|
|
Code of Conduct For KoSho Karate Pantano Students |
Student Behavior and Dojo Rules (Abbreviated Version) |
Deck Etiquette |
Information on Bowing |
Be honest, sincere, respectful, loyal and courteous. Both in the dojo and outside the dojo, conduct yourself in a way that brings credit to yourself and your dojo. Do not provoke anyone to violence. Do not let yourself be provoked to violence. Use your karate only: * in legitimate training and competition * to defend yourself or the defenseless innocent against unavoidable physical force or violence * while serving your fellow citizens as a law enforcement official or in the armed forces. Bowing is one way we show respect. Bow as you get on deck. Bow to a training partner before and after you begin a training exercise with them. Bow to a sparring partner before and after a match. When you greet your sensei each day, stand, come to attention, and bow. Greet fellow students, especially senior students, with a bow. A nod might be fine for a friend of the same or lower rank, but it’s a good idea to make sure that bow is a bit more formal when greeting senior students, especially the black belts. Around the senior black belts at honbu (Shihan and other black belts fifth degree or higher), use your most formal, respectful etiquette. These people have twenty years or more in the martial arts and have taken on themselves the responsibility to preserve and teach our style. They deserve our focused attention and respect. Remove your shoes and place them along the wall before getting on to the mat. Never wear shoes on deck. Check to make sure your feet are clean before stepping onto the mat. Make sure your personal hygiene is good. Wash your gi regularly. Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed. Avoid perfume, cologne, aftershave, or strongly scented soaps-- anything that could cause offense or allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to such things. If you, or someone you live with, smokes, make sure your gi never smells of cigarette smoke. Cover any scratches, cuts, or scrapes with a bandage to avoid getting blood on a training partner or their gi. When entering or leaving the deck, do so through the contrasting mat on end of the deck. If no black belts are on deck, simply bow, check for “traffic,” and enter. If a black belt (or a higher ranking black belt than you are) is on deck, step up onto the mat, and stand at attention until the black belt acknowledges you. Bow, and enter. Call the deck to attention for a black belt unless a higher ranking black belt is already on deck. During class, get permission from the instructor before entering or leaving the deck. When on deck waiting for instruction, wait in ready stance or attention stance. Do not sit unless asked to. When seated, sit in seiza or with your legs crossed. If the sensei is speaking or demonstrating, you should not be talking. Strive to be focused and attentive whenever you are on deck. Do not lounge or lie around on deck. When “yame” or “stop” is called, stop what you are doing immediately and go to a ready stance. Avoid correcting the sensei or senior students on a matter of technique unless they specifically request that you do so. Work within your own physical limitations and those of your partner. You will be expected to push and stretch yourself, to work right up to the limits of your abilities, but never at the expense of your physical safety. You have the right to call the level of physical contact used against you on any given day. You also have the right to say no to any technique if you believe you do not have the ability to complete the technique safely. You will be expected to strive for excellence, but it is your responsibility to keep yourself and your partner safe while doing so. When practicing outside class, kyu students (colored belts) and black belts under the age of 18 should get the permission of an instructor before engaging in any contact exercises, including grappling and sparring. They should also get permission to use training equipment (except the heavy bags, which may be used by anyone trained to use them). The instructor may require black belt supervision for such exercises. Do not use any weapon or gear you have not been trained to use. A child never outranks an adult in matters of courtesy or safety. Children are asked to respect the life experience of all the adults of the dojo and to heed the advice of those adults in matters of etiquette and safety. Adults are asked to respect the martial arts experience of children who outrank them and to give those children the courtesy due their rank. All adults, both students and parents, are asked to help children learn the etiquette and safety rules of the dojo. Never use profanity, insults, or any rude gestures or remarks while in the dojo. "Trash talking" is not our way. On and off deck conduct yourself with self control and respect for your teachers and fellow students. Show respect for fellow martial artists of other styles. Look for the good, not the bad, in all other styles. Respect the physical surrounding of the dojo. Do not abuse equipment. Replace equipment and training gear after using it. Help keep the dojo, including the rest rooms, neat. It is the students’ responsibility to clean and maintain weapons, training gear, and the deck area. Do your part to make sure weapons, training material, and equipment are cleaned, dusted, and straightened. Do not, however, touch anyone else’s personal weapons or training gear without their permission. If you see a black belt, especially a sensei, moving gear, tearing down or shifting mats, oiling weapons, etc., offer to help. They may not want or need help, but it’s polite for you to ask. If you are off deck during a class, avoid doing anything that may distract the class. While in the dojo, do not engage in horseplay or raucous behavior. Running and shouting are not allowed unless they are a part of a class exercise. Only martial arts techniques are allowed on deck— no gymnastics, tumbling, or other sports are permitted. Always refrain from illegal or irresponsible use of drugs and alcohol. Do not drink before class. If you are taking medication that could hamper your body control in any way, let your instructor know privately before class. No smoking or alcohol is allowed in the dojo or outside the front door of the dojo. Do not smoke while you are in gi. No gum, candy, food, or drink is allowed on deck. No jewelry is allowed on deck. Do not bring anything on deck that could stain or harm the mats or create a training hazard for yourself or other people. If you have a concern, complaint, or problem, speak to a sensei privately. They may ask you to make an appointment to discuss the problem further. Alternatively, you may speak to a sempai (the senior adult student or one of the black belts) and ask them to voice your concern to the sensei or management. Never make a complaint in a public venue. Resolve any differences or disputes you may have with a fellow student in private. Keep all such matters off the deck. If you are having trouble controlling your temper, you may ask to step off deck to pull yourself together. Take your financial obligations to the dojo seriously. Keep your accounts current. Pay your bills before you are asked. It is not your sensei’s responsibility to correct your etiquette. It is the responsibility of the black belt students to monitor the etiquette of lower-ranking black belts and brown belts. It is the responsibility of the brown belts to monitor the etiquette of lower-ranking brown belts and colored belts. Colored belts may help teach the etiquette to new students. Above all, however, it is your own personal responsibility as a martial artist to conduct yourself with courtesy, dignity, and honor. |
Karate begins and ends with courtesy. Your behavior on deck should always be courteous. During class, get permission from the instructor before entering or leaving the deck. Always face the instructor when he/she is speaking. Keep talking in class on-topic and to a minimum. Do not interrupt when someone else is speaking. Never talk when your sensei is speaking. When on deck, stand in an attention or ready stance. On deck, senseis are always called “Sensei”. Unless you are instructed otherwise, call all other instructors and black belts Mr. or Ms. with their last name. It is your personal responsibility to keep yourself and your training partners safe. When “yame” (pronounced yah-may) or “stop” is called, stop what you are doing immediately and go to a ready stance facing the instructor. |
Outside the dojo, karate is to be used for self-defense only. Respect your teachers, training partners, and the dojo. Bowing is one way to show that respect. Respect senior students and learn from them. Help junior students develop as fellow martial artists. Regardless of rank, a child never outranks an adult in matters of courtesy, respect, or safety. No horseplay or loud noise. No martial arts techniques allowed off deck without permission. Colored belts and black belts under the age of 18 should get the permission of the instructor before engaging in any contact exercises, including grappling, sparring, and equipment use. All adults, both students and parents, are asked to help children learn the etiquette and safety rules of the dojo. Never use profanity, insults, or any rude gestures or remarks while in the dojo. “Trash talking” is not allowed. Remove your shoes when you enter the dojo and line them up along the wall. Help keep the dojo neat and orderly. If your instructor is moving mats or gear, pitch in to help. Moving and caring for equipment is the responsibility of all students. Make sure your personal hygiene is above reproach. No smoking or alcohol is allowed in the dojo or anywhere on the CCC grounds. Off campus, if you smoke or drink, do no do so in gi. No gum, food, or drink is allowed on deck. No jewelry is allowed on deck. If you are seated when a black belt enters the room, stand until the black belt acknowledges you or walks by. (Note: the rule does not apply if you are in the company of a higher-ranking black belt at the time.) Take your financial obligations to the dojo seriously. Pay your bills before you are asked. Conduct yourself in the best traditions of the martial arts, with courtesy, dignity, and honor. |
A Karate Dojo for Individuals and Families on Tucson's East Side |
In the martial arts, rather than using a handshake, we greet each other with a bow. Bowing to someone never is a sign of inferiority or subservience. Rather it is a sign of respect and camaraderie. Bow when you enter and leave the dojo each day. Bow when you step on and off the deck. Bow to greet fellow martial artists, especially those of higher rank, the first time you see them each day. Bow to show respect for a training partner before and after drills. |
Affordable, effective Web Design by Alcuin Communications, LLC, Tucson, AZ |
Home | Schedule | Teachers | Style | Partners | Links | Student Page | Site Map | Contact Us |