Taekwon-Do Rules & Etiquette

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International Taekwon-Do is a martial art, but like most martial arts it's not about kicking and punching, or fighting. 
The encyclopaedia of Taekwon-Do, written by the founder, General Choi Hong Hi, states:

"The utmost purpose of Taekwon-Do is to eliminate fighting by discouraging the stronger’s oppression of the weaker with a power that must be based on humanity, justice, morality, wisdom, and faith, thus helping to build a better and more peaceful world.”

General Choi emphasised the importance of mental conditioning, and he defined a moral code for Taekwon-Do students with the Tenets of Taekwon-Do and the Student Oath, along with a code of conduct and etiquette.

Student Oath

The student oath is spoken by all students at the start of all classes and outlines the basis for the expected moral code and behaviour of all students.

• I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do
• I shall respect the instructor and seniors
• I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do
• I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
• I shall build a more peaceful world

Tenets of Taekwon-Do

Courtesy (Ye Ui)
Taekwon-Do students should attempt to practise the following elements of courtesy to build up their noble character and to conduct their training in an orderly manner as well.    

1. To be polite to one another
   
2. To encourage a sense of justice and humanity
3. To distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior, and elder from younger
4. To behave oneself according to etiquette
5. To respect others’ possessions
   

Integrity (Yom Chi)
In Taekwon-Do, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in a dictionary. One must be able to define right from wrong and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Listed are some examples where integrity is lacking: 
    

1. The student who requests rank from an instructor, or attempts to purchase it.
   
2. The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
   

Perseverance (In Nae)
There is an old Oriental saying, "Patience leads to virtue or merit" – "One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 100 times". Certainly, happiness and prosperity are most likely to come to the patient person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set a goal then constantly persevere. One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader of Taekwon-Do is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance.

Self-Control (Guk Gi)
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the do jang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one’s personal affairs. An inability to live and work within one’s capability or sphere is also a lack of self control. According to Lao-Tzu "the term of stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else."

Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool)
Indomitable spirit is shown when a courageous person and their principles are pitted against overwhelming odds. A serious student of Taekwon-Do will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he/she will deal with the belligerent without any fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and however many the number.

Rules of Conduct - Preparation for Training & Entering the Do-Jang 

Preparation for Training 

1. Members must make sure they are clean and all nails are cut short for safety reasons.
   
2. Members should arrive at least 10 minutes before the commencement of class and be prepared both physically and mentally.
   

Entering the do jang   

1. Remove footwear prior to entering the designated training area.
2. Where several people are entering, ensure the senior person or adult is shown the courtesy of entering first.
   
3. Bow when entering or leaving the do jang.
   
4. Ensure shoes or other articles are neatly stored in accordance with the wishes of the instructor.
   
5. Bow and acknowledge others present in the do jang which should include firstly the instructor, the assistant instructor, then senior members. Children must acknowledge adults. Similar courtesies should be paid when visiting other martial arts do jang.
   

Rules of Conduct - Inside the do-jang

Inside the do jang 

1. All members must treat each other with courtesy.
   
2. All instructions issued by instructors or senior members within the do jang must be obeyed.
3. When seeking to meet an instructor or senior, a student should stand at attention and keep alert to the situation at hand until approached or spoken to by the instructor or senior.
4. All members present should acknowledge visiting instructors or seniors as they enter the do jang. (The senior member present should call others to attention & command Bow)
5. Members must not leave the do jang without permission of the instructor.
6. Members must not raise any objection or arguments during training in the do jang.
7. Assistant instructors or other senior members should advise in advance their anticipated non-attendance at a training session.
   
8. The junior students present shall be responsible for the setting up and tidying up of the equipment each training session. The senior members shall supervise the putting away of equipment by junior members after the completion of training having regards to the wishes of the instructor.
9. Members must ensure their do jang is kept tidy.
10. Members should not smoke, eat or drink in the do jang. (Eating or drinking may be permitted at the instructor’s discretion).
11. Members should ensure visitors are treated with courtesy, provided with seating, accompanied and given advice where necessary.
12. Students training at another branch should seek permission of their own instructor and that of the instructor of the branch being visited, prior to commencing the session.
13. Visiting members should be formally introduced to the club at the commencement of training.
14. Members must not make any unnecessary noise or disturbance inside the do jang.
15. All training fees or payments must be paid promptly at times indicated by the instructor.
16. Members shall address one another courteously, and use appropriate titles, e.g. Yes Sir, No Ma’am, Mr Bloggs, Mrs Kim, Dr Who etc. The instructor should be addressed as Sir/Ma'am or by his/her surname, preceded by their title Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr.
17. Questions or answers should end with the appropriate "Sir" or "Ma’am".

Rules of Conduct - Dress for training

Dress for training 

1. On arrival check your do bok and remove all accessories e.g. hats, headbands, rings, necklaces, watches, earrings and anything else dangerous. If wedding rings cannot be removed, they must be taped for safety.
2. Do bok must always be clean, ironed and worn correctly. They should be in good repair. Students may wear a white singlet or T-shirt under their do bok top with the permission of their instructor.
3. Belts shall be worn by those qualified for them, wrapped around the waist once and tied in the correct manner (see system of rank »). Care should be taken to ensure the colour of the belt is representative of the grade; some dyed belts often do not give a true colour.
4. Black belt holders shall wear an official black belt and have 3cm wide black trimming around the bottom of the jacket. International Instructors have the addition of a vertical black stripe three centimetres wide on the outside of each sleeve of the do bok top and both of the pant-legs.
5. The do bok top should have the ITF badge correctly mounted on the front left breast and the International Taekwon-Do badge mounted on the front right breast. A small school badge may be attached to the right sleeve for individual school identity. (This should be smaller than the other badges). For international events a small national flag of the member’s country may be attached to the left sleeve, midway between the shoulder and elbow. The ITF Tree should be placed on the rear of the do bok top.
6. Do bok obtained at international events from overseas competitors maybe worn at school level, if permission is granted by the instructor however they may not be worn at any official event.
7. If the do bok needs to be tidied up, students must turn to the left, away from the instructor to adjust.
8. The do bok should not be worn outside the do jang unless travelling directly to or from training or on special occasions as specified by the instructor.
9. Members who have participated in an authorised event shall be allowed to wear any specialised do bok worn for that event.

Student instructor relationship - student

Student / Instructor relationship - Students

1. Never tire of learning. A good student can learn anywhere, any time. This is the secret of knowledge.
2. A good student must be willing to sacrifice for their art and instructor. Many students feel that their training is a commodity bought with monthly dues, and are unwilling to take part in demonstrations, teaching, and working around the do jang. An instructor can afford to lose this type of student.
   
3. Always set a good example for lower ranking students. It is only natural they will attempt to emulate senior students.
   
4. Always be loyal and never criticise your instructor, Taekwon-Do or the teaching methods.
   
5. If your instructor teaches a technique, practice it and attempt to utilise it.
   
6. Remember that a student’s conduct outside the do jang reflects on the art and instructor.
   
7. If a student adopts a technique from another do jang and the instructor disapproves of it, the student must discard it immediately or train at the gym where the technique was learned.
   
8. Never be disrespectful to your instructor. Though a student is allowed to disagree with the instructor, the student must first follow the instruction and then discuss the matter later.
   
9. A student must always be eager to learn and ask questions.
   
10. Never betray the instructor.

Student instructor relationship - Instructor

Student / Instructor relationship - Instructors

1. Never tire of teaching. A good Instructor can teach anywhere, any time, and always be ready to answer questions.
   
2. An Instructor should be eager for their students to surpass them; it is the ultimate compliment for an Instructor. A student should never be held back. If the Instructor realises their student has developed beyond their teaching capabilities, the student should be sent to a higher ranking Instructor.
   
3. An Instructor must always set a good example for their students and never attempt to defraud them.
   
4. The development of students should take precedence over commercialism. Once an Instructor becomes concerned with materialism, they will lose the respect of their students.
   
5. Instructors should teach scientifically and theoretically to save time and energy.
   
6. Instructors should help students develop good contacts outside the dojang (training hall). It is an Instructor’s responsibility to develop students outside as well as inside the do jang.
   
7. Students should be encouraged to visit other do jang and study other techniques. Students who are forbidden to visit other do jang are likely to become rebellious. There are two advantages for allowing the students to visit other gyms: not only is there the possibility that a student may observe a technique that is ideally suited for them, but he may also have a chance to learn by comparing their techniques to inferior techniques.
   
8. All students should be treated equally, there should be no favourites. Student should always be scolded in private, never in front of the class.
   
9. If the Instructor is not able to answer a student’s question, they should not fabricate an answer but admit they do not know and attempt to find the answer as soon as possible. All too often, will a lower degree black belt dispense illogical answers to their students merely because they are afraid of "losing face" because they do not know the answer.
   
10. An Instructor should not seek any favours such as cleaning the studio, doing repair works, etc. from his students.
    
11. An Instructor should not exploit their students. The only purpose of an Instructor is to produce both technically and mentally excellent students.
    
12. Always be honest with the students, and never break a trust.