Three-step, two-step, one-step, pre-arranged free and foot sparring formats
Shared TTA reference pages: Testing Notes · Step Sparring (this page) · Ho Sin Sul · Back to Belt Requirements
Step sparring is the pre-arranged partner work required at every TTA testing from Low Yellow onward. The level you perform and the number of counterattacks required depend on the rank you are testing for, as set out in the tables below. The TTA Testing Requirements Notes add one rule that applies to every level: “Attacks, defenses, and counterattacks in step sparring are to be comprised of hand techniques and kicks found in patterns for the rank the student is testing for and below.” The formats below are reproduced from the TTA Step Sparring Testing Syllabus (January 2023).
On this page: Three-Step · Two-Step · One-Step · Pre-arranged Free · Foot Sparring
| Level | Testing for | Number of counterattacks |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | Low yellow | One (hand) |
| Intermediate | High yellow | Two (one hand, one foot) |
| Advanced | Low green | Three (alternate hand and foot) |
Follow the basic format below for the beginning level.
Add counterattacks for the intermediate and advanced levels as listed above. Use new counterattack techniques from your new kicks and pattern.
| Attacker | Defender |
|---|---|
| Starting from charyot, step forward with right foot, placing foot next to defender’s feet (overlap 25%), then step back with the right foot to a left walking stance while performing a low block with left outer forearm and ki-ap. | Starting from charyot, step left into junbi (parallel ready stance) and ki-ap. |
| Step forward into a right walking stance, stepping outside defender’s left foot, while executing a right middle punch. | Step back into a left walking stance while executing a left side block with inner forearm. |
| Step forward into a left walking stance, stepping inside defender’s right foot, while executing a left middle punch. | Step back into a right walking stance while executing a right side block with inner forearm. |
| Step forward into a right walking stance, stepping outside defender’s left foot, while executing a right middle punch. | Step back into a left walking stance while executing a left side block with inner forearm. |
| Hold last position. | Execute a counterattack toward the attacker (not making contact and using any hand or foot technique you have learned for your rank) and ki-ap. |
| Bring the right foot to the left to charyot. | Bring the right foot to the left to charyot. |
Repeat the above, but switch roles. Continue to repeat, switching roles after each set, until instructed to baro.
| Level | Testing for | Number of counterattacks |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | High green | One |
| Intermediate | Low blue | Two |
Follow the basic format below for the beginning level. Attacker always steps into an L-stance and performs a front snap kick, and a middle punch for the attacks.
Add counterattacks for the intermediate and advanced levels as listed above. Use new counterattack techniques from your pattern.
| Defender | Attacker |
|---|---|
Starting from charyot, tell the attacker:
|
Starting from charyot, acknowledge the instructions, step back into a right L-stance with left side inner forearm block and ki-ap. (no measuring) |
| Starting from charyot, step left into junbi (parallel ready stance), when ready ki-ap. | Perform the front snap kick and punch and hold the last position. |
| Block each attack, perform one counterattack, and ki-ap with the counterattack. | Hold the last position. |
| Step back into ready stance. | Step forward into ready stance. |
Repeat the above, but switch roles. Continue to repeat, switching roles after each set, until instructed to baro.
| Level | Testing for | Number of counterattacks |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | High blue | One |
| Intermediate | Low red | Two |
| Advanced | High red and above | Three |
Follow the basic format below for the beginning level. Use different attacks, selecting more advanced attacks.
Add counterattacks for the intermediate and advanced levels as listed above. Use new counterattack techniques from your pattern.
| Defender | Attacker |
|---|---|
| Starting from charyot, step left into junbi at the same time as the attacker. | Starting from charyot, step right into junbi at the same time as the defender. |
Tell the attacker:
|
Acknowledge the instructions, then step into the designated starting stance (for a kick) or junbi (ready stance for a hand technique) and ki-ap. |
| If needed, step into starting stance, then ki-ap. | Perform the designated attack and hold the last position. |
| Block the attack, perform one counterattack, then step back into an L-stance and ki-ap. | Hold the last position. |
| Step forward into ready stance at the same time as the attacker. | Step forward into ready stance at the same time as the defender. |
Repeat the above, but switch roles. Continue to repeat, switching roles after each set, until instructed to baro.
| Level | Testing for | Total moves | Slow motion attack/defense pairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning | 2nd Dan | 16 | 2 |
| Advanced | 3rd Dan | 24 | 3 |
Follow the basic format below for the beginning level. Use different attacks, selecting more advanced attacks.
Use new counterattack techniques from your pattern.
Practice exact attacks and blocks. No talking permitted during testing.
| Attacker | Defender |
|---|---|
| Starting from charyot, step right into junbi at the same time as the attacker. | Starting from charyot, step left into junbi at the same time as the attacker. |
| If needed, step into starting stance, then ki-ap. | When ready to start, ki-ap. |
| Perform the practiced attacks. | Perform practiced blocks and counterattacks. |
| Hold the last position. | Perform final counterattack (“kill shot”) and ki-ap. |
| Step forward into ready stance at the same time as the defender. | Step back into ready stance at the same time as the attacker. |
| Testing for | Sets |
|---|---|
| 4th Dan | 3 (Three attacks paired with three blocks and one kill shot per set.) |
Use different attacks, selecting more advanced attacks. Defending uses only feet for blocks and counterattacks.
Use new counterattack techniques from your pattern.
Practice exact attacks and blocks. No talking permitted during testing.
| Attacker | Defender |
|---|---|
| Starting from charyot, step right into junbi at the same time as the attacker. | Starting from charyot, step left into junbi at the same time as the attacker and ki-ap. |
| If needed, step into starting stance, then ki-ap. | When ready to start, ki-ap. |
| Perform the three attacks. | Perform three blocks. |
| Hold the last position. | Perform final counterattack (“kill shot”) and ki-ap. |
| Step forward into ready stance at the same time as the defender. | Step forward into ready stance at the same time as the attacker. |
Reproduced from the Traditional TaeKwon-Do Alliance testing documents (revised 2023). © Traditional TaeKwon-Do Alliance, LLC. All rights reserved.