Black Belt (1st Dan) to 2nd Dan — TAGB Grading

Congratulations, Black Belts! 🥋 Achieving your 1st Dan is a monumental achievement — but the journey continues. Grading for 2nd Dan is a significant step that demands not just physical excellence, but a deep understanding of Taekwondo's principles, a commitment to the TAGB community, and a minimum of two years of dedicated training.

At this level, examiners expect mastery of three patterns (Ge-Baek, Kwang-Gae, and Po-Eun), advanced sparring skills, power destruction, and a thorough knowledge of Korean terminology. Your technique must be sharp, your stances solid, and your attitude exemplary.

🚨 Minimum Training Time: 2 Years
There is no shortcut to 2nd Dan. The TAGB requires a minimum of two years' continuous training after receiving your 1st Dan. Your TAGB licence book must be stamped at all required Black Belt pre-grading sessions during this period.

💪 Black Belt Pre-Grading Sessions
All Black Belts must attend at least one special TAGB Black Belt pre-grading training session every six months (licence books must be stamped), and all three immediately prior to the grading for which they are applying. These sessions are non-negotiable.

⚠️ TAGB Additional Requirements — 1st Dan to 2nd Dan

In addition to the standard grading syllabus, all candidates for 2nd Dan must strictly adhere to the following:

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

Regarding juniors (under 16): There is no requirement for any Black Belt who is under 16 years old to attend Umpires', Referees', or Instructors' courses, or to officiate at any TAGB tournaments. However, the minimum training times for Black Belts aged under 16 are double those printed.

All Black Belts must hold a current TAGB licence continuously over the whole training period.

Note: Minimum training time is 2 years. Variations of the grading format are at the examiner's discretion. This sheet is for guidance only.

📚 Training Resources

▶️1st Dan Grading Resources (TAGB) 🎧Theory Audio Download 🇰🇷Korean Quiz 🏆2nd Dan Syllabus Preview

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Tick each item once you are confident you can perform it correctly. The progress bar tracks your practical skills — complete all of those to unlock the notification button. Theory and Korean sections are bonus items to help you prepare further. No excuses! 💪

🤺 Sparring (Matsoki)

1-Step Sparring Advanced — Hand only counter Develop your own technique using hands only to defend and counter the single-step attack

1-Step Sparring Advanced — Foot only counter Develop your own technique using feet only to defend and counter the single-step attack

1-Step Sparring Advanced — Hand and foot counter Develop your own technique using hand then foot to defend and counter the single-step attack

1-Step Sparring Advanced — Foot and hand counter Develop your own technique using foot then hand to defend and counter the single-step attack

1-Step Sparring Advanced — Jumping counter Develop your own technique incorporating a jump to defend and counter the single-step attack

Free Sparring (Jayoo Matsoki) — demonstrate advanced controlled free sparring with strong timing, distancing, combination work, and confidence under pressure

💥 Destruction (Gyokpa — Power Breaking)

Hand destruction — demonstrate a powerful hand technique break (set by the examiner) e.g. Knife-hand, reverse knife-hand, palm heel, or punch

Foot destruction — demonstrate a powerful kick break (set by the examiner) e.g. Side kick, turning kick, back kick, or flying kick

🥊 Practical Techniques & Combinations

Combinations in line from patterns — as set by the grading examiner

Consecutive kick combinations (Yonsok chagi) — demonstrate fluid consecutive kicking techniques

Flying side piercing kick (Twimyo Yop Cha Jirugi) — demonstrate with power and correct technique

Turning kick, flying side kick, land twin vertical punch — as found in Ge-Baek (moves 22–24) Perform 22 and 23 in a fast motion

Dwiyo torro (jump turn) into rising block and punch — as found in Ge-Baek (moves 43–44)

Pressing kick, side kick, land knife-hand inward strike (L-stance) — as found in Kwang-Gae (moves 13–15) Perform 13 and 14 as a consecutive kick

📋 TAGB Mandatory Requirements

I hold a current TAGB licence and it has been continuous throughout my training period

I have attended at least one TAGB Black Belt pre-grading training session every six months (licence book stamped)

I have attended all three TAGB Black Belt pre-grading sessions immediately prior to this grading (licence book stamped)

I have attended Umpires Course Part 1 (Not required if under 16 years old)

I have officiated or competed (in at least 2 events) at a minimum of one national TAGB tournament each year (Not required if under 16 years old)

My application form has been signed by me (or parent/guardian if under 16) and endorsed by my Instructor and Area Co-ordinator

I have held my 1st Dan for a minimum of 2 years

⭐ Attitude & Discipline

I bow when entering and leaving the Dojang

I listen carefully and respond respectfully to my instructor

My Dobok is clean, pressed, and my belt is tied correctly

I train with focus, effort, and a positive attitude

🧠 Theory (bonus — not required to unlock the button)

What is the meaning of Ge-Baek? Named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.

How many movements in Ge-Baek? 44 movements

What is the meaning of Kwang-Gae? Named after Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King of the Koguryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne.

How many movements in Kwang-Gae? 39 movements

What is the meaning of Po-Eun? Po-Eun is the pseudonym of Chong Mong-Chu (1400), a famous poet and pioneer in physics. His poem "I would not serve a second master though I might be crucified a hundred times" is known to every Korean. The diagram represents his unerring loyalty to the king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.

How many movements in Po-Eun? 36 movements

What is the Korean word for Breaking? Gyokpa

What is a consecutive kick? Yonsok chagi — two or more kicks delivered in rapid succession without placing the foot down between kicks

Complete all practical items to unlock this button

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🇰🇷 Korean Terms Reference (1st Dan)

English	Korean
9 shaped block	Gutcha makgi
Angle punch	Giokja jirugi
Arm	Pal
Back elbow thrust	Dwit palkup taerigi
Back hand	Sondung
Back of forearm	Dung palmok
Base of knifehand	Sonkal batang
Breaking	Gyokpa
Chest	Gasum
Consecutive kick	Yonsok chagi
Crescent kick	Bandal chagi
Eye	Angoo
Fingers	Songarak
Flat fingertips	Opun sonkut
Grabbing	Butjaba
Horizontal punch	Soopyong jirugi
Knuckle fist	Joongi joomuk
Leg	Dari
Reverse knifehand block	Sonkal dung makgi
Rising knee kick	Ollyo moorup chagi
Rising palm heel block	Ollyo sonbadak makgi
Sliding	Mikulgi
Straight fingertips	Sun sonkut
Turn	Dolgi
Twin side elbow thrust	Sang yop palkup tulgi
U-shaped grasp	Mong dung i japki
Under	Mit
Under fist	Mit joomuk
Under forearm	Mit palmok
Pattern	Tul
Attention	Charyot
Bow	Kyong-ye
Ready	Chumbi
Start / Begin	Sijak
Stop	Goman
Return to ready stance	Baro
Training hall	Dojang
Instructor	Sabum
Student	Jeja
Uniform	Dobok
Black Belt	Yudanja
1st Dan	Il Dan
2nd Dan	Ee Dan

📐 Pattern Diagram Reference

Click each pattern to expand the full movement breakdown.

🔄 Ge-Baek — 44 Movements ▼

Meaning: Named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.
Starting Position: Parallel ready stance

1. Checking block (L-stance)Move the right foot to C forming a right L-stance toward D while executing a checking block D with an X-knife-hand

2–4. Twist kick, double punch (walking stance)2: Low twisting kick to D with right foot · 3: Right walking stance, middle punch right fist · 4: Middle punch left fist (fast motion)

5–6. Rising block, low block (walking stance)5: Left walking stance toward D, rising block left forearm · 6: Low block left forearm (continuous motion)

7. Double arc hand blockHigh block to AD with double arc hand while looking through it, left walking stance

8. Bending stanceTurn face toward D forming right bending ready stance A toward D

9–11. Scooping block, middle punch, front back fist strike (sitting stance)9: Sitting stance toward AC, scooping block left palm · 10: Middle punch right fist (connecting motion) · 11: Front strike left back fist

12. Knife-hand guarding block (L-stance)Move right foot on line AB then left foot to C, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block knife-hand

13–15. Front snap kick, flat fingertip thrust × 2 (low stance)13: Low front snap kick to C left foot · 14: Left low stance, high thrust left flat fingertip · 15: High thrust right flat fingertip

16–17. Side kick, forearm guarding block (L-stance)16: Middle side piercing kick to C right foot · 17: Right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block forearm

18. Forearm guarding block (L-stance)Move right foot to D counter-clockwise, right L-stance toward C, middle guarding block forearm

19. Knife-hand guarding block (L-stance)Move left foot to D counter-clockwise, right L-stance toward D, middle guarding block knife-hand

20. 9-shape block (sitting stance)Move left foot on line CD, sitting stance toward A, right 9-shape block

21. Low knife-hand block (walking stance)Move right foot to D counter-clockwise, left walking stance toward C, low block left knife-hand

22–24. Turning kick, flying side kick, twin vertical punch (fast motion)22: Middle turning kick to BC right foot · 23: Flying side piercing kick to C right foot (fast motion with 22) · 24: Right walking stance, high vertical punch twin fist

25–26. Double arc hand block, upset punch25: High block to AC double arc-hand · 26: Upset punch to C left fist

27. Front elbow strike into palm (walking stance)Move right foot on line CD, left walking stance toward D, strike left palm with right front elbow

28. Jump into double forearm block (X-stance)Jump to D, right X-stance toward BD, high block right double forearm

29–31. Scooping block, middle punch, front back fist strike (sitting stance)29: Sitting stance toward BD, scooping block right palm · 30: Middle punch left fist (connecting motion) · 31: Front strike right back fist

32. Reverse knife-hand strike (walking stance)Move left foot to C, left walking stance, high front strike right reverse knife-hand

33. Turning kickMove left foot to A half shoulder width, middle turning kick to C right foot

34. Vertical punch (walking stance)Lower right foot to C, counter-clockwise to left walking stance toward D, high vertical punch twin fist

35. Knuckle punch with side fist to shoulder (L-stance)Middle strike to D right middle knuckle fist, left side fist in front of right shoulder, right L-stance toward D

36. 9-shape block (sitting stance)Move right foot to D, sitting stance toward B, left 9-shape block

37–38. Low reverse knife-hand block, low knife-hand block (continuous motion)37: Low guarding block to C reverse knife-hand · 38: Low guarding block to C knife-hand

39. W-shape block (sitting stance)Move left foot to D stamping motion, sitting stance toward A, W-shape block outer forearm

40. W-shape block (sitting stance)Move left foot to C stamping motion, sitting stance toward B, W-shape block outer forearm

41–42. Rising block, punch (walking stance)41: Right walking stance toward C, rising block right forearm · 42: Middle punch left fist

43–44. Dwiyo torro into rising block, punch (walking stance)43: Left walking stance toward D, rising block left forearm, move right foot then left foot (dwiyo torro) · 44: Middle punch right fist

END:Bring the right foot back to a ready posture

🔄 Kwang-Gae — 39 Movements ▼

Meaning: Named after Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King of the Koguryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne.
Starting Position: Parallel stance with a heaven hand

1. Move hands into closed ready stance BBring left foot to right foot, close ready stance B toward D, both hands in circular motion

2. Slow upset punch (walking stance)Move left foot to D, left walking stance, upset punch right fist. Slow motion.

3. Slow upset punch (walking stance)Move right foot to D, right walking stance, upset punch left fist. Slow motion.

4. Double step into high hooking block (walking stance)Move left foot to side front of right foot, then right foot to D, right walking stance, high hooking block right palm. Double stepping motion.

5. Low knife-hand guarding block (slide into L-stance)Move right foot to C sliding motion, right L-stance toward D, low guarding block knife-hand

6. Double step into high hooking block (walking stance)Move right foot to side of left foot, then left foot to D, left walking stance, high hooking block left palm. Double stepping motion.

7. Low knife-hand guarding block (slide into L-stance)Move left foot to C sliding motion, left L-stance toward D, low guarding block knife-hand

8. High section knife-hand guarding block (rear foot stance)Move left foot to D, right rear foot stance toward D, high guarding block knife-hand

9. High section knife-hand guarding block (rear foot stance)Move right foot to D, left rear foot stance toward D, high guarding block knife-hand

10. Turn into slow upward palm block (walking stance)Move left foot to side front of right foot then turn counter-clockwise. Slow motion.

11. Slow upward palm block (walking stance)Move right foot to C, right walking stance toward C, upward block left palm. Slow motion.

12. Low right knife-hand block into palm (close stance)Low front block right knife-hand in circular motion, hitting left palm, bring left foot to right foot, close stance toward C

13–15. Pressing kick, side kick, land knife-hand inward strike (L-stance)13: Pressing kick to E left foot · 14: Middle side piercing kick to E left foot (consecutive kick with 13) · 15: Right L-stance toward E, high inward strike right knife-hand, left side fist in front of right shoulder

16. Downward strike (close stance)Downward strike to E left side fist, close stance toward C, pulling left foot to right foot

17–19. Pressing kick, side kick, land knife-hand inward strike (L-stance)17: Pressing kick to F right foot · 18: Middle side piercing kick to F right foot (consecutive kick with 17) · 19: Left L-stance toward F, high inward strike knife-hand, right side fist in front of left shoulder

20. Downward strike (close stance)Downward strike to F right side fist, close stance toward C, pulling right foot to left foot

21. Slow pressing block (low stance)Move left foot to C, left low stance toward C, pressing block right palm. Slow motion.

22. Slow pressing block (low stance)Move right foot to C, right low stance toward C, pressing block left palm. Slow motion.

23. High back fist side strike + stamp (sitting stance)Move right foot to D stamping motion, sitting stance toward F, high side strike to D right back fist

24. Double forearm block (walking stance)Middle block to D right double forearm, right walking stance toward D, pivoting with left foot

25. Low forearm block (maintain walking stance)Low block to D left forearm, shifting to C, maintaining right walking stance toward D

26. Slow flat fingertip thrust (low stance)High thrust to D right flat fingertip, right low stance toward D, slipping right foot to D. Slow motion.

27. High back fist side strike + stamp (sitting stance)Move left foot on line CD stamping motion, sitting stance toward F, high side strike to C left back fist

28. Double forearm block (walking stance)Middle block to C left double forearm, left walking stance toward C, pivoting with left foot

29. Low reverse forearm block (maintain walking stance)Low reverse block to C right forearm, shifting to D, maintaining left walking stance toward C

30. Slow flat fingertip thrust (low stance)High thrust to C left flat fingertip, left low stance toward C, slipping left foot to C. Slow motion.

31. Twin vertical punch + stamp (walking stance)Move right foot to C stamping motion, right walking stance toward C, high vertical punch twin fist

32. Twin upset punch + stamp (walking stance)Move left foot to A stamping motion, left walking stance toward A, upset punch twin fist

33–34. Front snap kick, land knife-hand guarding block (L-stance)33: Middle front snap kick to A right foot · 34: Lower right foot, move left foot to A, left L-stance toward B, middle guarding block knife-hand

35. High section punch (walking stance)Move left foot to B, left walking stance toward B, high punch left fist

36. Twin upset punch + stamp (walking stance)Move right foot to B stamping motion, right walking stance toward B, upset punch twin fist

37–38. Front snap kick, land knife-hand guarding block (L-stance)37: Middle front snap kick to B left foot · 38: Lower left foot to right foot, move right foot to B, right L-stance toward A, middle guarding block knife-hand

39. High section punch (walking stance)Move right foot to A, right walking stance toward A, high punch right fist

END:Bring the left foot back to a ready posture

🔄 Po-Eun — 36 Movements ▼

Meaning: Po-Eun is the pseudonym of Chong Mong-Chu (1400), a famous poet and pioneer in physics. His poem "I would not serve a second master though I might be crucified a hundred times" is known to every Korean. The diagram represents his unerring loyalty to the king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.
Starting Position: Parallel stance with a heaven hand

1. Guarding block (L-stance)Move left foot to B, right L-stance toward B, middle guarding block forearm

2–3. Lift both fists, pressing kick (one-leg stance)2: Pull right foot to left knee joint, left one-leg stance toward D, lift both fists, face toward A · 3: Pressing kick to A right foot

4. Land knife-hand strike (sitting stance)Lower right foot to A, sitting stance toward D, middle side strike to A right knife-hand

5. Left angle punchAngle punch left fist, maintaining sitting stance toward D

6–12. Continuous motion sequence6: Left pressing block + right side front forearm block · 7: Right pressing block + left side front forearm block · 8: Middle wedging block inner forearm · 9: Right back elbow assisted thrust to C · 10: Middle punch to D right fist, left palm to right elbow · 11: Left back elbow assisted thrust to C · 12: Right horizontal punch to A. Perform 6–12 in continuous motion.

13. Low right front block + left finger belly (right X-stance)Cross left foot over right foot, right X-stance toward D, low front block right outer forearm, left finger belly on right under forearm

14. U-shape grasp (L-stance)Move right foot to A, left L-stance toward A, U-shape grasp to A

15. Twin horizontal elbow strike (closed stance)Bring left foot to right foot, closed stance toward D, horizontal thrust twin elbow, face toward B. Slow motion.

16. Right side back fist strike + left arm to lower side (sitting stance)Move left foot to B, sitting stance toward D, side back strike to C right back fist, left arm extending to side downward

17. Low left front block + right finger belly (left X-stance)Cross right foot over left foot, left X-stance toward D, low front block left outer forearm, right finger belly to left side fist

18. Low reverse knife-hand guarding block (sitting stance)Move left foot to B, sitting stance toward D, low guarding block to B reverse knife-hand

19. Guarding block (L-stance)Forearm middle guarding block to A, left L-stance toward A, pivoting with left foot

20–21. Lift both fists, pressing kick (one-leg stance)20: Pull left foot to right knee joint, right one-leg stance toward D, lift both fists, face toward B · 21: Pressing kick to B left foot

22. Land knife-hand strike (sitting stance)Lower left foot to B, sitting stance toward D, middle side strike to B left knife-hand

23. Right angle punchAngle punch right fist, maintaining sitting stance toward D

24–30. Continuous motion sequence (mirror of 6–12)24: Right pressing block + left side front forearm block · 25: Left pressing block + right side front forearm block · 26: Middle wedging block inner forearm · 27: Left back elbow assisted thrust to C · 28: Middle punch to D left fist, right palm to left elbow · 29: Right back elbow assisted thrust to C · 30: Left horizontal punch to B. Perform 24–30 in continuous motion.

31. Low left front block + right finger belly (right X-stance)Cross right foot over left foot, left X-stance toward D, low front block left outer forearm, right finger belly on left under forearm

32. U-shape grasp (L-stance)Move left foot to B, right L-stance toward B, U-shape grasp to B

33. Twin horizontal elbow strike (closed stance)Bring right foot to left foot, closed stance toward D, horizontal thrust twin elbow, face toward A. Slow motion.

34. Left side back fist strike + right arm to lower side (sitting stance)Move right foot to A, sitting stance toward D, side back strike to C left back fist, right arm extending to side downward

35. Low right front block + left finger belly (left X-stance)Cross left foot over right foot, right X-stance toward D, low front block right outer forearm, left finger belly to right side fist

36. Low reverse knife-hand guarding block (sitting stance)Move right foot to A, sitting stance toward D, low guarding block to A reverse knife-hand

END:Bring the left foot back to a ready posture

⭐ The 5 Tenets of Taekwondo

Courtesy Integrity Perseverance Self Control Indomitable Spirit

Black Belt to 2nd Dan

⚠️ TAGB Additional Requirements — 1st Dan to 2nd Dan

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