Student Responsibility

Instructors can show you the path & remove some rocks along the way, but each of us must walk the path.
How do I learn & improve?

• Arrive on-time (a few minutes early is preferred to warm-up) with a clean gi - uniform (or workout clothes in the beginning)
• Pay attention in class; listen to & watch the instructor; follow the person in front of you (most of the time, beginners will have someone in front that they can follow)
• Come to class regularly. While it’s difficult to make time, training once a week or even less makes it virtually impossible to make progress in a fashion that will sustain your interest.
• Twice a week will drive improvement, and more often will drive accelerated improvement
• We learn through repetition; physical repetition is critical
• When practicing by yourself, do what you know; be careful about practicing “new” techniques so you do not build bad technique.
• You will hear this over & over:
• First technique, then speed, and do not worry about power… it will come
• RELAX; do not use power, using strength slows you down & exhausts you faster
• Ready stance is just that…you should be poised & balanced, ready for action; not wiping sweat, fixing your gi or looking around. Additionally, during line drills the only one who should be speaking is the teacher. During other training times (partner drills, kata, etc.) keep talking to a minimum and reserve it for instructional purposes. This is about disciplined awareness of your surroundings, which includes being in a straight line when commanded as this demonstrates your overall awareness.
• If you want to progress more quickly you must spend extra time (outside of class)
• Kata particularly always needs extra time, and ask upper ranks for help
• Get a partner to join you & work on 1 step or self defense
• Kumite requires a black belt on the floor to grant your request to spar & oversee
• White belts do NOT fight each other
• It is very difficult for beginners to learn martial arts from a book or handout. There is a place for written materials but they are more useful a little later in a person’s training

How do we show respect and honor for each other?

• We bow: We bow to show respect for your partner, your instructor, and for the place we train
• We honor our commitments: We teach with consistency and excellence, students pay with consistency and timeliness

Listen

Be Respectful & Honorable

Work Hard

Have Fun!