Taekwondo “Striping” What is it?

What is “striping?”

Students progress in rank by passing their promotion (belt) test. Each belt level has a minimum set of requirements that will be tested during the day and marked with a stripe. These stripes act as mini-tests. They are excellent for managing students’ progress. For students, this process is simple and structured to help them succeed. 

Students remember a 3-step process:

• Earning Colored Tapes
• Earning Approval on the Belt Promotion Application
• Test

Striping is also used because they are excellent for increasing student motivation since each time they acquire a new stripe, they complete a minor task. This helps teach students about goal setting.

• We cover one topic or testing requirement per class.
• At the conclusion of every lesson, the students take a test or quiz based on the material that day. You can compare it to a “check on learning.”
• They receive a stripe if they successfully complete the testing requirements.
• The stripes are color-coded to make tracking easy, but for students to track their progress as well.
• The students train twice a week, which means they will cover four requirements every two weeks.
• They will cap off their two weeks with a sparring week, where they will learn to “apply” what they have learned. (if needed, remedial training will be provided for students)
• We will repeat this process two more times. That means in a span of eight weeks, students will cover their requirements three times. 
  • This means that students have three chances to earn all four stripes
  • The fifth stripe is parent/teacher approval.
  • If a student is absent from class or doesn’t earn their skill stripe for the day, they are informed that they must be present in class the next time the skill is taught, or they’re able to schedule a private lesson to make up for the lost stripe.
  • If they earned their stripe the first time, they will increase their technique through repetition.

EARNING COLORED TAPES

Each tip represents that the student has learned to do the required curriculum. Belt promotion application can only be obtained after earning 5 colored tapes over a 10-week period leading up to the belt test:

• Tot’s Program
  • 1 Black Tape – Coordination & Discipline
  • 2 Red Tape – 1:1 Correspondence
  • 3 White Tape – Kicking Techniques 
  • 4 Blue Tape – Poomsae (Forms)
  • 5 Black Tape – Parent approval for testing (Promotion Application)

• Core Program
  • 1 Black Tape – Kicking Technique (In Place)
  • 2 Red Tape – Offensive Technique(s) 
  • 3 White Tape – Defensive Technique(s)
  • 4 Blue Tape – Poomsae (Forms)
  • 5 Black Tape – Parent approval for testing (Promotion Application)

BELT PROMOTION APPLICATION

Parent(s) must provide detailed information about the student’s behavior outside of dojang (school) on the application. This information will weigh heavily when Master Davis is determining the student’s belt promotion candidacy. Please see the approval form HERE.

CONCLUSION

Taekwondo belt striping is a unique and effective system that helps students track their progression and skill development within martial arts. By understanding the history and significance of belt striping, students can gain a deeper appreciation for the ranking system and the benefits it provides. If you’re interested in learning more about Taekwondo and our school’s training program, please CLICK HERE to visit our website and explore our classes. We welcome students of all levels and look forward to helping you achieve your goals in Taekwondo.