‘Need-to-know’ Grading Information

The Singapore Taekwondo Federation (STF) would like to thank all affiliate leaders, coaches and members and their parents for their co-operation and understanding in helping to make the centralized grading at Yio Chu Kang Stadium a success. The STF is sorry if you had been inconvenienced in any way because of the change of grading location.  

Here are some of the information which you have to know for the grading.

• Grading Syllabus

The new grading requirements for Poomsae and Technique demonstration, which took effect in the April 2009 grading, are applicable to both junior and senior candidates from white belt to red 1 (that is, red 1 to 1^st poom or 1^st dan). The poomsae requirement for 1^st poom to 2^nd poom is different from 1^st dan to 2^nd dan. For 1^st dan to 2^nd dan, the old syllabus will apply – that is, Poomsae Koryo and two optional patterns from Taegeuk Il-Jang to Pal-Jang.

For technique demonstration, the examiners shall decide on the number of times the candidates have to execute the kick or combination kicks if there is space constraint. If not, it will be three times towards the examiner/s and three times towards the starting point.

• White T-shirts for Female Candidates

All female candidates, regardless of age, are required to wear white T-shirts inside their ‘dobok’ top. Beige is not white. For the recent centralized grading, two candidates failed because they were wearing other than white T-shirt.

• Candidates’ Conduct

The essence of taekwondo is the development of character. Therefore, the Singapore Taekwondo Federation places a high premium on discipline. Coaches are reminded to ensure that their candidates are at their best behavior at all times. Remember, the conduct of the candidates reflects on the image of the club and its leaders including its coaches.

• Sparring Partners

Candidates are allowed to arrange their own sparring partners because it would be easier for them to express their tactics and skills. The main function of the sparring partners is to bring out the best in the candidates and not to make the candidates look weak or bad. In the recent grading, a candidate failed because all her sparring partners were defensive. The examiners were given the impression that she was not good at all. It was like a black belt giving way to a green belt during sparring.

• Unarmed Combat

For unarmed combat, the examiners expect candidates to perform techniques that are realistic.  Unrealistic movements like executing an arm-lock technique that is technically wrong, falling in a direction that does not follow the flow of the throw and thrusting a knife that is completely out of range are not acceptable. Candidates will fail the grading if they fail the unarmed combat component.