Rules of the Dojang  ("dojang" means "school" in Korean)


  1. 1. Always address upper belts (brown, red, and black belts) as Mr. Or Sir; Mrs. Or Ms.

  2. 2. Always bow upon entering or leaving the school AND the workout floor.

  3. 3. Never ask a person of higher rank to spar.

  4. 4. Always remove shoes before stepping onto the workout floor.

  5. 5. Wear a complete and clean uniform to class. Take pride in your appearance!

  6. 6. Try to attend classes at scheduled times, at least two to three times per week. When arriving late, respectfully wait for the lead instructor to bow you in for class.

  7. 7. No profanity is allowed. We respect each other and ourselves at all times.

  8. 8. No smoking is allowed. Be respectful of all the people breathing here.

  9. 9. No chewing gum allowed.

  10. 10. Do not wear jewelry during class, belt tests, or competitions.

  11. 11. Help keep your club clean.

  12. 12. Always speak in a low voice while another class is in session.

  13. 13. Never speak while training unless you wish to question an instructor. Respectfully raise your hand if you have a question, never speak out rudely while the instructor is teaching.

  14. 14. Do not hit the heavy bag while another class is session.

  15. 15. Only students 14 years of age and older are allowed to use the free weights. Please schedule a lesson with Master Branch before beginning a weight training program. You should endeavor to develop yourself mentally and physically in the true spirit of Taekwondo. Aim to develop your strength of character through the companionship with other students that share your respect and dedication to the art of Taekwondo.

Rules and training precepts are part of American Black Belt Academy’s student manual, created by Grandmaster Roy Kurban.