ATA offers an effective curriculum. Although not as widely practiced as Chang Hon or Kukkiwon TKD, its merits deserve serious consideration.
Students also benefit from developing physical strength and martial arts skills while learning self-discipline, helping them to become leaders of society by inculcating a sense of respect for self.
White Belt
White belt students represent their commitment to training hard and furthering their art through forms, sparring, one-steps, self-defense weapons and leadership studies.
Students who successfully pass a promotional rank test will receive stripes to indicate they earned their next rank. Stripes can be earned either on a “recommended” or “decided” rank level; reaching “decided” indicates you passed all areas of testing.
Orange Belt
At this level, students have mastered the fundamentals and can perform basic karate movements and initiate sparring sessions.
Orange symbolizes the sun rising each morning and suggests increasing strength. At this belt level, students develop more advanced stances and techniques while becoming adept at reading their opponent’s movements.
Students achieving this rank may compete, though it isn’t expected of them. They should exercise proper etiquette when training with teammates, and possess high self-discipline levels.
Yellow Belt
Students of the yellow belt rank have begun exploring ATA Taekwondo. Their camo belt represents growth and development akin to that seen with green sprouts.
At this level, students also begin sparring, although no kicks below or above the belt are permitted.
Yellow belt marks an essential step on the journey toward black belt. At this stage, students must continue working hard and remain committed.
Green Belt
The green belt represents the development and progress of students, signifying that they have reached an advanced level but are still working towards reaching the brown belt level.
Students will begin sparring, which requires greater coordination, balance, power and execution of techniques as well as increased focus on Songahm Taekwondo fundamentals.
Blue Belt
The American Taekwondo Association’s (ATA) belt system indicates a student’s progress through martial arts training. There are 18 belt levels attainable within this system – 9 for each series.
Students who earn a blue belt have proven they possess a firm foundation in Songahm Taekwondo, being proficient in basic techniques as well as physical conditioning, focus/concentration muscle memory sparring skills and board breaking capabilities.
These students are now prepared to tackle more advanced forms and sparring combinations, as well as practice leadership skills.
Purple Belt
ATA utilizes a colored belt system to evaluate an individual’s progress as a martial artist. Each rank, or color, carries with it specific meaning and requires mastery in certain forms or Poomsae forms.
Purple stands for the first “intermediate” belt level and symbolizes steep mountains students must climb with determination. Its In Wha 1 form contains 44 moves while sparring requirements have become more demanding – adding another level of difficulty and challenge for students at this belt level. Purple also signifies the sky, symbolizing heights they must strive towards.
Brown Belt
At this level, students begin to acquire basic adaptability to their environment and act fluidly – this process being fostered primarily through kumite (sparring).
Students also develop both technique and power through rigorous training. Harmful or excessive power must always be balanced with wisdom and compassion if it is to be used responsibly. Students will be instructed on how best to use this resourceful force in an orderly fashion.
Students enrolled at this level begin teaching classes and helping out in junior classes, in addition to attending tournaments.
Black Belt
Black Belt ranks are considered to be the ultimate achievement in martial arts training at ATA. Students aspiring to this rank must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of Songahm Taekwondo and have satisfied all color belt requirements before attaining this status.
Students should understand that success does not come easily and should work tirelessly towards reaching it through hard work and persistence. Their potential remains limitless if they remain committed to continuous improvement – those earning Black Belts receive a special presentation box for their new belt!
My passion for martial arts goes beyond practice; it is a philosophy that shapes my writing, bringing a distinctive edge to my narratives and advice. I hold black belts in two martial arts disciplines and have competed internationally, experiences that enrich my storytelling with authenticity and excitement.