Belt testing is for Udemy Tang Soo Do students ONLY and ALL students must test through all belt levels, regardless of prior martial arts training. Skipping belt ranks is not permitted, as the standards of the art and this dojang must remain high.
Progressing from white belt to black belt will still take approximately 2-3 years even through the courses. It is not about finishing the courses right away and quickly testing, it’s about mastering and internalizing what you have learned and mastering the art and yourself as you go along.
Do not focus on the belt around your waist, but developing the skill level to accurately represent that belt!
Belt ranks differ from school to school. Below are the belt levels in Chung Nam Yun Tang Soo Do which was the same system used by Master Yun in his dojang in South Korea and that I use to this day.
Online Testing
The online belt test is the same as in the dojang, and you will be graded just as if I was sitting in front of you. The one issue with most students is they have no one to partner with. This is an issue, but it’s an issue that can be addressed and not something that should stop people from practicing Tang Soo Do and advancing through the ranks.
If you have someone to partner with, use them to demonstrate one-step sparring and self-defense techniques. If you do not have a partner, perform them against an imaginary opponent, visualize your opponent, striking the proper targets, and carry out the movements.
Every belt test will slightly different and will be more difficult as you progress through the ranks. When testing for your belt, you not only have to demonstrate the required techniques and forms of that belt, but everything you have learned and tested on from your prior and current belt.
The reason for this is to ensure students keep training the basics and all of the techniques in the system, not just what is covered in the current course.
Belt testing is FOR SERIOUS STUDENTS ONLY! Testing is offered to those students who take their training seriously and want to develop skills in the art of Tang Soo Do, not those who just want a certificate on their wall.
WE DO NOT SELL BELTS and I take placing my seal on a certificate very seriously, as it represents me, the art, and the legacy of my instructor, Master Yun Tak Bong. Grading is hard, just as if I was sitting in front of you in the dojang, but if you pass your test and receive a certificate from me, you will know you earned it.
Belt Requirements
Below are listed the belt testing requirements for each belt level. All students begin with a white belt, so there is no test to earn your white belt, it is the starting point. A student’s first test is a blue belt and they will be tested on all they have learned at the white belt level.
Students must show mastery of all techniques and forms, not just that they memorized them. All techniques and forms must be performed with proper focus, power, speed, and footwork.
For each succeeding belt level, the student is tested on all of the requirements of the preceding belt levels as well as the requirements for the belt they are testing for. For example, a student is tested on all he has learned at white belt and successfully earned their blue belt. The student is then taught all of the blue belt level techniques, forms, and one steps.
When the student tests for their Red Belt, they will be tested on ALL techniques learned from white belt through blue belt, as well as the required red belt techniques. When a student tests for black belt they will be tested on every stance, technique, form, and defense they learned from the time they started at white belt through what they learned at red belt.
Belt tests are progressively longer, ensuring that students continue to train and master the basics, not just what is required at each belt level. Students must also show “improvement” and mastery of all of the techniques learned prior as well. It is not uncommon for a black belt test to last two or more hours.
BLUE BELT TEST
When creating your test video for Blue Belt, all techniques listed below need to be demonstrated with proper speed, power, and focus.
- All basic punches, blocks, and kicks listed in the Tang Soo Do Basics
- Hyung – Kicho Hyung Il Bu, Kicho Hyung Ee Bu, Kicho Hyung Sam Bu
- One Step Sparring- One steps #1 – 5
RED BELT TEST
**STUDENT MUST DEMONSTRATE ALL TECHNIQUES REQUIRED FOR THEIR BLUE BELT TEST AND THE TECHNIQUES LISTED BELOW**
Blocks – Parry/Parry and Check, 4-Directional Blocking, Mantis Bock
Strikes – Back fist, Ridge Hand, Spear Hand, Elbow Techniques
Kicks – Back Kick, Inside Crescent Kick, Outside Crescent Kick, Scoop/Stomping Kick
**STUDENT MUST DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING HYUNG**
- Kicho Hyung Il Bu
- Kicho Hyung Ee Bu
- Kicho Hyung Sam Bu
- Pyung Ahn Cho Dan
- Pyung Ahn Ee Dan
- Pyung Ahn Sam Dan
**STUDENT MUST DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING ONE-STEP SPARRING TECHNIQUES**
-One Step # 1-5
– Create 4 one steps against a straight punch, following proper body mechanics and how the body responds when struck.
BLACK BELT TEST
To test for black belt, the student must demonstrate ALL TECHNIQUES AND FORMS LEARNED FROM WHITE BELT THROUGH RED BELT.
An in-person black belt test normally lasts two or more hours per student and a class black testing will normally be an all-day event. Your submitted video testing should contain you performing all required techniques from white belt through red belt, and improvement should be seen from your colored belt tests. DO NOT try to piece together your prior tests to create your black belt test!!! This is an ethics and honor violation and will result in immediate failure!!
The student will demonstrate all of the basics, techniques, forms, and one steps required in previous tests and those listed below.
Strikes – Tiger Claw, Leopard Fist, Finger Whip
Forms – Pyung Ahn Sa Dan, Pyung Ahn Oh Dan, Bassai, Naihanchi Cho Dan
Weapons – Basic Jo striking techniques and Basic Jo Form
If you test for belt rank you MUST go through all levels regardless of prior experience in other styles, dojos, or belt rank. You are testing in Chung Nam Yun Tang Soo Do and there are differences in technique and standards among all schools.
Remember that you have an advantage in testing by video over those who test in person. You can ensure you send in your absolute BEST work. If you make a mistake, you can re-record it and do it again without any penalty. Practice, train, and send me your best when you are ready to test!
Belt Test Fees
Below are the Chung Nam Yun belt test fees for your online test. All fees are paid through PayPal and once your test is submitted for grading there will be NO refund, so be sure you wish to test!! Again, I do not sell belts.
Testing fees can be paid below.
Submitting Your Test
Once you have mastered the required techniques, email me at test@tangsoodolife.com and let me know you would like to test, and which belt you are testing for. I will verify that the required courses have been completed and sufficient time has been spent at each grade.
These courses are a substitute for training at a school. You must still put in the time training to master all of the techniques and forms. You cannot just complete the course and test right away.
Testing Procedure:
PREPARE YOUR TESTING SPACE
To prepare your testing environment, try to ensure the following is ready before test day:
- Camera set-up that allows instructors to see the student’s whole body (note: it’s ok if we see a side view instead of a forward-facing view!)
- Sound on without any distracting background noise (dogs, TVs, etc.)
- The date of the test and the name of the practitioner must be stated at the beginning of the video.
- Space to move at least 2 steps forward/back
- All techniques requested must be demonstrated in the video
- Every technique in the video must be announced by the practitioner. We cannot guess what you are about to show us.
- Any techniques, combinations, or forms where the practitioner executes techniques with the back to the camera must also be done in a side view.
- All techniques or combinations must be executed at a minimum of five to ten times with each hand.
- If you make a mistake when filming, don’t stop, just do it again. We want to see mistakes too
- The video must include sound
- The video may not be edited afterward.
- Testing fees are only charged once for each rank. If you fail you may test again for FREE at a later time.
Submitting Video
Once you have completed your video, sign in to your YouTube account (Create one if you don’t already have one) and upload the video to your page.
Make the video ‘UNLISTED’, so no one else can see it on YouTube apart from the people you send the link to.
Once the video is completely uploaded, email the video link to me at – test@tangsoodolife.com. For the “Subject” of the email, put “____ Belt Test: Your Name.
Grading of the Test
Once I have received your test video, I will watch and critique it in its entirety. I will be looking for proper foot and hand placement, smooth body movements, as well as speed, power, and focus in all techniques.
Once I have graded your test, I will email you the results along with a video pointing out anything you may need to work on or improve.
If you live in the U.S. you will have the option of receiving your rank certificate by mail or a clear digital copy suitable for printing and framing.
If you live outside of the U.S. your rank certificate will be a digital copy sent to you with your test results. The reason for this is because many students live in remote places around the world and the likelihood of it getting lost or damaged is very high.
Failing a Video Belt Test
Failing a belt test is considered a part of a normal martial arts career. It is more common than you think, unless you are in a McDojo where everyone passes. It isn’t the end of the world; it just means you have some more work to do.
The last thing I want is for my students to ever need to use their skills on the street and not have them work, or for your skill level to not accurately reflect your belt rank. This is the reason I fail students that are not quite there yet.
Passing a belt test through video is harder than in person. When testing in person the instructor may ask for additional performances when feeling unsure. When testing through video you only get one chance.
Keep in mind that the test will fail if the quality of video is not good enough (sound, picture quality, etc.). It does not need to be a movie production, but it does need to be clear and stable with good sound quality.
Remember, if you fail your belt test, you will not have to pay to retest. All retests are FREE once you are ready to try again.