The Kuk Sool Won™ syllabus describes what knowledge and skills a student must demonstrate at each belt level.  As a student progresses on their Kuk Sool Won™ journey they will learn the knowledge and skills required for their next belt.  Whilst each belt often covers similar topics, the syllabus will gradually introduce and train students in more advanced applications and movements, thus allowing a student to build their knowledge and skills as they progress through the belts.

Periodically, instructors and masters will assess the progress of students to determine whether they have been able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours which they have been working towards.  This is called a “grading”, and if students successfully pass their grading then they will be awarded with their next belt.

The requirements for each belt are published on the official World Kuk Sool Won website, however this page will give you a flavour about what students will learn on their Kuk Sool Won™ journey.

 

Jo Kyo Nim – Up to 1^st Dahn Black Belt

A 1^st Dahn black belt has the Korean title Jo Kyo Nim.  As such the Jo Kyo Nim syllabus covers students from their very first lesson all the way up to their 1^st Dahn black belt.  The syllabus is broken down into coloured belts, which get gradually darker, symbolising the students’ journey towards becoming a black belt.

New students start as a white belt, then progress through their yellow, blue, red and brown belts before finally achieving their black belts.   The Kuk Sool Won™ syllabus also has striped belts, which demonstrate that the student is part-way towards achieving their next full belt.  Stripe belts are a mix of colours, with the colour of the next belt acting as a stripe through the middle of the current belt colour (e.g. white-yellow-white).  The stripe belts follow the same colour progression – so students will start at a white belt, they will then progress to a yellow stripe belt (white-yellow-white), yellow belt, blue stripe belt (yellow-blue-yellow), blue belt, and so on.  The use of belt colours and stripes helps to break up the syllabus into smaller chunks.  This is to help teach students how to break down large complex goals into smaller more achievable goals which can be built on over time.  The striped belts also act as an additional opportunity to recognise and celebrate the success of a students’ journey, which in turn develops their confidence.

At each belt, students will learn:

• Hand strikes, kicks and stances
• A traditional form (a pre-arranged combination of strikes and movement traditionally used as a way of honing skills without actual combat, similar to a choreographed routine)
• Self-defence techniques
• Break-falling and acrobatics (designed to teach students how to fall to the floor safely, and to improve ability and coordination)
• Wood breaking strikes
• Basic weaponry skills (staff and sword)

 

Kyo Sa Nim – 2^nd Dahn Black Belt

A 2^nd Dahn black belt has the Korean title of Kyo Sa Nim.  This syllabus covers students from their 1^st Dahn to 2^nd Dahn black belt grades.  This syllabus is not broken down into smaller chunks like how the Jo Kyo Nim syllabus is broken into coloured/stripe belts.  Instead it tests students’ ability to break down a large complex end-goal into smaller achievable goals themselves, and recognise their progress along the way – thus teaching a student to manage their own learning, building self-confidence.  This is of course performed under the guidance and supervision of their instructor.

In addition to retaining the knowledge of the Jo Kyo Nim syllabus, students will learn:

• Speciality hand strikes and kicks
• Traditional forms, some with weapons (staff, short-staff, and sword)
• Basic weaponry skills (short-staff)
• Self-defence techniques
• Sparring and grappling techniques

 

Pu Sa Bum Nim – 3^rd Dahn Black Belt

A 3^rd Dahn black belt has the Korean title Pu Sa Bum Nim, and is commonly referred to in English as an Instructor.  This syllabus covers students from their 2^nd Dahn to 3^rd Dahn black belt grades.

In addition to retaining the knowledge of the previous syllabuses, students will learn:

• Speciality hand strikes and kicks
• Traditional forms, some with weapons (double short-staff and reverse sword)
• Basic weaponry skills (reverse sword)
• Self-defence techniques, some with weapons (rope and cane)

 

Sa Bum Nim – 4^th Dahn Black Belt

A 4^th Dahn black belt has the Korean title of Sa Bum Nim, and is commonly referred to in English as an Assistant Master.  This syllabus covers students from their 3^rd to 4^th Dahn black belt grades.

In addition to retaining the knowledge of the previous syllabuses, students will learn:

• Speciality hand strikes and kicks
• Traditional forms, some with weapons (double short-sword and spear)
• Basic weaponry skills (double short sword and spear)
• Self-defence techniques, some with weapons (fans)
• A knowledge and understanding of ki energy (you may know it by the Chinese term chi or qi)
• The principles and history of Kuk Sool Won™

 

5^th Dahn and above

Dahn grades within Kuk Sool Won™ go up to 10^th Dahn.  A 5^th Dahn black belt is a Master within Kuk Sool Won™, and so grades from 5^th to 10^th Dahn represent a significant study of Kuk Sool Won™ and mastery of skills from an individual.  Individuals are invited to begin grading for each Master Dahn from our Founder and Grandmaster, In Hyuk Suh, himself.  As such individuals must have personally demonstrated the required knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of a Master before they are invited.