How to Become a Black Belt in Taekwondo – 9 Tips

Are you a beginner with a white belt and are becoming curious about how to become a black belt in Taekwondo?

Let it be Taekwondo or some other form of martial arts; the entire training process is divided into different belts, each belt showing the respective time and expertise of that candidate. But from day one, all the students aim at becoming black belts.

Getting the white belt in a few months of training to becoming a black belt level Taekwondo practitioner requires years of training, practice, and dedication. 

Do you also want to know about how to become a black belt in Taekwondo and the different degrees of the black belt? Then stick around till the end, and slowly but surely, all the valuable information will be provided to you.

Related: What is the hardest kick in Taekwondo:

How to Become A Black Belt in Taekwondo- 9 Tips to Follow!

The answer to “How to become a black belt in Taekwondo” is quite difficult as there is no proper course designed that you can follow or stuff like that. So, it solely depends on your dedication, patience, and skills.

However, here we have come up with some tips that will ensure a successful path to becoming a Tae kwon do black belt. So, let’s shed light on those tips.

1. Be Clear About Why Attaining A Black Belt is Important for You

The first step on the road of “How to become a black belt in Taekwondo ” is to attain clarity about why you want to be one. What is your goal? What is that one thing at the backend which is consistently forcing you to become a black belt holder? If you don’t know your final destination, you won’t put in all the effort.

So, the first tip is to think and decide the final destination of this journey.

2. Realistic Period to Reach Your Final Destination 

It is always seen that a realistic and more practical approach to your goals helps then in reaching more successfully than an overambitious person. 

It’s good to be ambitious, but an excess of everything is bad. 

So, make a practical time period within which you want to reach the next black belt level. For example, it would be foolish to think that you will excel first Dan Taekwondo to 2nd degree black belt in 6 months. Similarly, you can’t aim to spend 6 to 7 years at the same level.

So, it’s better to estimate correctly how much Taekwondo belt time is fine to remain at one level.

3. Understand The Content, and Break It into Pieces

Next comes the syllabus and the test chart for practice. The ideal way is to divide the whole content into smaller chunks and make a schedule for yourself. Be very keen to focus on the things that you need to promote to the next black belt level.

4. Advice from The Seniors

Another important tip to the road of “How to become a black belt in Taekwondo” is to hang around the seniors who have achieved the level. Ask them for the tips, the difficulty they faced, and their journey through different black belt degrees. In this way, you will get up with the personal experience of various individuals and the common challenges and hurdles that everyone faces.

5. Be Regular in The Gym 

Whether it is Taekwondo or any other goal, you need to be persistent, consistent, and regular in your classes. You should go and practice. 

Seeing the videos, training clips, reading books, and listening to seniors are all good things to help you step towards the final destination. But remember that they can help you improve, not achieve. 

Until and unless you practice them yourself in front of a qualified trainer, you won’t reach your goal of achieving the next Tae kwon do black belt. 

6. Utilizing Other Resources

Apart from learning from your instructor, you should do something extra to become Dan in martial arts in less time. You can opt for means like

• Online video courses by professionals
• Reading books
• Buying practice DVDs
• Live session with black belt holders 

7. Practice Whenever Possible 

Another known tip is to practice each step again and again whenever you find the time. At home, at the gym, and at the instructor’s place so that you can develop more and more grip on each skill.

8. Finding A Motivated Partner

Becoming a black belt in Taekwondo is nearly impossible without having a motivated friend or partner. 

So, try to find a partner with whom you can practice for different black belt degrees. 

9. Never Give Up

Last but least, remain persistent and believe in yourself. It is possible that you will face challenges, some failures. But the thing is that you should never give up. Just remain motivated, and remember that giving up can never be a viable option. 

And with this, the tips related to “How to become a black belt in Taekwondo” reach their end. So, follow these tips and tricks, and ultimately you will progress through different black belt degrees easily.

How many degrees of Black Belt are there?

Now that we have understood the tips related to “How to become a black belt in Taekwondo “, let’s move towards the Tae kwon do black belt levels.

Surprisingly, where all other Martial Arts have 4 to 5 degrees of black belt, there are nine black belt degrees in Taekwondo. Here are a few details of each degree:

1st Degree Black Belt

After three to five years of experience, you are leveled up to 1st degree black belt Taekwondo, and you are called Koryo. 

You become a senior student and can teach the smaller, white belt students. The minimum age required is 16.

2nd Degree Black Belt

To promote to second degree black belt from the first level requires a practice of nearly two years. When promoted to 2nd degree black belt, your title becomes upgraded to KYO SAN MIN. 

You become more skilled and hence become a certified assistant teacher. Moreover, you need to be 18 years old.

3rd Degree Black Belt 

Another couple of years earns you the title of SAM DAN in martial arts, and you become promoted to Level 3. 

At this level, your belt color is proof of your proficiency, and you become a certified Sr. Instructor. The age required is a minimum of 21 years.

4th Degree Black Belt 

After 3 to 4 years of becoming a 3rd degree black belt, you are promoted to 4th Tae kwon do black belt. At this level, you become a master and hence are called a Junior Master or Associate Master. 

Your title changes to SA BUM NIM, and you are trained enough to teach the first Dan taekwondo students. 

5th Degree Black Belt 

In this, the experience level is increased, and once you become 30 years old, you become a 5th degree black belt holder. Your title becomes SIPJIN.

6th Degree Black Belt

At this level, you are called JITEA and become a Master. The only training you do at this level is to teach others.

7th Degree Black Belt

Once you become 36 years old, you reach this rank and are known as CHONKWON. 

8th Degree Black Belt

The level of HANSOO is the 2nd highest rank in Taekwondo, and attaining it is no less than crushing the mountains. 

Apart from teaching, skills, and verified certificates, you need a written note from a doctor and need to pass a physical exam.

9th Degree Black Belt

The highest rank of all, the 9th degree of the black belt, is very difficult to learn and requires you to be at least 53 years old. To earn this title requires incredible devotion and consistency. 

How hard is it to get a Black Belt?

The time or how long to earn a black belt depends entirely on your dedication, consistency, and practice. However, a few factors decide the total Taekwondo black belt time you need for up-gradation:

• How much time you are spending every day
• The quality and skills of your instructor 
• Taekwondo belt time approach and schedule
• Determination and Willingness 

How long to get Black Belt in Taekwondo? 

Getting a black belt in Taekwondo, as we discussed earlier, depends on one’s own effort. However, a study showed that to reach the 1st degree of black belt normally takes 8 to 10 years. However, the shortest time taken was 4 years and the longest time to reach the first level was 27 years.

Conclusion- The Final Verdict!

Here the umbrella of “How to become a black belt in Taekwondo ” reaches the road end. So, just set your benchmarks, set realistic goals, make a proper schedule, and start your practice to reach the Tae Kwon do black belt.