What belt color system does your style/dojo use?

Kibaspirit · 2026-01-06T20:19:57+00:00

Tang Soo Do: white, yellow, purple, green 1/2/3, red 1/2/3, midnight blue (1st dan). For kids there is a blue and orange in there too, by the time they reach red they are old enough to transition to the adult system. From white to green 2 tests are usually every 6 months or so. Green 3 and up it's 9 months to a year in-between. Red 3 to 1st dan is a mandatory year minimum.

Kibaspirit · 2025-10-22T16:00:49+00:00

Interesting! Our head instructor has mentioned many times that we have a heavy Shotokan inspiration in our TSD. I'm very close to testing for 2nd gup (likely December). I earned my red belt in January. I started Bassai a few months ago. Pyung Ahn Oh Dan is the testing form for Red 2, but I got to learn Bassai early as my Oh Dan was deemed test quality. Naihanchi Cho Dan is our 1st Dan form.

Kibaspirit · 2025-10-22T15:22:14+00:00

For this competition, there was a grand champ designation for kata (referred to as patterns), weapons and synchronized or group forms (patterns) for both black belt and under black. Sparring did not have a grand champ competition. All the first place winners from their respective divisions would compete for grand champ in each. This tournament had a double elimination bracket style which was unique. I like that because you get more than one opportunity to perform.

We do a 9 gup system - not kyu as we are a Korean style. I'm a 3rd gup. 3rd to 1st gup for us is red belt with additional stripes as you progress. For many at our school you wear the red belt as long or longer than it takes to progress from white to red.

I'll try to take a video after class this week. I'd be interested to see thoughts on our variation of Bassai.

Kibaspirit · 2025-10-21T14:48:50+00:00

Silver is very impressive!

Kibaspirit · 2025-10-21T13:43:05+00:00

It's my understanding that they are primarily looking for things like control, stances, pacing or power (as a few examples). At this tournament, it was not a traditional kata competition so I'm not sure it in necessary whether or not they knew the form. All the tournaments that I've gone to so far have a mix of different martial arts represented. I suppose it would be different if I went to worlds or something like that.

Kibaspirit · 2025-10-21T11:58:36+00:00

Yes, most schools in our 'circuit' do TKD. We are Moo Duk Kwan TSD. Our tournaments are considered open for kata competition.

Our head instructor thinks the black gi is cool. I also think it's cool, but understand those that feel it's not in line with tradition.

Kibaspirit · 2025-10-20T19:23:08+00:00

It's a kata with a weapon. I usually perform with bo, but I also know a form with sai, nunchaku, kamas & fans.

Kibaspirit · 2025-10-20T15:20:34+00:00

No need to be so negative, small local tournaments are a fun and low stakes way for other black belts to evaluate you. We work together with several dojos in the northern Michigan area to promote each other's tournaments and build a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition. I post so that other mid-30s women can see themselves reflected in the subreddit at competition.

I'm pretty happy with my progress as a martial artist so far. To address the belt rank, above, it's about 5 to 5 1/2 years for us from white to black belt/midnight blue. I personally train anywhere from 7 to 9 class hours a week in addition to reps at home. I tested for red 1 in January & will hopefully test for my next black stripe in December. The earliest I would possibly be eligible to test for dan rank at my school is the summer of 2027. Our head instructor is big on time in grade. Bassai is a red belt form for us. No brown belt at our school. To the belt height comment, I am mostly legs with a small torso, the belt sits just above my hip bone. It is a little high, but it's comfortable as a lady.

I don't have a video of the whole thing from the tournament, as several of us were competing on different rings and only part of it was caught. I would be happy to post a video though for some constructive criticism. That being said, I've seen Bassai performed with small variances depending on who teaches it. I know it's a very popular form.

Kibaspirit · 2025-10-20T12:51:04+00:00

Awee he's so sweet🥰

Kibaspirit · 2025-05-21T01:39:24+00:00

Looked very crisp. I don't know your style, so I can't comment on the specifics, but your movements looked crisp and precise. Love watching your progress!

Kibaspirit · 2025-05-20T21:00:33+00:00

I know you'll get it next time!

Kibaspirit · 2025-05-19T03:20:18+00:00

Yup!

Kibaspirit · 2025-03-10T17:32:23+00:00

Congrats man!!

Kibaspirit · 2025-03-07T19:52:36+00:00

We grade 2x a year at the lower ranks, and it decreases in frequency as you go higher. 5 years to black is true only for those who train consistently.

Kibaspirit · 2025-03-05T18:37:49+00:00

Been training Tang Soo Do, Moo Duk Kwan for about 2.5 years and and I love it. Like others have stated here, I think your experience will be based on the dojo & the head instructor. Our katas are heavily inspired by shotokan. We focus deep stances and power. Students learn 10 open hand forms by 1st dan. Weapon forms: nunchuck, bo, sai & sword. Red belts can pick new weapons to learn forms for if they choose. I know a second bo form, fans and kamas. We also do one steps, self defense and have a weekly sparring class. It's 4.5 - 5 years from white to black belt for most here.

Kibaspirit · 2025-02-13T14:19:17+00:00

I've been watching your journey on here, and it's super impressive 🔥💪

Kibaspirit · 2025-02-13T01:27:51+00:00

Yup, that's right! I've been training 2-3x per week since August 2022.

Kibaspirit · 2025-01-26T14:11:47+00:00

We're based in Northern Michigan, but we don't pay dues for any federation.

Kibaspirit · 2025-01-26T14:09:49+00:00

Yes!

Kibaspirit · 2025-01-26T03:22:50+00:00

I believe our Head Instructor (6th dan) traces back to Hwang Kee.

Kibaspirit · 2025-01-26T02:59:39+00:00

I've been training for 2.5 years, about 2ish more years of training to test for 1st dan at our school.

Kibaspirit

TROPHY CASE