One morning, you are casually thinking of whether to enroll in a martial arts class and take taekwondo lessons, albeit for fun. However, as time goes by, your interest in the art grows. Now, you want to get one belt after the other. If taekwondo is your thing then here are taekwondo belts order.
But let us stop for a minute and ask ourselves whether you know the ranks of these belts. Most probably not. Well, it is in this light that we take a look at the basics of each belt and the techniques you will learn under each one of them.
If you’re serious about joining Taekwondo, we made an overview explaining all the benefits of practicing taekwondo.
White Belt (Kup White)
Naturally, the white belt is given and not necessarily earned. Usually, it shows that you are a student. It further represents a sense of purity, where the holder does not know Songham taekwondo.
With this belt, you will learn the basics of the art, including specific types of attacking and general blocking techniques. Besides, you will learn different stretching techniques that aim at improving your physique, reducing injury, improving health, and boosting your flexibility as well as the range of motion.
It is during this stage that you will also learn various Korean terms. In most cases, you could spend up to two months before getting your promotion.
White Belt with Yellow Tip (Orange Belt)
This belt is for those who have progressed from the initial stage. It is reflective of a new dawn, a rising sun. Whereas the student can see the beauty of this taekwondo art, he has not mastered enough techniques to experience the power of this art.
Yellow Belt
Here is when the student begins to familiarize themselves with the real aspects of taekwondo. The yellow color mirrors the rising sun. In most cases, it will take about two to three months before you can take the test.
During this period, you will learn various techniques, including self-defense, foot techniques, hand techniques, and hand techniques. Some of the kicking combinations you will learn during this time include front-roundhouse, stepping back-kick, inside-out crescent kicks, and side-kick. Besides, such would be the best time for you to learn different hand combination techniques. They include reverse punch, side block, and backward stepping punch.
Yellow Belt with Green tip
This color mix is often reflective of a sapling that is hidden tall spines. Such will be the time to focus on spiraling or going up the ladder. The little green used in this process often mirrors the camouflage when hiding among trees.
Before proceeding to the green belt, you will get this yellow belt with a green stripe. In most cases, it will take between two and three months for you to complete this rank. You could also call it a camouflage belt. It is during this stage that the student will need to realize his potential and work towards promotion.
Green Belt
Usually, you will need to do another test, particularly with a different pattern, before you finally get this solid green belt. Often, this pattern could be a freestyle spar or a one-step one. Besides, you will need to break through two-inch boards with all your hands and feet.
Besides, it is during this stage that you should be able to demonstrate the ability to defend yourself. Additionally, you will need to break two-inch boards with your hands. Well, it does not stop there. You will further need to break a one-inch board with a jump kick.
Some of the other tests that you will undertake will always include free sparring as well as one-step sparring.
Interestingly, you will have to train for close to four months before you can progress to a green belt with blue stripes.
Green belt with blue stripes (Purple)
This color is indicative of the journey to the mountain. Here, things get steeper. Both the techniques and sparring become a lot more complicated. You will spend about three months on this level. If you are consistent, 54 hours of training will be enough for you to proceed to the blue belt.
We made a post about a few effective basic Taekwondo kicks overview & guide on how to effectively execute them.
Blue Belt
Naturally, the test to attain this rank is similar to that of the previous belt. However, there will be an addition of two-step sparring and various patterns. During this stage, you will need to demonstrate the ability to break a one-inch board with a turning kick and a two-inch board with one punch. You will require about four months for you to achieve all these.
Further, you will need a touch of finesse to get the blue with red stripes belt. Here, you will need to defend yourself against knives, clubs, and holds. Besides, you will be tested against unarmed opponents. It will take up to five months for the blue belt to get to this point.
Red Belt
The introduction of multiple free sparring to replace the two-step one. Further, you will need to break a three-inch board. However, all the other tests will be similar to the ones you take while getting the blue belt with red stripes belt.
From here, you will proceed to the red and black stripe belt. This rank will consume five months of your time. It is during this point that you will need two breaks up to two three-inch boards. But well, this level catapults you to the ultimate rank.
Black Belt
The black belt is the highest achievable rank in taekwondo. Black symbolizes a tree that has attained maturity, and even overcome the darkness. This belt requires lots of work. As such, it needs to plant the seeds for the future.
Often, it will take up to nine months of intense training after getting the red-black belt. During this stage, you will need to demonstrate enhanced prowess to defend yourself against clubs, knives, and holds. One pattern, one and two-step sparring, free, and multiple sparring will be essential in this stage too. But well, this is the stage where you get considered as the master of this art.
Undoubtedly, taekwondo is one of the most fun yet healthy arts you can consider. Now that you are conversant with the ranks, you can now go-ahead to embrace this art, a skill that will improve not only your self-confidence but also and agility.
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