01
Pattern
A choreographed sequence of blocks, punches and strikes performed in four directions. Every belt adds a new pattern — the Tae Um series carries you from White to Brown Senior.
Choi Kwang Do Syllabus
Belt ranks, patterns & gradings
Choi Kwang Do has eighteen colour-belt grades, each earned through a grading that follows the official CKD International syllabus — the same syllabus in every CKD school in the world. Here's the full journey from your first class to black belt, including the pattern you'll learn at every rank.
What a grading covers
Every belt is assessed on the same four elements. Each new rank adds one new pattern and one new hand or foot technique on top of everything you've already learned.
02
Fundamentals
The hand and foot techniques for your rank — punches, strikes, blocks and kicks — performed individually to show correct stance, balance and sequential movement.
03
Speed drills
Short, fast combinations that train reaction time and fluid transitions between techniques, performed at increasing pace as you progress.
04
Defence drills
Practised with a partner in full protective gear — blocking and countering real attacks, building to spinning-kick defences at the advanced stage.
The eighteen colour belts
Solid belts come first, then the senior version of the same colour with a black stripe through the centre. The pattern column shows the form you learn at that rank, from the official CKD International student guide.
Beginner · White to Gold Senior
6 belts
Where everyone starts. You learn the three basic blocks, inward punches and front kicks, plus stances, movement and class etiquette — the foundation for everything that follows.
- WhitePattern: Tae Um Il Jul
- White SeniorPattern: Tae Um Il Jang
- YellowPattern: Tae Um Ee Jul
- Yellow SeniorPattern: Tae Um Ee Jang
- GoldPattern: Tae Um Sam Jul
- Gold SeniorPattern: Tae Um Sam Jang
Intermediate · Orange to Blue Senior
6 belts
Your second stage of training. Patterns become four-directional, speed drills sharpen your reactions, and defence drills introduce blocking and countering against a real attack.
- OrangePattern: Tae Um Sa Jul
- Orange SeniorPattern: Tae Um Sa Jang
- GreenPattern: Tae Um Oh Jul
- Green SeniorPattern: Tae Um Oh Jang
- BluePattern: Tae Um Yuk Jul
- Blue SeniorPattern: Tae Um Yuk Jang
Advanced · Purple to Brown Senior
6 belts
The road to black belt. New defence drills cover stopping kicks, and by Brown and Brown Senior you'll be learning spinning kicks and preparing for your black belt grading.
- PurplePattern: Tae Um Chil Jul
- Purple SeniorPattern: Tae Um Chi Jang
- RedPattern: Tae Um Pal Jul
- Red SeniorPattern: Tae Um Pal Jang
- BrownPattern: Tae Um Goo Jul
- Brown SeniorPattern: Tae Um Goo Jang
Black belt progression
After Brown Senior comes your 1st Degree Black Belt grading — and the journey continues through nine degrees. Fifth Degree and above carries the title of Master; Eighth and Ninth Degree denote Grand Master, a rank held only by the art's founder, Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi.
How your grade travels
Every Firebird grading follows the official CKD International syllabus, assessed by our certified instructors. The belt you earn here is the same belt recognised at CKD schools worldwide — your grade goes wherever you go.
Watch the techniques
See the syllabus in motion. These technique and pattern demonstrations are shared by CKD schools and instructors around the world — the same patterns taught in every CKD International school, including ours.
White belt pattern
The first multi-direction pattern, performed slowly and deliberately to build balance and precision.
Dale Miller · CKD Bristol
Yellow belt senior pattern explained
A step-by-step walkthrough of the Yellow Senior pattern and how the movements link together.
Ealing Choi Kwang Do
Gold belt pattern
The full Gold belt pattern from start to finish — the final pattern of the beginner stage.
Keeping It Moving
Orange belt pattern
The first pattern of the intermediate stage, opening up four-directional movement.
Keeping It Moving
Blue belt basics, patterns and speed drills
Blue belt fundamentals in one session — patterns plus the speed drills that sharpen reactions.
Austin's Unique Performance
Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi — PACE pattern
The art's founder performing a pattern — a masterclass in relaxed, sequential movement.
Wembley CKD
Videos are hosted on YouTube by their respective CKD schools and instructors. Your instructor will always teach and correct your technique in class — use these to revise between lessons.
Start at white belt
Everyone begins the same way. Book a free taster class and take the first step up the syllabus with expert, student-focused coaching.