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Black Belt Area

Importance of Teaching

Our potential to learn increases when we teach others because teaching requires our outlook to expand in order to work successfully with perspectives different than our own.  It is expected that all Belts will teach belts Juniors to themselves, and that all Belts will be open to learn from students Junior to themselves. Master Han maintained that all Belts should sweat when they teach a class, or it isn’t a good class – class leaders need to participate and be a model when teaching.

 

Master Han especially viewed Black Belt classes as a place to learn how to learn:  if you knew how to learn you could apply it anywhere, anytime. If you need someone to teach you, you will not be independently able to deal with the constantly new situations that life comes up with.  “If you come to Black Belt class to be told what to do, how many times to do it, and how fast – I don’t do that. That’s your job. You know how. My job is to teach you how to learn. Being in a group is for learning things you can’t learn when training by yourself”

 

Paul Y. Irvin, Dan IX, President.  11-28-17

Black Belt Tests

Training Requirements for Eligibility to Promote to Black Belt 

These requirements were derived from the above intentions for individual and group learning:

 

  • Regular attendance in UTF colored belt classes, tests and other events.

  • Regular teaching, appropriate to rank level.

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Requirements for Black Belt testing:

 

The requirements listed above, and:

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  • All candidates must maintain a minimum average of twice-a-month attendance at a local UTF Black Belt class.

  • Once-a-month attendance at a Master’s Black Belt class.  
     

Black Stripes: Black Stripes must have a minimum of one year of such attendance before being eligible to test.

 

Black Belts: Black Belts must successfully complete a minimum of three Dan Reviews with additional elapsed training time minimums.

 

The traditional minimums went with a full training schedule of 1½ hours a day, six days a week, which is seldom achieved now, so the time actually needed between tests will often be longer than those minimums depending on the dedication, talent, resources, and time the student has available.

 

Promotion Requirements for a much-reduced weekly training attendance (expected minimums):

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  • Three years of classes for a First Dan wanting to test for Second Dan

  • Three and one-half years for a Second Dan wanting to test for Third Dan

  • Four years for a Third Dan wanting to test for Fourth

  • Black Belt and Master classes must be attended, existing skills further developed, and additional skills learned in order for any applicant to be considered for further testing.

Black Belt Paper

All people taking the UTF Black Belt promotion test are required to submit a paper as part of their test. By this level of training it is expected that a student has done more than just study the Taekwondo book; that he/she is able to organize and present the information gathered from diverse sources in his/her own words. Personal experience should be related to underscore and illustrate various points rather than dependence on a theoretical discussion.

 

Three copies of the paper should be made. One (printed copy) to be submitted to the UTF, one to be submitted to your instructor or program leader, and the third to be retained by you. Be sure to include your name, present rank, school/branch location, and a 2×2 inch passport type color photograph. Applicants under 18 years of age should include their parent/guardian signature. Also include a Word (or similar) document, and send via e-mail.

 

A test application should accompany the paper. Click here to download the application form.

 

APPLICANTS TESTING FOR 1st DEGREE:

 

  • Give a history of Taekwon-Do (including both ancient and modern times).

  • Discuss your personal history in Taekwon-Do, including your personal experiences and self-discoveries; teaching experiences (including students with disabilities, challenging students, etc.) and any other noteworthy experiences that have contributed to your growth in Taekwon-do.

  • Discuss the Tenets of Taekwon-Do, with examples from personal experiences.

  • Explain the Junior-Senior relationship principle, as it applies both inside and out of the dojang.

  • Discuss what you are going to do if you are promoted.

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APPLICANTS TESTING FOR 2nd DEGREE:

 

  • Explain  the Principles of Living Force and provide personal examples.

  • Explain why we have tenets. Discuss the benefits to us, our martial arts community, and our broader community.

  • Explain how being a black belt has affected your life. Give examples that illustrate the effect of black belt status on yourself and your community.

  • Explain how promotion to 2nd Dan would affect your training and teaching.

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APPLICANTS TESTING FOR 3rd DEGREE:

 

  • Discuss ways in which you adapt your teaching styles to different students’ learning styles and abilities.

  • Explain the concept of kudo (self-discovery) as a central principle of martial arts training, using personal discoveries of your own as examples. How would or do you structure a Taekwon-Do program to foster the attitude and philosophy behind this concept?

  • Discuss  Big I/little I (big eye/little eye) using examples from your personal experience.
     

APPLICANTS TESTING FOR 4th DEGREE:

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Topic(s) assigned by the Co-Presidents, to be written for publication

 

APPLICANTS TESTING FOR 5th DEGREE:

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Topic(s) assigned by the Co-Presidents, to be written for publication.

 

GUIDELINES/SUGGESTIONS

 

Research various sources. Write a thorough synopsis in your own words. Your discussion can be as if responding to an initiate’s questions concerning TKD. For personal history you might explain the original attraction of the Art and the evolution of your involvement from that beginning. You could comment on significant milestones and/or deviations from your path of development. Don’t be reluctant to expose your feelings, particularly regarding the tenets. Be truthful, don’t say what you think your instructor wants you to say. If a tenet is not meaningful to you, make the appropriate comments honestly. Your discussion of the Junior-Senior relationship should extend to relationships found outside the Dojang also.

 

ALL PAPERS AND APPLICATIONS ARE DUE FOUR (4) WEEKS PRIOR TO THE TEST DATE. ANY PAPER AND APPLICATION NOT RECEIVED BY THE DUE DATE MAY BE HELD OVER FOR THE NEXT TEST.

 

Please reach out to your Instructor or Program Leader for where and when to submit your paper, application, payment, and passport-style photo. 

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Fee for  Black Belt Testing:

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Dan Review       $65.00

1st Dan test        $250.00

2nd Dan test      $300.00

3rd Dan test       $350.00

4th Dan test       $400.00

5th Dan test       $500.00

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