Club etiquette

The Oath of Karate

By joining our association you have promised to uphold the true spirit of Karate and never to use the skills I am taught against any persons except for the defence of myself, family or friends in the instance of extreme danger or unprovoked attack or in support of Law and Order. 

Etiquette

As martial artists, etiquette and respect are important in how everyone within the club conducts themselves.

Proper etiquette starts before training, you should be well groomed and clean for training, and wear a clean gi (or gi trousers and an ECKA t-shirt). Grooming means, in particular, keeping your fingernails and toenails trimmed, so they don’t injure other people or break during training. If you have long hair, it should be tied up.

Once you arrive, prepare yourself for training, take off any jewellery – watch, rings, earrings, necklaces, etc. Be sure to silence or switch off your mobile phone too. Put on your gi, belt and any protective gear needed for the day (groin or chest guards, etc.).

Students should not really wear their gi or belts outside the dojo (e.g., on a trip to the shops). It’s OK to wear gi pants and a t-shirt, but keep your belt off until you are in the dojo.

Upon entering the dojo

Whenever you enter, or leave, the dojo (training hall), you should step to one side, facing to the inside of the hall, and bow, saying “Oss” as you do so. “Oss” is a Japanese term that combines "Onegai Shimasu" (a respectful request) and "Oshi Shinobu" (to endure under pressure), symbolising respect, perseverance, and acknowledgment among practitioners.

At the start and end of every class

Before starting any training, and to mark the end of training everyone within the class will line up, in grade order, stand still and quiet. The most senior grade student will set each line and everyone else will line up to their left, by grade order. If two students have the same rank, the student who trained longer at the dojo is the senior.

The instructor (the Sensei) or a representative high grade will then ask everyone to bow and say “Oss” as they do so.

What to do if you are late

Sometimes (hopefully, rarely), you may be late for training. If you know you will be late, it is polite to contact the Sensei ahead of time, and let them know - typically using the club’s WhatsApp group is the best way of doing this.

If you do then arrive late and the class has already started, you should enter the dojo as above and once ready to join the class stand to one side in ready position until the Sensei, or senior student who is leading the warm-up, bows them into the class.

If you are really late, and the warm-up has finished, then you would need to warm yourself up in the alcove by the hall and then do the process above in order to ask to join in once ready.

Sensei

You should only refer to any of the club instructors, or the senior grade who is leading the class as Sensei, or “Sensei” followed by their name.

Partner work

When you partner up in a class, the first thing you should do is to bow to each other, this is a mark of respect and thanking your partner for agreeing to work with you.

Once that is done you should always do your best to be a good partner and to also train appropriately for your partner. If it is easy for them, you can go faster and harder. If it is hard for them, go slower and softer.

After training together you should then bow to each other to mark the end of that period and to thank them for training with you.