Objectives and Parameters

1. If the Chief Instructor has not arrived within five (5) minutes of the designated starting time, the senior ranking belt present shall immediately begin and conduct class.
2. Once class has begun, one MAY NOT enter without specifically receiving permission to do so. The proper procedure is to proceed to the head of the class at attention by the side until one is acknowledged by the Instructor, at which point one may then enter class and proceed as usual with everyone else. DO NOT enter until acknowledged! Likewise, one MAY NOT leave class for water break, bathroom break, etc. without permission to do so.
3. The only acceptable uniform is a traditional white uniform. Black belts may add black trim to the cuffs and lapel on top. The only patch permitted shall be that sanctioned by the World Tang Soo Do Association. One may have the name "United States Karate Academy Karate" imprinted or stitched across the back of the uniform top. If one forgets his uniform or it is unavailable for some reason, he MUST request permission from the Instructor to enter and participate in class. Such exceptions may be given on a limited basis.
4. Pre-examinations shall be held monthly on the last Thursday. Examinations are provided on the last Saturday of the month. If one is unable to attend due to vacations, unforeseen circumstance, a private examination can be held at the convenience of both parties. Unlike other examinations, one is only eligible to participate in the examination if he/she has attended the requisite number of classes AND is asked to participate by the Instructor. Merely attending the requisite number of classes per week and month does not guarantee that one may test, nor should participation in the examination be construed to guarantee belt advancement. The requisite minimum number of classes is 2 per week for a total number of 16 for each belt rank. There are no exceptions to this minimum! If a student has not met the minimum number of classes to test, he/she may take private lessons to make up for the classes needed. Each 30 minute session is considered as a one class hour due to the intensity and one on one instruction.
   NOTE: Although one may have attended the minimum required to test does not mean that one is ready for the promotion test. The Chief Instructor is the final decision maker on who will test.
5. Tournaments are highly suggested to team members as a way to test that which they have learned. In addition, the opportunity to compete against unknown adversaries is very important to proper development of technique, confidence, and strategy. However, it is the policy of the team to normally participate in traditional World Tang Soo Do style tournaments rather than non-traditional types of tournaments which utilize non-traditional rules, sweeps, groin kicks, etc. One may, however, participate in any tournament desired. However, to achieve Black Belt, one must have participated in tournament competition in at least 3 traditional tournaments in addition to other requirements.
6. Head, foot, and hand gear along with groin cups and mouth guards are required when free sparring. Such equipment shall be the responsibility of the participants to insure their safety and is required for insurance purpose. All adults must have sparring gear by the third month of training.
7. All members of the Karate Team shall salute the American flag upon entering and leaving the training area. Full respect shall be accorded any individual with a higher belt ranking, regardless of what class standing the respective individuals have.
8. Team members must at all times realize and recognize that this shall be viewed as a team activity and not an individual one. (Together Each Achieves More = T.E.A.M.) Thus, all belt ranks shall train together, that the low belts might have the high belts as role models and the high belts might exercise leadership, control and instruction over the lower ranks.
9. The purpose of the Karate Team is to instill the TRADITIONAL way of the Martial Arts, to instill team unity, to heighten and refine ones awareness of self discipline, and to ultimately spread “THE WAY.” It is through intensive and extensive training that this end shall be met. It should be understood that this endeavor may not be for everyone and that if one chooses to stay, the training is to be looked upon with the utmost sincerity and seriousness. If you achieve a Black Belt at the United States Karate Academy, you will be in a situation to properly, effectively, and truculently defend yourself and others should the need ever arise. This, however, is the avenue of last resort!

Korean/Japanese*

Karate Ni Senti Nashi (J)

Kata Nashi, Karate Nashi (J)

In-neh

Soo-ryun

Ing-kyuk

Ikken Hisatsu (J)

English

There is no 1st Advantage in Karate

Without Forms, Karate Is Nothing

Patience

Training

Character

1 Punch - 1 Kick Spirit

All minimum promotion requirements are stated in the Tang Soo Do Student’s Manual. The Chief Instructor reserves to right to add to the requirements but can not lower the Association’s minimum standard of promotion.

1. WHITE BELT (9TH GUP) – A student may be promoted to the 9th Gup White Belt who has successfully learned all studio regulations, basic hand blocks, basic kicks, basic punches and first Hyung (Sae Kye Hyung IL Bu). The student must have a minimum of 6 weeks training prior to testing for 9th Gup. In addition, a student must know how to execute the following techniques:
   1. Kicks (Front, Side, Round)
   2. Hands (Low, High, Inside to Outside, Outside to Inside)
   3. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-3 Techniques)
   4. Self-Defense (1-3 Techniques)
   5. Forms (Sae Kye Hyung Il Bu)
   6. Kyuk Pa (Breaking - one board)
   1. Knife Hand
   2. Fist
   3. Elbow Strike
   7. Oral test
   8. Stances (Front, Fighting, and Horse)
2. ORANGE BELT (8th GUP) – There is no age limit, but the student must be a member of the Association in good standing, with a minimum requirement of 24 lessons and 3 months training prior to testing for 8th Gup. All the previous testing material and the following techniques are required:
   1. Kicks (Back Kick, Stepping Side Kick)
   2. Hands (Side Punch, Side defense fighting stance, two hand block front stance)
   3. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-6 Techniques)
   4. Self-Defense (1-6)
   5. Forms (Sae Kye Hyung E Bu and Sae Kye Hyung Sam Bu)
   6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking - one board)
   1. Front Kick
   2. Side Kick
   7. Oral test
   8. Free Sparring
3. ORANGE BELT (7TH GUP) – For the average student, 7th gup will be after a minimum of 32 classes and 4 months of training. All the previous testing material and the following techniques are required:
   1. Kicks (Basic Jumping Front, Round, Flying Side, and Axe)
   2. Hands (Low and High Knife hand)
   3. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-10 Techniques)
   4. Self-Defense (1-10 Techniques)
   5. Forms (Pyung Ahn Cho Dan)
   6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one board)
   7. Oral test
   8. Free Sparring
4. GREEN BELT (6th GUP) – All basic requirements include previous ranking requirements. The student must have a minimum of 24 classes since the previous testing and a total of 6 months training prior to the test for 6th gup and a minimum of 24 classes since the previous testing and a total of 9 months training prior to testing for 6th gup.
   1. Kicks (Spinning Back, jump back kick, all basic jumping kicks)
   2. Hands (Secondary basic hand techniques executed in fighting stance and two hand combinations are also required)
   3. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-13 Techniques)
   4. Self-Defense (1-13 Techniques)
   5. Forms (Pyung Ahn E Dan)
   6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one to two boards at examiner’s discretion utilizing hand and/or kick techniques)
   7. Oral test
   8. Free Sparring
5. GREEN BELT (5th GUP) – All basic requirements include previous ranking requirements. The student must have a minimum of 24 classes since the previous testing and a total of 3 months training prior to the test for 5th gup.
   1. Kicks (hook, wheel and two basic combinations)
   2. Hands (Secondary basic hand techniques executed in fighting stance and two hand combinations are also required)
   3. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-15 Techniques)
   4. Self-Defense (1-15 Techniques)
   5. Forms (Pyung Ahn Sam Dan)
   6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one to two boards at examiner’s discretion utilizing hand and/or kick techniques)
   7. Oral test
   8. Free Sparring
6. BROWN BELT (4th GUP) – All basic requirements include previous ranking requirements. The student must have a minimum of 24 classes since the previous testing and a total of 12 months total training prior to the test for 4th gup. Show higher and exemplary character. Show increased knowledge and advanced ability in all lower rank techniques. Show further development of Tang Soo Do in spirit and attitude. Exhibit participation in and show dedication to dojang activities and contribution to Association.
   1. Kicks (must display two or three combinations kick techniques as well as jumping kicks.)
   2. Hands (must display two or three combinations hand techniques)
   3. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-18 Techniques)
   4. Self-Defense (1-18 Techniques)
   5. Forms (Pyung Ahn Sa Dan)
   6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one to two boards at examiner’s discretion utilizing hand and/or kick techniques. Must display breaking with jumping action)
   7. Oral test
   8. Free Sparring
7. BROWN BELT (3rd GUP) – All basic requirements include previous ranking requirements. The student must have a minimum of 24 classes since the previous testing and a total of 15 months total training prior to the test for 3rd gup. Show higher and exemplary character. Show increased knowledge and advanced ability in all lower rank techniques. Show further development of Tang Soo Do in spirit and attitude. Exhibit participation in and show dedication to dojang activities and contribution to Association.
   1. Kicks (must display two or three combinations kick techniques as well as jumping kicks.)
   2. Hands (must display two or three combinations hand techniques)
   3. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-20 Techniques)
   4. Self-Defense (1-20 Techniques)
   5. Forms (Pyung Ahn Oh Dan)
   6. Weapons – Bo Staff (Bong Hyung Il Bu)
   7. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one to two boards at examiner’s discretion utilizing hand and/or kick techniques. Must display breaking with jumping action)
   8. Oral and written test
   9. Free Sparring

8. RED BELT (2nd GUP) – All basic requirements include previous ranking requirements. The student must have a minimum of 24 classes since the previous testing and a total of 18 months total training prior to the test for 2nd gup. Show certain Black Belt capabilities. Show voluntary participation in all dojang activities, exemplary conduct and exhibit high character. Show respectful leadership in class and have teaching capabilities.
   1. Kicks/Hands (Hand and kick combinations and flying kick ability with targets)
   2. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-23 Techniques)
   3. Self-Defense (1-23 Techniques)
   4. Forms (Bassai)
   5. Weapons – Bo Staff (Bong Hyung Il Bu)
   6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one to two boards at examiner’s discretion utilizing hand and/or kick techniques. Speed breaking by hand and/or foot)
   7. Oral and written test
   8. Free Sparring – one against two
9. RED BELT (1St GUP) – All basic requirements include previous ranking requirements. The student must have a minimum of 24 classes since the previous testing and a total of 21 months total training prior to the test for 1st gup. Show certain Black Belt capabilities. Show voluntary participation in all dojang activities, exemplary conduct and exhibit high character. Show respectful leadership in class and have teaching capabilities.
   1. Kicks/Hands (Hand and kick combinations and flying kick ability with targets)
   2. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-25 Techniques)
   3. Self-Defense (1-25 Techniques)
   4. Forms (Naihanchi Cho Dan)
   5. Weapons – Bo Staff (Bong Hyung E Bu)
   6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one to two boards at examiner’s discretion utilizing hand and/or kick techniques. Speed breaking by hand and/or foot)
   7. Oral and written test
   8. Free Sparring – one against two
10. BLUE BELT (CHO DAN BO – BLACK BELT CANDIDATE) – All basic requirements include previous ranking requirements. The student must have a minimum of 24 months total training prior to being eligible to test. Minimum 3 months training since testing for 1st gup. Minimum 24 classes training since testing for 1st gup. Must be a member in good standing in the Association. Display extraordinary leadership and dedication to the Art, dojang and the Association. Show complete capability of Black Belt members.
    1. Kicks/Hands (Be completely skilled in all the basic techniques. Be able to demonstrate multi-combination and double action techniques.)
    2. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-30 Techniques) and Three Step Sparring
    3. Self-Defense (1-30 Techniques). Any situation one or two attackers. Sitting or lying on floor self-defense techniques will be required. Weapon defense and safe falling techniques also will be required.
    4. Forms (Sip Soo)
    5. Weapons – Bo Staff (Bong Hyung E Bu)
    6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one to two boards at examiner’s discretion utilizing hand and/or kick techniques. One inch thick cinder block may be used. Hand and kick combination multi-target breaking ability must be shown. Speed breaking by hand and/or foot)
    7. Oral and written test
    8. Free Sparring – one against two
11. FIRST DEGREE BLACK BELT (CHO DAN) - All basic requirements include previous ranking requirements. A member in good standing who has been accepted as a student of, and is recommended by, an officially recognized and registered instructor certified by the World Tang Soo Do Association. At least 30 months of training. A record of high achievement, a training record of 6 months and minimum 72 training classes as a Cho Dan Bo training for Black Belt. Must be of good character with distinguished leadership ability. Should be a capable representative of the Art of Tang Soo Do and be a credit to his/her dojang and to his/her Association. Complete ability to teach and handle affairs of Tang Soo Do in class. Children 9 and under must have a minimum of 4 years training and prior approval by the Chairman of the Testing Committee. Outstanding record of dedication to the Art and contribution to the dojang and the Association.
    1. Kicks/Hands (Technical requirements are the same as Cho Dan Bo test. Additional refinement of techniques is expected. All other requirements are the same as Cho Dan Bo.)
    2. One Step Sparring Hand/Foot (1-30 Techniques) and Three Step Sparring
    3. Self-Defense (1-30 Techniques). Any situation one or two attackers. Sitting or lying on floor self-defense techniques will be required. Weapon defense and safe falling techniques also will be required.
    4. Forms (All forms)
    5. Weapons – Bo Staff (Bong Hyung Il Bu and E Bu)
    6. Kyuk Pah (Breaking – one to two boards at examiner’s discretion utilizing hand and/or kick techniques. One inch thick cinder block may be used. Hand and kick combination multi-target breaking ability must be shown. Speed breaking by hand and/or foot)
    7. Oral and written test
    8. Free Sparring – one against two
    9. Dissertation – Student must write an essay for his/her Black Belt test. Over 1000 words are required. Student may choose any of these topics as long the theme relates to Tang Soo Do to include but not be limited to the following:
       • Training experience
       • Initial reason for joining karate and expectations
       • Did expectations change and if so how and why?
       • The martial arts and me.
       • What being a Black Belt means to me and my life.
       • The Five Codes of Tang Soo Do and my life.
       • How Tang Soo Do changed his/her life?

MATCHES

1. Eliminations: Contestants scoring the first three points within 2 minutes win.
2. Finals: Contestants scoring the first three points within 3 minutes win.
3. If time runs out, the highest score wins.
4. When time runs out, and one has negative points, and his opponent has less negative points, zero points, or positive points the opponent wins.
5. In the event of a tie score, a sudden death match will be applied; the first point wins or the first minus point loses.
6. The match will be awarded to the one whose opponent is disqualified.
7. When one is unable to continue because of his own fault, the match will be awarded to his opponent.
8. The match will be awarded to neither when one competitor is disqualified and the other is unable to continue.

LEGAL TARGET AREA

1. Facial Area - no contact with either hand or foot techniques, except in Black Belt Division where very light contact will be allowed with foot techniques only.
2. Chest and Stomach Area - light contact or well controlled no-contact techniques above the belt.
3. Side Area - light contact or well controlled no contact techniques.

ILLEGAL TARGET AREAS

Eyes, ears, throat, groin, knee, kidney, back of the body, neck, legs, any part of the head covered by hair (excluding facial hair), and any area other than the legal target areas.

LEGAL TECHNIQUES

1. Hand techniques - fist punch forward and reverse.
2. Kicking techniques - all major kicking techniques except a kick with the knee.

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES

Any attacks and blows which are not specified under Legal techniques are illegal.

POINT

Points are awarded to any legal techniques executed effectively to legal target areas. Any face kick effectively executed shall receive a maximum of two points and a minimum of one point. This is to be determined by majority vote as with the awarding of points. However, any kicking or punching technique to the body will receive a maximum of one point. A punching technique to the face will also receive a maximum of one point. These are to be determined by majority vote pursuant to the voting and decision section. No fractions of a point shall be awarded.

MINUS-POINT

A minus point is an elimination of a point or if one has zero points the giving of a negative point value and will be awarded in the following cases:

1. Any extremely malicious use of illegal or legal techniques
2. Any extremely malicious attacks to legal or illegal target areas.
3. Actual hard contact to illegal target areas.
4. . When one receives three (3) warnings of any kind.

WARNINGS*

1. . Malicious attacks and behaviors.
2. Use of illegal techniques.
3. Deliberately running out of the ring.
4. Deliberately exposing one's back to the opponent.
5. Deliberately falling on the floor to avoid attacks.
6. When poor sportsmanship is exhibited.
7. Any other conduct inconsistent with martial arts philosophy as determined by the referee.

* Warnings should immediately be given and counted, rather than the giving of a warning that ultimately a warning will be given.

DISQUALIFICATION

1. . Any malicious contacts.
2. Any injuries resulting from the use of illegal techniques.
3. When repeated warnings against the malicious and/or illegal techniques are ignored thereby endangering an opponent.
4. Unsportsmanlike behavior, including harassment of judges or other officials, use of foul language or a generally disrespectful attitude.
5. Any throws or techniques which might or do result in serious or unnecessary injury.
6. Any malicious or excessively hard contact to the facial area or other parts of the body.
7. If any blood is immediately drawn by fault of the party who executes the technique and the injured party is fault free.

VOTING AND DECISION

A Majority vote determines a point, a minus point, a warning or disqualification. A Majority vote refers to those individuals who are in a position to see the technique (best view), not those individuals who could not see the technique executed (as determined by the referee). The referee has one and a half (1 ½) votes, the corner judges have one (1) vote each. However, two (2) votes or more are necessary to award any point, a minus point, issue a warning, or disqualify a competitor.

JUDGES AND REFEREE

The referee will be solely responsible for the conduct of the matches in the ring. Referee and judges will award and eliminate points to the contestants.

EQUIPMENT

Protective cups, mouth guards, head/hand/foot gear, and women's chest protectors are mandatory. (shoes of any kind will not be permitted while sparring)

PROTESTS AND DISPUTES

Any protest must be settled immediately, not after the match is completed. If the person (competitor or competitors agent) protesting the call does it belligerently, the referee has the right to refuse to listen to the protest and to disqualify the contestant.