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Adults / Gup gradings
Instructors will hold a practice grading approximately 1 month before a standard adults grading. As well as letting students practice this lets the instructors check the standard of all students and see how they are progressing towards their next promotion.
The instructor looks at the following things when deciding whether a student can grade:
Completion of some or all of these requirements does not automatically mean a student can grade. Students who are being put forward for grading will be notified, usually by their instructor at class. When a student is confirmed for a grading then the grading fee needs to be paid, along with any outstanding fees, before the grading. Kids / Mini-Kids & Kubz gradings
Instructors will assess kids. mini-kids and Kubz during classes, and check the standard of all students and see how they are progressing towards their next promotion. Once this is complete and homework and report cards are returned then the instructors will confirm if students are ready for grading.
The instructor looks at the following things when deciding whether a student can grade:
Completion of some or all of these requirements does not automatically mean a student can grade. Students who are being put forward for grading will be notified, usually by their instructor at class. When a student is confirmed for a grading then the grading fee needs to be paid, along with any outstanding fees, before the grading. If you unsure if your child is grading and you have not received the confirmation email, please check with your class instructor. What if you can't make the grading?
If you or your child, has is eligible and recommended by the class instructor, for a grading, but cannot the this grading date and time: then the most likely course is for you to have a requested double grading at the next grading.
However you / your child will need to meet all the requirements for the next grade in order to be eligible for a requested double grading, which is not always possible. This will be assessed by the instructors prior to the next grading. You will also need to pay the grading fee for both grades that you are requesting. Class attendance
International Taekwon-Do has minimum recommended requirements for training (in hours) to grade to I dan black belt, and this is broken down by grade as follows:
Minimum class requirement guideline for kids & mini-kids
Minimum class requirement guideline for kids & mini-kids
Remember that the number of classes is the minimum number of classes. If you have not attended enough classes you cannot grade, but once you reach the required class numbers it doesn't automatically mean that you can grade. If there are not enough trainings held between gradings then you can get more training by attending training at other clubs or attending seminars to get enough trainings to grade.
If you don’t regularly train at least twice per week then you may need more classes than it says above to be allowed to grade. You should also attend at least 75% of the required classes in the 3 months leading up to your grading (ie. if you take a break from training and come back you may have to do more trainings). If you are not able to attend a class then it is correct etiquette to let your instructor know that you are not coming. All Blue Belts and above must follow this rule or they may need to attend an additional training for each instance. If any student misses a pre-grading without advising the instructor in advance or without a reasonable reason they will not be able to grade. Tournament / Competition attendanceSuccessfully being promoted at a grading involves a physical performance in front of an examiner where they determine if a candidate has reached a set standard. Competing in a tournament also involves a physical performance in front of judges, who compares one competitor’s performance against another. Winning is when the judges determine one competitor’s performance was better then the others in the match, and there is no set standard to reach.
Competing in a tournament will provide a student with valuable experience in completing a physical performance while being assessed. This is an essential component of a grading and if a student is not able to perform in a tournament, then it raises questions about their ability to successfully complete a grading. Other reasons to compete include:
It is generally expected that students will compete in all available events. Review the grading policy for the required number of tournaments here » Attitude and effort in class training
General Choi had a saying: “Train hard: Grading easy; Train easy: Grading hard”. Just coming along to the minimum number of trainings is not enough! We must see that you are applying yourself to your training at every training.
Good behavior and correct etiquette is required in every class. If you are unsure of the correct etiquette check the rules of conduct which are in the gup syllabus. Ask a senior to show you if you can’t find it. If you are disruptive or behave inappropriately, or do not apply yourself you may not have that class counted towards your minimum number of classes. For kids classes children receive a good behavior sticker for each class that they attend, at the end of the session, the class instructor will put a sticker on a wall chart with each students' name on it. During the session, any child who disrupts the class or performs poorly will have a peg attached to their uniform. If a child receives three pegs during a class, they have not displayed satisfactory behavior and will not receive a sticker for that class. To be eligible to grade, a child must have the same number of stickers as required attendance for their current grade. One of the rules of conduct is that you are to arrive at least 10 minutes early to training to prepare both mentally and physically. This means that once you have helped get the equipment out, you should warm yourself up and practice your syllabus, especially the techniques you are having trouble with. Remember to practice at home as well. The more you put in the more you will learn! Know your syllabus and theory
The instructors try hard to cover the entire syllabus frequently however there is a lot to learn! Sometimes students are absent when one aspect is covered. Please look through your syllabus book at least once per week (parents please help your child to look) to make sure that you know everything you are supposed to for your grade, and all the grades below yours as well. If you have missed something or you would like to go over it again please ask your instructor or any other senior – we are happy to help.
It is up to you to learn your theory and you should practice this at home regularly. You must pass the theory test to grade with a pass mark of at least 80%. The more you know of the physical theory (stances, step sparring techniques etc) the easier and faster you will learn at training. Having your step sparring routines worked out before training will also help you get more practice when you are at training. Physical competency
You must also be physically able to perform techniques to a certain level at each grade. Depending on your natural ability, general strength and fitness (but most importantly how often and how hard you train!) it may take you a shorter or longer time than other students to achieve. If you meet the class attendance requirements above this will put you in a good position to pass the physical aspects of the pre-grading and the actual grading.
Parent & Teacher report card (Junior & kids members)International Taekwon-Do is not about kicking and punching – particularly for children. It is about building great people. For this reason, a child’s behaviour – both within the dojang (training area) and outside it – are very important. Our role is to support parents and teachers in this development.
Parents and Teachers are asked to complete a report to help us decide whether this child is ready to grade. The report card is due to be returned to the International Taekwon-Do school instructor one week before the grading date noted below, along with homework, so a check can be made that all requirements have been met. |