WTKDA Philadelphia Club Etiquette

WTKDA Philadelphia club members should take pride in themselves in how they conduct themselves while in class. Mastering proper behavior is as important to advancement as learning the physical skills.

Following are some of the club customs and points of etiquette that students should observe.  

Safety- is an important issue in Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do can be a lot of fun, but it must always be safe. The classroom setting is not the place for aggressive behavior. The Tae Kwon Do class is first and foremost a place of learning.  We want every one to complete each class safely. Control should always come first. When sparring, maintain an appropriate distance. Never make contact. Instantly obey your instructor's command to "Stop" if instructed. 

Students should inform the instructor before class when they have a temporary condition such as an injury or illness that may significantly effect their performance in class. Students should remove ALL jewelry prior to class.

Customs - During Tae Kwon Do class, proper respect and discipline must be maintained at all times. The chain of command must be followed at all times. The instructor's floor commands are to be obeyed. Students should line up from front to back and right to left in order of rank.  Students should not walk through rows or in front of those in their row. Students should bow in and out as they enter and leave the studio.

During class the double clap is the command to stop whatever you are doing instantly and give full attention to the instructor. If it should be necessary for a student to leave the Tae Kwon Do class before the class is over, they must get permission from the instructor, unless the student received permission prior to the workout. If there is a break during class, the instructor will give the commands to fall out and resume the training. Students should never engage in side conversation while an instructor is speaking. Students should never correct higher ranking students or instructors.

Attire- Colored belts are required to wear a traditional WTKDA gi and all T shirts must either be plain or an official WTKDA event t-shirt. An official WTKDA uniform must be worn by all students for promotional exams and tournaments. Beginners should wear loose comfortable clothes. You will be kicking, running, jumping, punching, sitting on the floor, etc. All participants will work out bare foot unless class is held outdoors. Beginners should not wear attire with inappropriate messages or logos. If you need to purchase a gi, see Vicki or Dave.

Students from other styles- Students from other styles are welcome to participate. In accordance with WTKDA guidelines, students with previous martial arts experience must begin as white belts and advance via the normal advancement process. Students with previous martial arts experience may advance more quickly, however, this is not guaranteed. Students from other styles are expected to respect the chain of command and teachings of the class. We respect other styles, however, in our class consistency and adherence to WTKDA technique is mandatory.

Advancement- It is considered in poor taste to ask when you are going to be promoted to the next level. The instructors will notify you when they feel you are close to advancement. The goal should be self improvement, work on that, and belt advancement will come. It is important to show up consistently and multiple times a week to advance through the ranks. If you cannot attend a class, please inform either Vicki or Dave prior to class.