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A Complete Guide to Taekwondo Belt Ranks

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As a taekwondo practitioner, one of the first things you’ll notice are the colorful belts worn by students. The colored belt, or dan, system is used internationally to indicate a martial artist’s level of achievement and skill. If you’re new to taekwondo and searching for information on “taekwondo all belts”, this guide will explain the meaning and requirements for each rank.

White Belt (10th Gup)

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  1. The white belt, or 10th gup, is the starting rank for all new students in taekwondo.
  2. At this level, you will learn basic stance positions, blocking techniques, and single strikes. Mastering proper form and technique is the main focus.
  3. It usually takes a minimum of 3 months to test for the next belt, depending on your progress in mastering the introductory skills.

From my experience teaching beginners, the white belt serves as an adjustment period for getting used to martial arts training. Have patience – it takes time to build muscle memory for even simple moves. Regular practice is key to advancing to yellow belt.

Yellow Belt (9th Gup)

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At yellow belt, you will start to link basic techniques together in short combinations. The additional moves at this level include:

  • Front snap kick
  • Side kick
  • Step-through motions to change stances

Students are expected to demonstrate control and accuracy when performing the yellow belt patterns. Testing typically occurs after 3-6 months of consistent training. The next milestone is orange belt.

Orange Belt (8th Gup)

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Orange belt is where you really start to “put it all together” in longer forms, or tuls. At this level:

Patterns become more complex by linking multiple techniques with movement across the floor. Spinning and jumping kicks may also be introduced.

Testing at orange belt requires demonstrating solid fundamentals as well as competence in the orange belt forms. As the forms and combos get more intricate, it’s normal if it takes 6-9 months to feel ready for green belt. Practice and patience are necessary to progress safely.

Green Belt (7th Gup)

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Green belt marks the halfway point to black belt beginner (1st gup). Requirements at this level may include:

  1. Demonstrating green belt patterns with fluid motions, balance, and controlled power.
  2. Showing proficiency in basic sparring through one-steps and partner drills.
  3. Knowledge of terminology, history, etiquette through oral exams.

The techniques are now more demanding with high and spinning kicks. Students are expected to start integrating martial arts philosophies like self-discipline and respect as well. It usually takes 9-12 months from orange to green belt.

Blue Belt (6th Gup)

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At blue belt, you are well on your way to black belt. Skills demonstrated may involve:

  • Advanced kicks above the waist with both legs
  • Combination techniques in self-defense scenarios
  • More complex sparring strategies and countermoves

Conditioning becomes a higher priority, as the forms are more physically taxing. Testing typically occurs after a full year or more of persistent training. Making blue belt represents significant progress towards black belt.

Purple Belt (5th Gup)

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Requirements at purple belt get truly demanding. Students are expected to show:

  1. Expert command of all techniques through advanced patterns
  2. Leadership qualities by assisting lower belts
  3. Competence in sparring at a tournament level

Masteringpurple belt skills can take 1500+ training hours spread over 1.5-2 years. It marks achievement of a high level of expertise prior to the final steps of brown and black belt. Testing at purple belt is often the biggest milestone before black belt.

Brown Belt (4th-1st Gup)

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Brown belt has four sub-levels (1st-4th gup) leading up to black belt. At each stage, expectations escalate in terms of:

  • Power, speed, and accuracy in all techniques
  • Teaching ability under master instructor supervision
  • Competition success at regional/national levels

It may take 2-3 years alone to progress through the four brown belt degrees. Students are essentially black belts in training during this final preparation period. Testing is far more intense comprising complex forms and rigorous sparring.

Black Belt 1st Degree (1st Dan)

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Finally, attaining 1st degree black belt marks true mastery over taekwondo skills. Beyond perfecting all techniques, a 1st dan must:

  1. Demonstrate leadership abilities as senior student
  2. Have knowledge to instruct lower ranks safely and effectively
  3. Pass the most challenging black belt test under a panel of experts

Earning that coveted black belt signifies you have achieved the level of “beginner black belt” – with a lifetime of continued learning ahead. The journey from white to black belt can span 5-10+ years of dedicated training. But the rewards of mastery are well worth the effort for any martial artist.

In conclusion, while the specific requirements may vary between schools, this overview provides a general picture of progression through the taekwondo belt ranks. The colored belt system serves to benchmark and encourage continual improvement. With strong self-discipline and a growth mindset, any student can achieve their belt goals. Let me know if you need any clarification on ranking up in this amazing martial art!

Taekwondo Belt Progression

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Belt Duration Requirements
White 6-12 months Master basic punches, blocks, kicks and stances
Yellow 6-12 months Improve techniques and understanding of patterns (poomsae)
Green 6-12 months Demonstrate one-step and three-step sparring skills
Blue 1-2 years Show proficiency in patterns, self-defense, and sparring
Red 1-2 years Master longer patterns and advanced fighting skills

FAQ

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  1. What belt do you start at in taekwondo?

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    You basically start at white belt when you first begin taekwondo. White belt is the lowest belt and shows that you’re just getting started with the fundamentals.

  2. How many belts are there in taekwondo?

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    There are eight main belts in taekwondo. After white belt you progress through yellow belt, orange belt, green belt, blue belt, purple belt, brown belt, and finally black belt, which has degrees within it like 1st degree black belt and so on.

  3. What comes after white belt in taekwondo?

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    The belt after white belt is yellow belt. To get your yellow belt you need to learn basic stances, blocks, punches and kicks. It’s kind of the belt where you start stringing movements together in patterns called poomsae.

  4. How long does it usually take to get a black belt?

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    There’s no set time for how long it takes to achieve a black belt in taekwondo because everyone learns at different speeds. However, on average most people take anywhere from 5-10 years of regular training to earn their 1st degree black belt. Unless they’re like, amazingly talented or something!

  5. What level is a green belt in taekwondo?

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    A green belt in taekwondo is generally considered an intermediate belt. By the time you earn a green belt you’ll have mastered the basic kicking and blocking techniques. You’ll also know several poomsae (forms) and be able to perform them with maybe not like 100% perfection but pretty darn well!

  6. Is a blue belt considered advanced in taekwondo?

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    At my dojang, a blue belt would be seen as an advanced intermediate level. By that point students have shown dedication to the art and can demonstrate techniques with good form and power. So in a way, yes a blue belt holder has definitely come a long way and is approaching an advanced level of skill.

  7. What is the hardest belt to earn in taekwondo?

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    Many experts agree that the hardest belt levels to achieve in taekwondo are generally considered the brown belt and black belt levels – but especially earning your first degree black belt. By that level, requirements include perfecting all techniques, forms, self defense, and being ready to teach lower ranks as well. You’ve really got to leave it all out on the mat!

  8. Is a purple belt high level in taekwondo?

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    A purple belt would usually be seen as a high intermediate level, maybe bordering on advanced, in most taekwondo schools. At that stage, students have come a long way from their white belt days but still have more to learn before reaching the black belt level. They will have solid fundamentals but be refining their skills and power. So in summary – yeah a purple belt shows a fairly high ability level!