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Safety and Etiquette
2020/04/25The Hows and Whys of Dojo Conduct
At first glance, a karate dojo may seem like a cross between a Buddhist temple and boot camp. There’s a lot of bowing, a lot of yes sirs and yes ma’ams, and plenty of other formalities that may seem mysterious to the uninitiated. All in all, it can be a little confusing to new students and visitors.
When newcomers join the dojo, I like to get them familiarized with safety and etiquette as soon as possible. I usually arrange for this to be done in bits and pieces (woven into their preliminary lessons on basic techniques), but it’s hard to cover everything in one or two classes and it can be a lot for new students to take in.
Consequently, I thought it would be good to provide a practical guide to dojo safety and etiquette. The guide is presented below, and is intended to be a primer for new students, a refresher for long-time students, and an introduction to the curious nature of dojo conduct for everyone else!
General Safety
Remove jewelry before coming to class (e.g. earrings, watches, bracelets, rings, necklaces). This is for your own safety and for the safety of your training partners.
Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed. Long nails can be accidentally torn off or can inadvertently scratch your training partner. I still have a scar from decades ago when I sparred someone whose fingernails were not properly clipped.
Make sure your gi pants are not too long. Cuffs that drag on the floor can be a tripping hazard. Roll them up securely or shorten them.
Boys and men should wear groin guards while training. They can usually be found in the hockey section of sporting goods stores.
Women are encouraged to wear breast protectors while sparring. They can usually be found in stores that sell fencing equipment.
Don’t chew gum in class. This is a choking hazard when participating in any athletic activity.
Sparring Safety
Do not attempt any techniques that are forbidden for your rank. Backfists and open-handed techniques are not allowed below green belt, and sweeps and groin attacks are not allowed below brown belt.
Never attempt any dangerous techniques. Never target the eyes, throat, knees, spine, or back of the head. Never execute a technique in an uncontrolled fashion.
Stop sparring as soon as yame is called. Disengage immediately and return to your original starting position. Do not turn your back on your opponent as you do this. It’s not that they would intentionally try to hit you while your back is turned. It’s just that it is bad practice to turn your back, and there is always the possibility that your opponent didn’t hear the yame, or that the yame you thought you had heard wasn’t actually called.
Etiquette
Say “good morning/afternoon/evening Sensei” when you first arrive to class and when you leave to go home. This is done at the entrance of the dojo. It’s a gesture of respect for Sensei and for the dojo, and it’s done even if Sensei is not physically present.
Bow whenever you enter or exit the dojo during the course of a class (e.g. to go to the washroom). This is a gesture of respect for the training environment.
Bow to your partner or group leader when you are about to begin working together. This is a gesture of respect for that person.
Bow and say “thank you sir/ma’am/Sensei” when you finish working with a partner or group. This is a gesture of gratitude for the training you just received.
Bow and say “thank you sir/ma’am/Sensei” when you receive feedback or guidance. This is a gesture of gratitude for the comments you just received.
Say “yes sir/ma’am/Sensei” when someone addresses you. This is an acknowledgement indicating that you have heard and understood what was said.
Bow at the beginning and at the end of a demonstration.
Bow to the chief judge, and then to your opponent at the beginning of a sparring match. Bow to your opponent, and then to the chief judge at the end of the match.
Do not speak or show any discontent during a sparring match. If a judge says something to you, answer them.
Bow when someone hands you a training weapon, or when you hand one to someone else. Always treat the training weapon (e.g. a rubber knife) as if it were the real thing.
When being presented with a new belt (as the result of a promotion), bow before the belt is handed to you, and then again after you have accepted it. Receive the belt with your hands palm up as you grab it with both hands from underneath.
Sit cross-legged and still when asked to sit down.
Pay attention when someone is speaking, and don’t talk to anyone else while they are speaking.
Move quickly when you are directed somewhere or when you are called to demonstrate. This reflects your enthusiasm for what you are doing.
Keep your equipment clean and in good condition.
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