4th Dan Testing Requirements
Stances
Warrior ready stance type “B” (moosa junbi sogi)
- Width: One (1) shoulder width (footsword-to-footsword)
- Length: None
- Weight Distribution (%F:%B): 50/50
Notes: The practitioner stands to form an open parallel stance (feet parallel and pointed forward). The left hand is closed to form a fore-fist and held such that the fist is positioned above the right hip with the left forearm parallel to the floor. The finger bellies of the right hand are place upon the left fore fist.
Patterns
Sam-Il
Diagram: Plus Sign
Pattern Details: Video
Beginning Ready Stance: Closed ready stance type “C”
Number of Movements: 33
Pattern Meaning: Sam-Il denotes the historical date of the Independence Movement of Korea which began throughout the country on March 1, 1919. The 33 movements in this pattern stand for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.
Yoo-Sin
Diagram: Upside down capital “I” with “v’s” at top and bottom
Beginning Ready Stance: Warrior ready stance type “B”
Number of Movements: 68
Pattern Meaning: Yoo-Sin is named after General Kim Yoo-Sin, a commanding general during the Silla Dynasty. The 68 movements in this pattern refer to the last two figures of 668 A.D., the year that the three (3) kingdoms of ancient Korea were united. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn on the right rather than on the left side. This symbolizes Yoo-Sin’s mistake of following his king’s orders t fight with foreign forces against his own nation.
Choi Yong
Diagram: Plus sign
Beginning Ready Stance: Closed ready stance type “C”
Number of Movements: 46
Pattern Meaning: Choi-Yong is named after General Choi Yong, Premier and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces during the 14th century Koryo Dynasty. Chi Yong was greatly respected for his loyalty, patriotism and humility. He was executed by his subordinate commanders headed by General Yi Sung-Gae. General Yi later became the first king of the Yi Dynasty.
Hand Techniques
Basic Hand Techniques
- Side block with the knife hand
- Wedging block with the reverse knife hands
- Low double punch with the fore fists
- Horizontal extension of both elbows (release motion)
- Rising block with the x-knife hands
- U-shape punch with the fore fist
- Horizontal strike with the back hand
- W-shape block wit the knife hands
- High punch wit the middle knuckle fist
Mid-Air Hand Techniques
- Mid-air horizontal strike with the back hand
Flying Hand Technique
Flying combination/consecutive hand technique
- Flying combination front punch with the fore fist, side strike with the knife hand, consecutive front punch with the fore fist.
Foot Techniques
Basic Kicking Techniques
- Waving kick
Mid-Air Vertical Kicking
- Mid-air 360 back piercing kick
Mid-Air Kicking
- Mid-air 360 turning kick (Tornado kick)
Flying Kicking
- Flying 360 reverse turning kick
Flying Vertical Kicking
- Flying triple kicking
Flying Horizontal Kicking
- Flying triple kicking
Flying Combination Kicking
- Flying three (3) combination kicks
Flying Consecutive Kicking
- Flying three (3) consecutive kicks
Ho Sin Sul
Demonstration
Demonstrate advanced 1-step sparring with emphasis on sweeps, takedowns and throws.
Destruction
Men (16+ years)
Hand-Breaking Techniques
Power Hand Breaks
- 4 Tiles – Downward strike with back fist; or Downward strike with reverse knife hand; or Downward strike with knife hand
Technique Hand Breaks
- None
Foot-Breaking Techniques
Power Foot Breaks
- 3 Boards – Twisting kick; or Stepping hook kick; or Reverse hook kick; or
- 4 Boards – Mid-air 360 back piercing kick
- 5 Boards – Mid-air 180 back piercing kick
- 6 Boards – Side piercing kick
Technique Foot Breaks
- 3 Boards (Suspended) – Any standing, mid-air or flying kick; or
- 4 Boards (Supported; One (1) target) – Flying Twin foot front snap kick; or Flying twin foot side piercing kick; or
- 2 Boards (Supported; Two (2) targets; 2 boards each) – Flying double kicks; or Flying two (2) combination kicks; or Flying two (2) consecutive kicks; or Flying twin foot front snap kick; or Flying twin foot side piercing kick
- 1 Board ( Supported: Three (3) targets; 1 board each) – Flying double kicks with hand technique; or Flying two (2) combination kicks with hand technique; or Flying two (2) consecutive kicks with hand technique; or Flying three (3) combination kicks; or Flying three (3) consecutive kicks
Ladies (16+ years)
Hand-Breaking Techniques
Power Hand Breaks
- 2 Tiles – Downward punch with fore fist; or Outward strike with knife hand; or Inward strike with knife hand; or
- 3 Tiles – Downward strike with reverse knife hand
Technique Hand Breaks
- 2 Boards – Front punch with fore fist; or Outward strike with knife hand; or Inward strike with knife hand
Foot-Breaking Techniques
Power Foot Breaks
- 3 Boards – Twisting kicks; or Stepping hook kick; or Reverse hook kick
- 4 Boards – Mid-air 180 back piercing kick; or Mid-air 360 back piercing kick; or
- 5 Boards – Side piercing kick
Technique Foot Breaks
- 2 Boards (Suspended) – Any mid-air or flying kick
- 3 Boards ( Supported; One (1) target) – Flying twin foot front snap kick; or Flying twin foot side piercing kick
- 1 Board (Supported; Two (2) targets; 1 board each) – Flying double kicks; or Flying two (2) combination kicks; or Flying two (2) consecutive kicks; or
- 2 Boards (Supported; Two (2) targets; 2 boards each) – Flying twin foot front snap kick; or Flying twin foot side piercing kick
> Training / Competition / Certification / Community Service
> History / Knowledge
> Training / Competition / Certification / Community Service
Training Requirements
Practitioners desiring to test for 4th Dan Black Belt must complete a minimum of forty (40) months of active training at the 3rd 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 19 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 4th Dan Black Belt must complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours of community service to be considered eligible for promotion.
> History / Knowledge
Two (2) Classes of Referees within the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF)
Within the International Taekwon-Do Federation (as started by General Choi Hong-Hi), there are two (2) classifications of certified referees. These are:
- Class A – International competition judging; and
- Class B – National competition judging.
Vital Spots of the Head and Body
The following images illustrate vital spots upon the head, front and back of the body. Click on the image thumbnail to view.
The “Ideal” Instructor
The following are considered key attributes and characteristics or an “ideal” instructor:Strong moral and ethical standards:
- Clear outlook and philosophy in life
- Responsible attitude as an instructor;
- Scientific mind in matters of technique;
- Knowledge of the vital spots of human anatomy;
- Unshakable integrity in political and financial dealings;
- Dedication to spreading the art of Taekwon-Do throughout the world;
- Ability to gain confidence from seniors, trust from fellow instructors and respect from his juniors.
Student-Instructor Relationship: Responsibilities of the Instructor
The following list itemizes the key responsibilities of the Instructor toward the Student:
- Never tire of teaching. A good instructor can teach anywhere, anytime and is always ready to answer questions.
- Never tire of teaching. A good instructor can teach anywhere, anytime and is always ready to answer questions.
- An instructor should be eager for his students to surpass him; it is the ultimate compliment for an instructor. A student should never be held back. If the instructor realizes his student has developed beyond his teaching capabilities, the student should be sent to a higher ranking instructor.
- An instructor must always set a good example for his students and never attempt to defraud them.
- The development of students should take precedence over commercialism. Once an instructor becomes concerned with materialism, he will lose the respect of his students.
- Instructors should teach scientifically and theoretically to save time and energy.
- Instructors should help students develop good conduct outside the do-jang. It is an instructor’s responsibility to develop students outside as well as inside the do-jang.
- Students should be encouraged to visit other do-jangs and study other techniques. Students who are forbidden to visit other do-jangs are likely to become rebellious. There are two (2) advantages for allowing students this opportunity: (1) Students may observe and learn technique that is ideally suited for them; and (2) Students may compare their technique to inferior technique.
- All students should be treated equally, there should be no favorites. Students should always be scolded in private, never in front of the class.
- If an instructor is not able to answer a student’s question, he should not fabricate an answer, but admit that he does not know and attempt to find the answer as soon as possible. Too often instructors dispense incorrect answers to his students merely to “save face” because they do not know the answer.
- An instructor should not seek favors such as cleaning the do-jang, doing repair work, etc. from his students.
- An instructor should not exploit his students. The only purpose of an instructor is to product both technically and mentally excellent students.
- Always be honest with the students and never break a trust.