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It is now often promoted as the most comprehensive system to be taught and a first degree black belt takes between 8-15 years of continuous training to achieve.
A unique aspect of the current training syllabus is that there can only ever be, at any one time, one 9thdan and one 10thdan grade. Joo Bang Lee is currently the leader of the system and holder of the 10thdan. Some 108 different weapons are taught in the system and it can be categorised as both an offensive and defensive system, incorporating three main categories of distancing. The first is striking meaning that students are encouraged to strike their opponents with whatever they can, the hand, the foot, the head, a weapon and to then move into close quarter range, which is the second element. At this close range practitioners use leverage, grappling and throwing techniques before moving to the third range which is ground fighting. After application of the first two attacks, the finishing techniques come whilst on the ground. Meditation, breathing techniques, full and semi contact sparring along with weapon fighting, drills and routines combine with the fighting techniques to result in a well-rounded system.
Balance in life, harmony with others and harmony with nature are ultimate aims and proper alignment is a focus of training in the application of strikes, throws and holds. In line with modern physics understanding, Hwa Rang Do practitioners rely on the good alignment of skeletal structures to issue force alongside combat usages. An overall theme to training is the generation of long-term health. Ki Gong, the art of focussing internal energy in order to make the body stronger is also taught in the system.