Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Taekwondo?
A: Taekwondo is a form of martial art training from Korea that is
derived from ancient martial arts that are over 2000 years old.
Taekwondo's goal is to help the student grow and develop in the areas
of: courtesy, integrity, self confidence, self control, perseverance,
commitment, and unbreakable spirit. Taekwondo is NOT a cult or religious
sect nor is Taekwondo, as the movies depict, a violent militant group
that teaches students to beat up people. Taekwondo IS a very sensible
method of consistent mental and physical training that is a year-round,
life-time system of exercise and personal development.
Q: What is the belt for?
A: Belts are goals that are set for students to meet on their road to
Taekwondo training and personal improvement. To obtain the first belts,
the goals are more easily met and involve more help from the instructor.
Techniques are fairly simple early on and increase in difficulty as the
students progress. Each student will progress at the speed that is equal
to their personal abilities.
Q:How are belts ranked?
A: Beginners will earn their first belt early in their Taekwondo
training starting with white and moving on to yellow, orange,
camouflage, green, purple, blue, brown, red, red/black and finally
black. Juniors, or students under the age of 16, will earn a Junior
Black Belt, or Poom. Adults earn a first Degree Black Belt, or 1st Dan.
Black Belts are ranked from 1st through 9th degree. 1st, 2nd, and
3rd Degree Black Belts are considered journeyman level. 5th - 7th
Degree Black Belts are considered Master Instructors. 5th Degree
Black Belts - 7th Degree Black Belts often hold the title Kwang Jang Nim
(Head of a school or an association). 8th - 9th Degree Black Belts
are considered Grand Masters.
Q: What is a black belt?
A: A Junior Black Belt (Poom) or Adult Black Belt (Dan) is a student
recognized for their commitment to Taekwondo who has achieved a high
level of proficiency and knowledge in the art of kicking and punching.
This proficiency includes that a student's conduct outside the dojahng
is a direct reflection of the art, the instructor and the student
themselves.
Q: What happens after reaching black belt?
A: Upon reaching black belt, a student will realize how much more there
is to learn and continue their own training, advancement and individual
improvement, while they also pass on what they have learned to new
students. This is part of the circle of Taekwondo -- passing on all the
training once learned by teaching new students who may one day do the
same. This keeps the art of Taekwondo alive for many generations and is
the principle on which Taekwondo and the Martial Arts have sustained
themselves for over 2,000 years. The knowledge and art of Taekwondo is a
gift that is meant to be shared with others who strive to learn and to
better themselves.
Q: What is the role of instructor?
A: The instructor's goals are to build and support the development of
confident students. These students are individuals with goals,
discipline, and a sense of proper direction in their lives. Students
will also have needs and the instructors are there to see that those
needs are met by training the students to become better human beings.
The method of training, in all aspects, is a goal-oriented system which
serves as a positive reinforcement to growth as individuals.
Q: What is belt testing?
A: When the student has completed the required time and material
training requirements a test date will be set. As in any educational
institution, the instructors know when a student is ready to test to,
please trust their judgment. The belt exams are open for family and
friends to attend and watch. The student will perform the required
material in front of the testing instructor as well as the audience,
then finish by breaking the required board or boards, to advance to the
next level. Beginner students and children are given the assistance
needed to help them fulfill the requirements to earn their belt. This
helps build confidence. Advanced students are required to complete the
exam with little or no assistance. Junior and adult black belt tests
must be passed with no assistance.
Q: Can a student fail?
A: No. If a student continues to try, preservers, then she/he will never
fail. She/he may not complete all the requirements at the time of their
test, but re-tests are always offered on material missed for colored
belts. Taekwondo is not about failing, but about succeeding. Instructors
will see that each student can succeed no matter what it takes. In the
dojahng, four letter words like "can't" and "don't" are replaced with
"can", "do" and "try". There is no giving up so there is no failing.
Q: What do student receive with testing?
A: Following tests are awarded a new belt and advanced certification.
These certificates should be kept in one place for verification at black
belt time. The certificates measure 8-1/2" by 11" and are suitable for
framing. A good way to keep certificates together is to put each new
certificate in the front of the frame while keeping the previous
certificates in back.
Q: Why learn Korean terminology?
A: Korean is the universal language of Taekwondo. It is also fun for the
students to learn words in another language. It prepares students for
competition, as all competition and commands in the sport arena are
conducted and given in Korean. Students could go to any Taekwondo
training center in the world and understand the training. Learning and
using Korean is also very crucial to know in the event that other
Masters and Grand Masters should make a visit to our gym. Instructors
from Korea, naturally, conduct their classes, training, and commands in
Korean and are always impressed when American students understand them.
Q: Why are students required to bow?
A: Bowing is a tradition in Korea used when entering or leaving the gym.
It is also used when asking a question of an instructor or entering the
dojang in which higher ranks and black belts are present. It is a sign
of respect for their experience, knowledge and commitment to Taekwondo.
It is also out of respect for the gym, the ranks, and the instructors.
It is similar to an American handshake. When you meet someone it is
proper etiquette to shake their hand. In Korea, and especially
Taekwondo, it is proper to greet people in this way each time they meet.
This method of recognizing authority, experience, and greater knowledge
helps to strengthen a student's respect for authority in and out of the
dojang whether it is parents, teachers, police, adults or other persons
of stature. It also fosters a sense of respect for the training, the
goals, and the person they aspire to become.
Q: Are students required to compete at
tournaments?
A: It is not required, but strongly recommended that students
participate in a tournament or two during their training.
Q: What can students do to get the most
out of Taekwondo?
A: The most important thing students, as well as parents, can do to
ensure the best possible training available is to trust the instructors
with the training for you and/or your child. The instructors work very
hard to develop the best training programs they can with every step
taken, every method used for a reason. Your confidence and support
guarantees that you will get the most from your Taekwondo training.
Q: Why is Taekwondo so popular?
A: Taekwondo's popularity comes mainly from the fact that it is not a
passing fad. Taekwondo has withstood the tests of time. Taekwondo is
much more than self-defense skills training. Taekwondo is a lifestyle of
physical and mental training and challenges that encourage an individual
to strive to do more and be more. The training is proven to develop an
individual's complete being, mental and physical, joined by an
indomitable spirit.