Senior Dan Gradings
Senior dan gradings are often the least understood part of the grading system, largely because the way they are conducted can vary significantly between countries.
In this TKD Coaching release, Grand Master Paul McPhail explains how senior dan gradings operate in New Zealand, giving a practical overview of the process and the thinking behind it.
In the preview video above, GM McPhail outlines how the senior dan grading process works at a high level. Later in the full video, he takes you step-by-step through the paperwork requirements and explains how the whole system operates behind the scenes.
Senior dan gradings in New Zealand
While the International Taekwon-Do Federation provides overarching guidance, individual countries often have flexibility in how they administer senior gradings. That can lead to differences in structure, documentation, panel roles, and administrative checks.
This presentation provides clarity on the New Zealand approach, including:
- How senior grading applications are submitted and processed
- What documentation is required and why it matters
- How examiner panels are used to support consistency and fairness
- How the administrative process links to the technical assessment
Senior instructors may find this especially useful as a point of comparison when reviewing grading administration in their own country, while others will appreciate the insight into what is involved beyond the grading floor.
If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes with senior dan gradings, this video provides a clear and practical explanation.
Presented by Grand Master Paul McPhail.
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