TAGB Rules and Regulations

Being a member of a large martial arts association such as ours does bring with it certain responsibilities - both for the association members, and also for the association. Membership of the association includes vital insurance cover, arranged for us by the British TaeKwon-Do Council of which we are members, without which students cannot spar, compete or grade; membership of the association is obligatory for all students. For further details of the insurance policy, please click here.

During training sessions you will see students ‘lining up’ or doing ‘line work’. Students line up in what we refer to as ‘grade rows’, with the most senior black belt student at the front right of the class, and then moving down through the grades until you get to the white belt (beginner) students at the back of the class. This is a traditional way of training and is used by most martial arts – it also means that less experienced students can watch and learn from the more experienced students in front of them! Don’t worry if you can’t remember where to stand to start off with, higher grade students will always be happy to help out and point you in the right direction – they don’t bite! (Well, generally!!).

There are some other formalities that will be expected of you as a Tae Kwon-Do student (again, we don’t expect you to remember all of this straight away!):

It is traditional that instructors and higher-grade students from blue belt and above should always be referred to as ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’ during training sessions. This reflects the military foundation of the art.

Students are also expected to observe the following conduct in the dojang (training hall) in order to maintain an orderly and effective training hall:

• Bow upon entering.
• Bow to the instructor at a proper distance.
• Exchange greetings between students.
• Bow to the instructor upon forming a line prior to training.
• Bow to the instructor upon forming a line prior to dismissal.
• Bow before leaving the dojang (training hall).

Again these formalities are a tradition that reflects the art’s military foundation, and you may feel a little odd doing it at first, but you do get used to it!

Now we come to the official rules and regulations of the TAGB. Please read through them, I won't test you on them, but these are things you need to know!

Rules and Regulations

• 1. All students must be in possession of a TAGB membership, licence and record card after their first grading.
• 2. Subscriptions to be paid by standing order before the 15th of the month. Failure to do so (or students preferring to pay by cash or cheque) will incur a £5 administration fee. The build up of arrears is not accepted.
• 3. Any student not attending lessons and not paying subscriptions for a continuous period of two months or more shall pay a re-enrolment fee before being allowed to recommence training.
• 4. No smoking, eating, drinking or wearing of jewellery, rings etc., in the dojang is permitted.
• 5. Whilst wearing a dobok, no smoking is permitted regardless of the place, (dojang, tournament, demonstration etc.)
• 6. When eating or drinking whilst wearing a dobok, your belt must be removed.
• 7. After your first grading a dobok must be worn during training in the dojang, the wearing of tracksuits or other clothes is not permitted. (If you forget an item, speak to the instructor prior to commencement of the class). You are also expected to ensure that your dobok is clean and pressed.
• 8. If the instructor is late, the most senior student will start the training session promptly on time, until the instructor arrives.
• 9. Misuse of the art will result in disciplinary action.
• 10. Grading will depend on attendance (generally a minimum of 75% based on training a minimum of two nights a week is expected) and the instructor’s discretion as well as technical ability.
• 11. No student may officially change schools without the prior permission of both instructors concerned.
• 12. All students must purchase a students handbook after their first grading.
• 13. All students must complete and sign the relevant forms prior to their first grading.