Syllabus
Basic Theory / History of TKD
Below are some fundamental theories which should be understood (and ultimately remembered!) by all those studying TaeKwon-Do.
What is Tae Kwon-Do?
TaeKwon-Do is a martial art which was developed in South Korea. It is based on older forms of unarmed (not using any weapons) fighting for self-defence practiced for many centuries in the orient. Translated from Korean, TaeKwon-Do means ‘The Way of the Foot and Hand’ – referring to kicking and punching.
The History of Tae Kwon-Do
Tae Kwon-Do was inaugurated in South Korea on April 11th 1955 following extensive research and development by the founder Major General Choi Hong Hi, 9th Degree Black Belt (9 November 1918 – 15 June 2002). Taekwon-do was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1967.
For a more in depth history, please refer to our Student Handbook.
The Tenets of Tae Kwon-Do
The tenets of TaeKwon-Do play a huge role in the success of ones TaeKwon-Do training. Any serious student of the art should observe and implement the tenets to the best of their ability.
- COURTESY:
To be polite to everyone.
You must always be courteous to your instructors, seniors, fellow students and indeed, everyone. - INTEGRITY:
To be honest and trustworthy.
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. - PERSEVERANCE:
To persist despite difficulty.
Whether achieving a higher grade or a new technique, you should never stop trying. This also applies to all endeavours in life.
- SELF CONTROL:
To always be in control of your actions.
You should attempt to control yourself, in particular your emotions and desires, especially in difficult situations. - INDOMITABLE SPIRIT:
To show strength of spirit when you and your principles are pitted against overwhelming odds.
You may be beaten but your warrior spirit remains strong – it cannot be dominated.
Student Oath
I shall observe the tenets of TaeKwon-Do.
I shall respect the Instructors and seniors.
I will never misuse TaeKwon-Do.
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.
I shall build a more peaceful world.
Conduct in the Dojang
- Every student must observe the following conduct in the Dojang in order to maintain an orderly and effective training class.
- When coming into the Dojang, you should bow to show your respect to the Dojang, the Instructor, your fellow students and the art of TaeKwon-Do.
- When the Instructor calls for the class to line up, you should do so quickly and silently. There will be a formal bowing ritual at the start of the class.
- Once the Instructor calls upon the class to line up, you should stop talking and remain silent. There should be no casual talking during a TaeKwon-Do class. If you wish to ask a question, raise your hand. A senior grade student working with a lower grade may talk quietly with that student to help them. A junior grade student working with a senior grade must ask formally for help from the senior student. Casual conversations during class are unacceptable.
- Once the class has commenced, it is unacceptable to either casually help yourself to a drink or leave the Dojang for any reason without the Instructor’s permission, unless in an emergency. On a practical level—your Instructor is responsible for your health and safety and needs to be aware of where you are.
- At the end of the class there will be a formal bowing and dismissal ritual—do not leave until you are formally dismissed.
- Take all of your belongings and equipment home with you and DO NOT leave rubbish behind.
- When you leave, turn and bow into the Dojang, for the same reasons that you bowed when you came in.
Rules
- All students must complete and sign the relevant membership application forms prior to commencing training.
- All students must have applied and paid for their yearly licence after their first four weeks training.
- Subscriptions must be paid by the 15th of every month. Failure to do so will incur a penalty fee.
- The build up of arrears is NOT ACCEPTABLE.
- Attendance—students should achieve at least 75% attendance, based on training twice a week as 100%. Less than 75% attendance will either double your grading time or disqualify you from grading altogether.
- Avoid arriving late to a class if at all possible, it is traditional for the Instructor to give a late arriving students 10 press-ups for every minute that they are late, unless the late arrival has been authorised prior to the lesson.
- If the Instructor is late, a qualified Instructor or the most competent student present should commence training sessions promptly until the Instructor arrives.
- An Instructor approved dobok must be worn during training in the Dojang. The wearing of tracksuits or other clothing is not permitted, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Instructor.
- A full set of sparring equipment is required by 5th kup grade. All kit must be purchased from your instructor. The only kit acceptable is badged ITC; we will continue to accept TAGB equipment for now. If you intend to source this from Ebay, please check with your instructor that it is the correct equipment.
- Suits (doboks) should be clean and ironed for each training session.
- No smoking, eating or wearing of jewellery (rings etc.) is permitted during training.
- NO SMOKING is permitted whilst wearing a dobok, regardless of the place. (Dojang, tournament, demonstration etc.).
- Your belt should be removed if eating or drinking whilst you are wearing your dobok (at the discretion of the Instructor).
- Finger and toe nails must be kept short.
- Long hair should be tied back.
- Where appropriate to the grade, sparring equipment should be brought to every lesson.
- Entry into gradings will depend on a student’s attitude, attendance and the Instructor’s discretion, as well as technical ability.
