the question, close the book, answer out loud. If you hesitate, that is your practice focus.

Beginner Questions — Carried Forward from 10th Kup
Q: What country does Taekwondo come from?
Korea.

Q: Who founded Taekwondo?
Grandmaster General Choi Hong Hi, 9th Degree.

Q: What year was Taekwondo founded?
1955 (officially recognised). The ITF — International Taekwondo Federation — was founded in 1966.

Q: What is the Taekwondo Oath?
  • I shall observe the Tenets of Taekwondo
  • I shall respect my Instructor and Seniors
  • I shall never misuse Taekwondo
  • I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
  • I shall help build a more peaceful world

New Questions at 9th Kup
Q: What is the meaning of White Belt?
White represents purity and innocence — a student with no previous knowledge of Taekwondo.

Q: What is the meaning of Yellow Belt?
Signifies the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root — the foundations of Taekwondo are being laid.

Q: What is the name of your pattern?
Chon-Ji.

Q: How many movements in Chon-Ji?
19.

Q: What does Chon-Ji mean?
Heaven and Earth. In the Orient it is interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history. It is the initial pattern played by the beginner and consists of two similar parts — one to represent Heaven and the other the Earth.

Q: What is L-Stance called in Korean?
Niunja Sogi.

Q: What is the weight distribution in L-Stance?
70% on the back leg, 30% on the front leg.

Q: What is the length of L-Stance?
1½ shoulder widths (front heel to back heel).

Q: What is Inner Forearm Middle Block in Korean?
An Palmok Kaunde Maki.

Q: What is Outer Forearm Rising Block in Korean?
Paka Palmok Chookyo Maki.

Q: What is Forearm Guarding Block in Korean?
Palmok Daebi Maki.

Q: How many patterns are there in ITF Taekwondo?
24.

Q: What is the Korean word for pattern?
Tul.

Questions About Stances — Carried Forward
Q: Show me Walking Stance. How much weight on each leg?
50/50 — half the weight on each leg.

Q: How wide is Walking Stance?
Shoulder width.

Q: How long is Walking Stance?
One and a half shoulder widths (front heel to back heel).

Q: Show me Sitting Stance. How wide is it?
One and a half shoulder widths. Weight is 50/50.

Q: Show me L-Stance. How much weight on each leg?
70% on the back leg, 30% on the front leg.

Questions About Hand Parts — Carried Forward
Q: What tool do you use for a forefist punch?
Ap Joomuk — the first two knuckles of the clenched fist.

Q: What is the Korean name for knife hand?
Son Kal — the outer edge of the open hand.

Q: What is the Korean name for inner forearm?
An Palmok.

Q: What is the Korean name for outer forearm?
Paka Palmok.

Questions About Foot Parts — Carried Forward
Q: What tool do you use for a front kick?
Ap Kumchi — the ball of the foot (front sole).

Q: What is the Korean name for front kick?
Ap Chagi.

Q: What is the Korean name for front snap kick?
Ap Cha Busigi.

The Five Tenets — Know All Five in Korean AND English
Q: Name the Five Tenets of Taekwondo.
Ye-Ui
Courtesy
Respect for your instructor, partners and seniors.
Yom-Chi
Integrity
Knowing right from wrong — and choosing right, even when it’s hard.
In-Nae
Perseverance
Try, try, try again. Never give up on your goals.
Guk-Gi
Self-Control
Control of mind, body, thoughts, words and actions.
Baekjul-Boolgool
Indomitable Spirit
Courage to do what seems impossible.

Korean Numbers 1–10
Number Korean Number Korean
1 Hana 6 Yasut
2 Dul 7 Ilgop
3 Set 8 Yodol
4 Net 9 Ahop
5 Dasut 10 Yol
Commands You Must Know
Korean English
Charyot Attention
Kyong-ye Bow
Joonbi Ready
Sijak Start / Begin
Geuman Stop
Shio Relax / Rest
Ba-ro Return to ready position
Ki-Ap Focus shout — used in sparring and line drills

10

Grading Checklist

TICK ONLY WHEN FULLY CONFIDENT — ANY UNTICK = YOUR TRAINING PRIORITY

Work through this in the days before your grading. A section is complete only when every box is ticked without hesitation.

Warm-Up & Fitness

  • I can lead the joint rotation warm-up correctly, counting in Korean

  • I can complete 25 × Star Jumps, Sit-Ups, Press-Ups, Squat Thrusts and Sky Divers with correct form

  • I know the fitness progression — numbers and format increase at every grade

Stances

  • All 10th Kup stances — correct position without thinking

  • L-Stance (Niunja Sogi) — correct foot position, 70/30 weight, 1½ shoulder width length

  • I can state the weight distribution for every stance without hesitation

Hand Techniques

  • All 10th Kup hand techniques — correct tool and form

  • Inner Forearm Middle Block (An Palmok Kaunde Maki) — correct tool, performed in L-Stance

  • Outer Forearm Rising Block (Paka Palmok Chookyo Maki) — correct chamber and angle

  • Forearm Guarding Block (Palmok Daebi Maki) — both forearms, correct cross-guard position

Foot Techniques

  • All kicks from 10th Kup — correct chamber and recoil

  • Front Snap Kick — controlled, accurate, toes pulled back

  • Front Rising Kick — straight leg, toes back

Line Drills

  • Saju Jirugi — all 16 steps from memory, with power and Ki-Ap

  • Saju Maki (revised) — all 18 steps with Inner Forearm Block, from memory

  • Line Drill 1 — Front Kick into Middle Punch — smooth transition, no pause

  • Line Drill 2 — Rising Block in Walking Stance — both sides

  • All line drills begin and end in Parallel Stance

Pattern — Chon-Ji

  • All 19 movements from memory, in correct order

  • Pattern begins and ends at the same spot

  • Correct stance at each movement — Walking Stance first 8, L-Stance from movement 9

  • Ki-Ap on the final movement

  • I have performed Chon-Ji in front of someone else this week

Step Sparring

  • Sequence 1 — I know both Attacker and Defender roles

  • Sequence 2 — I know both Attacker and Defender roles

  • Sequence 3 — I know both Attacker and Defender roles (confirm complete sequence with instructor)

  • Sequence 4 — I have begun learning it (introduced at this grade)

  • I know the Ki-Ap protocol — when to shout and when to reply

  • My counter-attack is executed with control and focus

Power Test

  • Forefist Middle Punch on pad — correct tool, focus and Ki-Ap

  • Front Snap Kick on pad — correct ball of foot, chamber and recoil

  • Outer Forearm Rising Block — correct angle and tool

Theory

  • I know the meaning of White Belt and Yellow Belt

  • I can name the pattern, state 19 movements, and explain what Chon-Ji means

  • I can state L-Stance weight (70/30) and length (1½ shoulder widths)

  • I know the Korean names for all three new blocks at this grade

  • I know there are 24 ITF patterns and the Korean word for pattern is Tul

  • I can recite the Taekwondo Oath in full without pausing

  • I can state all Five Tenets in Korean and English without hesitation

  • I can count to 10 in Korean without hesitation

  • I know all commands in Korean and English

Preparation & Mindset

  • My Dobok is clean, pressed and my belt is tied correctly

  • I know the arrival time and location of my grading

  • I have no jewellery to remove

  • I am grading because I am ready — not to please someone else

✅ All boxes ticked? You have done the work. Walk in and show it. Your grading is not a test of who you were last month — it is a demonstration of who you are today.
🔄 Boxes remain unchecked? Speak to your instructor. One more week of focused preparation is always better than walking in underprepared.

The Taekwondo Oath

  • I shall observe the Tenets of Taekwondo
  • I shall respect my Instructor and Seniors
  • I shall never misuse Taekwondo
  • I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
  • I shall help build a more peaceful world

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2026 Master Edition — 9th Kup White Belt Yellow Tag Syllabus · All rights reserved

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