Iowa State University Hapkido Club - Learn About Hapkido

Hapkido Belt/Testing Requirements

White Belt

• Ability to do 10 techniques from a single-hand or cross-hand attack on one side consistently without hurting your partner.
• Rolling falls on one side.
• Four direction falling should be consistent, with proper head, arm, and leg position.
• It is expected that you do both techniques and falling well enough that you don't hurt yourself or your partner.
• Basic terminology and knowledge about Hapkido.

Weekend Workout: Work on doing your techniques on both sides.

Orange Belt

• Should no longer hesitate when told to do a white belt technique, should know the "steps" without thinking and be able to do them properly.
• Know at least five new techniques well and be able to do them properly.
• Rolling falls on both sides (not somersaults).
• Rolling falls over a person on their hands and knees.
• Techniques on both right and left sides. Also double-hand techniques.
• Four basic Judo throws.
• Low wheel kick.

Weekend Workout: Once you can do rolling falls well, have an upper rank start working on air falls with you. A good place to start is on the blue mat.

Green Belt

• Ten basic techniques should look like one move with no intermediate steps or hesitations.
• Basic techniques from the side and pushing attacks.
• Rolling falls over a person bent at the waist.
• Four basic throws, both left and right, using technique, not muscle (no picking up and dropping of partners). Make sure you are bending your knees.
• Sacrifice (grab their lapels and sit down, no choke).
• A basic understanding of breaking (disturbing) balance and how it applies to the techniques, as well as an understanding of the principles behind each technique.
• Control: Start to use technique and principle instead of muscle.
• Start leading warm-ups (beginners class and weekend workouts are good places to start).
• Low-high wheel kick combination.

Weekend Workout: Work on air falls over.

Blue Belt

• Know and understand the white belt techniques well enough to teach them (not just how, but why).
• Rolling falls and air falls over a person bent at the waist.
• Lapel attacks and double grip on one wrist.
• Be comfortable leading warm-ups.
• Control: Must demonstrate control. Use principles, not muscle and speed. Show this control with people larger and smaller than yourself. Don't slam people into the mat.
• Falling: Have the ability to fall out of any properly thrown technique without having to be told in advance what the technique is (i.e. the ability to fall for black belts without help or instruction.
• Attend a conducting seminar. Watch testings paying attention to the conductor. You will have to do this soon.
• Air crossing, jumping front snap kick.

Weekend Workout: Work on one-step sparring.

Brown Belt

• Improve on all techniques learned at lower ranks. Show good improvement before next testing.
• A good understanding of the three principles of Hapkido, how they work, and how they apply to each technique.
• TA a PE class, club practices, or weekend workouts. Conduct at least one testing.
• One step sparring (work on punching and blocking on weekends).
• Wrist grabs from behind, bear hugs (both over and under arms), ground attacks, and wall attacks.
• At least three months continuous preparation before testing.
• Read two martial arts books (only of which can be about Hapkido).
• Double front snap kick.

Red Belt

• A thorough understanding of the basic principles and how they apply to each technique you know.
• The ability to teach any technique you know.
• Understand and use weight dropping.
• New techniques should come easier because you should now understand the underlying principles and know why the move works.
• Kicking defenses.
• Rolling and air falls over multiple people (two or more).
• At least six months continuous preparation before you test.
• Statement of Philosophy should be turned into Master Pak and a copy given to each black belt at least one week in advance.

Black Belt

• Lead by example at all times.
• Be encouraging when teaching.
• Show respect to everyone all the time.
• Model the principles of Hapkido outside the dojang as well as during class.
• Evaluate students objectively and fairly, taking into consideration their physical limitations.
• Do not discuss testing outcomes with others.
• Weapons, two attackers, and free style.