Grading Material for 1st Kup (*Preliminary & Black Belt Grading)
*Note: The student must first pass the preliminary test which is held at a normal colour belt grading under the local examiner before being approved to go forward to the R.I.T.A. Black Belt Grading Examination

Requirements:

• Hwa-Rang Tul
• Choong-Moo Tul
• Self Defence Hosin Sul
• Free Sparring Jayu Matsogi
• 2-1 Free Sparring I Dae IL Matsogi
• Power: Reverse Turning Kick Bandae Dollyo Chagi
  Spot Jumping Side Piercing Kick Twimyo Yopcha Busigi
  Hand Techniques Son Gilsool
  

CHOONG-MOO Movements - 30 Choong-Moo is the pseudonym given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin (Lee Dynasty). He is reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, said to be the precursor of the present day submarine. The reason why this pattern ends with a left hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potential, checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the King. Meaning of Black Belt: Black is the opposite of white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. It also signifies the wearers imperviousness to darkness and fear. (For more about Yi Soon-Sin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi_Sun-sin)

CHOONG-MOO Movements - 30
Ready Posture - PARALLEL READY STANCE

1. Move the left foot to B forming a right L-stance toward B while executing a twin knife-hand block.

2. Move the right foot to B forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a high front strike to B with the right knife-hand and bring the left back hand in front of the forehead.

3. Move the right foot to A turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward A while executing a middle guarding block to A with a knife-hand.

4. Move the left foot to A forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a high thrust to A with the left flat finger tip.

5. Move the left foot to D forming a right L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block to D with a knife-hand.

6. Turn the face to C forming a left bending ready stance A toward C.

7. Execute a middle side piercing kick to C with the right foot.

8. Lower the right foot to C forming a right L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block to D with a knife-hand.

9. Execute a flying side piercing kick to D with the right foot soon after moving it to D and then land to D forming a left L-stance toward D while executing a middle guarding block to D with a knife-hand.

10. Move the left foot to E turning counter clockwise to form a right L-stance toward E at the same time executing a low block to E with the left forearm.

11. Extend both hands upward as if to grab the opponent's head while forming a left walking stance toward E, slipping the left foot.

12. Execute an upward kick to E with the right knee pulling both hands downward.

13. Lower the right foot to the left foot and then move the left foot to F forming a left walking stance toward F while executing a high front strike to F with the right reverse knife-hand, bringing the left back hand under the right elbow joint.

14. Execute a high turning kick to DF with the right foot and then lower it to the left foot.

15. Execute a middle back piercing kick to F with the left foot. Perform 14 and 15 in a fast motion.

16. Lower the left foot to F forming a left L-stance toward E while executing a middle guarding block to E with the forearm.

17. Execute a middle turning kick to DE with the left foot.

18. Lower the left foot to the right foot and then move the right foot to C forming a right fixed stance toward C while executing a U-shape block toward C.

19. Jump and spin around counter clockwise, landing on the same spot to form a left L-stance toward C while executing a middle guarding block to C with a knife-hand.

20. Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C at the same time executing a low thrust to C with the right upset fingertip.

21. Execute a side back strike to D with the right back fist and a low block to C with the left forearm while forming a right L-stance toward C, pulling the left foot.

22. Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a middle thrust to C with the right straight finger tip.

23. Move the left foot to B turning counter clockwise to form a left walking stance toward B while executing a high block to B with the left double forearm.

24. Move the right foot to B forming a sitting stance toward C while executing a middle front block to C with the right forearm and then a high side strike to B with the right back fist.

25. Execute a middle side piercing kick to A with the right foot turning counter clockwise and then lower it to A.

26. Execute a middle side piercing kick to A with the left foot turning clockwise.

27. Lower the left foot to A and then execute a checking block to B with an X-knife-hand while forming a left L-stance toward B pivoting with the left foot.

28. Move the left foot to B forming a left walking stance toward B while executing an upward block to B with a twin palm.

29. Move the left foot on line AB and then execute a rising block with the right forearm while forming a right walking stance toward A.

30. Execute a middle punch to A with the left fist while maintaining a right walking stance toward A.

END: Bring the left foot back to a ready posture.

After extensively practicing this exercise the student should be able to:

• Release from a least 6 typical grabs.
• 2nd kups will need to be able to 'escape' from the holds/situations listed below, using the A, B or R (Attack, Break, Release) method.
• 1st kup and higher will need to be able to release from any hold (undefined) by a single attacker.
• Listed below are 6 typical situations the students must be able to 'escape' from (Taken from Gen Choi gives examples on page 682 (1999 edition)).

• Opponent grabs your wrist/hand/arm with one hand
• Opponent grabs your wrist/hand/arm with both hands
• Defence from a hair grab
• Defence from a choke
• Defence from a necktie being grabbed.
• Defence from a rear choke hold.

Basic release from grabs can be taught to all grades but will not be examined until 2nd kup.

Free sparring is essentially open combat with controlled attacking and prohibition of attacking to certain vital spots.

In a free sparring there is no prearranged mode between the players, and both are completely free to attack and defend with all available means and methods with only one exception: The attacker MUST STOP the attacking tool just before reaching the vital spot.

Because Taekwon-Do is a lethal form of self-defence, the sparring rules (unlike those of other competitive sports) count only blows focused within two centimeters of a vital spot instead of counting the number of ineffective blows by the use of sheer brute strength, In sparring focused blows, speed, power, balance, strong and accurate blocking, skillful dodging and attitude are taken into consideration.

With true Taekwon-Do style sparring, through theoretical, powerful movements that are aesthetically pleasing while avoiding "chicken fighting". Chicken fighting is caused by those students who use only stereotyped movement without any tactics and regard for the opponents position.

Main points:

1. Defence
2. Instant Attack and Counter Attack
3. Deception
4. Selection of a proper target
5. Direction of Attack and Defence
6. Technique Experimentation
7. Development of Tactic and Maneuver
8. Dodging Technique
9. Counter Attack
10. Flying Multiple Techniques
11. Position Change

Taekwon-Do is a Martial Art because it aims at a noble moral rearmament, good health and a variety of techniques to defend oneself and the weak by discriminating against political involvement and commercialisation to embody a just society. Unfortunately many instructors forgetting this true nature of Taekwon-Do, rely on showmanship and over emphases free sparring to cover up their lack of technique.

As a result, their students have a tendency toward arrogance once winning a local or national championship without trying to improve and expand their technique.

Of course free sparring is a very important part of Taekwon-Do to build courage, experience, sense of victory, ability of performance and significance of participation. However, it should not be the only focus of the training. A student will see free sparring is not real combat and is a very small part of Taekwon-Do due to the following limitations

1. Prohibition of attacking the vital spots
2. Limited number of attacking tools
3. Limited number of attacking areas
4. Limited space for fighting
5. Limited number of attacking methods
6. Safety equipment
7. No full contact

Accordingly, in free sparring the player can have a chance to exchange less than a dozen fundamental movements, compared to the over 3000 available. This is the reason General Choi emphasized correct training of fundamental movements rather than on free sparring.

Composition of Taekwon-Do

Taekwon-Do is composed of fundamental movements, patterns, dallyon, sparring and self-defence techniques that are so closely related that it is impossible to segregate one phase of instruction from another. Fundamental movements are necessary for sparring and patterns, while both patterns and sparring are indispensable for perfection of fundamental movements.

There is, in fact, like the Deity, no beginning or end. A student will find that he will have to return time and time again to the beginning fundamental movements to perfect his advanced sparring and self-defence techniques.

Each fundamental movement, in most cases, represents and attack or defence against a particular target area or definite action of an imaginary opponent or opponents. It is necessary to learn as many fundamental movements as possible and fit them into complete proficiency so the student can meet any situation in actual combat with confidence. The pattern actually places the student in a hypothetical situation where he must avail himself to defence, counterattack, and attack motions, against several opponents. Through constant practice of these patterns, the attack and defence become a conditioned reflex movement. Power and speed must be developed to such a high degree that only one single blow is needed to stop an opponent, so the student can shift stance and block or attack another opponent. Each pattern is different from the other in order to develop reaction against changing circumstances.

Once the basic patterns are mastered, the student then begins to physically apply the skill obtained from fundamental patterns and movements to sparring against actual moving opponents.

Collaterally with sparring, the student must begin to develop his body and toughen his attacking and blocking tools so he is able to deliver maximum damage in actual combat. Once a student has applied himself to fundamental movements, patterns, sparring and dallyon, then the time has arrived for the student to test his coordination, speed, balance, and concentration against spontaneous attacks: ie. self-defence. The student will constantly find himself returning, however, to his fundamentals even when he has achieved the highest possible degree of self-defence techniques. As in military training, Taekwon-Do progression follows a certain parallel:

1. Fundamental Movements = Individual soldier's basic training
2. Dallyon = Maintenance of equipment (conditioning of the body in Taekwon-Do)
3. Patterns = Platoon tactics
4. Sparring = Field exercises in simulated combat conditions
5. Self-defence = Actual Combat