Within the club, rules and regulations are imposed for the safety, respect and consideration of all members.  Any member who disobeys club rules may be subjected to disciplinary action which can result in suspension or expulsion and even loss of rank.

Etiquette

Etiquette is the foundation of the personality, which is shown by the person's nature and actions.  Etiquette comes from a good, clean mind, displaying the quality of humbleness, without losing your pride. To achieve this, a person must forget about any mean manner.  Speech and conduct should be noble and gentle.

1. Whenever entering or leaving the training hall (dojang), members should show respect (bow towards the front where the Australian flag hangs).  Members should then proceed directly to the Club Instructor (Sabomnim) to announce your arrival. It is customary to show respect to your Sabomnim by initiating a bow within 3 metres whilst standing directly in front. In mutual respect, your Sabomnim will return the gesture by bowing to you. This is very similar to handshaking in western culture. Presenting yourself confidently shows you are ready to train and you are well. You may use this opportunity to inform the Club Instructor of any injuries or issues that you may have.
   
   Bowing is a very traditional form of greeting and of showing respect and courtesy to each other. Taekwondo and Hapkido students actually utilise this as the standard world wide form of greeting each other (as different countries and cultures adopt different styles of greeting). As it is a sign of respect, lower ranking members will always initiate the bow. The junior member should approach the senior member when they appear not to be busy and should stand between two and three metres away. As you trust each other, members should look downwards when bowing whereas the head is not lowered more than 15 degress. Only look at the opposite person when bowing for sparring or tournament fighting.
   
   Members should then greet every other member in the dojang commencing with those who are most senior in rank (in the same manner).
   
   
2. At other times within the dojang, upon meeting a higher ranking member, all members must initiate a bow of courtesy or respect before they interact with the other member. If asking a question, it is appropriate to say "excuse me" and then bow.
   
   
3. Outside of the dojang when the uniform is not worn and you are not at any Taekwondo or Hapkido event, bowing is not normally required. However, it is expected that appropriate respect is shown toward senior members and your Club Instructor. Note that Club Instructors will not of course issue commands or similar outside of training times.
   
   
4. When speaking to an Instructor, students must use either "Sir", "Madam" or Sabomnim. The Master Instructor may be addressed by the Korean term Gwanjangnim. Show your courtesy and strength of character by not mumbling, nodding or talking out of turn. It is correct to say "yes" and not "yeah" ("yeah" is slang - refer to English dictionary) when agreeing with your Sabomnim.
   
   
5. Special respect and strict attention is to be given to your Club Instructor at all times.
   
   
   

Training

1. No slouching, leaning on walls, sitting on chairs or sitting in an improper way.
   
   
2. Personal hygiene should be high. Toe and finger nails must be kept clean and trim.
   
   
3. Uniforms are to be clean and neat with the badges attached correctly and belt tied properly and evenly.
   
   
4. Be on time for classes. Arrive 15 minutes prior to commencement. When you arrive, do not disturb an ongoing class and take the opportunity to stretch or practice quietly. If you are late, observe etiquette by moving to the front and bowing to the Club Instructor. You will then receive instructions to either first warm up or to join in. Students may not be regularly late unless they have permission from the Club Instructor.
   
   
5. Practice only the patterns which have been taught to you by your Club Instructor. Do not practice patterns of higher ranking.
   
   
6. No free sparring without an Instructor's permission and supervision. Comply with the club's protective gear policy and all safety rules.
   
   
7. Students who cannot attend class for a period of one week or more must notify the Club Instructor as a sign of courtesy.
   
   
8. Students (except beginners) who cannot regularly attend at least two lessons per week are not likely to develop the necessary skill to remain on that belt level. These students may only attend future classes at the discretion of the Instructor. In addition, these students are not entitled to discounted club rates and are not entitled to grade.
   
   
9. TECHNIQUES MUST NEVER BE USED OUTSIDE OF THE CLASS for any reason except in self defence involving your safety or the safety of others.
   
   
   

Attire/Dress

The Taekwondo uniform (dobok) is designed to fit for free body actions and it is believed the colour of the uniform signifies the purity of all colours as well as a state which can absorb any kind of learning.

1. No t'shirt or other clothing should be worn under the jacket of the dobok. However, female members can wear t'shirts, leotards or other appropriate garments under the jacket of the dobok provided that they are in solid white colour so as not to clash or contrast. Black belts may wear black under garments.
   
   
2. Traditionally training is in bare feet. Proper white Taekwondo shoes may be worn at the dojang whilst training. However, permission must first be sought by the Club Instructor. Only plain white socks may be worn with Taekwondo shoes whilst training.
   
   
3. Students of Sun Bae will wear white uniforms as follows:
   - Modern white V neck for coloured belts.
   - Modern black V neck for black belts.
   - Modern red/black V neck for junior black belts.
   - Other uniforms must firstly be approved by the Master Instructor.
   
   
4. Badges:  all members, black belts and Instructors must wear the Sun Bae badge on the left breast of the dobok, one centimetre from the V neck and not lower than the V neck. The Association badge (if any) is worn on the upper left sleeve, one centimetre from the shoulder stitching. The Hapkido badge is worn on the upper right sleeve (for Hapkido Black Belts only), one centimetre from the shoulder stitching. No other patches shall be worn, unless authorised by the Master Instructor. White belts do not wear badges. Only graded members rank 9th gup and higher wear badges.
   
   
5. Printing on uniforms:  the back of the jacket may be imprinted with taekwondo or same in Korean.
   
   
6. Belts must be tied so the ends are hanging at an even length. The stripe on the belt is green for juniors and white for adults. The stripes should be attached approximately 20-50mm from each bottom of the belt with a gap of approximately 6-10mm between each stripe. For junior students (ages 5 to 14), there is a junior black belt system which has red/black belt with white Poom stripes.
   
   
7. Sleeves and pants must NOT be rolled up, as this presents a serious danger to other students.
   
   
8. No members are allowed in the dojang bare chested (includes singlets) or wearing street shoes.
   
   
9. Training on mats: students are to wear shoes or similar to class. Feet must be clean before stepping onto the matted area. Shoes may be left at the edge of the mat at the rear (not side). No members are allowed on the mats with dirty feet or shoes. Taekwondo shoes may be allowed by the Club Instructor where the student has an injury, but the shoes worn on the mat must not be worn in the street on the way to class.
   Students who train regularly on mats at their local centre are obligated to assist with the set up and storage.
   
   
   

Dojang

A dojang is a formal hall of learning where students of all ages and physical ability can learn the skills of Taekwondo and Hapkido. Your conduct and behaviour must, at all times, reflect the respect that it deserves. This conduct and behaviour extends not only to the dojang, but also to the grounds surrounding the dojang or the land directly associated with the owners of the dojang (e.g. school grounds).

1. Students entering the dojang must remove shoes, hats and sunglasses and be in uniform (including belt tied). Shoes, gear, clothes and other personal items must be properly stored in the designated changing area.
   
   
2. Students must remove all watches and jewellery (with the exception of flat wedding bands) before training. Avoid bringing valuables to class. The Instructor is not responsible for the student's personal possessions and belongings.
   
   
3. There will be no smoking, gum chewing, eating or drinking in the dojang at any time or within 10 metres of the doorways or windows.
   
   
4. Each class will have a formal ceremonial opening and closing, consisting of saluting (bowing) the Australian flag, then the Club Instructor, then the Assistant Instructor and lastly the most senior student (Sunbaenim). Students are still required to follow the normal bowing etiquette prior to training commencement. The second most senior student has the honour to conduct the ceremony as follows:
   
   - Class Charyot (attention); face National Flag, Kyunge (bow);
   - *Gwanjangnim-gae (respect to Master Instructor), Kyunge (bow); *if present
   - Sabomnin-gae (respect to teacher), Kyunge (bow);
   - Sunbaenim-gae (respect to highest student), Kyunge (bow);
   
   Pronounced:
   *Chary-Yacht, Kyung-e
   *Gwan-jang-nim-gae, Kyung-e
   *Sab-om-nim-gae, Kyung-e
   *SsoonBay-nim-gae, Kyung-e
   
   
5. Students must take pride in the appearance of the dojang and assist with keeping it clean and neat at all times. Tables and chairs should not be stored at the sides of the training area. The floor should be swept prior to commencement of class. Training flags should be hung by senior students prior to commencement of class.
   
   
6. If the dojang has floor mats, students should arrive early to assist in the set-up and stay after class to pack them away. Mats should be stored so that the top of the mat faces the top (and so that the bottom of the mat faces the bottom). This will ensure dirt is not transferred to the mat in storage.
   
   
   

Cross Training (Hapkido & Taekwondo Sparring)

Permission to Train: training in the Taekwondo tournament specific class or the Hapkido specific class is a privilege, not a right. It is considered to be training in addition to your normal weekly classes.  To be eligible to train in these classes, the following must be satisfied:

1. Must be a financial member for the month (present your training card to Club Instructor).
   
   
2. Regularly attend at least 2 other Taekwondo classes per week in addition to the tournament or Hapkido class (training card shows attendance).
   
   
3. Permission from your Club Instructor.
   
   
4. Permission from the parent/guardian in the case of under 15.
   
   
   

Taekwondo Oath

I will always give respect and loyalty to the Master Instructor, the Instructors and my club.
I will endeavour to attain a high standard of physical fitness and develop my character and personal integrity.
I will approach others with a spirit of friendship and heed social ethics at all times.


 

Jidokwan Creed

For Myself,
For My Club,
For My Nation.