3rd Dan Testing Requirements
Stances
Closed ready stance type “D” (moa junbi sogi)
- Width: None
- Length: None
- Weight Distribution (%F:%B): 50/50
Notes: The practitioner stands to form a closed stance (feet parallel and pointed forward). The hands are formed into lightly clenched fists and held at the sides of the body (side-downward – under fists 30 cm from thighs) with the outer-forearms turned slightly out (elbows slightly bent at 30 degrees).
Parallel Stance (narani sogi)
- Width: One and one-half (1 1/2) shoulder width (footsword-to-footsword)
- Length: None
- Weight Distribution (%F:%B): 50/50
- Right/Left: Not applicable
Diagonal Stance (sasun sogi)
- Width: One (1) and 1/2 shoulder width (reverse footsword-to-reverse footsword)
- Length: One (1) foot length (toes of rear foot in-line with back heel of front foot)
- Weight Distribution (%F:%B): 50/50
- Right/Left: Named for front foot
Bending Ready Stance Type “B” (guburyo junbi sogi)
- Width: None
- Length: None
- Weight Distribution (%F:%B): 0/100
- Right/Left: Named for supporting foot
Patterns
Eui-Am
Diagram: Vertical Line
Pattern Details: Video
Beginning Ready Stance: Closed ready stance type “D”
Number of Movements: 45
Pattern Meaning: Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byong-Hi, leader of the Korean Independence Movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak (Oriental Culture) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1905. The diagram for this pattern represents his indomitable spirit which he displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.
Choong-Jang
Diagram: Upside down Capital”T”
Beginning Ready Stance: Closed ready stance type “B”
Number of Movements: 52
Pattern Meaning: Choong-Jang is the pseudonym given the General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, 14th century. This patterns ends in a left-hand attack to symbolize the tragedy of his death, in prison at the age of 27, before he was able to reach full maturity.
Juche
Diagram: Sign for the “Baekdu Mountain”
Beginning Ready Stance: Parallel ready stance
Number of Movements: 45
Pattern Meaning: Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. In other words, it is the idea that man is the master of the world and his own destiny. It is said that the idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain, which symbolizes the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram for this pattern represents the Baekdu Mountain.
Ko-Dang
Diagram: Capital “T”
Beginning Ready Stance: Closed ready stance type “C”
Number of Movements: 39
Pattern Meaning: Ko-Dang is the pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man-Sik who dedicated his life t the Independence Movement and the education of his people. The 39 movements signify his time of imprisonment and his birthplace on the 39th parallel.
Hand Techniques
Basic Hand Techniques
- Downward block with the x-fist
- Rising block with the knife hand
- Crescent punch with the fore fist
- Turning punch with the fore fist
- Wedging block with the knife hands
- Circular block with the reverse knife hand
- Inward block with the reverse knife hand
- Front thrust with the double fingertip
- Pressing block with the twin palms
- Downward strike with the twin knife hands
- Downward strike with the back fist
- Front strike with the arc-hand
- Crescent punch with the twin fore-knuckle fists
- Front punch with the open fist
- Parallel block with the inner forearms
- Parallel block with the outer forearms
- Outward crosscut with the flat fingertip
- High strike with the front elbow
- Downward thrust with the straight elbow
- Crescent strike with the arc-hand
- Inward strike with the twin knife hands
- Downward punch with the fore fist
- Rising block with the twin palms
- Horizontal strike with the back fist
- Inward strike with the flat fingertip
- Side thrust with the flat fingertip
Mid-Air Hand Techniques
- Mid-air horizontal strike with the back fist
Flying Hand Techniques
- Flying double hand technique
– High side strike with the knife hand;
– Middle punch with the fore fist
Foot Techniques
Ground Kicking Techniques
Demonstrate kicking from the ground. Examples include:
- High turning kick
- High back piercing kick
- High front snap kick
Mid-Air Kicking
- Mid-air 180 reverse turning kick
- Mid-air 360 back piercing kick
Mid-Air Vertical Kicking
- Mid-air 180 double back piercing kick
Mid-Air Combination Kicking
Demonstrate two (2) mid-air combination kicks. Examples include:
- Mid-air front snap kick (to D); Front snap kick (to A)
- Mid-air hooking kick (to D); Side turning kick (to D)
Mid-Air Consecutive Kicking
Demonstrate two (2) mid-air consecutive kicks. Examples include:
- Mid-air hook kick (to D); Side turning kick (to D)
- Mid-air front snap kick (to D); Side turning kick (to D)
- Mid-air front snap kick (to D); Side piercing kick (to A)
- Mid-air side piercing kick (to A); Side turning kick (to D)
Flying Kicking
- Flying pick-shape kick
- Flying 360 turning kick (Tornado kick)
Flying Vertical Kicking
- Flying double kicking with a hand technique
Flying Horizontal Kicking
- Flying double kicking with a hand technique
Flying Combination Kicking with Hand Technique
Demonstrate any two (2) flying combination kicks with a hand technique.
Flying Consecutive Kicking with Hand Technique
Demonstrate any two (2) flying consecutive kicks with a hand technique.
Ho Sin Sul
Demonstration
Practitioner shall demonstrate a “scripted” Ho Sin Sul demonstration that is a maximum of two (2) minutes long.
Assailants should integrate the use of weapons (i.e. clubs, knives, guns, etc) in their attacks.
The demonstration must emphasize:
- Releases;
- Joint attacks;
- Pressure point attacks;
- Sweeps;
- Takedowns; and
- Throws
Any combination of attacking and defensive techniques may be demonstrated.
Destruction
Men (16+ years)
Hand-Breaking Techniques
Power Hand Breaks
- 3 Tiles – Downward strike with the back fist; or Downward strike with the reverse knife hand; or
- 5 Tiles – Downward strike with the knife hand
Technique Hand Breaks
- 2 Boards (Suspended) – Front punch with the fore fist; or Inward strike with the knife hand
Foot-Breaking Techniques
Power Foot Breaks
- 4 Boards – Side front snap kick; or Turning kick; or Side thrusting kick; or
- 6 Boards – Side piercing kick
Technique Foots Breaks
- 3 Boards (Supported break; One (1) target) – Flying twin foot front snap kick; or Flying twin foot side piercing kick
- 1 Board (Supported break; Two (2) targets) – Flying Vertical (double) kicks; or Flying two (2) combination kicks ; or Flying two (2) consecutive kicks
Ladies/Juniors (16+ years/11-15 years)
Hand-Breaking Techniques
Power Hand Breaks
- 2 Tiles – Downward punch with the fore fist; or Downward strike with the back fist; or Downward strike with the reverse knife hand; or
- 3 Tiles – Downward strike with the knife hand
Technique Hand Breaks
- 1 Board (Suspended) – Front punch with the fore fist; or Outward or side strike with the back fist; or Inward strike with the reverse knife hand
Foot-Breaking Techniques
Power Foot Breaks
- 4 Boards – Side front snap kick; or Turning kick; or Side thrusting kick; or
- 5 Boards – Side piercing kick
Technique Foots Breaks
- 2 Boards (Suspended) – Any standing kick
- 2 Boards (Supported) – Flying twin foot front snap kick (One (1) target); or Flying hook kick; or 180 reverse hook kick
Training Requirements
Practitioners desiring to test for 3rd Dan Black Belt must complete a minimum of thirty (30) months of active training at the 2nd Dan level before being considered eligible for promotion. Active training is generally considered as a minimum of seven (7) classes per month during a continuous six (6) month period. Minimum age for eligibility for promotion is 17 1/2 years old. Participants seeking early promotion must receive the recommendation from the Board of Membership.
Competition Attendance
Tournament competition is a requirement at this level. Practitioners must compete in a minimum of one (1) event. While patterns or breaking competition is recommended, participation in sparring competition fully satisfies this requirement.
Certification
Practitioners are required to become Class “B” certified Instructor (Demonstrate knowledgeable proficiency in all 1st-3rd Dan patterns)
Practitioners are required to become Class “B” certified referees (Center and corner judges).
Community Service
Practitioners desiring to test for 3rd Dan Black Belt must complete a minimum of forty (40) hours of community service to be considered eligible for promotion.
Two (2) Classes of Instructors within the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)
- Domestic; and
- International
Advanced Tools of the Hand and Arm
Fore fist | Thumb knuckle fist | Base of the knife-hand | Press fingers | Thumb | Back fist | Fore-knuckle fist | Flat fingertip | Finger belly | Thumb ridge | Side fist | Middle-knuckle fist | Straight fingertip | Finger pincers | Bow wrist | Under fist | Bear hand | Angle fingertip | Back hand | Outer forearm | Long fist | Knife-hand | Double fingertip | Arc-hand | Inner forearm | Open fist | Reverse knife-hand | Fore finger | Palm | Under forearm | Elbow
Advanced Tools of the Foot and Leg
Toes
Reverse footsword
Side Sole
Knee
Ball of foot
Instep
Back sole
Tibia
Footsword
Side instep
Back heel