ESTABLISHED 2009
What is a Master?
A Master is the designation given to anyone who achieved the rank of 4th Dan or higher. This title is given in recognition of the level of expertise that a person has upon attaining such a rank. A 5th Dan or higher is called a Kwan Jan Nim. This means the head of an association. Master Instructors have shown the knowledge and technical skills to be a leader in the Marital Arts world. Only Master Instructors can conduct certified promotion tests. Grand Master is a certified 7th Dan or Higher, who has Master Instructiors in their association.
Adult Material
Gym Etiquette
1. Martial arts are for self-defense only. It is not to be used irresponsibly.
2. Students are to remove their shoes before entering the gym and put then in an appropriate place. Upon entering the gym, students bow, first to the flags, then the instructor, and finally to any Black Belts in the gym. Bowing is conducted at the beginning and end of class to the flags, and Black Belts as well as during class. It is done as a sign of respect and thanks similar to a handshake.
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3. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, fowl language, and any form of disruptive behavior are not allowed by students or visitors in the gym. Gum and soft drinks are not allowed in the gym.
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4. Inform your instructor of any injuries or health concerns prior to the start of class.
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5. Keep your uniform and equipment clean. Uniforms are for classes and training and should be used for marital arts functions only. Keep nails trimmed and long hair tied back. Watches, rings, neck chains, and any jewelry can cause harm and are considered a hazard in class. Additionally, they can easily be broken. Everything except a wedding ring should be removed for training.
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6. Keep a positive attitude. Nothing else will be tolerated. Be respectful to instructors and your fellow students. Use the appropriate term "master," "mister," or "ma'am." When addressing instructors or fellow students "sir," or "ma'am" should be used.
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7. Loyalty is expected in the gym. Never publicly criticize your instructor or speak poorly of them with other students. Questions or constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged privately and in an appropriate setting.
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8. You are a Tae Kwon Do student at all times. Keep a positive respectful attitude at all times possible. Try hard, do your best and never give up!
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9. Monthly fees are expected to be paid by the first class of each month. Testing fees must be paid prior to testing by the deadline set by your instructor. Any time this is not possible speak with your instructor to make special arrangements.
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10. Keep safety in mind at all times when training. Never focus on what other students are doing. Worry about yourself.
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11. Instructors have the right to suspend or dismiss a student at anytime if they are not displaying appropriate Tae Kwon Do spirit.
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12. Let your instructor know if you are unable to be at class.
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13. Your instructor knows when you are ready to advance. Trust their judgement. Openly communicate at all times with your instructor. Put forth your best effort at all times.
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Testing Etiquette
Spectators:
- Be on time to not disrupt testing
- Turn off or silence cell phones to prevent distractions during testing
- If children cannot sit quietly during the entire test (AT LEAST AN HOUR) please find alternate arrangements for them.
- Remain quite during testing. A Test is not a sporting event.
- Respectful clapping at the appropriate times is acceptable.
- Never laugh at a student's mistakes, trips or falls during testing.
- All Fees need to be current before a student can test.
- Remain seated during testing.
- Use common sense the most important part of testing is the success of the student.
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Students:
- Be on time, 15 minutes early IS ON TIME!
- Take advantage of any extra practice time available.
- Wear a clean presentable uniform and belt
- Keep your attention on the examiner during testing
- Apologize to any Black Belt you may kick, punch if you miss a target.
- If you are late apologize to the examiner and request entrance to the test.
- When you accept a new belt shake hands, bow aceept your belt and say "Thank You Sir/Ma'am"
- If you want a signed board politely ask the examiner and quietly wait your turn in an orderly line.
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Uniforms and Equipment
Uniform - All students are required to wear a uniform once they have passed their White Belt test. The uniform is required by the first night of class after the White belt test is passed. These uniforms are classic martial arts sytles and made to withstand the demands of Tae Kwon Do.
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Foot Pads - Footpads can be purchased from your instructor and are highly recommended for protecting the top of the foot.
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Hand Pads - Hand pads are highly recommended by Green belt for protecting the student and others when striking.
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Mouth Guard - Mouth guards are required before a student can spar.
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Other Equpment - For males a groin cup is required for sparring. For female students groin protection and special chest protectors are available through special order but not required. Elbow pads are required for tournament competition. Special martial arts shoes are available by special order. Other equipment can be purchased through your instructor at any time. Please support your local gym before ordering equipment from outside sources.
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Only Association Approved equipment will be allowed in any Lee's Tae Kwon Do Association school or event.
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Goals of a Student
1. Strive for a complete understanding of all aspects of Tae Kwon Do. Students should never tire of learning and can learn anywhere at anytime.
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2. Always have a sincere outlook of Tae Kwon Do. If there is a misunderstanding, do not argue with the instructor. Work things out privately and respectfully.
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3. Dedicate yourself to the popularization of Tae Kwon Do. Participate in tournaments, demonstrations, and any opportunity presented to you.
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4. The student will establish long-range goals for themselves and assist in teaching Tae Kwon Do to others.
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5. Students will demonstrate maturity and be a good example of a true martial artist, as well as develop a good sense of sportsmanship.
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6. Don't disobey your instructor. Handle all problems in a controlled manner. Continually practice everything your instructor has taught.
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7. Students will neither be conceited or complacent. Striving to be better and recognizing that there is always much to learn are qualities of a good student. Techniques shall not be used against others without good reason.
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8. Students will not lose faith in your gym, instructors, or principals of Tae Kwon Do.
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9. Students will follow the rules of etiquette and be a good example for others to follow in all areas of their life. You are a constant reflection of your Martial Arts principles.
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10. Students will strive to be martials artists by demonstrating courage, wisdom, kindness as well as control their minds and bodies.
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11. Students will remember that Tae Kwon Do training is a privilege, not a right. This privilege is earned by following the rules in all areas of life.
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Tournaments
While never required to attend tournaments, attendance and participation are an important part of your training. Through the observance of others and healthy competition, students can better themselves in ways that are not possible to achieve in the gym alone. It is the application of theory and the practice of techniques in competition that help students better understand the material studied in the gym. Tournament participation and experience are invaluable to the students Tae Kwon Do training.
At tournaments, the competitors are always grouped in small sections of students of comparable rank and physical size. This practice makes the competition fair and possible for anyone to be a winner. The tournament director does their very best to let each competitor have the best possible competition, not the easiest. In each division, each student should have a good chance to win. There will always be the bigger student and the smallest in each division, but with similar training and comparable ranks, even the smallest in the division can come out the winner.
Competition is beneficial at all ranks. They serve as a healthy forum for competition and a challenge for which students can prepare and strive to become better. It helps them learn ways of matching skills to an opponent of the same level in an environment of fairness and safety. It encourages good sportsmanship. It introduces the students to those of the same rank from other schools and friendships are bound to develop with these people as they compete with one another throughout their training at various tournaments. In competition they are required to present themselves verbally, then physically and confidently perform in front of judges, peers, seniors, Black Belts, friends, family and spectators which builds confidence. All tournaments that the Lee's Association endorse and participate in are conducted in a safe manner. Specific competition rules will be explained by your instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a belt for? Belts are goals set for students to meet on their journey training and seeking personal improvement.
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How are the belts ranked? There are 10 belts used as small goals up to Black belt. White, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, purple trim, brown, red and finally black. Students under 16 years old earn a junior or Poom black belt. Adults earn a first degree or Dan Black belt. There are 3 levels of Poom ranking for youth students and 9 Dan rankings for adults. 4th Dan is considered a Master Instructor, 5th is a Kwan Jang Nim. 7th Dan is considered a Grand Master. After a lifetime of dedication a 10th Dan Great Grand Master rank may be achieved.
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What does certification mean? In the Lee's system color belt ranks are certified and recognized throughout our system. Because Grand Master Lee is a certified Examiner for the Kukkiwon, all colored belt rankings certified are officially recognized worldwide as official rank. Black Belts are certified through World Tae Kwon Do upon the recommendation of Grand Master Lee.
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Can students can compete on the state, national or international level? Black belts are certified and registered with the Kukkiwon in South Korea, the official World Tae Kwon Do Headquarters. World Tae Kwon Do is the only martial art recognized and accepted by the International Olympic Committee.
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What is a black belt?
A Junior Black Belt (Poom) or Adult Black Belt (Dan) is a student recognized for their commitment to Martial Arts who has achieved a high level of proficiency and knowledge in the art. This proficiency includes speed, accuracy, strength, and thorough knowledge of a large amount of technique, both theory and application, as well as information and history. A Black Belt is worn by a person who possesses the qualities of courtesy, integrity, self-control, perseverance, and indomitable spirit in addition to demonstrating a knowledge and understanding of the Martial Arts as presented by their instructor.
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What happens after reaching black belt?
Upon reaching Black Belt, a student will realize that Black Belt is not an end, but a beginning. While a Black Belt often helps instruct other students and beginners, they also recognize how much more there is for them to learn and continue their own training, advancement and individual betterment, while they also pass on what they have learned to new students. This is part of the circle of Martial Arts. Of all the training once learned from an instructor, upon reaching Black Belt, a student becomes a teacher, or assistant, and gives that knowledge back to the program in the form of teaching new students who may one day do the same. This keeps the art alive for many generations and is the principle on with Marital Arts has sustained itself for thousands of years. The knowledge and art is a gift that is meant to be shared with others who strive to learn and to better themselves.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the instructor?
The instructor's goals are to build and support the development of confident students. These students are individuals with goals, discipline, and a sense of proper direction in their lives. Students will also have needs and the instructors are these to see that those needs are met in the training to help students become better human beings. The method of training, in all aspects, is a goal-oriented system, which serves as a positive reinforcement to growth as individuals.
How does the instructor discipline when necessary?
Since the Martial Arts aim to help individuals become better there is an appropriate place for disciple within the training. When a student fails to perform or behave in appropriate manner, disciplinary actions may include push-ups, sitting out, verbal scolding, or in extreme cases, demotion or expulsion from the gym. Any disciplinary action taken in any case will be discussed with the student or parents in private so that the nature of the circumstances and discipline are fully understood. Parents should not hesitate to include the instructor if there is a discipline problem outside of the gym.
What is belt testing?
When the student has completed the required time and material training requirements, only at that point will a test date be set. As in any educational institution, the instructors know when a student is ready to test so please trust their judgement. The colored belt exams are open for family and friends to attend and watch. The student will perform the required material in front of the testing instructor as well as the audience, then finish by breaking the required board or boards, to advance to the next level. Beginner students and children are given the assistance if needed to help them fulfill the requirements to earn their belt. This helps build their confidence. Advanced students are required to complete the exam with little or no assistance. Black Belt tests must be passed with no assistance.
Can a student fail?
No. If a student continues to try, perseveres, then they will never fail. They may not complete all the requirements at the time of their initial test, but re-testing is always offered on material missed. Tae Kwon Do is not about failing but succeeding. Instructors will see that each student can succeed no matter what it takes. In the gym, four letter words like "can't" and "don't" are replaced with "can," "do" and "try." There is no giving up so there is no failing.
How often do students test & receive new belts?
Beginners test for White belt a few weeks to a month after they begin training. Beginner level tests are held in about 3-month intervals. Intermediate and advanced ranks are held after 4-6 months of training. Preparation for Black Belt testing may span from 6 to 12 months. All testing depends on the ability of students. Instructors recognize when a student is ready to test and will be given advanced notice about exact dates and times of testing.
What do the students receive with testing?
White belts earn their first belt and the right to wear the uniform. Following tests are awarded a new belt and advanced certification. These certificates should be kept in one place for verification at Black Belt time. The certificates measure 8 1/2" by 11" and are suitable for framing. A good way to keep certificates together is to put each new certificate in the front of the frame while keeping the previous certificates in back.
What are test fees?
There is a fee for each level of belt testing. The fee covers the cost of belts, boards, certificates and the examiner's fee which can include travel. There is a one-time fee for each rank. Test fees are due prior to testing and monthly fees must be current in order to test. Any special arrangements with testing fees must be made with the instructor and examiner at least a week prior to the test.
Why learn Korean terminology?
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Why do students bow?
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Why are different people leading warm ups and classes?
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Can parents watch classes?
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What if a student wants to quit?
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How much should a student practice?
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What if Students use their training to hit, kick or injure someone?
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What can students do to get the most out of Tae Kwon Do?