Students need to show the ability to perform and understand the following 6 competencies prior to testing. Once you have demonstrated your ability in these areas by challenging for and receiving your stripes you are ready to test. The 6 stripes and areas are below:
| STRIPE COLOR | TECHNIQUE | WEEK |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Sparring Drills | 1 & 2 |
| Green | Self-Defense Technique | 3 & 4 |
| Black | Fitness Testing | 5 |
| Red | Kicking Drills | 6 & 7 |
| White | Board Breaking | * |
| Blue | Pattern (Poomsae) | * |
*White and Blue stripe material (secondary material) will be taught once the instructor sees a proficiency in primary curriculum.
How can I earn stripes for my belt?
- Students may challenge for any color stripe once they have completely learned and are confident in that set of technique.
- Students may not challenge for a stripe at the end of the same class in which they learned the technique.
- Only Black Belt Instructors and Leadership Team members who have received approval are eligible to conduct a challenge.
- Only one successful challenge stripe can be awarded per week.
- Students may challenge as many times as they would like in any given week until the challenge stripe is earned.
- Students are allowed only three mistakes during a challenge to pass.
- All six challenge stripes are required for a student to be eligible to test for the next belt rank.
How does a challenge work?
At the end of class, the student will stand under the American flag and wait respectfully, in joon bee, for a Black Belt Instructor or SLT to approach. When addressed, student should bow and say "Sir (or Ma'am), may I ask you a question?" When given permission, the student should ask to challenge on a particular technique.
How soon can I test for my next belt rank?
Although belt testing occurs approximately every 7-8 weeks, it can take several test cycles for newer students to 'find their groove' and feel fully prepared to test. Otherwise, the beginning belt ranks can successfully prepare to test every, or every other test cycle. Once a student reaches the advanced ranks, they should expect for the preparation to take longer than at the beginning and intermediate ranks.