4th Gup Testing Requirements
Stances
X-stance (kyocha sogi)
- Width: None
- Length: None
- Weight Distribution (F% : R%): 100:0
- Right/Left: Name for the supporting foot
Notes: The practitioner stands with both feet pointed in the same direction allowing both knees to bend evenly. The ball of the non-supporting foot lightly touches the ground while the foot of the supporting leg is firmly flat on the ground.
When performed in a jumping motion, the non-supporting leg is positioned “behind” the supporting leg. When executed in a stepping motion, the non-supporting leg is positioned “in front of” the supporting leg.
Patterns
Yul-Gok
Diagram: Scholar symbol
Pattern Details: Video
Beginning Ready Stance: Open Parallel Ready Stance
Number of Movements: 38
Pattern Meaning: Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536-1584), nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”.
The 38 movements refer to his birthplace on the 38th latitude and the pattern diagram represents the Chinese character for “scholar”.
Step Sparring
Intermediate 2-Step (with Partner)
No-Contact Free Sparring (1 opponent)
Hand Techniques
Basic Hand Techniques
- Hooking block with the palm
- Side front strike with the front elbow
- Twin block with the knife hands
- Double block with the inner forearm
- Rising block with the knife hand
Mid-Air Hand Techniques
- 180 mid-air side strike with the knife hand
Demonstrate mid-air strike from an L-stance with the rear hand in a spinning in the direction of the lead shoulder.
Hand Technique Definitions
- Regular motion
- Fast motion
- Connecting motion
Foot Techniques
Basic Kicking Techniques
- Reverse hook kick
- Hooking kick – defensive
- Low twisting kick*
*Demonstrate low twist kick to femoral pressure point target.
Skip Kicking
- Skip hook kick – attacking
Flying Kicking
- Flying turning kick
- Flying side turning kick
Vertical Kicking
- Double kicking
– Lead leg; Rear Leg; Stepping motions
Demonstrate vertical kicking with more difficult kicks attacking multiple targets.
Combination Kicking
- More difficult kicks attacking different targets
Consecutive Kicking
- More difficult kicks attacking different targets
Balance Training
Starting from an open parallel stance, demonstrate balancing on one-leg while holding a side piercing kick to C at waist level hold for two (2) seconds and then hop to turn to A or B while holding the kicking position for two (2) seconds. Repeat the exercise hopping to kick to each of the primary directions (A, B, C, D). The practitioner shall illustrate a solid balanced stance throughout the exercise. Demonstrate the exercise with both legs.
Ho Sin Sul
Vital Point Defense
- Defend against single choke from frontal attack (Demonstrate defenses using joint attacks.)
- Defend against double choke from frontal attack (Demonstrate joint attack and pressure point defenses.)
- Defend against double choke from behind (Demonstrate releases and joint attack defenses.)
- Defend against headlock from side (Demonstrate attacks to vital spots, pressure points, releases and throws.)
Foot Sweeps
- Demonstrate foot sweeps against a passive partner
Demonstrate foot sweeps to the front leg of a passive opponents who is in a walking or L-stance.
Destruction
Men (16+ years)
Hand-Breaking Techniques
- 2 Boards – Front punch with fore fist; or Inward strike with knife hand
- 1 Board – Side strike with back fist; or Inward strike with reverse knifehand
Foot-Breaking Techniques
- 2 Boards – Flying front snap kick; or Flying turning kick; or
- 3 Boards – Flying side piercing kick
Ladies/Juniors (16+ years/11-15 years)
Hand-Breaking Techniques
- 1 Board – Inward strike with knife hand; or Outward strike with knife hand
Foot-Breaking Techniques
- 1 Board – Flying front snap kick; or Flying turning kick; or
- 2 Boards – Flying side piercing kick
Children (5-10)
Hand-Breaking Techniques
- 1/2 Board (White Board) – Downward strike with knife hand
Foot-Breaking Techniques
- 3/4 Board (Orange Board) – Turning kick
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
None
Blue Belt – What Does It Mean
Blue signifies the heaven toward which the plant matures into a towering tree as the training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
Five (5) Disciplines of Taekwon-Do Moral Culture
- Travel
- Mountain Climbing
- Cold Showers and Baths
- Public Service
- Etiquette
Five (5) Parts of the Physical Composition of Taekwon-Do
- Fundamental Exercises
- Sparring
- Patterns
- Self-Defense
- Dallyon (Equipment maintenance – “forging”; stretching; running; weight training, etc.)