Blog about Black Stripes

Hello everyone! Many of us have worked hard over the past few months to earn a new belt this past weekend! Students from Chang’s Taekwondo in South Surrey, Cloverdale, Tsawwassen, Aldergrove, and Mission all came together for the Belt Promotion Ceremony.So, you have no black stripes, one black stripe, or two black stripes… what are the expectations for you at your current level??Zero Black StripesYou are brand new to this rank (geup) and have been learning the first few movements in your poomsae, your new kicking combination, and your new board breaking. We expect that you will know the first half of your poomsae, and that your kicking will look unfamiliar to you.One Black StripeYou have been training for two months now, so you should be able to make it through the whole poomsae—maybe a little shakily or with a few mistakes. Your kicking combination should be looking better with both legs, and your board breaking should be strong! If not a little unrefined.Two Black StripesYou have been training for three months—you are the professional! Your poomsae should look nice and crisp, and you should be able to perform the poomsae without too much thinking. Your kicking combination is clear, loud, and strong! Your board breaking technique is clear and strong—you break the board usually on your first or second attempt!We don’t want students feeling pressure if they have no black stripes, you are still new to this belt! Work hard and you’ll become more comfortable in no time.Train hard, and see you on the mats!