Our Code of Conduct
Karate etiquette is a code of conduct essential to the proper practice of the Japanese martial arts, without it practice becomes meaningless. Self discipline, mutual trust and respect for your opponents are essential for safe practice. Please carefully observe the following rules in Tora Kodo Karate Kai.
1. Bow upon entering and leaving the dojo.
2. Address senior instructors as 'Sensei'.
3. Make sure that you always pay respect to higher grades.
4. 'Oss' is a sign of respect. Use it as a sign of acknowledgement.
5. Arrive 15 minutes before your lesson starts and then line up and start to warm up.
6. If you arrive late and the class has started, kneel at the head of the dojo and wait to be called on.
7. No jewellery is to be worn during training. If a ring cannot be removed then it must be taped over.
8. Always make sure that you train in a clean white gi and have short clean finger and toe nails. Anyone with long hair must make sure that it is tied back. No foul language is to be used in the dojo. No changing of clothes in the dojo. Make sure the dojo is clean and always treat the dojo with respect.
9. Do not chatter, chew gum or spit in the dojo or while being taught. Your gi must be correctly worn at all times and belt correctly tied. All ladies are to wear a white t-shirt under their gi. Any badges worn on your gi must be approved by Tora Kodo Karate Kai and worn on the left side.
10. A minimum of 3 months must be allowed between kyu grading examinations.
11. A minimum of 6 months must be allowed between 1st kyu and 1st dan examinations. Members must be a full 1st kyu before attempting the 1st dan examination and have permission from the chief instructor(s).
12. A temporary 1st kyu must wait 3 months before taking the 1st kyu examinations again. If the examination results in a pass then a further 6 months must be allowed before any attempt is made at the 1st dan examination.
13. A minimum period of 2 years must be allowed between shodan and nidan gradings. A minimum period of 3 years between nidan and sandan gradings must be observed. Members failing any examination for dan grade rankings must wait a period of time indicated by the grading examiner, before attempting a re-examination.
14. Always remember karate is more than j ust the ability to fight. Treat visiting karate-ka with the respect and good manners that you would expect if you were a visitor to their dojo. Never allow yourself or those around you to act in a manner that would bring shame to Tora Kodo Karate Kai.
15. Any kyu grade karate-ka from another dojo who joins Tora Kodo Karate Kai may wear the belt of the grade they have attained in their previous association, but after 3 months regular training they
must take a grading with an approved Tora Kodo Karate Kai grading examiner. Following such examination they will be awarded the appropriate grade.
16. All members must have completed and returned a membership form.
17. All members must hold a valid license to be able to train and all instructors must hold a current public liability insurance certificate. It is the individuals' responsibility to make sure that their licence, insurance and other documentation is valid and up to date. Members must also hold a current grading record. The grading examiner will refuse to grade any member not able to produce these documents. Any member who does undertake a grading examination and is subsequently found to have incorrect documents will have the results of the grading examination rescinded.
18. When engaging in semi-contact sparring it is compulsory that protective equipment is worn and this includes hand mitts, shin/instep protectors, gum shields and groin guards also juniors must wear a head guard. Chest protection for female members and head guards for senior members are optional but recommended. Students must provide their own protective gear. Semi-contact sparring is optional and undertaken at your own risk.
19. Kumite (sparring) definitions;
• Sanbon Kumite - Three attack sparring
• Gohon Kumite - Five attack sparring
• Kihon Ippon Kumite - Basic one attack sparring
• Jiyu Ippon Kumite - Semi-free one attack sparring
• Jiyu Kumite - Free sparring
20. For health and safety reasons, any blood spilt on the dojo floor must be cleaned up by the individual whose blood it is. It is the member's responsibility to report any injuries or illnesses (permanent or temporary) to the club instructor. Asthmatics please ensure that your ventilators are always carried with you or are at hand in the dojo. Insulin dependant diabetics, please ensure that you have sugar available.
21. Parents are responsible for taking and picking up their children to and from the dojo.
22. Instruction will only be given by a Tora Kodo Karate Kai instructor and no one else.
23. Any grade found to be breaking the rules shall not be recognised by Tora Kodo Karate Kai and shall be struck from the register.
24. Suggestions or complaints should be made in writing to the chief instructor(s) of Tora Kodo Karate Kai.
Any breach of these rules and you may be called before the chief instructor(s) of Tora Kodo Karate Kai and in all matters the decision of the chief instructor(s) is final. Tora Kodo Karate Kai can amend these rules at any time.
English Karate Federation (EKF) Affiliated Policies
The links below are to policy documents as provided by the EKF, that are followed by Tora Kodo Karate Kai.
