Beom, Sasaja and Stadin TKD · ITF Taekwon-Do
Senior Black Belt Program
The programme takes a student aged 13 or older from a white belt to a black belt (1st dan). Progress is made only through official belt tests: there are no stripes or tabs. For every belt level you can see what the next belt test requires.
Students move from the Junior Black Belt Program (JBBP) to this programme at the age of 13. The belt level stays and the stripes are removed.
At a glance
- Who
- Teenagers and adults aged 13 or older. Clubs: Beom, Sasaja and Stadin TKD.
- What
- The Senior Black Belt Program takes you from a white belt to a black belt (1st dan) through official belt tests. The minimum length is about 37 months: 160 weeks and 630 hours.
- Training
- Train every day, in a guided session or following your own plan. There are 6 hours of guided training per week.
- Where and when
- Beom: in Espoo, Soukka school (Friday) and Hansakallio school (Sunday). Sasaja: in Helsinki, Kalasatama school (Saturday). Stadin TKD: Helsinki, details to be confirmed. The exact times of the Black Belt programme’s guided training are to be confirmed.
- Price
- 600 € a year as an add-on to the basic fee (basic fee 200 € a year or 150 € a season). Invoiced per calendar year in January. A belt test costs 20 € and the price includes the new belt.
- How to join
- Sign up at besa.myclub.fi: choose the basic fee and the Senior Black Belt add-on. You can try up to two sessions.
- Other programmes
- See also Leisure Program, Junior Black Belt Program and Competitor programmes. All programmes can be found on the page Programmes.
How the programme progresses
White belt
You start from a white belt. There are no tabs or stripes, so you go straight from the white belt to the yellow belt (8th gup) test.
Belt tests from 8th gup to 1st gup
At each belt level you practise the requirements of the next belt test. The higher belt levels (7th, 5th, 3rd and 1st gup) can be recognised by a tab in the next colour on the left side of the belt.
Black belt, 1st dan
The dan test requires an age of 13, TOK 1, a licence and the D-referee course when age allows. A candidate under 18 receives a junior black belt.
Next steps
By default you continue as an instructor. The alternatives are the Competitor programmes, recreational training and, for adult black belts, the Sabeom Program.
Rules
Each name is given first in English, with the Korean name underneath. Theory references are links to the chapters of the theory guide.
Who is it for
The programme is for everyone aged 13 or older. Students move from the Junior Black Belt Program (JBBP) to this programme at 13: the belt level stays and the stripes are removed. The programme for younger students is the Junior Black Belt Program.
There are no tabs or stripes in the programme. Progress is made only through official belt tests.
Training
A Black Belt student trains every day, either in a guided session or following their own training plan. There must be 6 hours of guided training per week.
Minimum times
A belt test requires the technical requirements, the training volume and the minimum time. The hours are calculated from the weekly rhythm: from white belt to 1st dan at least 160 weeks and 630 hours. The table is below the cards.
Everything from lower levels
In a belt test you must also know everything required at the lower belt levels. Techniques learned earlier and required again are marked with the word review.
One pattern per belt test
Chon-Ji is shown in the yellow belt test, Dan-Gun in the high yellow test and so on. The last ones are Hwa-Rang (1st gup) and Choong-Moo (1st dan). The order is the same as in the children’s programme.
Saju is not a pattern
Saju exercises (in four directions) are a way of showing techniques, not patterns.
Breaking
Adults may break wooden boards, training boards or a focus pad. Students under 18 always break onto a focus pad or a held strike pad, without exception, also in the dan test.
The examiner chooses the set breaking and special technique breaking. Jumping kicks are done onto a stand or a kicking paddle.
Contact in sparring
Sparring includes body contact and light head contact. Head contact is allowed only with protective gear: without protection there is no head contact.
Sparring against several opponents
Sparring against several opponents means all opponents at the same time. It measures decision-making and the use of the surroundings.
Minimum times for belt tests
A belt test requires the technical requirements, the training volume and the minimum time. They are checked from the training card at the latest at the practice belt test. The hours are calculated from the weekly rhythm.
| Belt test | Minimum time | Weekly rhythm | Minimum hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8th gup, yellow | 12 wk | 1.5 h/wk | 18 |
| 7th gup, high yellow | 12 wk | 1.5 h/wk | 18 |
| 6th gup, green | 16 wk | 1.5 h/wk | 24 |
| 5th gup, high green | 16 wk | 1.5 h/wk | 24 |
| 4th gup, blue | 16 wk | 3 h/wk | 48 |
| 3rd gup, high blue | 20 wk | 4.5 h/wk | 90 |
| 2nd gup, red | 20 wk | 6 h/wk | 120 |
| 1st gup, high red | 24 wk | 6 h/wk | 144 |
| 1st dan | 24 wk | 6 h/wk | 144 |
| Total from white belt to 1st dan | 160 weeks, about 37 months | 630 |
The fastest possible path takes about three years, which fits within the five-year frame of the Black Belt programme. Hours are also earned from competitions (5 h), from camps (4 h per training day) and, from blue belt onwards, from acting as an assistant instructor (double entry).
The path by belt level
Each belt level lists the requirements of the next belt test by area. The tab on the left of the belt drawing shows the next colour.
White belt (10th gup)→ yellow belt test (8th gup)
- Stances
- Parallel stance and parallel ready stancenarani sogi, narani junbi sogi
- Attention stance and bowcharyot sogi, kyong ye jase
- Walking stancegunnun sogi
- Blocks
- Low block with the forearmpalmok najunde makgi
- Low block with the knife-handsonkal najunde makgi
- Middle block with the inner forearmanpalmok kaunde makgi
- Twin low block from ready stancegunnun junbi sogi, palmok najunde hechyo makgi
- Strikes
- Straight punch with the forefist to middle heightapjoomuk kaunde baro jirugi
- Kicks
- Rising front kickapcha olligi
- Saju
- Saju hana exercises: the first punch, block and kick in four directionssaju jirugi hana, saju makgi hana, saju chagi hana
- Step sparring
- Three-step sparring in one direction in linesambo matsogi hanchok
- Self-defence
- Three releases
- Sparring
- Shoulder tag to different target areas
- Theory
- Country of origin, founder and history, the chief instructor in Finland, the founders and chief instructor of the club and the federation the club belongs to (theory guide: History)
- The five tenets and the Taekwon-Do oath (theory guide: Tenets, theory guide: Taekwon-Do oath)
- Counting to five in Korean (theory guide: Numerals)
Pattern in the belt test
Chon-Ji (the first pattern)
Yellow belt (8th gup)→ high yellow test (7th gup)
- Stances
- L-stanceniunja sogi
- Blocks
- Middle block with the outer forearmpalmok kaunde makgi
- Middle block with the inner forearmreviewanpalmok kaunde makgi
- Guarding block with the knife-handsonkal kaunde daebi makgi
- Twin forearm block in two directionssang palmok makgi
- Rising high blockpalmok chookyo makgi
- Strikes
- Straight punch with the forefist to high heightapjoomuk nopunde baro jirugi
- Outward knife-hand strikesonkal kaunde yop taerigi
- Kicks
- Front kick in three ways and to three heightsapcha busigi
- Application
- Continuous motion: movements without a pauseyonsok dongjak
- Step sparring
- Three-step sparring with a partnersambo matsogi hanchok
- Self-defence
- Three releasesreview
- Three locks
- Sparring
- Shoulder tag to different target areas
- Theory
- The stories of Chon-Ji and Dan-Gun (theory guide: Patterns)
- Tenets and oath (theory guide: Tenets, theory guide: Taekwon-Do oath)review
- Numbers 1–10 in Korean (theory guide: Numerals)
Pattern in the belt test
Dan-Gun (the second pattern)
High yellow (7th gup)→ green belt test (6th gup)
- Stances
- Sitting stanceannun sogi
- Blocks
- Forearm block to high heightbakat palmok nopunde makgi
- The same as a releasing blockbakat palmok nopunde hechyo makgi
- Strikes
- Reverse punchapjoomuk bandae jirugi
- Outward knife-hand strikereviewsonkal kaunde yop taerigi
- Side strike with the back fist to high heightdung joomuk nopunde yop taerigi
- Kicks
- Turning kick diagonally and to the side, the sparring and the fundamental waydollyo chagi
- Application
- Fast motionbarun dongjak
- Saju
- Saju dol exercises: the second punch, block and kick in four directionssaju jirugi dol, saju makgi dol, saju chagi dol
- Step sparring
- Three-step sparring in two directions, in line and with a partnersambo matsogi yangchok
- Self-defence
- Three releases and three locksreview
- Three kick or punch finishes
- Sparring
- Movement and scoring points with hands and feet
- Breaking
- Freely chosen hand technique onto a board or focus pad (under 18 onto a focus pad)
- Theory
- The story of Do-San (theory guide: Patterns)
- Names of the techniques in Korean (theory guide: Glossary)
- Explaining the stances (theory guide: Stances)
Pattern in the belt test
Do-San (the third pattern)
Green belt (6th gup)→ high green test (5th gup)
- Stances
- Close ready stance A (moa junbi sogi A)
- Bending ready stance A (goburyo junbi sogi A)
- Fixed stancegojung sogi
- Blocks
- Circular block to middle heightanpalmok kaunde dollimyo makgi
- Guarding forearm blockpalmok kaunde daebi makgi
- Strikes
- Inward knife-hand strike to high heightsonkal nopunde anuro taerigi
- Straight fingertip thrust with the knife-hand, wrist uprightsun sonkut kaunde tulgi
- Kicks
- Side kick: heavy, stopping, all heightsyopcha jirugi
- Jumping kicks in pattern formtwimyo
- Jumping front kicktwimyo apcha, nopichagi
- Saju
- Saju exercises with different techniquesjirugi, makgi, chagi
- Step sparring
- Two-step sparring, two different onesibo matsogi
- Self-defence
- Block and counterattack against a punch, a kick and a grab
- Sparring
- Movement and scoring points with hands and feetreview
- Breaking
- Freely chosen foot technique onto a board or focus pad (under 18 onto a focus pad)
- Theory
- The story of Won-Hyo (theory guide: Patterns)
- The patterns move by move in Korean
- Explaining the stances
Pattern in the belt test
Won-Hyo (the fourth pattern)
High green (5th gup)→ blue belt test (4th gup)
- Stances
- X-stance with a jumpkyocha sogi
- Blocks
- Twin forearm block to high heightdoo palmok nopunde makgi
- Twin knife-hand blocksang sonkal makgi
- Grasping block with the palmsonbadak kaunde golcho makgi
- Strikes
- Punches and measuring from sitting stanceannun sogi kaunde baro jirugi
- Side strike with the back fist with a jumpdung joomuk nopunde yop taerigi
- Elbow strike to a palm targetap palgup kaunde taerigi
- Kicks
- Back kick, straight and turning, to middle and high heightdwit chagi
- Jumping front kick 50 cm above head heightnopichagi
- Application
- Connecting motioneojin dongjak
- Saju
- Saju exercises with different techniques and stances
- Step sparring
- Two-step sparring with different techniquesibo matsogi
- Self-defence
- Self-defence as an unbroken performance
- Sparring
- Combinations of several techniques
- Breaking
- Set breaking
- Theory
- The story of Yul-Gok (theory guide: Patterns)
- What each technique is intended for
- Teaching a technique
Pattern in the belt test
Yul-Gok (the fifth pattern)
Blue belt (4th gup)→ high blue test (3rd gup)
- Stances
- Close ready stance B (moa junbi sogi B)
- Rear foot stancedwitbal sogi
- Low stancenachyo sogi
- Blocks
- Knife-hand block with the inside of the wristsonkal dung kaunde bakkuro makgi
- Upward palm blocksonbadak ollyo makgi
- X-fist rising block and releasekyocha joomuk chookyo makgi, jappyosul tae
- Heavy palm blocksonbadak noollo makgi
- U-shape blockdigutja makgi
- Strikes
- Upward elbow strike to high heightwi palkup nopunde taerigi
- Twin vertical punchsang joomuk nopunde sewo jirugi
- Twin punch with the wrists upwardsang joomuk dwijibo jirugi
- Angle punchkaunde giokja jirugi
- Kicks
- Side kick and jumping kicks in pattern formreview
- Flying side kick over an obstaclenomochagi
- Application
- Slow motionneurin dongjak
- Saju
- Saju exercises with different techniques and stances
- Step sparring
- Two-step sparring with different techniques and stancesibo matsogi
- One-step sparringilbo matsogi
- Self-defence
- Unbroken performance against several attackers
- Sparring
- Sparring against two opponents at the same time
- Breaking
- Set and special technique breaking
- Theory
- The story of Joon-Gun (theory guide: Patterns)
Pattern in the belt test
Joon-Gun (the sixth pattern)
High blue (3rd gup)→ red belt test (2nd gup)
- Stances
- Sliding into L-stancemigulgi niunja sogi
- Blocks
- Mountain block, or W-blocksan makgi
- Heavy X-fist low blockkyocha joomuk najunde noollo makgi
- Pushing low blockdoo palmok najunde miro makgi
- Guarding knife-hand block to low heightnajunde sonkal daebi makgi
- Strikes
- Downward thrust, wrist upwarddwijibo sonkut najunde tulgi
- Back fist strike diagonally backwarddung joomuk nopunde yopdwi taerigi
- Twin elbow thrust to the sidessang palgup yop tulgi
- Thrust to high height, wrist downwardopun sonkut nopunde tulgi
- Kicks
- Grabbing the head and upward knee kickmori japki, moorup ollyo chagi
- Jump and punch combination
- Saju
- Saju exercises with different techniques and stancesreview
- Step sparring
- Two-step and one-step sparring with different techniques and stancesibo ja ilbo matsogi
- Pre-arranged step sparring performance (1 min)
- Self-defence
- Unbroken performance against several opponents
- Sparring
- Sparring against five opponents at the same time
- Breaking
- Set and special technique breaking
- Theory
- The story of Toi-Gye (theory guide: Patterns)
Pattern in the belt test
Toi-Gye (the seventh pattern)
Red belt (2nd gup)→ high red test (1st gup)
- Stances
- Close ready stance C (moa junbi sogi C)
- Sliding into fixed stance and L-stancemigulgi gojung sogi, migulgi niunja sogi
- Vertical stancesoojik sogi
- Blocks
- Pushing palm blocksonbadak kaunde miro makgi
- Forearm block to high height, front-sidean palmok nopunde yopap makgi
- Strikes
- Upward punchap joomuk ollyo jirugi
- Downward knife-hand strikesonkal naeryo taerigi
- Elbow thrust to the sideyop palgup tulgi
- Kicks
- Fast turning kicksbarun dongjak dollyo chagi
- Double jumping kick
- Saju
- Saju exercises with different techniques and stancesreview
- Step sparring
- Two-step and one-step sparring with different techniques and stancesibo ja ilbo matsogi
- Self-defence
- Unbroken performance against several opponents
- Self-defence demonstration against 2–3 opponents
- Sparring
- Sparring against five opponents at the same time, with contact (body and light head contact with protective gear)
- Breaking
- Set and special technique breaking
- Theory
- The story of Hwa-Rang (theory guide: Patterns)
Pattern in the belt test
Hwa-Rang (the eighth pattern)
High red (1st gup)→ black belt (1st dan)
A candidate under 18 who passes the dan test receives a junior black belt. It is a black belt with a white stripe running lengthwise through the middle, and it is changed to an adult black belt at the age of 18.
The federation’s official requirements for 1st dan (the black belt test criteria 2024 and the operating guideline 2020 of the Finnish ITF Taekwon-Do association, SITF):
- an age of at least 13
- level 1 Taekwon-Do instructor training (TOK 1), which you can attend at 13
- the D-referee course for those aged 14 or older (a 13-year-old can take the dan test without it)
- a licence paid for at least two seasons before the test
The technical content is the club’s own and the same as in the children’s junior black belt test. The federation does not publish technical requirements for the dan test; they are set by the international instructor who holds the test. All requirements of the earlier belt levels are reviewed.
- Choong-Moo techniques
- Knife-hand strike forward to high heightsonkal nopunde ap taerigi
- The same with the wrist sidesonkal dung nopunde ap taerigi
- X-knife-hand checking blockkyocha sonkal momchau makgi
- Twin palm upward blockdoo sonbadak ollyo makgi
- Kicks
- Jumping side kicktwimyo yopcha jirugi
- Back kickdwitcha jirugi
- Saju
- Saju exercises with different techniques and stancesreview
- Step sparring
- One-step sparring with your own applicationsilbo matsogi
- Two-step sparring with different techniques and stancesibo matsogi
- Self-defence
- Self-defence against several opponents
- Sparring
- Sparring with contact (body and light head contact with protective gear)
- Breaking
- Special technique and power breaking: adults onto a board or focus pad, under 18 onto a focus pad or strike pad
- Theory
- The stories of Choong-Moo and all earlier patterns (theory guide: Patterns)
- A written theory test covering the whole theory guide cover to cover
- Preparation
- A written practice theory test and a practice belt test that goes through the whole dan test
Patterns in the dan test
Choong-Moo (the ninth pattern) and all earlier patterns from Chon-Ji to Hwa-Rang.
After the black belt
By default a black belt continues as an instructor. The instructor role also supports the federation’s requirements for higher dan grades (a growing role in club activities; for 2nd dan, VOK 1, the level 1 coach and instructor training). Other options:
| Path | Who is it for | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Competitor programmes | Black belts (senior) and colour belts, including children (junior) | Competition |
| Recreational training | Black belts and the colour belts of the Competitor programmes | Training as a hobby without a test goal |
| Sabeom Program (towards 4th dan) | Adult black belts only | Dan path to 4th dan (federation requirements: TOK 2–3, the Taekwon-Do instructor training; VOK 1–2, the coach and instructor training; IIC, the International Instructor Course; preparation times of 1.5–3 years) |
What the requirements mean
The clubs’ own definitions for requirements that are open to interpretation.
- Self-defence as an unbroken performance (from 4th gup)
- The attacker makes 3–5 different attacks in a row without a pause (a grab, a punch, a kick). The defender responds to each one and is immediately ready for the next. Fluency and distance are assessed, as well as whether the performance stops. From 3rd to 1st gup there are several attackers.
- Set breaking (from 4th gup)
- The examiner asks for the breaking they have chosen. Adults onto a board or focus pad, students under 18 always onto a focus pad or strike pad.
- Special technique breaking (from 3rd gup)
- Jumping kicks are done onto a stand or a kicking paddle. The examiner decides what they want to see.
- Teaching a technique (4th gup theory)
- The candidate teaches one technique of a lower belt to a beginner in about five minutes: shows it, explains it and corrects one mistake.
- Saju with different techniques and stances (from 5th gup)
- The test commander names a technique and a stance, and the candidate performs the exercise in four directions with the saju pattern. The techniques are chosen from what the candidate has learned so far. At 5th gup only the technique changes. From 4th gup the stance changes too (L-stance, sitting stance, fixed stance).
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Senior Black Belt Program for?
Teenagers and adults aged 13 or older who want to progress from a white belt to a black belt. You can join without previous experience, and the programme is available at Beom, Sasaja and Stadin TKD.
How long does it take to reach a black belt?
At least about three years: from white belt to 1st dan requires at least 160 weeks and 630 hours. The maximum length of the programme is five years.
What are the requirements for the dan test?
The 1st dan test requires an age of at least 13, TOK 1 instructor training, the D-referee course (for those aged 14 or older), a licence paid for two seasons, the club's technical requirements and a written theory test covering the whole theory guide.
How much does the Senior Black Belt Program cost?
600 euros a year as an add-on to the basic fee. The basic fee is 200 euros a year or 150 euros a season, and the add-on is invoiced per calendar year in January. A belt test costs 20 euros and the price includes the new belt.
Where and when do we train?
There are 6 hours of guided training per week. Beom's groups meet in Espoo at Soukka school (Friday) and Hansakallio school (Sunday), and Sasaja's group in Helsinki at Kalasatama school (Saturday). The place and times of Stadin TKD and the exact training times of the Black Belt programme are still to be confirmed.
How do I join?
Sign up at besa.myclub.fi: choose the basic fee and the Senior Black Belt add-on. You can try up to two sessions.
Can I start as an adult without previous experience?
Yes. The programme starts from the white belt and there is no upper age limit. The first belt test is for the yellow belt (8th gup), and it requires at least 12 weeks and 18 hours of training.