The belt path
Six belts, white to black
Each color adds poomsae, kicks and sparring. A student tests when the coach sees the skills, and stripes on the belt mark the steps between.
White belt
Ages 10 and upSkillsBowing in and out, and the ready stance
Front kick and the first blocks
Counting and calling in Korean
Yellow belt
SkillsThe first poomsae, Taegeuk Il Jang
Roundhouse kick on a target
Stepping in and out of range
Green belt
SkillsThree poomsae and a longer kicking combination
One-step drills with a partner
First rounds of light-contact sparring in gear
Blue belt
SkillsBack kick and turning kick on a target
Sparring rounds with a coach calling the pace
A board break
Red belt
SkillsAdvanced poomsae, with timing and balance
Sparring with scoring rules, in gear
Helping a newer student with a drill
Black belt
SkillsEvery earlier poomsae, and the black belt form
Teaching a drill and running a warm-up
Setting a training goal for the next session
Sample levels.
Every student moves at their own pace.
Belt tests
Tests follow the skills, not the calendar
A belt test closes each session, and a coach invites a student when they have shown the next belt's poomsae and kicks in class. Tests happen in the student's own class time, with the coaches who know them.
One poomsae, chosen for the belt
Kicks on a target, then a partner drill
A board break from blue belt up

Belt tests and the year
When tests and sessions happen
A belt test closes each session, and families are welcome to watch from the bench.
- Event
Belt test
End of every session
Students test in their own class time, on the poomsae, the sparring rounds and, from blue belt, a board break.
- Event
Sparring showcase
Mid-session
Light-contact rounds in front of families, with a coach calling each one.
- Closed
Holiday closure
Late December
The club is closed for the holiday week.
- First day
Winter session starts
Early January
New students start at the beginning of a session, or any week with a place open.
- Event
Spring belt test
Late March
The test for the winter session; the order of testing goes up two weeks ahead.
Sample dates.
Dates are set each session and posted at the front desk.
Start at white
Every student begins with a white belt, at any age.