There are two
apparent levels of the gradation
with Hapkido:
The Kub or
pupil degrees: Depending upon the Hapkido style
and organization is there are
different numbers of Kubs. They vary
between 7-11 ranks of Kubs. In some
systems there is its an own belt
color for each Kub, in other systems
several Kubs have the same belt
colors. Unfortunately an uniform
standard, which belt color belongs
to which Kub does not exist. Usually
one begins with a white belt,
afterwards the belt color darkens
from Kub to Kub. The levels of the
Kubs are counted reverse, i.e.. 11,
10, 9, 8......... The 11. Kub is the
first pupil degree, the 1. Kub the
last pupil degree before that 1.
Dan. The tutorial of the pupil
degrees contains the basic elements
of Hapkido. These are usually,
defense against: Seize the hand, the
clothes, fist attack, kick attack,
knife attack, seize choking attack,
etc.. Additionally the base kicks
are taught.
The Dan or
master degrees: Also the Dan degrees are divided
into 1-9 respectively of 1-10,
whereby here however will be counted
from 1 to 9 respectively 10. Which
means: after the Kub one receives
the
1. Dan, then the 2. Dan and so
on…In most systems the Dan degrees
are subdivided into: 1.-2. Dan,
teacher (saw bum nim)
3.-4. Dan, main teacher (chung saw
nim)
5.-7. Dan master (kwan jang nim)
8.-10. Dan grand master (chong kwan
jang nim)
Within systems, that allow technique
exams only up to the 4 Dan the
definition Mater will be used
already.. Dan have, starting from
these the designation master are
already used. Some systems also
define the 1. to 3 Dan as master
pupils. The 9. or. 10. Dan is
reserved to the founder (DO joo nim)
of a system. For Dan degrees there
are no different belt colors, the
belt is black. Some systems indicate
the different Dan degrees by yellow
strips on the belt. The number of
strips indicates the Dan gradation.
E.G. 4 strips correspond to the 4.
Dan. Starting from the Dan degrees
weapon techniques, attack techniques
and improving defense techniques are
usually trained. Depending on the
system tests are held up to 4. or.
5. Dan, Dan degrees beyond that are
usually lent.
Often also the clothing give
information on the graduation. In
some systems one wears a black
trouser instead of a white one after
the 2 Kub or there are additionally
black strips on the belts. With
other systems jackets with patterns
are worn starting from the 1. Dan or
the color of the pattern changes in
order to stand out against the
pupils’ degrees. In
addition, in some systems the Dan
degrees are marked by black braids
on the jacket and trouser. There are
numerous of such variations.
However, all
systems have one thing in common:
whether student or master, Hapkido
can be studied all life long.
This is an example for the
structure of the Hapkido ranking
system.
Every pupil degree (9. to 1. Kub)
contains 25-35 basic techniques.
The master degrees contain about
200-300 techniques each.
Dependent from style and
organisation, the structure of the
ranking system will vary.
Pupil Degrees:
9. Kub
Defense against parallel,
front wrist grabbing with
one hand:
Dan Jun breathing, hand
exemption, punch and chop,
joint locking, throws
8. Kub
Defense against diagonal,
front wrist grabbing with
one hand:
hand exemption, punch and
chop, joint locking, throws,
25 basic kicks
7. Kub
Defense against front
clothes grabbing with one
hand in following areas: All
parts of the arm, shoulder,
collar, lapel, belt
6. Kub
Defense against back rear
grab in following areas:
shoulder, arm, embrace,
nelson, wrist
5. Kub
Defense against punches:
dodge, punch and chop, joint
locking, throws, kicks
4. Kub
Defense against kicks:
dodge, punch and chop, joint
locking, throws, kicks
3. Kub
Defense against knife
attacks from front, above,
inside, rear:
dodge, punch and chop, joint
locking, throws, kicks
2. Kub
Defense against attempted
choking: dodge, punch and
chop, joint locking, throws.
special kicks, punch and
chop techniques (from this
Kub the white pants will be
swap to black ones)
1. Kub
Defense against choking
punch and chop, joint
locking, throws, combination
kicks, jumping kicks,
punch and chop techniques
Master Degrees:
1. Dan
Attacking techniques:
punch and chop, joint
locking, throws, combination
kicks, jumping kicks,
punch and chop techniques
2. Dan
One- and two- hand
techniques, defense against
punch, defense against
kicks, defense in sitting
and lying position, short
stick techniques, kick
techniques, punch techniques
3. Dan
Short stick, long stick,
cane, special breaking test,
special foot and hand
techniques and some more
stuff
4. Dan
Short stick, long stick,
chair techniques,rope
techniques, special foot and
hand techniques and some
more stuff
