1.     Upon entering and leaving the training hall, the student shall bow to the flags and to the instructor.  Bowing is a gesture of mutual recognition and respect between students of differing rank and between students and instructors.  It encourages development of the self-control and discipline necessary to receive and benefit from instruction.  When bowing, come to attention, bow from the waist for a moment (but not too deeply) and retain visual contact with the other person or object (flag).  Do not wait for the instructor's acknowledgment if he or she is busy.

 2.    Be on the training floor as quickly as possible.  At least ten minutes before class starts if possible.  Once class starts, there should be no unnecessary noise or talking.  This includes observers.

3.     When class begins, students line up according to rank, highest ranking members to the front and left side.  The highest ranking member (senior student) may call the commands or commands may be called by the instructor.

4.     When the Master Instructor enters the training hall, the instructor will call the class to attention and have the class bow.  After respect has been paid, the class will return to training.

5.     When a student arrives late, he or she should wait until recognized by the instructor, then approach, bow, and get permission to join class.

6.     When a student must leave during training, he or she should first receive permission from the Instructor unless other instructions were given at the start of class.  It is not necessary to receive permission if you are ill.

7.     During the class, proper respect and discipline must be maintained at all times.  Address higher ranks as "Sir" or "Ma'am" during class and bow when asking a question.

8.     There should be no unnecessary noise.  Students seated on the floor should remain still so as not to disturb those on the training floor.  No smoking or chewing gum.  Consider the training area special, no matter where it is.

9.     While seated on the floor, students should keep proper posture.  Hands should be placed on the knees, the back should be straight and the legs and the legs crossed in front.  Do not lean on the wall.

10.    Students should exercise care to keep their uniform clean and neat at all times.  It's important to give a good impression of the art.  Students should take care to pay respect to their bodies and keep themselves clean.  Fingernails and toenails are to be kept short so as not to injure oneself or others.  No metal may be worn in class except medic alert tags.

11.    Uniforms are to be worn for training, competitions, or demonstrations only.  The patches are to be shown in a certain way and additional changes are not to be made to the uniform unless allowed by the instructor.  Then uniform is a symbol of your art and the belt is a symbol of your rank.

12.    Before and after exercises and contests, each participant should turn around, adjust his or her uniform, bows to the judge, and bow to the opponent.

13.    Free sparring is to be done with good technique, precision, and control.  There is no competition within class: it is a learning experience.  All personal conflicts are to be left outside of the training area.

"Fighting is not about beating someone up: it's not even about winning.  It is a very delicate, but important part of a student's training.  Psychologically, it teaches us how to control our responses in a pressurized situation, and we learn what triggers our most hidden and vulnerable emotions, both good and bad.  You cannot experience its insights by just imagining what it is like to fight: you must participate in order to learn."   

-Heel Il Cho

14.    Good attendance is necessary in order to progress in both the art and sport of tae kwon do.  You are expected to attend class on a regular basis.  You must  talk to an instructor if you have missed or are planning to miss any classes.

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Elements Affecting the Execution of TKD Techniques

 

Speed of execution**

Accuracy in placement

Flexibility of the practitioner's body

Focus, both mental and physical

Use of hip rotation

Breath control

Timing

Use of reaction power

Balance

Coordination

Strength

Twisting of the body part executing the technique
 

**Remember the equation F = MA
 
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TENETS OF TAE KWON DO

 

1.     Courtesy

2.     Integrity

3.     Perseverance

4.     Self Control

5.     Indomitable Spirit

BELT RANKS

 

The following is a list of belt colors and what they mean arranged from lowest to highest.  Stripes on a belt signify an intermediary rank between that and the next higher.

 

v                 White                "innocence"

v                 Yellow       "the ground that you grow in"

v                 Green        "leaves that are budding"

v                 Blue          "sky that you are reaching for"

v                 Red           "caution"

v                 Black         "stained"

 

The black belt is not an ending of the acquisition of knowledge and skill in tae kwon do, but a new beginning.  There are ten levels of black belt rank, or "Dan."  Fifth Dan is a mastery level.  Higher rank is awarded for the development of special skills and service in the teaching and development of tae kwon do as an art and as a sport.  
 

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Class Etiquette

 

1.     Remove all jewelry (earring, watches, etc). No exceptions.

2.     Proper uniform is required.

3.     Upon entering the training area, students should show respect by personal preparation. Cease talking and try to quiet yourself both mentally and physically. Turn your thoughts towards your training.  If you arrive early, you should start warming up, stretching, and practicing before class.

4.     Students, upon entering and leaving the training area in either uniform or street clothes, shall pause by the entrance and face the flags. This demonstrates respect and appreciation for our country, our discipline, and our training.

5.     After bowing to the flags, students must recognize the instructor and senior members by bowing from the waist at 45°. The instructor and senior members will bow in return if not otherwise occupied.

6.     In case of late entrance, students should quietly enter and stand by the edge of the training area. First bow to the direction of the flags. Then remain at attention position until recognized by the instructor. After recognition from the instructor, bow to the instructor and ask permission to enter the class. When permission is granted, bow to the instructor and walk behind other members of the class to assume appropriate position with the class.

7.     At any time before, during, or after class, when the instructor or any senior member offers personal correction of instruction to a junior member, the junior member must stand at attention (if possible). At the completion of the instruction, the junior member must bow and repeat, “Thank you Sir (or Ma’am).”

8.     If the student has to be excused from class (to go to the bathroom or due to illness) the student will raise his/her hand to gain recognition from the instructor. The student will bow and ask permission to be excused. After permission is granted, the student will bow again and leave the training room. When the students return, he/she shall follow the same protocol as late entrance above.