This page outlines River Valley Taekwondo testing requirements for all ranks from 8th Geup through Sa Dan.Requirements for 8th and 7th Geup are visible to anyone, but the curriculum for higher levels is only visible to students working toward those ranks. This means that before RVTKD students can see higher level requirements, you must:
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- log in to the website so it recognizes who you are and what content you’re allowed to see
Once you’ve registered for the site and logged in, all content you’re allowed to see will appear.
The rank of Eighth Geup marks a student’s entry into the Jidokwan school of Taekwondo. By achieving this rank, they earn the right to wear the dobok, belt, and school symbol. It is the first major milestone in a student’s path along the Way and demonstrates a willingness to study Jidokwan and uphold its standards and traditions.
Because Eighth Geup represents a student’s intentions rather than any specific body of knowledge, there are no technical requirements and no test for this rank. This rank is awarded at the instructor’s discretion, usually after about one month of regular attendance.
- one month of regular attendance
- commitment to continue training
- understanding of dojang protocols
- knowledge of stretching techniques
- knowledge of breathing techniques
- purchase of dobok (uniform) and Jidokwan patch
The rank of 8th Geup is symbolized by a white belt.
A Seventh Geup is still a beginner, but this rank shows that a student has learned several of the fundamental concepts and techniques of Taekwondo study. Although the student’s movements will be far from perfect, they should demonstrate techniques that are well-controlled and mechanically competent. At this stage, directed spirit and clean technique are more important than speed and power. All stances and all hand and foot positions should be correctly aligned, and strikes should reach their targets. Students at this level should be introduced to sparring but should work slowly and carefully on fundamentals, not on landing techniques.
Stances
- 차렷 (charyeot, attention)
- 준비 (junbi, prepare/ready), 바로 (return)
- 주춤 서기 (juchum seogi, horse fighting stance)
- 앞 굽이 (ap kubi, front stance)
- 옆 겨룸새 서기 (yeop kyeorumsae seogi, side fighting stance)
- 뒷 굽이 (dwit kubi, back stance)
Hand Techniques
- 내려 막기 (naeryeo makgi, down block)
- 안 막기 (an makgi, inside block)
- 바깥 막기 (bakkat makgi, outside block)
- 올려 막 (ollyeo makgi, upward block)
- (팔보 막기) (palbo makgi, eight count block)
- 손날 거들어 막기 (sonnal geodeureo makgi, assisted knife hand block, aka “suto” block)
- 앞 지르기 (ap jireugi, front punch)
- 반대 지르기 (bandae jireugi, reverse punch)
- shuffle punch
- 손날 안 치기 (sonnal an chigi, outside chop)
Kicks
- 앞 차기 (ap chagi, front kick)
- 반달 안 차기 (bandal an chagi, inside crescent kick)
- 돌려 차기 (dolleo chagi, roundhouse kick)
Form
- 팔궤 일장 (Pal Gwe Il Jang, 1)
Suggested Break
- one board: reverse punch
The rank of 7th Geup is symbolized by a yellow belt.
Video by Nick Richert