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4th Dan → 5th Dan — TAGB (ITF) Taekwondo

4th Dan to 5th Dan

Your complete pre-grading revision guide and interactive checklist. Three of the most demanding patterns in Taekwondo, Instructors Course requirements, and a minimum of five years' training — this is master-level territory.

Grading for 5th Dan is one of the most significant achievements in TAGB Taekwondo. At this level you are entering the realm of Master, and the TAGB expects not only exceptional technical mastery across three complex patterns, but also formal instructor qualifications and a sustained commitment to the wider Taekwondo community.

🚨 Minimum Training Time: 5 Years
You must have held your 4th Dan for a minimum of five years. 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 — 4th Dan to 5th Dan

In addition to the standard grading syllabus, all candidates for 5th Dan must strictly adhere to the following:

  1. Attend Instructors Course Parts 1 & 2. Must have been a qualified Referee for at least 6 months. Must officiate at least one TAGB tournament before attending Part 2 of the Instructors Course.
  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 5 years. Variations of the grading format are at the examiner's discretion.
📚 Training Resources
▶️4th Dan Grading Resources (TAGB) 🇰🇷Korean Quiz 🏆5th 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 achievement! You've ticked every practical item — you're ready for your 5th Dan grading! See you on grading day, Master! 🏆⬛
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.

🔄 Yon-Gae — 49 Movements ▼
Meaning: Named after a famous general during the Koguryo Dynasty, Yon Gae Somoon. The 49 movements refer to the last two figures of 649 A.D., the year he forced the Tang Dynasty to withdraw from Korea after destroying some 300,000 of their troops at Ansi Sung.
Starting Position: Closed ready stance B
1–2. Knife-hand guarding blocks (L-stances)1: Move left foot to D, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand · 2: Move right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand
3–4. Outer forearm block + back fist strike (walking stance)3: Left foot to D, left walking stance, high outward block right outer forearm + high side strike left back fist · 4: Right foot to D, right walking stance, high outward block left outer forearm + high side strike right back fist
5–6. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)5: Right foot to B, parallel stance toward B, middle hooking block right palm · 6: Middle punch to B left fist
7–8. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)7: Left foot to A, parallel stance toward A, middle hooking block left palm · 8: Middle punch to A right fist
9–10. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)9: Right foot to C, left L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 10: Middle punch to C right fist
11–12. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)11: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 12: Middle punch to C left fist
13–14. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)13: Right foot to C, sitting stance toward B, pressing block right palm · 14: Middle side piercing kick to B right foot
15–16. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)15: Lower right foot to C, sitting stance toward A, pressing block left palm · 16: Middle side piercing kick to A left foot
17–19. Guarding block, high punch, high punch (L-stance then walking stances)17: Lower left foot to C, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm · 18: Left walking stance toward D, high punch left fist · 19: Right walking stance, high punch right fist
20–22. High right turning kick, consecutive high left turning kick, land right knife-hand strike (L-stance)20: High turning kick to D right foot · 21: High turning kick to D left foot (consecutive with 20) · 22: Lower left foot to D, right L-stance toward C, middle outward strike right knife-hand
23. Slow left angle punch (closed stance)Bring right foot to left, closed stance toward C, angle punch left fist. Slow motion.
24–25. Guarding block, high punch (L-stance then walking stance)24: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block forearm · 25: Left walking stance toward C, high punch left fist
26. Right turning kick, land right knife-hand strike (L-stance)High turning kick to C right foot, lower right foot to C, left L-stance toward D, middle outward strike right knife-hand
27. Slow right angle punch (closed stance)Bring left foot to right, closed stance toward C, angle punch right fist. Slow motion.
28–30. Knife-hand guarding block, front snap kick, land high punch (L-stance then walking stance)28: Right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand · 29: Middle front snap kick to D right foot · 30: Right walking stance, high punch right fist
31–32. High right reverse turning kick, land high left back fist strike + right palm to left elbow (L-stance)31: High reverse turning kick to D right foot · 32: Lower right foot to D, left L-stance toward C, high side strike left back fist + right palm to left elbow
33–35. Knife-hand guarding block, front snap kick, land high punch (L-stance then walking stance)33: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 34: Middle front snap kick to C left foot · 35: Left walking stance, high punch left fist
36–37. High left reverse turning kick, land high right back fist strike + left palm to right elbow (L-stance)36: High reverse turning kick to C left foot · 37: Lower left foot to C, right L-stance toward D, high side strike right back fist + left palm to right elbow
38–39. Reverse knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)38: Right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block reverse knife-hand · 39: Middle punch to D right fist
40–41. Reverse knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)40: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block reverse knife-hand · 41: Middle punch to C left fist
42–43. Outer forearm block + back fist strike (walking stances)42: Right foot to C, right walking stance, high outward block left outer forearm + high side strike right back fist · 43: Left foot to C, left walking stance, high outward block right outer forearm + high side strike left back fist
44–45. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)44: Right foot to A, parallel stance toward A, middle hooking block right palm · 45: Middle punch to A left fist
46–47. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)46: Left foot to B, parallel stance toward B, middle hooking block left palm · 47: Middle punch to B right fist
48–49. Knife-hand guarding blocks (L-stances)48: Right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand · 49: Left foot to D, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand
END:Bring the left foot back to a ready posture
🔄 Ul-Ji — 42 Movements ▼
Meaning: Named after General Ul Ji Moon Dok who successfully defended Korea against a Tang Dynasty invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 A.D., using hit and run guerrilla tactics. The 42 movements represent the author's age when he designed the pattern.
Starting Position: Closed ready stance B
1–2. Outer forearm block, middle punch (walking stance)1: Move left foot to D, left walking stance toward D, high side block right outer forearm · 2: Middle punch to D left fist
3–4. Outer forearm block, middle punch (walking stance)3: Move right foot to D, right walking stance toward D, high side block left outer forearm · 4: Middle punch to D right fist
5–6. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)5: Left foot to D, sitting stance toward B, pressing block left palm · 6: Middle side piercing kick to B left foot
7–8. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)7: Lower left foot to D, sitting stance toward A, pressing block right palm · 8: Middle side piercing kick to A right foot
9–10. Guarding block, high punch (L-stance then walking stance)9: Lower right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm · 10: Right walking stance, high punch right fist
11–12. Guarding block, high punch (L-stance then walking stance)11: Left foot to D, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm · 12: Left walking stance, high punch left fist
13–14. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)13: Right foot to C, left L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 14: Middle punch to C right fist
15–16. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)15: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 16: Middle punch to C left fist
17–18. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)17: Right foot to B, parallel stance toward B, middle hooking block right palm · 18: Middle punch to B left fist
19–20. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)19: Left foot to A, parallel stance toward A, middle hooking block left palm · 20: Middle punch to A right fist
21–22. Right turning kick, land right knife-hand strike (L-stance)21: High turning kick to D right foot · 22: Lower right foot to D, left L-stance toward C, middle outward strike right knife-hand
23–24. Left turning kick, land left knife-hand strike (L-stance)23: High turning kick to D left foot · 24: Lower left foot to D, right L-stance toward C, middle outward strike left knife-hand
25–26. Jump into X-stance + high back fist strike, land into knife-hand guarding block (L-stance)25: Jump to D, right X-stance toward D, high side strike right back fist + left finger belly to right side fist · 26: Lower right foot to D, left L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand
27–28. High outer forearm block, middle punch (walking stance)27: Right foot to C, right walking stance toward C, high side block right outer forearm · 28: Middle punch to C left fist
29–30. High outer forearm block, middle punch (walking stance)29: Left foot to C, left walking stance toward C, high side block left outer forearm · 30: Middle punch to C right fist
31–32. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)31: Right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand · 32: Middle punch to D right fist
33–34. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)33: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 34: Middle punch to C left fist
35–36. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)35: Right foot to C, sitting stance toward B, pressing block right palm · 36: Middle side piercing kick to B right foot
37–38. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)37: Lower right foot to C, sitting stance toward A, pressing block left palm · 38: Middle side piercing kick to A left foot
39–40. Jump into X-stance + high back fist strike, land into knife-hand guarding block (L-stance)39: Jump to C, left X-stance toward C, high side strike left back fist + right finger belly to left side fist · 40: Lower left foot to C, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand
41–42. Outer forearm blocks (walking stances)41: Right foot to D, right walking stance toward D, high side block left outer forearm · 42: Left foot to C, left walking stance toward C, high side block right outer forearm
END:Bring the right foot back to a ready posture
🔄 Moon-Moo — 61 Movements ▼
Meaning: Refers to the 30th King of the Silla Dynasty. His body was buried near Daewang Am (Great King's Rock). According to his will, the body was placed in the sea "where my soul shall forever defend my land against the Japanese." The 61 movements symbolise the last two figures of 661 A.D. when Moon Moo came to the throne.
Starting Position: Closed ready stance B
1–2. Knife-hand guarding blocks (L-stances)1: Move left foot to D, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand · 2: Move right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand
3–4. Outer forearm block + back fist strike (walking stances)3: Left foot to D, left walking stance, high outward block right outer forearm + high side strike left back fist · 4: Right foot to D, right walking stance, high outward block left outer forearm + high side strike right back fist
5–6. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)5: Right foot to B, parallel stance toward B, middle hooking block right palm · 6: Middle punch to B left fist
7–8. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)7: Left foot to A, parallel stance toward A, middle hooking block left palm · 8: Middle punch to A right fist
9–10. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)9: Right foot to C, left L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 10: Middle punch to C right fist
11–12. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)11: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 12: Middle punch to C left fist
13–14. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)13: Right foot to C, sitting stance toward B, pressing block right palm · 14: Middle side piercing kick to B right foot
15–16. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)15: Lower right foot to C, sitting stance toward A, pressing block left palm · 16: Middle side piercing kick to A left foot
17–19. Guarding block, high punch, high punch (L-stance then walking stances)17: Lower left foot to C, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm · 18: Left walking stance, high punch left fist · 19: Right walking stance, high punch right fist
20. High right turning kickHigh turning kick to D right foot
21–22. Consecutive double kicks (turning kick + side kick)21: High turning kick to D left foot (consecutive with 20) · 22: Middle side piercing kick to D left foot (consecutive with 21)
23–24. Land, right knife-hand strike, slow angle punch (L-stance then closed stance)23: Lower left foot to D, right L-stance toward C, middle outward strike right knife-hand · 24: Bring right foot to left, closed stance toward C, angle punch left fist. Slow motion.
25–27. Guarding block, high punch, high punch (L-stance then walking stances)25: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block forearm · 26: Right walking stance, high punch right fist · 27: Left walking stance, high punch left fist
28–29. High left turning kick, consecutive double kicks28: High turning kick to C left foot · 29: High turning kick to C right foot (consecutive with 28)
30–31. Land, left knife-hand strike, slow angle punch (L-stance then closed stance)30: Lower right foot to C, left L-stance toward D, middle outward strike left knife-hand · 31: Bring left foot to right, closed stance toward C, angle punch right fist. Slow motion.
32–37. Knife-hand guarding blocks and punches (L-stances)32: Right foot to D, left L-stance, middle guarding block knife-hand · 33: Middle punch right fist · 34: Left foot to D, right L-stance, middle guarding block knife-hand · 35: Middle punch left fist · 36: Right foot to C, left L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 37: Middle punch right fist
38–39. Outer forearm block + back fist strike (walking stances)38: Left foot to C, left walking stance, high outward block right outer forearm + high side strike left back fist · 39: Right foot to C, right walking stance, high outward block left outer forearm + high side strike right back fist
40–41. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)40: Right foot to A, parallel stance toward A, middle hooking block right palm · 41: Middle punch to A left fist
42–43. Hooking block, middle punch (parallel stance)42: Left foot to B, parallel stance toward B, middle hooking block left palm · 43: Middle punch to B right fist
44–45. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)44: Right foot to D, sitting stance toward B, pressing block right palm · 45: Middle side piercing kick to B right foot
46–47. Pressing block, side kick (sitting stance)46: Lower right foot to D, sitting stance toward A, pressing block left palm · 47: Middle side piercing kick to A left foot
48–50. Guarding block, high punch, high punch (L-stance then walking stances)48: Lower left foot to D, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm · 49: Left walking stance, high punch left fist · 50: Right walking stance, high punch right fist
51–52. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)51: Left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand · 52: Middle punch left fist
53–54. Knife-hand guarding block, middle punch (L-stance)53: Right foot to D, left L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand · 54: Middle punch right fist
55–56. Outer forearm block + back fist strike (walking stances)55: Left foot to D, left walking stance, high outward block right outer forearm + high side strike left back fist · 56: Right foot to D, right walking stance, high outward block left outer forearm + high side strike right back fist
57–61. Slow ending sequence — hooking blocks and punches (parallel stances)57: Left foot to B, parallel stance toward B, middle hooking block left palm. Slow. · 58: Middle punch right fist. Slow. · 59: Right foot to A, parallel stance toward A, middle hooking block right palm. Slow. · 60: Middle punch left fist. Slow. · 61: Bring left foot to right, closed stance toward C. Slow.
END:Bring the right foot back to a ready posture
🇰🇷 Korean Terms Reference (4th Dan)
EnglishKorean
Back piercing kickDwit cha jirugi
Consecutive kickYonsok chagi
Flying kickTwio chagi
Knee kickMoorup chagi
Middle knuckle fistJoong joomuk
Pressing blockNoollo makgi
Reverse knife-handSonkal dung
Scooping blockDuro makgi
Spot turnJeja dollgi
Twin upset punchSang dwijibo jirugi
Vertical punchSewo jirugi
5th DanSa Dan
5th Dan (Master)O 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.

4th Dan to 5th Dan — Pattern & Techniques
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YouTube4th Dan to 5th Dan — Pattern & Techniques
4th Dan to 5th Dan — Training Guide
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YouTube4th Dan to 5th Dan — Training Guide
4th Dan to 5th Dan — Pattern Demonstration
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YouTube4th Dan to 5th Dan — Pattern Demonstration