Etiquette

Upon entering the Do Jang (karate school), students either in a dobak (uniform) or in street clothes shall salute the flags and bow to the instructor on the floor as soon as they enter the Do Jang. This will be done without exception. Students do not have to wait for the instructor to acknowledge the bow if the instructor is busy.

Starting Class

Students will line up according to rank and seniority. The senior student is on the right (facing the flags). The instructor will take a position in the front center of class. The senior student will call out these commands to start each class.

1. Cha Ryut - (Attention!)
2. Song Cho Ki Ba Ray – (Salute the American flag)
3. Muk Nyum – (Meditation)
4. Sa Bom Nim * Kay Kyung Ret (Bow to the Instructor)
   *use proper title of senior student, depending on rank

During Class

The traditions and rules of Tang Soo Do should be followed at all times. Proper respect and discipline shall be maintained at all times.

1. When the Chief Instructor of the school enters the Do Jang, the instructor on the floor or the highest ranking student in the class should call the class to attention and have the class bow to the instructor.
2. When a student comes to class late: student should wait until he is recognized by the instructor; student should approach the instructor, bow and ask permission to join the class.
3. When a student must leave the Do Jang during training, he should first ask permission from the instructor. (unless there is an emergency, eg. Bleeding or vomiting) -
4. If a student has to ask the instructor anything, he must first approach a senior student to gain permission. The chain of command should be instituted and not breached for any reason. A student should never approach the instructor directly.

Dismissing Class

1. Students should line up by seniority and rank.
2. The instructor should be centered in the front.
3. The highest ranking member will call the commands:
1. Cha Ryut - (Attention!)
2. Song Cho Ki Ba Ray – (Salute the American flag)
3. Muk Nyum – (Meditation)
4. Sa Bom Nim Kay Kyung Ret – (Bow to the Instructor)

There should be an absence of unnecessary noise in the Do Jang. Students should remain silent, especially during forms and free fighting.

1. Students seated on the sidelines should remain still so as not to disturb any students on the floor
2. Students and spectators are prohibited from chewing gum or smoking in the Do Jang.
3. Korean Terminology

Students and instructors should use the Korean Terminology Tang Soo Do at all times.

Salutation: Much importance should be attached to salutation. It is an integral part of Tang Soo Do. While training one should pay respect to the instructors, senior members and opponents. The student should not lose prudence, self control, patience or composition. Before and after exercise or tests; the participants should turn around (to the right) adjust their Do Bok and make the correct salutation to their instructor or opponent.

Posture

While seated on the floor, members should keep proper posture conducive to good health. Hands should be placed on the knees, the back should be straight: and the legs should be crossed.

Do Jang Etiquette

During practice, students should observe decorum and orderliness. The Do Jang should always be kept clean and well ventilated. Students should not remove Do Bak uniform top and walk around wearing Do Bak pants and a T-shirt particularly during formal functions such as testing, tournaments and clinics. If you are changing clothes, please do so and don't walk around half undressed.

Personal Hygiene

Do Bok: members should exercise care to insure their Do Bok are kept clean and pressed at all times. It is important to give a good impression of our art, and a neat appearance is important in this respect. Fingernails and toenails should be clipped short and kept short so as to prevent injury while free fighting.

Warming Up

Warm up exercises should be practiced by students prior to training, so as to prepare the body and mind. An unprepared body could be strained under the rigorous Tang Soo Do exercises. When training is completed, students should relax themselves with a series of exercises to help them return to a calm and normal state.

Student Improvement

In order to improve, the student must learn the basic actions and practice them constantly until they are perfected. Students must work hard and concentrate in order to master the various forms. The practice of forms and basic actions will enable the student to develop precise and accurate techniques. The student should remember that all Tang Soo Do techniques depends on basic actions and forms; learn them property and apply them in free fighting. THIS WILL TAKE YEARS TO DO CORRECTLY!

It should be kept in mind that Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art. Students should take pride in using the name TANG S00 DO and avoid using the Japanese term Karate. Japanese terminology should be avoided at all times since it is a contradiction to the spirit of Tang Soo Do. Each student will be tested on all written material provided.