Taekwondo Exam Study Guide
History
What is your instructor's full name and present rank? Who was his instructor? Who was his instructor?
Master Max Foyle 4th Dan is our instructor. Grandmaster Stephen J. Amsler 8th Dan is his instructor. Grandmaster Chang Jin Kang 9th Dan is his instructor. Master Kang’s instructor is Supreme Grandmaster Byung Jick Ro 10th Dan.
What were the names of the five original schools, or Kwans, in Korea?
Song Moo Kwan: our original school, founded by General Byung Jik Ro.
Chung Do Kwan: trained the military.
Moo Duk Kwan: they’re completely separate from all the other schools.
Yun Moo Kwan: their master, Grandmaster Kim Yong Ho, disappeared in the 1970s.
Kwon Beop Dojang: They take inspiration from Judo with lots of grappling.
Why is Song Moo Kwan significant to our school and what does the phrase mean?
Song Moo Kwan means pine tree (evergreen) and our great grandfather in Taekwondo, Supreme Grandmaster Byong Jik Ro still lives today and still trains and is president of the Song Moo Kwan Association in Korea.
When was Taekwondo accepted as an official sport in the Olympics?
In the 2000s Olympics. The gold medal olympics was Steve Lopez, who was not a good guy.
The following martial arts originated from which country?
Taekwondo: Korea
Karate: Japan
Tai Chi: China
Kung Fu: China
Who founded the Shotokan School of Karate and when?
It was founded by Gichin Funakoshi in 1939.
Why were poomsae forms created the way they were?
Many Koreans were thrown into prison for fighting back as Japan continued to take over Korea, so they began to create and practice the poomsae forms while in the jail cells.
Important dates in Taekwondo history:
1909: Japan occupied Korea.
1939: Shotokan School of Karate founded by Gichin Funakochi.
1945: Master Byung Jick Ro founded Song Moo Kwan style of Korean Martial Arts in Gae Sone, Korea, and the Japanese occupation in Korea ended.
1958: Chang Jin Kang joined Song Moo Kwan and started training under Master Byung Jick Ro.
1971: Taekwondo becomes the national sport of Korea.
1972: Kukkiwon was founded in Seoul, Korea.
1973: The World Taekwondo Foundation (WTF) was founded in Seoul, Korea.
1980: WTF was recognized by the Olympic Sport Committee.
1981: Master Chang Jin Kang started Il-Do Taekwondo school in Santa Ana, California.
1982: Stephen J. Amsler joined Il-Do Taekwondo under Master Chang Jin Kang.
1994: Stephen J. Amsler’s Martial Art was founded in Fountain Valley, California.
1996: Taekwondo becomes an official event in the Pan-American Games.
2000: Taekwondo becomes an official Olympic event in Sydney Australia.
Language
What is the Korean equivalent for one through ten?
Hana, dool, set, net, tasut, yasul, ilgope, yaudul, ahope, yaul.
What is “hello” and “thank you”?
Hello: un young ha sha meeka
Thank you: kam sa hum ni da
What is the word for “yell”?
Kiyhap.
What is the meaning of “hyung and “poomsae”?
They are forms or patterns used in Taekwondo.
What does the word “Nak Bop” mean? Why is it important to our curriculum?
Nak Bop means break falling. Learning to fall correctly is an essential part of martial arts to avoid injury.
What is the meaning of the word “Pil Sung”?
Undisputed victory.
What are the Korean words for the following:
Attention: Char-yet
Bow: Kyung-Nae
Ready Stance: Jhoonbee
Stop: Komahn
Uniform: Dobok
At ease: Shi-uh
School: Dojang
Form: Poomsae
What do we call black belts 1-4th degree?
1st/2nd Degree: Boo-Sah Bum Nim
3rd/4th Degree: Sah Bum Nim
Discipline
What is the theory of power?
Concentration
Mass, Size, & Weight
Speed
Reactionary Force
Breath Control
Balance
What is the importance of courtesy in taekwondo training?
It is the basis for proper relationships between people.
True or false: once learned, students may forget their lower forms.
False, you must maintain all that you learn.
What should you do if a student comes to your class smelling like they have been drinking alcohol?
Ask them not to come to class if they’ve been drinking because it is dangerous and unsafe to practice while intoxicated.
Where should the school patch be placed on a Taekwondo uniform?
On the left side of the chest.
What is the most important aspect of Taekwondo for a student to emphasize in his training both in and out of the school?
Self discipline and respect for others.
How can you always be a winner?
Compete with only yourself, not with others.
What is the secret to happiness?
To carry appreciation for what you have instead of jealousy over what you do not.
What is one of the most important things in your life?
Your health. Martial arts keeps you fit and healthy.
What side of the belt should stripes be worn?
The right side.
At what point do we begin to teach discipline?
Immediately.
What is our school’s oath?
I shall live with perseverance in the spirit of Taekwondo, having honor with others, integrity within myself, and self-control in my actions.
When you receive something from another person, do you use one hand or two hands?
Two.
Should you practice forms that are above your rank? Why or why not?
No, Taekwondo has a rank system. Practicing a higher belt form is disrespectful to higher ranks. However, there is always an exception to this rule for tournaments.
What are the three rules of concentration?
Focus the eyes, focus the mind, and focus the body.
Black Belts use the “Black Belt Success Cycle” to reach their goals in life. What are the five steps needed to reach your goals?
Know what you want
Have a plan
Have a good teacher/mentor
Take consistent action
Review your progress and renew your goals
What is the biggest room in the world?
The room for improvement.
What are the Taekwondo focus points?
Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10
Coach yourself
Concept of healthy competition
Train as if it were real
Ten Commandments of poomsae training
Memorize the line of movement
Be calm, cautious, and courageous in the ready stance
Start slow, then speed up
Dynamic movement
Maintain objective focus
Look first, then turn
Maintain balance
Train as if it were real
Practice the form from different angles
Return to the ready stance calmly and with satisfaction
Technique
How many forms (poomsae) are there in the WTF style of taekwondo?
8 palgwe, 8 taeguk, and 8 black belt forms.
What is the weight distribution in the back stance?
70% on the back leg and 30% on the front leg.
What forms are performed by 1st degree black belts in our school during rank promotional testing?
Koryo & Gwang Gae.
In crouching stance, how far should your feet be?
1 1/2 shoulder width apart.
What is the weight distribution in the front stance?
60% on the front leg and 40% on the back leg.
What is the weight distribution in the horse stance?
50/50 on both legs.
What is the purpose of Poomsae or Hyung?
By practicing poomsae, you perfect the art of Taekwondo without an opponent while imagining fighting multiple attackers.
Why do we kiyhap in Taekwondo?
To empty the air from the stomach and focus all the power into one small target
To get adrenaline flowing
To startle or scare the opponent
Meaning
What is the significance of the color for red belts?
The color represents danger or fire. The student has the physical techniques but lacks mental attitude.
What is the difference between colored belts and black belts?
The techniques are the same, however black belts have the understanding, control, and depth of knowledge of each technique. This, together with a positive attitude separates them from lower ranks.
What is the significance in the color of the black belt?
It is a combination of all the colors and indicates mastery of them.
Name the eight tenets of Taekwondo as recited in our white belt form - Basic 8.
Courtesy
Respect
Discipline
Self Defense
Courage
Integrity
Spirit
Victory
Why is victory the last tenet of Taekwondo in Basic 8?
If the student strives to use all seven tenets of taekwondo in and out of class then they will achieve victory in life.
Why does our school allow only pure white uniforms for both students and instructors?
It is tradition to hold the belief that one should distinguish oneself by technique and character, rather than by a flashy uniform.
What is the most important move in martial arts and why?
The bow is the most important martial art movement because it symbolizes courtesy and respect towards others.
What is the significance of the color in the white belt?
The color represents purity: a clean slate with no knowledge of Taekwondo.
Why should our belts hang evenly?
To show that the student is equal in both physical and mental abilities.
Quotes
“The only place SUCCESS comes before WORK is in the dictionary.” -Vidal Sassoon
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” -Charles Swindoll
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” -Albert Einstein
“Destiny is not a matter of CHANCE but a matter of CHOICE.” -Williams Jennings Bryan
Less Asked Questions
What is your instructor's full name and present rank? Who was his instructor? Who was his instructor?
Master Max Foyle 4th Dan is our instructor. Grandmaster Stephen J. Amsler 8th Dan is his instructor. Grandmaster Chang Jin Kang 9th Dan is his instructor. Master Kang’s instructor is Supreme Grandmaster Byuk Jick Ro 10th Dan.
How many forms (poomsae) are there in the WTF style of taekwondo?
8 palgwe, 8 taeguk, and 8 black belt forms.
What forms are performed by 1st degree black belts in our school during rank promotional testing?
Koryo & Gwang Gae.
What is your instructor's full name and present rank? Who was his instructor? Who was his instructor?
Master Max Foyle 4th Dan is our instructor. Grandmaster Stephen J. Amsler 8th Dan is his instructor. Grandmaster Chang Jin Kang 9th Dan is his instructor. Master Kang’s instructor is Supreme Grandmaster Byuk Jick Ro 10th Dan.
What does the word “Nak Bop” mean? Why is it important to our curriculum?
Nak Bop means break falling. Learning to fall correctly is an essential part of martial arts to avoid injury.
What is the purpose of Poomsae or Hyung?
By practicing poomsae, you perfect the art of Taekwondo without an opponent while imagining fighting multiple attackers.
What is the meaning of the word “Pil Sung”?
Undisputed victory.
What are the Korean words for the following:
Attention: Char-yet
Bow: Kyung-Nae
Ready Stance: Jhoonbee
Stop: Komahn
Uniform: Dobok
At ease: Shi-uh
School: Dojang
Form: Poomsae
Where should the school patch be placed on a Taekwondo uniform?
On the left side of the chest.
What is the secret to happiness?
To carry appreciation for what you have instead of jealousy over what you do not.
What forms are performed by 1st degree black belts in our school during rank promotional testing?
Koryo & Gwang Gae.
In crouching stance, how far should your feet be?
1 1/2 shoulder width apart.
Why does our school allow only pure white uniforms for both students and instructors?
It is tradition to hold the belief that one should distinguish oneself by technique and character, rather than by a flashy uniform.
Who founded the Shotokan School of Karate and when?
It was founded by Gichin Funakoshi in 1939.
Why were poomsae forms created the way they were?
Many Koreans were thrown into prison for fighting back as Japan continued to take over Korea, so they began to create and practice the poomsae forms while in the jail cells.
Important dates in Taekwondo history:
1909: Japan occupied Korea.
1939: Shotokan School of Karate was founded by Gichin Funakochi.
1945: Master Byung Jick Ro founded Song Moo Kwan style of Korean Martial Arts in Gae Sone, Korea, and the Japanese occupation in Korea ended.
1958: Chang Jin Kang joined Song Moo Kwan and started training under Master Byung Jick Ro.
1971: Taekwondo becomes the national sport of Korea.
1972: Kukkiwon was founded in Seoul, Korea.
1973: The World Taekwondo Foundation (WTF) was founded in Seoul, Korea.
1980: WTF was recognized by the Olympic Sport Committee.
1981: Master Chang Jin Kang started Il-Do Taekwondo school in Santa Ana, California.
1982: Stephen J. Amsler joined Il-Do Taekwondo under Master Chang Jin Kang.
1994: Stephen J. Amsler’s Martial Art was founded in Fountain Valley, California.
1996: Taekwondo becomes an official event in the Pan-American Games.
2000: Taekwondo becomes an official Olympic event in Sydney Australia.