Taekwondo Rank System
The Songahm Taekwondo style features nine traditional color belt ranks and nine traditional black belt ranks. Each rank introduces the student to unique basic techniques, traditional forms, traditional weapons, sparring theories/”one-steps”, and application drills (board breaking challenges and self-defense scenarios) which progress in complexity and difficulty.
*Note: While all students will receive training in weapons, only black belt ranks are responsible for traditional weapons forms as part of their testing requirements.
All students undergo regular belt testing and promotions so they learn how to set and achieve goals. Color belt students committed to consistent training and successful in testings may achieve 1st degree black belt in 3 – 5 years.
Tiger Progression
The ATA Tiger program is designed for children 3-6 years old to explore martial arts while developing essential physical skills and fundamental behavioral skills, such as listening & self-control. This program is a 50% play-based program that carefully balances the discipline of Taekwondo with engaging games that facilitate learning and set students up for long-term success. For Tiger program students, the ultimate objective is to graduate to the kids class as a Decided Camouflage Belt (6D).
The ATA Tiger Program follows the same color belt order as the standard program, but has a modified ranking system tailored to their age. For instance, a yellow belt in the traditional system differs from a yellow belt in the Tiger program, even though both groups may have completed the same number of rank tests. This distinction reflects the varying expectations based on age, such as memorization and technique quality. The structure allows Tiger students to progress regularly, fostering goal setting and perseverance while ensuring that their skill levels remain appropriate for their age group. When Tigers are ready to transition to the standard program, instructors will conduct an assessment to place them at the most appropriate rank based on their demonstrated skill level.
Color Belt Progression
Each color belt rank in our program has two levels: Recommended and Decided.
The Recommended level serves as an initial stage where students are first introduced to new techniques and forms that they need to memorize for their rank testing, laying a solid foundation for their martial arts journey. This initial stage is crucial because it allows students to familiarize themselves with the material before moving on to more complex versions and expectations of these skills.
In contrast, the Decided level focuses on mastering those techniques through deep concentration and refined training. This stage is essential for ensuring that students truly understand the utility of each technique and can perform the material with confidence. By dedicating time to both levels, we create an environment where students can develop their skills thoroughly, making their testing process more meaningful and reflective of their hard work.
In rare cases, a student may exceed expectations of the required material within a single testing cycle allowing for immediate promotion to the next rank, bypassing the Decided level of the current rank. This determination will be made solely by instructor discretion and may not be requested under any circumstances.
In summary, each rank represents a phase of growth for the student in their martial arts journey. The Recommended level of any color belt represents an invitation to the student to begin absorbing the new material of a given rank, while the Decided level reflects the student is ready for the opportunity to push their skills to the limit and build towards demonstrating a confident command over the required material for each rank.