members area

In this section members can find useful information about Taekwondo.

Scroll down the page to find the information you need, or use the links below to go straight to a particular section.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please ask. Speak to a class instructor, or drop us a message through Facebook or by email.

If you’re looking to order custom made club clothing, sparring gear or doboks, you’ll find our Order Forms here.

If you’re looking for other club clothing, including hoodies, t-shirts and bags, see our Online Shop here.

General Information about Taekwondo

Compared to other martial arts, Taekwondo is fairly modern as it was only created in 1955. But its roots trace back many centuries to a number of older Korean and Japanese martial arts.

There are two styles of Taekwondo. At SMMA we practice the traditional ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) style. The other is the sport-orientated style you see in the Olympics, WTF (World Taekwondo Federation).

Class Etiquette

Students must wear the regulation ITF suit (dobok) and current belt for training sessions. New students can train in clothes suitable for exercising in.
In warm weather, dobok trousers and club t-shirt is acceptable.
No shoes or jewellery should be worn during training.
Bow upon entering any training area (dojang).
Bow to the instructor.
Address instructors appropriately (Sir, Mr, Miss, Master).
When asked to line up, students should line up in rank order starting with the highest rank running from right to left.
On the command “charyot” students should stand to attention facing the instructor.
On the command “Kyong ye” students bow and respond with the word “taekwon”.

Oath & Tenets

Student 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 build a more peaceful world.

Tenets

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-Control
Indomitable Spirit

Belt System

We start the Junior students on a Striped Belt syllabus, specifically designed for kids. Once they’ve moved through the stripes, they start on the adult syllabus. Everyone starts on White Belt.

Colour belts progress from White Belt to Black Tag. Black belts from 1st Dan to 9th Dan, which is ‘Grandmaster’.

Colour Belts

White (10th kup)
Yellow Tag (9th kup)
Yellow (8th kup)
Green Tag (7th kup)
Green (6th kup)
Blue Tag (5th kup)
Blue (4th kup)
Red Tag (3rd kup)
Red (2nd kup)
Black Tag (1st kup)

Black Belts

1st Dan
2nd Dan
3rd Dan
4th Dan
5th Dan
6th Dan
7th Dan (Master)
8th Dan
9th Dan (Grandmaster)

Gradings

We have a minimum of 4 gradings per year over the 2 club locations.

To be eligible to grade, students must train regularly for a minimum of 1 hour session per week.

White to Red Belt students must have at least 3 months’ training between gradings.

Red Belts must have at least 6 months’ training before grading to Black Tag*.

Black Belt gradings are held separately to colour belt gradings.

To grade to first Dan, students must train for at least 1 year*.

After achieving first Dan, training time between gradings will increase according to Dan grade.

*At these stages students can attend special seminars to make up training hours.

Senior Grading Syllabus

Here you’ll find the information you need for your gradings. Follow the links below to find the information page on the requirements for each belt level. This information is also available for you to download as a PDF, and print if you want to - you’ll find the link on the page.

You might also want to look at:

If you’ve any questions, please ask your instructor.

Please note that this information is for the Senior syllabus - not the junior, striped belt syllabus.

Grading Criteria

White Belt

Every student begins at White Belt. Adults are given a white belt with their dobok. For kids we like to start off their journey with a sense of achievement, so in class we have them break a thin board by stamping on it. The broken board is signed by the instructor, and they’re given it to keep along with their white belt.

The next promotion after White Belt is to Yellow Tag.

White Belt – Promotion to Yellow Tag

Yellow Tag – Promotion to Yellow Belt

Yellow Belt – Promotion to Green Tag

Green Tag – Promotion to Green Belt

Green Belt – Promotion to Blue Tag

Blue Tag – Promotion to Blue Belt

Blue Belt – Promotion to Red Tag

Red Tag – Promotion to Red Belt

Red Belt – Promotion to Black Tag

Black Tag – Promotion to Black Belt

ORDER FORMS

We have order forms available in class for Doboks, sparring gear and custom clothing - or you can order online using the links below.

Payment can be made in person by cash or via PayPal. Please note the PayPal link is for orders only - payments for fees, gradings or seminars should NOT be sent through PayPal.

If there’s anything you are looking for that isn’t on our forms, please ask - if we are unable to order it for you, we will be able to point you in the right direction. You can of course purchase Doboks or sparring gear yourself, but we would recommend checking what you’re ordering is the right type for our club before you buy it.