Training Protocols

General Training

• Always arrive early to class. Your instructor’s time and the time of your fellow karateka is valuable and it should not be wasted.
• Always train with a positive, open attitude toward learning karatedo.
• Always give maximum effort in your training. Never slack off or be lazy just because the instructor is not watching.
• Apply yourself to every portion of your training, kihon, kata, kumite, ippon work and especially character development.
• Always set an example for others to follow, inside and outside of the dojo.
• Train with your fellow karateka with a positive and helpful attitude.
• Only use the physical aspects of karate when other options have failed. The karate techniques you learn are dangerous and can seriously hurt or even kill people. Always keep this in mind.
• No horseplay or fooling around while training. Because the techniques are dangerous we all must train responsibly and not “play” with our karate.
• No food, drink or gum is allowed on the tatame. The tatame is a place to train in karatedo and should be kept neat and clean. Remember training in karate is a privilege and your Sensei is there to help you develop not only as a martial artist but as a person.
  

Personal Hygiene and Attire

• Always wear a clean gi (uniform). A clean and pressed gi represents a positive and fresh attitude toward your karate training.
• Never wash your obi (belt). It will carry the sweat and hard work with you every time you train.
• Male students should wear a cup and supporter while training.
• Female students should wear a sports bra under their gi top at all times.
• Students should be modest at all times. Allowing the gi to hang open or walking around half clothed will not be allowed.
• Finger and toe nails should be neatly trimmed short so has not to scratch or accidentally cut your fellow karateka.
• Students should shower daily and wear deodorant to prevent body odor and as a courtesy to those working with you.
• No jewelry is allowed on the training floor (tatame) while training. Rings can injure fellow karateka and damage equipment. Earrings and necklaces can easily be damaged during training.
• Glasses should be secured with a sports band or removed while training.
• Your obi should only be worn while training in the dojo. The belt is a personal item and is not for display as a trophy.
• Keep it in your bag or around your neck until you put it on for training.
  

Training Protocols

Bowing

• Bow to fellow karateka before starting any partner work. The bow is a sign of respect and common understanding. It should not be skipped or lessened. Your bow is a direct representation of your attitude toward your karate training and should be taken seriously.
• Bow when entering and leaving the dojo. The dojo is a special place to you. It is where you come to train and grow as a person.
• Bow when you enter and leave the tatame. The tatame is also a special place to you. It is where you will sweat, hurt, laugh, grow and learn.
• Bow to any instructor that is working with you or before asking him/her a question. Bowing is a way of saying “excuse me” and showing appreciation for the instructor’s help.
• Bow whenever and to whomever you feel like you need to. It is always a good thing and demonstrates your attitude toward training and humility.
  

Kumite

• All appropriate equipment is required while sparring. Students will need protective gear, a mouthpiece and cup and supporter (males).
• Always bow to your fellow karateka before starting any kumite exercise. Remember you are assuring your kumite partner that you are sharing a common goal of personal improvement.
• Always train with the proper attitude. There is no place for ego during training. This is often difficult for students that are just learning to spar.
• Never practice kumite without an instructor present or without permission.
• Do not attempt techniques on a partner that you have not been taught by an instructor. Sometimes students may see techniques performed by advanced students that appear simple on the surface but have complex less obvious movements. Remember your partner is not a “practice dummy” but a person that has volunteered to help you learn. Remember the movies are not training films and actors are not instructors.
• It is not appropriate to ask a senior belt to spar. Senior belts may be training on different material or directed by the Sensei to focus on certain aspects. It is however, alright to ask an instructor for help on sparring techniques.
  

Kata

• Students should not practice kata they have not formally been taught by an instructor. Kata is the way a Sensei passes down his style of karate to his students. Students should study it hard and focus on the kata they have been taught. Kata has subtle movements and every kata has several layers to be learned.

Training Protocols

Competitions and Demonstrations

• No impromptu demonstrations of karate, outside the dojo, will be allowed without the Sensei’s permission. Your karate training and skills is the concern of you and your Sensei. Often times demonstrating your karate to others, outside the dojo makes you appear to be “showing off” or bragging about your abilities. From time to time, demonstrations will be organized through the dojo and you may be asked to participate in those events. If you have a group of people, ie. church groups, co-workers, ect. that are interested in karate training then please let an instructor know and maybe a demonstration would be appropriate and could easily be arranged.
• Students should not register or compete in any martial arts tournament without the permission of the Sensei. Any time a students competes or displays his karate skills, he is representing his Sensei and his dojo. The Sensei has a vested interest in where he and his dojo are represented and who he is represented by. Often the Sensei will know more about the tournament than the student and may have chosen not to be represented there. Students are encouraged to discuss their competition goals with an instructor. Remember competing in tournaments is a privilege and not an inherent part of your karatedo training.
• A student should always demonstrate the utmost sportsmanship. It is important to be a “good winner” and a “good loser”. Even the best competitors some times lose and when they do, people will be watching them to see how they behave. Tournaments are often a testing ground for not only physical skills but personal development as well. Competition can test a student’s humility, self control, courage, integrity and courtesy. It is important that the student represent his dojo, his Sensei and his training well.

Rank Examinations

• Once a student has been asked to test, it is up to the student to insure he/she knows all the requirements listed for the belt exam. The Sensei may ask a student to test based on several factors, such as his/her spirit, time in training, daily training effort or special circumstances not understood or known to the student. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure he/she knows the requirements listed. If the student does not know a technique listed on the requirements, contact the Sensei and he will arrange for it to be taught or he may waive that requirement for the exam. It would be inappropriate for a student to tell the Sensei they are not ready to test. The student should learn to trust his/her instructor’s decision and realize that Sensei may be pushing the student to better themselves. The student should, however, discuss their concerns or fears about testing with the Sensei so that they may feel better about the decision.
  
• The student’s written portion of the exam will be due the day of the test and must be submitted both digitally and as a printed copy. The written paper for the exam is an essential part of the test and allows the Test Board to get a better understanding of the student’s thoughts and ideas. It should taken seriously and effort should be put into it just as if it were a required kata or kihon. The paper will be put on the dojo website and may be read by people from around the world. Research may be required for some paper topics. Students are encouraged to use the library or dojo book collection for reference material.
• Students testing for 4th kyu and below are required to have a mentor to assist in preparation for the test. A mentor should be a 3rd – 1st kyu student that the test candidate feels comfortable with and who can help him/her understand what is expected on the test. Mentors should review all the test material, ippon work and discuss the written topic with the test candidate. If the test candidate can not find a mentor, he/she should notify an instructor no less then one (1) week prior to the rank exam.
• The testing fee should be paid prior to taking the rank examination. If the student is unable to test, can not complete the test or does not pass the examination, the testing fee will be refunded to the student. The testing fee only covers materials used on the test and does not include any materials, such as boards or breaks, that may be used in the preparation of the test. Additional fees may be required for those items.
• The test candidate is responsible for finding a partner to use on the exam for self defense and application (bunkai) work required for the test. The partner should be a current member of the dojo and approximately the same belt rank. The test candidate should try and avoid using his/her class time to work with the partner. They should try and arrange times before or after class to train for the test. If you are asked to be a partner on a belt test, it is considered a high honor. It signifies your fellow karateka think you can help them look good on their belt examination and that they trust you to be an important part of their promotion. The partner on a belt exam should take this responsibility seriously and train hard to help the test candidate perform at their very best.

Dismissal from Training

• A student may be dismissed from training for any act that brings his dojo, his Sensei or himself into disgrace. The student must remember that as a karateka he/she has the responsibility to set an example for others to follow. His/her behavior, even outside the dojo, is a representation of his karate training and of his/her instructor.
• A student may be dismissed for drug or alcohol abuse. Karate training can help people in the development of the necessary skills to defeat drug or alcohol abuse but those people must be drug free when they start training at the dojo.
• A student may be dismissed for not attempting to develop as a karateka. Some students want to only train in the physical aspects of karate and are not interested in developing the strong character traits that are emphasized by the instructors. Those students do not understand the study of karatedo and are encouraged to training in a more sport oriented environment.
• A student may be dismissed for failure to pay fees or outstanding dues. The Sensei of the dojo understand the financial difficulties students may face during their training in karatedo and are very willing to work with any student to maintain their training. However, when that courtesy is abused or the student is simply neglecting his/her responsibility to the dojo, it is very disrespectful to the instructors and Sensei in the dojo. If a student is having difficulty, he/she is encouraged to talk with the Sensei about the situation.