Belts and Required Poomsae

"Overcoming obstacles is about believing and knowing you will get past them."

Grand Master Kyung Sup Kim

The SMS Tae Kwon Do School teaches both the Pal Gwe and Tae Guk poomsae (patterns) in the manner of the WTF (World Tae Kwon Do Federation). There are 20 patterns in total, which must be learned prior to reaching the level of black belt. Master Kim does not believe in requiring formal testing dates for patterns and belt elevation. Master Kim continuously tests his students in every facet of their performance. He decides whether a student has completely mastered the required poomsae and techniques, including possessing the requisite level of skill in all other areas of training in order to progress to the next level.

White belt	H-Forms 1,2,3 (Kicho Il Bon, Yi Bon and Sam Bon) Sar Bang Pang-wi (4 sided block) One-step sparring:1-5 Basic understanding of kicking, punching, blocking and other important skills and techniques
Yellow belt	Pal Gwe Il Jang, Tae Guk Il Jang Pal Gwe Yi Jang, Tae Guk Yi Jang Pal Gwe Sam Jang, Tae Guk Sam Jang Pal Gwe Sa Jang, Tae Guk Sa Jang One-step sparring: 6-10 At this level, the student joins the sparring circle and begins to develop control and understanding of the various fighting techniques
Green belt	Pal Gwe Oh Jang, Tae Guk Oh Jang One-step sparring:11-15
Purple belt	Pal Gwe Yuk Jang, Tae Guk Yuk Jang One-step sparring: 16a, 16b-20
Brown belt	Pal Gwe Chil Jang, Tae Guk Chil Jang At this level, students are expected to know all One-step sparring forms from 1-20
Black belt	Pal Gwe Pal Jang, Tae Guk Pal Jang One-step sparring: 21 Three-step sparring: 1-2 Grappling (Self defense): 1-2 Student must be able to demonstrate ability to use various combinations and techniques while sparring
First Dan	Koryo Three-step sparring: 3-6 Grappling (Self defense): 1-2
Second Dan	Keumgang Grappling (Self defense): 3-7 Sitting techniques: 1-7
Third Dan	Taebeck
Fourth Dan	Pyongwon
Fifth Dan	Sipjin
Sixth Dan	Jitae
Seventh Dan	Chunkwon
Eighth Dan	Hansu
Ninth Dan	Ilyeo