Taekwondo belts

[Orient]

My son has been doing taekwondo for a few months and has just graded for his orange belt but he only got an orange stripe on the belt which is apparantly a half grade to make it easier for the kids to pass? is this normal? the instructor said he will continue to get half grades until he's around 12...are these "half grades" even recognised grades?

I've also since been told that taekwondo doesn't have orange belts and I should question the classes...I thought it varied from club to club?

At this club the gradings go:

white

orange

yellow

purple

brown

blue

blue and red

red

red and black

black

does this sound right? I have other worries about the club but this is the latest thing so I thought I'd check with you guys to see what you thought of this.

Thanks

[username8517]

One thing to consider is that unless the training hall is a member of an affiliation that mandates belt standards across the board, each school is allowed to create their own belt system for the lower ranks (basically everything below black). So you are correct that it genearlly does very from club to club--even in the same style you will see some variations from training hall to training hall.

In regards to the half-grades, I do know that some styles and schools utilize them, but having no first hand experience or knowledge about them, I can only make assumptions. The best way to find out whether these half-grades are recognized (which I'm assuming their not outside of the school) is to ask the instructor. Perhaps my assumptions are wrong and they are a common thing in the particular TKD style your son takes and they are recognized in all schools of that style.

Also, one reason why your son might be getting half-grades until he's twelve is perhaps there is a minimum age for someone in the school to have a black belt. Best way to find out though is to ask.

[Shotokan-kez]

I'm not familar on tkd grading systems at all, but i have seen stripes on the coloured belts, i think they are called 'tags'?

[aigaios]

Taekwondo schools can be incredibly varied... In the World Taekwondo Federation, for example, you can't get a full dan ranking until you're 16. Prior to your turning 16 you are considered a "Poom" or junior black belt...

I would do what Bearich says and find out what organization the school belongs to...

And no, they are probably not recognized grades. Until you reach BB you don't usually have a recognized rank in another school unless you are under the same organization as them...

[P.A.L]

don't worry about belts that's the last thing you should worry about, half grades are perfect for the kids since they get bored pretty quick, this way the instructor can test them like every 3 months instead of 6 months.

[ps1]

P.A.L is right. It's a way to give the student (especially young ones) a sense of accomplishment and progression.

As far as being a "recognized" rank, that's not really too important. As many have mentioned, different schools have different standards. Most schools don't recognize rank that are not from within their own doors or their organization. If I went to another system or organization my rank would not be recognized without testing either. And I've been studying for 21 years.

In the end, if you child is having fun and learning, you're probably ok. At that age the training isn't for self defense as much as discipline, physical fitness, and fun. If the you have other inhibitions about the school you should explore them, but the rank thing isn't a big deal.

[ninjanurse]

It appears the ranking system you posted covers the nine gups to Black Belt so regardless of the color it should be compatible with most TKD schools, tournaments, etc. The half-ranking thing can be beneficial to youngsters due to physical and emotional development issues so I wouldn't worry unless kids are being promoted without the skills or just to collect testing fees.

[bushido_man96]

The information given here thus far I agree with. The main thing you should worry about is the quality of instruction that your child is getting. There are many styles and practitioners out there that do not condone a child under 12, 15, or 18, (depending on who you talk to) having a black belt. These half grades will stifle his belt earning process, but not his learning process, which is what you should be concerned about.

[IcemanSK]

It appears the ranking system you posted covers the nine gups to Black Belt so regardless of the color it should be compatible with most TKD schools, tournaments, etc. The half-ranking thing can be beneficial to youngsters due to physical and emotional development issues so I wouldn't worry unless kids are being promoted without the skills or just to collect testing fees.

I agree with ninjanurse. The belt color may vary greatly, but the gups (10th being lowest, 1st being highest) in the color belt ranks is the comparable factor. (eg. If they've had one test, the student is a 9th gup).

[Zorbasan]

most martial arts are measured by the grade, the belt colour is arbitrary.