Uniform and personal appearance
Students must wear the correct uniform in class, expect with special permission from the instructor. Women should wear white t-shirts or tanktops under the dobok (uniform). No collared, longsleeved, sweaters, turtlenecks, or jeans, please. T-shirts must be white and tucked in.
Students will not wear shoes on the workout floor except with special permission from the instructor. White is the recommended color for uniform shoes tournaments and demonstrations.
Necklaces, earrings, watches, bracelets, jewelry, rings, and all other accessories should be removed during class, testings, or any other events. This is for personal safety and the safety of the fellow classmates.
A student’s personal appearance is a reflection of the pride and courtesy one holds him or herself with. A clean body and uniform, short or gathered hair and trimmed finger and toenails are required for safety and courtesy. Remember the uniform should be washed with cold water, and hung out to dry. Aside from maybe a couple minutes on low heat to get the wrinkles out, do not put in the drier! Also, do not wash the belts. Headbands are not allowed in traditional Korean martial arts. Hair should not be greasy.
Students using open mat time should wear their dobok appropriate workout clothing. Shorts are not allowed
Appropriate behavior
Students are encouraged to memorize and follow their student oaths as a guide for behavior and a means to carry oneself.
Students should follow directions of the instructor. The safety or educational reason may not be obvious immediately, but there is a reason.
All students are responsible to keep the environment clean out of respect for the fellow students and the facility.
Smoking or other tobacco use is not allowed in the school; smoking, chewing gum, or consumption of alcohol is not allowed while in uniform. Eating while in uniform may be allowed at special events, such as Tournaments, with special permission.5.
Advice from the instructor is recommended before any student goes to visit another Martial Art school or event. This is a courtesy rule to ensure proper safety and etiquette.
Classroom Etiquette
In Taekwondo, students and instructors always bow in the direction of the flag each time they enter or leave the room, even if there is no class in progress.
If a student is late for class, he/she should bow at the door and wait to be recognized by the instructor, and then ask permission to join class.
Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome. Please address with instructor before or after class.
Students should turn away from the flags, instructors and black belts if possible while adjusting their uniform or belt. Always turn to the right.
Students should always use the restroom before class. He/she may ask permission to be excused if necessary.
All black belts are to be referred to Mr./Mrs./Ms. Followed by their last name, even if the black belt is a family member or close friend. Colored belts should also answer “Yes/No Sir/Ma’am” to black belts.
Students are encouraged to participate in class. That being said, talking which is disruptive to class and takes away from the learning experience of others is not tolerated. Questions about instruction, on the other hand, are encouraged and students may raise their hands.
With two students who are the same rank, the senior student would be the one who earned the rank first. If rank was earned at the same time, seniority is then determined by length of time in Taekwondo or by age.
No students of any rank may correct or instruct another student without direction or supervision of the instructor.
Any time a student is in the room when the student oath is recited, he/she should stand and recite the oath, regardless if he/she is in uniform or in the group session.
Sparring
Students should not free spar without instructor supervision. This is mandatory in the school and students should consider it equally mandatory outside the school.
Free sparring is introduced at the light green belt level.
Sparring is non-contact for beginner sparrers. Light contact is gradually introduced upon when students understand self-control, reducing the risk of injuries.
During contact sparring, pads are required. For safety reasons, the legal target areas are the torso (punch, kick) and the head (kick). The face, back, groin, grabbing, grappling, sweeping, and excessive contact are expressly forbidden.
Other
All Classes are based on belt participation. Students must attend the classes that are designated for their rank. They should know that if they attend a class that is not designated for their rank then they will be working on material that is designated for that class structure.
Students should not be in the school if they have been taking drugs or alcohol or if they have any communicable health problem. Even if the student is taking prescription medication, the instructor should be advised, since it may affect performance.
During drop-offs and pick-ups, parents must see the instructor and the instructor must also see the parents (confirmation with a wave, nod, etc.) for all children attending the kids classes.