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2nd Dan → 3rd Dan — TAGB (ITF) Taekwondo

2nd Dan to 3rd Dan

Your complete pre-grading revision guide and interactive checklist. Three new patterns, advanced sparring, destruction, and all TAGB requirements — tick every box before grading day.

Reaching 3rd Dan is a landmark achievement — you are now entering the realm of senior Black Belt. At this level the TAGB expects not only technical excellence across three demanding patterns, but also a meaningful contribution to the wider Taekwondo community through officiating and tournament involvement.

🚨 Minimum Training Time: 3 Years
You must have held your 2nd Dan for a minimum of three years before grading for 3rd Dan. Your TAGB licence must have been held continuously throughout.

💪 Black Belt Pre-Grading Sessions
Attend at least one TAGB Black Belt pre-grading session every six months (licence book stamped), and all three immediately prior to the grading for which you are applying.

⚠️ TAGB Additional Requirements — 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan

In addition to the standard grading syllabus, all candidates for 3rd Dan must strictly adhere to the following:

  1. Attend Umpires Course Part 2.
  2. Officiate or compete (in at least 2 events) at a minimum of two TAGB tournaments each year — at least one of which must be a national TAGB tournament.
  3. Application forms must be signed by the student (or parent if under 16) and endorsed by their Instructor and Area Co-ordinator.

Regarding juniors (under 16): No requirement to attend Umpires', Referees', or Instructors' courses, or to officiate at TAGB tournaments. However, minimum training times for under-16s are double those printed.

Note: Minimum training time is 3 years. Variations of the grading format are at the examiner's discretion.
📚 Training Resources
▶️2nd Dan Grading Resources (TAGB) 🇰🇷Korean Quiz 🏆3rd Dan Syllabus Preview 🎯Book a 1-to-1 Session
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Tick each item once you can perform it confidently. Theory and Korean items are bonus — they don't block the progress bar. No excuses! 💪

🔄 Patterns (Tul) — All Three Required
🤺 Sparring (Matsoki)
💥 Destruction (Gyokpa)
🥊 Practical Techniques & Combinations
📋 TAGB Mandatory Requirements
⭐ Attitude & Discipline
🧠 Theory (bonus)
🇰🇷 Korean Terms (bonus)
🥋 Outstanding work! You've ticked every practical item — you're ready for your 3rd Dan grading! See you on grading day! 🏆⬛
Complete all practical items to unlock this button

Want to Sharpen Up Before Grading?

A focused 30-minute virtual 1-to-1 session with Mr Cook could make all the difference. Get personalised coaching on your patterns, sparring, or destruction — all from home.

⏱ 30 minutes coaching 🎥 Session recorded 📝 Written feedback 🏠 Train from home
Book a Virtual 1-2-1 — £25 per session →

Sessions available evenings & weekends · Mr Cook replies within 24 hours

📐 Pattern Diagram Reference

Click each pattern to expand the full movement breakdown.

🔄 Choong-Jang — 52 Movements ▼
Meaning: Pseudonym of General Kim Duk Ryang, Lee Dynasty, 14th century. Ends with a left-hand attack — symbolises his death at 27 in prison before reaching full maturity.
Starting Position: Closed ready stance A
1–2. Side inner forearm blocks (sitting stance)1: Move right foot to A, sitting stance toward D, right inner forearm side front block + left arm side-downward · 2: Left inner forearm side front block + right arm side-downward (maintain stance)
3. Slow left angle punch (closed stance)Bring right foot to left, closed stance toward D, angle punch left fist. Slow motion.
4–5. Double finger thrusts (walking stance)4: Left walking stance toward D, high thrust right double finger · 5: Right walking stance, high thrust left double finger
6. Right back fist front strike (maintain stance)Front strike to D with right back fist, maintaining right walking stance
7–8. Rising block, middle punch (walking stance)7: Left walking stance toward D, rising block left forearm · 8: Right walking stance, middle punch right fist
9. Counter-clockwise slide into guarding block (L-stance)Move right foot to C counter-clockwise, slide to C, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm
10–11. Front snap kick, land flat fingertip thrust (low stance)10: Low front snap kick to D right foot · 11: Right low stance, high thrust right flat fingertip
12. High right turning kick from the floorHigh turning kick to D with right foot, supporting body with both hands and left knee
13. High right punch (press ground with left palm)Lower right foot to D, high punch right fist while pressing ground with left palm
14. Clockwise into left side elbow thrust (L-stance)Move left foot to D clockwise, left L-stance toward C, thrust to D with left side elbow
15. Clockwise into guarding block (L-stance)Move left foot to C clockwise, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm
16–17. Scooping block, outward knife-hand strike (L-stance)16: Right foot to C, right L-stance toward D, scooping block left palm · 17: Left foot to C, left L-stance toward D, middle outward strike right knife-hand
18. X-fist pressing block (walking stance)Pressing block with X-fist, left walking stance toward C, pivoting with right foot
19–20. Low front snap kick with knee, land knife-hand guarding block (L-stance)19: Low front snap kick to C right knee, pulling both hands · 20: Right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand
21. Right side elbow thrust (slide into L-stance)Slide right foot to D, right L-stance toward C, thrust to D with right side elbow
22. Knife-hand guarding block (L-stance)Middle guarding block knife-hand, left L-stance toward D, pivoting with left foot
23–24. Side kick + pull hands, land twin palm pressing block (rear foot stance)23: Middle side piercing kick to D right foot, pulling both hands · 24: Right rear foot stance toward C, pressing block twin palm
25. High right outer forearm block then right back fist side strike (walking stance)Right walking stance toward C, high front block right outer forearm then high side strike right back fist
26. Left flat fingertip thrust (L-stance)High thrust to D left flat fingertip, right L-stance toward D
27–28. Low snap kick, land slow right back elbow strike (walking stance)27: Low front snap kick to D right foot, bring right palm on left back hand · 28: Left walking stance toward C, thrust to D right back elbow + left side fist on right fist. Slow motion.
29–32. Downward back hand strikes + stamps (L-stance)29: Downward strike left back hand, right L-stance toward C, stamping motion · 30: Punch left palm with right fist · 31: Left L-stance toward C, downward strike right back hand, stamping motion · 32: Punch right palm with left fist
33. Left knife-hand strike + stamp (L-stance)Middle outward strike to D left knife-hand, right L-stance toward D, stamping motion
34. Right front back fist strike, connect elbow with left palm (slip into walking stance)High side front strike to D right back fist, striking left palm with right elbow, left walking stance toward D
35. Right knife-hand strike + stamp (L-stance)Left L-stance toward D, middle outward strike right knife-hand, stamping motion
36. Left front back fist strike, connect elbow with right palm (slip into walking stance)High side front strike to D left back fist, striking right palm with left elbow, right walking stance toward D
37–40. 9-shape blocks and reverse knife-hand guarding blocks37: Low guarding block to C reverse knife-hand, right L-stance toward C · 38: Right 9-shape block, left walking stance toward C · 39: Left L-stance toward C, low guarding block reverse knife-hand · 40: Left 9-shape block, right walking stance toward C
41–42. Twin knife-hand strike, arc-hand strike (walking stance)41: Left walking stance toward C, horizontal strike twin knife-hand · 42: High strike to C right arc-hand
43–47. Snap kicks with arc-hand strikes, double punch (walking stance)43: Middle front snap kick to C right foot · 44: Right walking stance, high strike left arc-hand · 45: Middle front snap kick to C left foot · 46: Left walking stance, middle punch right fist · 47: Middle punch left fist (fast motion with 46)
48. High twin crescent punch with fore-knuckle (closed stance)Bring right foot to left, closed stance toward C, high crescent punch twin fore-knuckle fist
49–52. Low knife-hand blocks, high palm strikes (walking stance)49: Left walking stance toward B counter-clockwise, low block left knife-hand · 50: High punch to B right open fist · 51: Right walking stance toward A, low block right knife-hand · 52: High punch to A left open fist
END:Bring the left foot back to a ready posture
🔄 Eui-Am — 45 Movements ▼
Meaning: Pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak to Chondo Kyo in 1905. The diagram represents his Indomitable Spirit.
Starting Position: Closed ready stance D
1. Low right inward knife-hand block (backwards into walking stance)Move right foot to C, left walking stance toward D, low inward block right knife-hand
2–3. High left outer forearm block, middle punch (walking stance)2: Move left foot to C, right walking stance toward D, high side block left outer forearm · 3: Middle punch right fist
4–6. Twist kick, downward X-fist block, right knife-hand rising block (walking stance)4: Low twisting kick to D left foot · 5: Left walking stance toward D, downward block X-fist · 6: Rising block right knife-hand (continuous motion with 5)
7. High side back fist strike (jump into X-stance)Jump to D, right X-stance toward BD, high side strike right back fist + left finger belly to right side fist
8. Left middle punch (L-stance)Move left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle punch left fist
9–10. Mid-section reverse turning kick, land knife-hand strike + stamp (sitting stance)9: Middle reverse turning kick to AC right foot · 10: Lower right foot to C stamping, sitting stance toward A, middle side strike right knife-hand
11–12. Side kick + pull hands, land high right crescent punch (walking stance)11: Middle side piercing kick to C left foot, clockwise pulling both hands · 12: Left walking stance toward C, high crescent punch right fist
13. Slow left turning punch (parallel stance)Middle turning punch left fist, parallel stance toward C pulling right foot. Slow motion.
14–19. Mirror of moves 1–6 (opposite side)14: Right walking stance toward C, low inward block left knife-hand · 15: Left walking stance toward C, high side block right outer forearm · 16: Middle punch left fist · 17: Low twisting kick to C right foot · 18: Right walking stance toward C, downward block X-fist · 19: Rising block left knife-hand (continuous with 18)
20. High side back fist strike (jump into X-stance)Jump to C, left X-stance toward BC, high side strike left back fist + right finger belly to left side fist
21. Right middle punch (L-stance)Move right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle punch right fist
22–23. Mid-section reverse turning kick, land knife-hand strike + stamp (sitting stance)22: Middle reverse turning kick to AD left foot · 23: Lower left foot to D stamping, sitting stance toward A, middle side strike left knife-hand
24–25. Side kick + pull hands, land high left crescent punch (walking stance)24: Middle side piercing kick to D right foot, counter-clockwise pulling both hands · 25: Right walking stance toward D, high crescent punch left fist
26. Slow right turning punch (parallel stance)Middle turning punch right fist, parallel stance toward D pulling left foot. Slow motion.
27–28. Knife-hand wedging block, reverse knife-hand circular block (walking stance)27: Right walking stance toward D, middle wedging block knife-hand · 28: Circular block to BD left reverse knife-hand
29. Downward alternate palm block (pull back into rear foot stance)Downward block alternate palm, left rear foot stance toward D pulling right foot
30–31. Left middle punch, low right inward knife-hand block (slip into L-stance)30: Middle punch to D left fist, left L-stance toward D · 31: Low inward block to D right reverse knife-hand, shifting to C
32–36. Mirror of moves 27–31 (opposite side)32: Left walking stance toward D, middle wedging block knife-hand · 33: Circular block to AD right reverse knife-hand · 34: Right rear foot stance toward D, downward block alternate palm · 35: Right L-stance toward D, middle punch right fist · 36: Low inward block to D left reverse knife-hand
37–40. Reverse mid-section turning kicks, land guarding blocks (rear foot stance)37: Middle reverse turning kick to BD right foot · 38: Left rear foot stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm · 39: Middle reverse turning kick to AD left foot · 40: Right rear foot stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm
41–45. Low knife-hand blocks, middle punches (walking stance)41: Right L-stance toward D, low outward block left knife-hand · 42: Middle punch right fist, left walking stance · 43: Left L-stance toward D, low block right knife-hand · 44: Middle punch left fist, right walking stance · 45: High punch right fist
END:Bring the right foot back to a ready posture
🔄 Ko-Dang — 39 Movements ▼
Meaning: Pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man Sik who dedicated his life to the independence movement and education of his people. The 39 movements signify his times of imprisonment and his birthplace on the 39th parallel.
Starting Position: Closed ready stance A
1–2. Left pushing palm block, middle punch (backwards into sitting stance at 45°)1: Move right foot to AC, sitting stance, middle pushing block left palm · 2: Middle punch right fist
3–4. Guarding block, low right forearm block + middle left side forearm block (L-stance)3: Right foot on line CD, right L-stance, middle guarding block forearm · 4: Low block right forearm + middle side block left inner forearm
5–6. Right pushing palm block, middle punch (backwards into sitting stance at 45°)5: Move left foot to BC, sitting stance, middle pushing block right palm · 6: Middle punch left fist
7–8. Guarding block, low left forearm block + middle right side forearm block (L-stance)7: Left foot on line CD, left L-stance, middle guarding block forearm · 8: Low block left forearm + middle side block right inner forearm
9. Left bending ready stance BTurn face toward C, left bending ready stance B
10–11. Back right piercing kick, land left knife-hand block (L-stance)10: Middle back piercing kick to C right foot · 11: Right L-stance toward D, middle block left knife-hand
12. Right bending ready stance BTurn face toward C, right bending ready stance B
13–14. Back left piercing kick, land right knife-hand block (L-stance)13: Middle back piercing kick to C left foot · 14: Left L-stance toward D, middle block right knife-hand
15–16. Downward elbow thrusts (backwards into L-stance)15: Right L-stance, downward thrust left straight elbow · 16: Left L-stance, downward thrust right straight elbow
17–18. Slow pressing blocks (walking stance)17: Left walking stance toward D, pressing block right palm. Slow. · 18: Right walking stance, change hands. Slow.
19–20. Downward outer forearm blocks (L-stance)19: Right L-stance, downward block left outer forearm · 20: Left L-stance, downward block right outer forearm
21–22. Upward palm blocks (rear foot stance)21: Right rear foot stance, upward block left palm · 22: Left rear foot stance, upward block right palm
23–25. Front snap kick, land double knife-hand inward strike + knife-hand rising block (walking stance)23: Right rear foot stance toward C, middle front snap kick left foot · 24: Left walking stance toward D, high inward strike both knife-hands · 25: Rising block left knife-hand (continuous with 24)
26. Low knife-hand guarding block (slip left foot into L-stance)Low guarding block knife-hand, right L-stance pulling left foot
27. Downward right punch (slip left foot into walking stance)Downward punch right fist, left walking stance slipping left foot
28–29. Knife-hand guarding block, jump (L-stance)28: Right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand · 29: Jump to same spot, right L-stance, middle guarding block knife-hand
30. High right back fist strike (jump into right X-stance)Jump to D, right X-stance, high side strike to D right back fist
31–32. High outer forearm side blocks (walking stance)31: Left walking stance toward C, high side block left outer forearm · 32: Right walking stance toward D, high side block right outer forearm
33. Right upset punch + left fist to shoulder (L-stance)Move left foot to D, right L-stance, upset punch right fist + left side fist in front of right shoulder
34–35. Mid-section right hooking kick, land high right cross cut (L-stance)34: Middle hooking kick to A right foot · 35: Right foot to A, left L-stance, high cross cut right flat fingertip
36–37. Mid-section left hooking kick, land high left cross cut (L-stance opposite direction)36: Bring right foot to left, middle hooking kick to B left foot · 37: Left foot to B, right L-stance, high cross cut left flat fingertip
38–39. High knife-hand guarding blocks (L-stance opposite direction)38: Left foot to right then right foot to A, left L-stance, high guarding block knife-hand · 39: Right foot to left then left foot to B, right L-stance, high guarding block knife-hand
END:Bring the left foot back to a ready stance
🇰🇷 Korean Terms Reference (2nd Dan)
EnglishKorean
Arc-handBandal son
Circular blockDollimyo makgi
Crescent punchBandal jirugi
Double finger thrustDoo sonkut tulgi
Fore-knuckle fistAp joomuk
Hooking blockGolcho makgi
Hooking kickGolcho chagi
Inward knife-hand blockSonkal anuro makgi
Rear foot stanceDwit bal sogi
Reverse turning kickBandae dollyo chagi
Side elbow thrustYop palkup tulgi
Turning punchDollyo jirugi
Wedging blockHechyo makgi
2nd DanEe Dan
3rd DanSam Dan
⭐ The 5 Tenets of Taekwondo
Courtesy Integrity Perseverance Self Control Indomitable Spirit
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Training Videos

Click a video to watch on YouTube. These will help you prepare for your grading — study the patterns, techniques and combinations carefully.

1st Dan to 2nd Dan — Pattern & Techniques
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YouTube1st Dan to 2nd Dan — Pattern & Techniques