The Marker System for colour belt advancement is taking the time between belts system out. The time between belts system had students take a minimum number of classes and then, once this number was achieved, get to test. The only real requirement technically was their senior pattern and as long as they could perform it fairly well, they were allowed to test. Any black belt could watch the pattern and give permission.
Now, with the Marker System, each student is in charge of earning stripes on the right side of their belt. Each stripe represents one of the 5 major categories for each level. The white stripe is for set sparring like semi-free or 3 step. The gray stripe is for self-defense. The brown stripe is for breaking. The red stripe is general knowledge questions. The black stripe is for pattern. In order to earn these stripes the student must show that they know the techniques and procedures for the exercise. Instead of time being the major factor, skill is now the major factor.
The white stripe - The student must be able to perform the set sparring for their level. This includes the techniques like punching and blocking and also the procedures that go along with the exercise. The starting position, checking distance, placement of the kia's, direction of movement etc. The procedure for the set sparring from 9th gup to 4th gup is almost identical so once learned at 9th gup, it will carry through until 4th gup.
The grey stripe - Quite simply every self-defense move needed for the students level must be performed for a black belt with realism. Some levels have 4 moves or more so working on them one at a time until learned is the best method.
The brown stripe - Starting at 8th gup students must break boards. So this stripe is earned when the student does the required breaks for their level on the plastic re-breakable boards. Any one 10 years and under will use the yellow board. Any colour belt 7th gup and under can also use the yellow board. At age 11 and at 6th gup (both are needed for the move up) the green board will be used. Any student using the yellow board may always ask to perform on the green board but it is not required. The breaks must be done 2 times in the same session to earn the stripe.
The red stripe: The red stripe is the theory stripe. Each level has a series of questions related to the Taekwon-do theory of their level. To earn this, a student must be able to answer the questions from their respected list. This stripe must be earned before the black stripe can be earned. Questions and Answers are available in the Student Handbook.
The black stripe - This will be the hardest stripe to get. Technical performance of the senior pattern and a memory performance of the junior pattern is required to earn this stripe.
When do the stripes get awarded?
The stripes can be earned/awarded at any time. Any level of black belt may give out a stripe. During a class they may tell the colour belt student to come to them after class to get the stripe. This would be because of the colour belt's performance in class. During class a black belt may take a colour belt to the back of the gym to check out the technical level for any particular stripe. The student may be asked to see a black belt just after class is finished for the same reason. As well, a colour belt may ask a black belt to watch them before or after class trying to earn a stripe. The stripes can even be earned at demonstrations, tournaments, and seminars. Any time a student performs the required material for a stripe and is seen by a black belt, they could earn a stripe.
The Marker stripes are not rank but simply a way to let the instructors know what the student has learned and mastered. Thus they must be placed on the right side of the students belt. The left side of the belt is for rank and will only ever have a single yellow, green, blue, red or black stripe.
The testing fee for colour belts includes all of these pre-tests. A student who has earned their marker stripes will have already done numerous one on one mini tests with corrections supplied. In effect the student is getting small private lessons for each marker stripe they earn.
If students are still unsure of how this system works, please speak to any black belt and they can help you better understand this system.
Now, with the Marker System, each student is in charge of earning stripes on the right side of their belt. Each stripe represents one of the 5 major categories for each level. The white stripe is for set sparring like semi-free or 3 step. The gray stripe is for self-defense. The brown stripe is for breaking. The red stripe is general knowledge questions. The black stripe is for pattern. In order to earn these stripes the student must show that they know the techniques and procedures for the exercise. Instead of time being the major factor, skill is now the major factor.
The white stripe - The student must be able to perform the set sparring for their level. This includes the techniques like punching and blocking and also the procedures that go along with the exercise. The starting position, checking distance, placement of the kia's, direction of movement etc. The procedure for the set sparring from 9th gup to 4th gup is almost identical so once learned at 9th gup, it will carry through until 4th gup.
The grey stripe - Quite simply every self-defense move needed for the students level must be performed for a black belt with realism. Some levels have 4 moves or more so working on them one at a time until learned is the best method.
The brown stripe - Starting at 8th gup students must break boards. So this stripe is earned when the student does the required breaks for their level on the plastic re-breakable boards. Any one 10 years and under will use the yellow board. Any colour belt 7th gup and under can also use the yellow board. At age 11 and at 6th gup (both are needed for the move up) the green board will be used. Any student using the yellow board may always ask to perform on the green board but it is not required. The breaks must be done 2 times in the same session to earn the stripe.
The red stripe: The red stripe is the theory stripe. Each level has a series of questions related to the Taekwon-do theory of their level. To earn this, a student must be able to answer the questions from their respected list. This stripe must be earned before the black stripe can be earned. Questions and Answers are available in the Student Handbook.
The black stripe - This will be the hardest stripe to get. Technical performance of the senior pattern and a memory performance of the junior pattern is required to earn this stripe.
When do the stripes get awarded?
The stripes can be earned/awarded at any time. Any level of black belt may give out a stripe. During a class they may tell the colour belt student to come to them after class to get the stripe. This would be because of the colour belt's performance in class. During class a black belt may take a colour belt to the back of the gym to check out the technical level for any particular stripe. The student may be asked to see a black belt just after class is finished for the same reason. As well, a colour belt may ask a black belt to watch them before or after class trying to earn a stripe. The stripes can even be earned at demonstrations, tournaments, and seminars. Any time a student performs the required material for a stripe and is seen by a black belt, they could earn a stripe.
The Marker stripes are not rank but simply a way to let the instructors know what the student has learned and mastered. Thus they must be placed on the right side of the students belt. The left side of the belt is for rank and will only ever have a single yellow, green, blue, red or black stripe.
The testing fee for colour belts includes all of these pre-tests. A student who has earned their marker stripes will have already done numerous one on one mini tests with corrections supplied. In effect the student is getting small private lessons for each marker stripe they earn.
If students are still unsure of how this system works, please speak to any black belt and they can help you better understand this system.
ORAL QUESTIONS FOR COLOUR BELT EXAMS ANSWERS
WHITE BELT 10TH GUP
Who is the founder of Taekwon-do? General Choi Hong Hi
What do you do when you first see a black belt? Bow
What is the significance of a white belt? Means no knowledge of Taekwon-do
What gup or numbered level are you? 10
How do you walk away from a black belt? 3 step backwards, then turn.
How do you say uniform in Korean? dobok
How do you say Training hall or gym in Korean? dojang
Name one of the fundamental exercises 4 direction punch or block.
What do you say to a black belt after answering a question? sir or ma'am.
YELLOW STRIPE 9TH GUP
What year was Taekwon-do named? 1955
How many moves in Chon-ji? 19
What is the definition of the pattern Chon-ji? see pattern section this web site.
What side of the belt does the stripe go on? left
Where do you face when fixing your dobok? away from the senior black belt
What tool do you use for a front kick? ball of foot
What tool do you use for a knifehand? edge of hand (base of pinky finger to beginning of wrist)
How do you say instructor in Korean? Sa-bum-nim
How do you say bow in Korean? Kinye
Count to 5 in Korean Hanna, Dool, Set, Net, Tasot.
YELLOW BELT 8TH GUP
What is the definition of the pattern Dan-Gun? See pattern section this web site
How many moves in Dan-Gun? 21
Name the first move and stance in Dan-Gun. L-stance, knifehand guarding block.
Name 3 items in the theory of power? Speed, Mass, Balance, Reaction force, Breath, concentration.
Name 3 facings that your body can create. full, half and side
First line of the student oath is? I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-do
What is the significance of the yellow belt? a seed on the ground as TKD foundation is laid.
Name the 5 body lines and show where they are. 2 shoulder lines, 2 chest lines, 1 solar plexus line (center line)
GREEN STRIPE 7TH GUP
What is the definition of the pattern Do-San? See pattern section this web site
How many moves in Do-San? 24
What motion is used on the 2 punches in Do-San? fast motion
What tool is used for a turning kick? ball of foot
What tool is used for a side piercing kick? sword foot
What does a low block protect? lower abdomen
What are the first 3 lines of the student oath? See handbook this web site
What are the 5 tenets of Taekwon-do Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control, Indomitable Spirit
GREEN BELT 6TH GUP
What is the definition of the pattern Won-Hyo? See pattern section this web site
How many moves in Won-Hyo? 28
What is the significance of the colour green on your belt? the leaves of a tree as you TKD knowledge grows
What is the student oath? See handbook this web site
How do you say parallel stance in Korean? Narani Soegi
How do you say sitting stance in Korean? Annun Seogi
Name 2 training secrets of Taekwon-Do See handbook this web site
Stances, weight, length, and width. From class instruction
BLUE STRIPE 5TH GUP
What is the definition of the pattern Yul-Gok? See pattern section this web site
How many moves in Yul-Gok? 38
What does the pattern on the back of your dobok represent? represents General Choi;s nickname, evergreen tree.
Purpose of a hooking palm block? to stop an attack and set up for a grab
What motion is occurring with palm block punch? connecting motion
What are the gup levels from white to black stripe? 10 down to 1
Should you remain sitting if a senior belt enters the room? no. Stand up.
What does Taekwon-Do literally mean? See handbook this web site
BLUE BELT 4TH GUP
What is the definition of the pattern Joong-Gun? See pattern section this web site
How many moves in Joong-Gun? 32
What is the significance of the colour blue on your belt? the sky as your TKD techniques expand
Name the kick on move #2 in Joong-Gun. side front kick
Length of a rear foot stance? 1 shoulder width
Name the 6 points in the theory of power. see 8th gup question and answer
What tool do you use for an elbow strike? forearm
What tool do you use for an elbow thrust? point of elbow
Bow in the instructor Charyot, sa-bum-nim-ke, Kinye
Count to ten in Korean see student handbook this web site
RED STRIPE 3RD GUP
What is the definition of the pattern Toi-Gae? See pattern section this web site
How many moves in Toi-Gae? 37
Why do we wrap our belt once around our waist? Follow 1 Master, Victory with 1 blow, set 1 goal
How do you say Master in Korean? Sa-Yeoung-Nim
Dismiss the class. (the word in Korean) Ha-San
Define side block and front block Front block is full facing with tool on the center line.
Name stances in Korean See student handbook this web site
What is the significance of the colour red on your belt See student handbook this web site
RED BELT 2ND GUP
Any of the previous questions Do some research...
Nickname of the 9th infantry division
What is the definition of the pattern Hwa-Rang?
How many moves in Hwa-Rang?
Name 5 types of fists or punches.
What is your duty as a senior belt towards the junior belts?