Martial Arts Etiquette

Basic Information

1) You must be in uniform and prepared for class on time.

2) Respect and courtesy of others is expected at all times.

When you enter the dojang (training area)

1) Come in and close the door behind you. Take your shoes off.

2) Go to the locker room and change into your uniform.

3) Before you enter the dojang floor, put your feet together and salute the flag with your right hand.

4) With your hands at your sides and feet together, bow to your senior members.  You have to bow to each midnight blue belt.  They do not have to see you bow to them.  If they are busy, just bow and go on with what you need to do.  No matter where you see a midnight blue belt or your master, you must bow.

   Why do we bow? Our mind is our receiver of information. Our teachers, people older than us, senior members and our master have more knowledge than we do. We bow our receiver to them in a humble gesture of respect.

5) Enter onto the dojang floor and practice as a martial arts student. If you need help or have a question, ask a senior member.

6) Junior members always do what is asked or told to them by Senior members.

7) You must answer "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir" to any midnight blue belt.

When you leave the dojang

1) Feet together, salute the flag.

2) Bow to any midnight blue belts.

3) With double fists, call TANG-SOO!

Why do we call TANG-SOO?

Tang-Soo-Do is traditional Korean karate. Karate is Discipline of Martial Art.  If the mind accepts discipline of martial art then the mind will be at peace.  Peace makes better Concentration.  Concentration makes better Balance.  Balance makes better Speed.  Speed makes better Power.

Karate is 80% Respecting and 20% Following, Leading, and Doing things. 

Order of respect is:

1) Parents:  because you are their child and they are responsible for your learning.

2) Teachers:  because they have taught you what you know now and in the future.

3) Senior members and people older than you: because they have more experience and knowledge which they can share in an effort to help you learn.

You build character with Respect. You build Respect with Tang Soo Do.

We call TANG-SOO! to help us remember.