TAGB Tae Kwon Do – 8th Kup Grading Revision Guide

8th Kup (Yellow Belt with Green Tag) Grading Requirements

This guide will help you prepare for your upcoming grading. Remember that the actual format may vary at the examiner’s discretion.

• 10th Kup Revision Guide
• 9th Kup Revision Guide
• 8th Kup Revision Guide
• 7th Kup Revision Guide
• 6th Kup Revision Guide
• 5th Kup Revision Guide
• 4th Kup Revision Guide
• 3rd Kup Revision Guide
• 2nd Kup Revision Guide
• 1st Kup Revision Guide
• 1st Dan Revision Guide
• 2nd Dan Revision Guide
• 3rd Dan Revision Guide
• 4th Dan Revision Guide
• 5th Dan Revision Guide

“Progress is not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be.”

What You Need to Know

Practical Elements

1. Stances and Blocks:
   • L Stance with Twin Forearm Block
   • L Stance with Inward Block
   • L Stance with Forearm Guarding Block
2. Kicks and Combinations:
   • Walking Stance with Front Kick/Double Punch
   • Turning Kick landing in Guarding Block
3. Pattern:
   • Dan-Gun (21 movements)
4. Three-Step Sparring:
   • Numbers 1, 2, 3 & 4

Three Step Sparring (Sambo Matsoki)

Attack Format: Always three middle section front punches in walking stance, starting with right leg back in low block.

Defenses: Start from Parallel Ready Stance

1. Defense One:
   • Step back with right leg into walking stance
   • Execute middle inner forearm block to the inside (three times)
   • Counter attack: Reverse punch
2. Defense Two:
   • Step back with left leg into L stance
   • Execute middle inner forearm block to the outside (three times)
   • Counter attack: Move left leg forward 45 degrees, place right leg behind opponent’s front leg into left L stance, execute right knifehand strike to the neck
3. Defense Three:
   • Step back with left leg into L stance
   • Execute middle inward outer forearm block to the inside (three times)
   • Counter attack: Slide forward in left L stance, execute right front backfist strike to the face
4. Defense Four:
   • Step back with left leg into L stance
   • Execute middle inward forearm block to the outside (three times)
   • Counter attack: Move left leg into sitting stance, focus with left hand, execute double punch

Theoretical Knowledge

Purpose of Three-Step Sparring

Three-step sparring is designed for beginners to develop fundamental skills and techniques. It teaches:

• Proper distance
• Correct facing
• Forearm conditioning
• Proper blocking technique
• Correct stance execution
• Effective counter attacks
• Timing

Essential Korean Terminology

Hand Techniques:

• Backfist: Dung joomuk
• Backfist strike: Dung joomuk taerigi
• Knifehand: Sonkal
• Knifehand Strike: Sonkal Taerigi
• Palm: Sonbadak

Blocks:

• Guarding block: Daebi makgi
• Knifehand Guarding Block: Sonkal Daebi Makgi
• Twin Forearm Block: Sang Palmok Makgi

Directions:

• Inward: Anaero
• Outward: Bakaero

Sparring:

• Semi-free sparring: Ban jayoo matsoki

Kicks:

• Side piercing kick: Yop chajirugi

Dan-Gun Pattern

Number of Movements: 21

Meaning: Dan-Gun is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2,333 BC.

Starting Position: Parallel ready stance

Movement Sequence

1. Move left foot to B, forming right L-stance toward B while executing middle knife-hand guarding block.
2. Move right foot to B, forming right walking stance toward B while executing high punch with right fist.
3. Turn clockwise, move right foot to A, forming left L-stance toward A while executing middle knife-hand guarding block.
4. Move left foot to A, forming left walking stance toward A while executing high punch with left fist.
5. Move left foot to D, forming left walking stance toward D while executing low block with left forearm.
6. Move right foot to D, forming right walking stance toward D while executing high punch with right fist.
7. Move left foot to D, forming left walking stance toward D while executing high punch with left fist
8. Move right foot to D, forming right walking stance toward D while executing high punch with right fist.
9. Turn counter-clockwise, move left foot to E, forming right L-stance toward E while executing twin forearm block.
10. Move right foot to E, forming right walking stance toward E while executing high punch with right fist.
11. Turn clockwise, move right foot to F, forming left L-stance toward F while executing twin forearm block.
12. Move left foot to F, forming left walking stance toward F while executing high punch with left fist.
13. Move left foot to C, forming left walking stance toward C while executing low block with left forearm.
14. Execute rising block with left forearm, maintaining left walking stance toward C (perform #13 and #14 in continuous motion)
15. Move right foot to C, forming right walking stance toward C while executing rising block with right forearm.
16. Move left foot to C, forming left walking stance toward C while executing rising block with left forearm.
17. Move right foot to C, forming right walking stance toward C while executing rising block with right forearm.
18. Turn counter-clockwise, move left foot to B, forming right L-stance toward B while executing middle outward strike with left knife-hand
19. Move right foot to B, forming right walking stance toward B while executing high punch with right fist
20. Turn clockwise, move right foot to A, forming left L-stance toward A while executing middle outward strike with right knife-hand
21. Move left foot to A, forming left walking stance toward A while executing high punch with left fist

End: Bring the left foot back to ready posture

Practice Tips

1. When performing Dan-Gun, focus on maintaining proper L-stance with 70% weight on back leg
2. For twin forearm block, ensure both forearms are at the correct height and angle
3. Practice the continuous motion between movements 13 and 14
4. For three step sparring, focus on maintaining proper distance from your partner
5. When executing turning kicks, chamber properly and pivot on the supporting foot
6. Practice knife-hand techniques with proper hand formation (thumb tucked tightly)
7. For backfist strikes, focus on quick snap action from the elbow

Upcoming Grading Information

2025 Grading Dates at Hereford Leisure Centre:

• 15th June
• 7th September
• 7th December

Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled grading time. Bring your full dobok (uniform), belt, and Sparring Equipment.

Club Training Times

Prepare for your grading by attending our regular classes:

Leominster Leisure Centre
Coningsby Rd, Leominster HR6 8LL

• Thursday: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Additional Resources

Last updated: March 2025

Good luck with your 8th Kup grading!

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