- Keumgang outer forearm middle block
- Upper cut punch
- Convert to Forward stance Ap Kubi → middle punch
World Taekwondo Mandeville
Dan Grading & Technical Guidance Syllabus · 1st – 2nd Dan — Black Belt · Newly Revised Edition 2025
World Taekwondo Mandeville · Mandeville, Jamaica
1st – 2nd Dan
Black Belt
Dan Grading & Technical Guidance Syllabus. Koryo and Keumgang, four Taegeuk called at the examiner's choice, and step sparring you write yourself — the grade where the syllabus stops handing you the answers.
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01 — The rankWhat this grade asks of you
This is the first grade at which the belt is examined as a standard rather than a stage. Everything from the colour-belt syllabus remains examinable on command, in Korean, without warning.
| Minimum age | Poom below 15 years · Dan above 15 years |
| Minimum time in grade | 12 months of active training from 1st Dan |
| Membership | Current member of World Taekwondo Jamaica and/or World Taekwondo Mandeville |
| Grading to | 2nd Dan — Black Belt |
| Syllabus poomsae | Koryo · Keumgang · any four Taegeuk forms |
Eligibility
Minimums are not entitlements. Meeting them makes you eligible to be considered. Instructor recommendation is required in every case, and is based on standard rather than on time served.
The safety overlay — it applies to every partner element on this page
Carried unchanged from the colour-belt syllabi already published on this site, and it overrides every technique description below.
- Throat, neck, temple, eyes and spine are never contacted, at any speed, at any rank. Where a counter names one of them it is indicated to the line and stopped.
- Locks are applied to the point of control and released on the signal — never to the break.
- Sweeps, takedowns and pushes are performed on a matted surface, with the partner's balance managed. Nobody is dropped.
- Concussion protocol applies on grading day with no exceptions: Recognise — Remove — Refer — Return.
02 — PoomsaeRequired forms
| Form | Standard required |
|---|---|
| Koryo | Required with excellent precision |
| Keumgang | Required with excellent precision |
| Any four Taegeuk forms | Chosen from Taegeuk 1–8, with perfect execution |
Watch it performed
The Taegeuk forms are called by the examiner. Any of the eight may be asked for, so all eight are prepared — the choice of four is the examiner's, not the candidate's.
03 — Kibon DongjakCombination techniques
Four combinations. The examiner calls a number and you perform it without further instruction and without being talked through it.
How to read the sides
Every sequence is written left-lead — left foot forward — and is mirrored on command. Stances are named by the forward foot. The lead hand blocks and the rear hand strikes unless a step says otherwise.
Practise
LEFT-LEAD
- Front kick
- Combination high knife hand block and inward knife hand strike
- Palm pressing block
- Step to Forward stance Ap Kubi → vertical spearhand strike
The inward knife hand strike is indicated to the neck line, and the spearhand is directed to the mid-section in partner work — never to the face, at any speed.
- Keumgang outer forearm middle block
- Upper cut punch → middle punch
- Chamber the front leg → execute side kick
- Finish with front elbow strike
- Santeul Makki — mountain block
- Convert to crane stance → execute side kick
- Reverse chamber → execute side kick with the arms extended
- End in back stance with a double knife hand block
The whole combination is built on holding the horse stance and then changing base without losing height. A stance that rises between the two side kicks has lost the element.
Stances (Seogi)
| Korean | English | Korean | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moa Seogi | Attention stance | Naranhi Seogi | Parallel stance |
| Ap Seogi | Walking stance | Ap Kubi | Forward stance |
| Dwit Kubi | Back stance | Beom Seogi | Tiger stance |
| Juchum Seogi | Horse riding stance |
04 — Hand techniqueBlocks, strikes and punches
Named and performed on command, on either side.
Blocks — Makki
- Arae Makki — low block
- Momtong Makki — middle block
- Olgul Makki — high block
- Momtong An Makki — middle inside block
- Sonnal Makki — knife hand block
- Hansonnal Makki — single knife hand block
Punches — Jireugi
- Arae Jireugi — low punch
- Bandae Jireugi — reverse punch
- Momtong Jireugi — middle punch
- Olgul Jireugi — high punch
Strikes — Chigi
- Deungjumeok Olgul Ap Chigi — back fist strike
- Hansonnal Mok Chigi — single knife hand neck strike
- Sonnal Mok Chigi — double knife hand neck strike
- Palkup Dollyo Chigi — elbow strike
- Me Jumeok Neryo Chigi — hammer fist strike
Neck-line strikes
Both knife hand neck strikes are performed in the air or indicated to a partner and stopped. They are never contacted.
05 — ChagiKicking technique
Basic kicks
- Ap Chagi — front kick
- Dollyo Chagi — roundhouse kick
- Yop Chagi — side kick
- Naeryo Chagi — axe kick
- Bandal Chagi — crescent kick
- Dwit Chagi — back kick
Advanced kicks
- Twio 360° Dwit Chagi — jump spinning back kick
- Twio Ap Chagi — jumping front kick
- Twio Dollyo Chagi — jumping roundhouse kick
- Mondollyo Chagi — tornado kick
What the panel watches
The landing. A jumping or spinning kick that lands flat, facing the wrong way, or with a stumble has not been completed however good it looked in the air.
06 — KyorugiSparring requirements
Step sparring
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Three-step — Sambon Kyorugi | Two of each, written by the student |
| Two-step — Ee bon Kyorugi | Two of each, written by the student |
| One-step — Il bon Kyorugi | Two of each, written by the student |
Written by the student
These are your own constructions, not a memorised set. The panel is assessing whether you can build a sound sequence — an answer that actually fits the attack, at the right range, finishing in a position you could defend from.
Free sparring — Jayu Kyorugi
- Demonstration of controlled techniques
- Application of combinations
- Proper distance management
- Effective counter-attacking
- Use of footwork and ring management
Advanced Hanbon Kyorugi — one-step sparring
Six set techniques. Each is called by number and performed on both sides.
- Defence. Step slightly back with a left inside block.
- Counter. Trap the opponent's wrist with the left hand, step forward with the right foot while applying the wrist lock, and execute an elbow strike to the ribs.
- Finish. Apply downward pressure on the locked joint to control the opponent.
The lock is taken to the point of control and released on the signal, on a matted surface.
- Defence. Step 45° to the inside with the left foot while executing a right knife hand block.
- Counter. Left palm strike to the chin, right turning kick to the floating ribs, left back fist to the temple.
- Finish. Step through into a controlled follow-up position.
The back fist to the temple is indicated and stopped. The 45° step is the graded element — it is what makes the sequence available.
- Defence. Step back with an X-block, both forearms, to catch or deflect the kick.
- Counter. Right side kick to the attacker's supporting leg, followed by a left ridge hand strike to the throat.
- Finish. Maintain distance in fighting stance and stay ready.
The ridge hand to the throat is indicated and never contacted.
- Defence. Left palm block downward while stepping 45° to the outside.
- Counter. Right foot sweep to the supporting leg while delivering a left knife hand strike to the neck.
- Finish. Maintain balance while the opponent falls, or establish fighting stance.
Matted surface. The neck strike is indicated; the sweep is controlled and the partner is not dropped.
- Defence. Left inside circular block while stepping slightly back.
- Counter. Right knife hand strike to the neck, followed by a left turning kick to the floating ribs.
- Finish. Return to fighting stance with controlled distance.
The neck strike is indicated and stopped.
- Defence. Duck while stepping forward and left, to the inside of the spin.
- Counter. Right uppercut to the solar plexus, followed by a left elbow strike to the ribs.
- Finish. Push the opponent away and establish safe distance.
Under-15 candidates substitute a mid-section target for the elbow.
07 — KyukpaBreaking requirements
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Hand technique | 1 board |
| Kicking technique | 2 boards |
| Choice of technique | Ap Chagi · Dollyo Chagi · Yop Chagi · Sonnal Mok Chigi · Ap Jireugi |
| Scoring | On the technique, not the outcome |
| Stop rule | Any candidate reporting hand, wrist or foot pain stops immediately. No marks lost |
08 — TheoryKnowledge and philosophy
Korean terminology — the scope you are examined on
- Counting in Korean — 1–10, 21–30, and 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
- The names of all techniques
- Basic commands and terms
- Poomsae names and their meanings
The five tenets
| # | Tenet | Korean |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Courtesy | Ye Ui |
| 2 | Integrity | Yom Chi |
| 3 | Perseverance | In Nae |
| 4 | Self-control | Guk Gi |
| 5 | Indomitable spirit | Baekjul Boolgool |
History and culture
- Basic history of Taekwondo
- Understanding of the dobok and its symbolism
- The belt system and its meaning
- Dojang etiquette
Mental preparation
- Demonstration of focus and discipline
- Understanding of martial arts etiquette
- Proper attitude and respect
- Mental fortitude during testing
09 — TestingPhysical and technical standards
Physical conditioning
| Element | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Push-ups | 50 |
| Sit-ups | 40 |
| Standing long jump | 6 feet |
| Jump rope | A 3-minute round |
Technical standards
- Clean, precise techniques
- Proper power generation
- Balance and control
- Speed and timing
- Proper breathing
10 — YongeoKorean terminology
Memorise as much as possible. All terms remain examinable on command.
General knowledge
Tae — Foot
Kwon — Fist, or to smash with the fist
Do — Way
Poomsae — Forms
Dojang — Training hall
Kukki — Flags
Dobok — Uniform
Hogu — Body armour
Oreun — Right
Wen — Left
Kibom — Technique
Chung — Blue
Hong — Red
Sunbae nim — Senior student
Kyo bum nim — Instructor (1st – 3rd)
Kyo sah nim — Novice black belt (1st – 3rd)
Sabum nim — Teacher / Master
Kwan Jan Nim — Grand Master
Kyorugi — Sparring
Commands
Charyut — Attention
Kyung Ne — Bow
Junbi — Ready
Shijak — Start
Kooman — Stop
Swi-yo (Sho) — Relax
Kallyo — Separate — no grappling
Kyesok — Continue
Seung — Winner
Gam jeong — Penalty
Stances — Seogi
Sogi — Stance
Bo Jumeok Junbi — Closed fist ready
Charyot Sogi — Attention stance
Ap Sogi — Walking stance
Ap Kubi — Long stance
Juuchum Sogi — Horse / sitting stance
Dwi Kubi — Back stance
Moa Sogi — Close stance
Wen Sogi — Left stance
Oreun Sogi — Right stance
Steps and footwork
Pahl Pokkoh — Change feet
Chun jin — Slide forward
Fujin — Slide backward
Il bo Chun jin — One step forward
Il bo Fujin — One step backward
Kicks — Chagi
Chagi — Kick
Ap Chagi — Front kick
Yop Chagi — Side kick
Dollyo Chagi — Turning kick
Dwi Chagi — Back kick
Dwi Huryo Chagi — Spinning hook kick
Horyo Chagi — Hook kick
Naeryo Chagi — Axe kick
Miryo Chagi — Pushing kick
Yop Miryo Chagi — Cut kick
An Chagi — Inner crescent kick
Bakkat Chagi — Outer crescent kick
Mondollyo Chagi — Tornado kick
Narae Chagi — Double roundhouse kick
Kawi Chagi — Scissors kick
Bituro Chagi — Twisting kick
Twiyo + kick — Jumping / flying kick
Punches and strikes
Jireugi — Punch
Ap Jireugi — Front punch
Momtong Jireugi — Middle punch
Yup Jireugi — Side punch
Olgul Jireugi — High punch
Arae Jireugi — Low punch
Palkup Ollyo Chigi — Upward elbow strike
Palkup Yeop Chigi — Side elbow strike
Palkup Dwi Chigi — Back elbow strike
Palkup Naeryo Chigi — Downward elbow strike
Deung Jumeok Chigi — Back fist strike
PyeonSonkeut Sewo Jireugi — Spearhand strike
Batangson Teok Chigi — Palm heel strike to the chin
Sonnal Deung Chigi — Ridge hand strike
Mureup Chigi — Knee strike
Jebi Poom Chigi — Combination knife hand block and strike
Sonnal Bakkat Chigi — Outward knife hand strike
Sonnal An Chigi — Inward knife hand strike
Du Hechyo Jireugi — Twin upset punch
Deung Jumeok Bakat Chigi — Outward hammerfist strike
Khaljaebi Chigi — Arc hand strike
Ap palkup chigi — Front elbow
Palkup pyojeok chigi — Front elbow with target
Dwi palkup chigi — Back elbow
Deungjumeok ap chigi — Back fist front strike
Blocks — Makki
Makki — Block
Arae Makki — Low block
Momtong Makki — Middle / body block
Olgul Makki — High / face block
Momtong An Makki — Outer forearm inward block
Momtong Bakkat Makki — Outer forearm block
Batangson Makki — Palm block
Goduro Makki — Guarding block
Sonnal Makki — Knife hand block
Otgureo Makki — X-fist block
Batangson an Makki — Palm heel block
Kawi Makki — Scissors block
Hechyo Makki — Wedging block
Momtong Goduro Makki — Guarding block
Hansonnal Makki — Single knife hand block
Counting
Hana — 1
Dool — 2
Seht — 3
Neht — 4
Dasut — 5
Yaseut — 6
Il gop — 7
Yadeul — 8
A houp — 9
Yul — 10
Yul hana — 11
Yul Dool — 12
Yul Seht — 13
Yul Neht — 14
Yul Dasut — 15
Yul Yaseut — 16
Yul Il gop — 17
Yul Yadeul — 18
Yul A houp — 19
Sumul — 20
Sumul hana — 21
Su doon — 30
Mahun — 40
Shin — 50
Yu soon — 60
Il hoon — 70
Yu doon — 80
Ha hoon — 90
Baek — 100
11 — Self-testTest yourself before you grade
Ten questions drawn at random from this syllabus, in the areas you are examined on. Nothing here is scored by the school — it is for finding the gaps while you still have time to close them.
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