Green Belt Training Resources
Form: Do-San
Tae Kwon Do Forms (Hyung) help our students develop techniques, improve their balance and coordination, and enhance their mental focus. Forms also serve as a way to preserve and pass down the traditional skills and movements of Tae Kwon Do.
The form Green Belts learn is called Do-San. Do-San is named for patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938), who devoted his entire life to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement. The form has 24 movements. Master Penny Duggan demonstrates Do-San form in the video below.
Hand and Foot Techniques
Master Penny Duggan demonstrates hand / foot combinations. Use this as a daily workout tool for at-home training to practice your Tae Kwon Do mechanics. The new techniques to focus on practicing as a Green Belt required for testing for Green Belt with Blue Tip include:
- Hand Techniques:
- Offensive: Spearhand strike, elbow strike, backfist strike, Hammer fist, palm thrust
- Defensive: Middle block, wedging block
- Foot Techniques:
- Kicks: Hook kick, axe kick
In this video, Master Penny Duggan takes students through the Tae Kwon Do Kicks, Basic to Advanced. Do-San introduces the first kick in a form – the front kick. Use this video to reinforce the kicks learned as a White and Yellow Belt and practice the new kicks: Hook Kick and Axe Kick.
The second video demonstrates the defensive hand techniques and blocks learned in the Tae Kwon Do forms. Green belts should focus on practicing the techniques used in the form Do-San (Walking Stance Middle Block, “L” Stance Knifehand Block, Walking Stance Wedging Block, Walking Stance High Block) as well as reinforce and refine blocks learned as a White and Yellow Belt.
The third video demonstrates the offensive hand techniques learned in the Tae Kwon Do forms. Green Belts should focus on practicing the techniques used in the form Do-San (Walking Stance Middle Punch, Walking Stance Spearhand strike, Walking Stance Backfist strike, Horse stance knifehand chop), as well as reinforce and refine strikes and punches learned as a White Belt.
Terminology
This audio track provides the basic terminology for Green Belts to learn for consideration of promotion to Green Belt with Blue Tip.
- Counting from 20 to 30 in Korean
- Basic vocabulary
- Opening and Closing of Tae Kwon Do Classes
Self Defense
When testing for the next belt level, students are required to demonstrate three self defense techniques in a row. For Green Belts, it’s recommended to practice defense against one and two hand wrist grabs, and choke holds from behind. Master Penny Duggan demonstrates Street Smart Self Defense in the following video.
Board Breaking
Green Belts are the first level to be required to break boards for their promotion test. Youth and Women are required to break one (1) board. Men are required to break two (2) boards. Boards can be purchased from Master Penny Duggan at the Redeemer classes. Affiliate students, please check with your instructors.
Recommended board-breaking techniques at the Green Belt level include:
- Stepside kick
- Front kick
- Hammer fist
- Palm thrust
- Elbow strike
Master Penny Duggan demonstrates stationary board breaking techniques in the following video.
One Step Sparring
One-step sparring is a controlled martial arts drill where two students (or a student and instructor) perform a pre-arranged attack and a single defensive counter. Each movement is practiced step-by-step, focusing on precision, timing, and proper technique rather than free sparring. The “attacker” steps forward and executes a middle punch. The “defender” then executes their defensive block and attack sequence. For promotion testing, Green Belts will need to execute six different intermediate-level techniques.
Benefits:
- Builds strong fundamentals and correct technique
- Improves timing, distance, and coordination
- Develops confidence in self-defense situations
- Enhances focus, discipline, and reaction speed
- Provides a safe way to practice realistic scenarios
No-Contact Free Sparring
No-contact free sparring is a martial arts practice where two participants move and spar freely, using realistic attacks and defenses, but without making physical contact. Techniques are controlled and stopped just short of the target, emphasizing speed, accuracy, and control.
Benefits:
- Improves reaction time and decision-making under pressure
- Develops control, precision, and targeting skills
- Enhances footwork, timing, and distancing in a dynamic setting
- Builds confidence without risk of injury
- Encourages creativity and adaptability in sparring situations
Master Penny Duggan demonstrates Double Kicks that can be used in sparring to help score points at tournaments. Try these techniques in the free sparring sessions at class.
The Journey
A student’s Tae Kwon Do journey to Black Belt is enhanced by participating in Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Center’s camps, tournaments, and seminars. Green Belts are encouraged to attend the following events to enhance their training with focused instruction.
- Attend a Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Winter or Summer Camp
- Attend a Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Tournament
- Attend monthly Tae Kwon Do Journey Seminars
Additional Training Tips
These videos and more are found on the Kim’s Tae Kwon Do Center’s YouTube Channel.