Drysdale’s School Of Tae Kwon Do

  

   

Tae Kwon Do Etiquette for Testing and Seminars

  

Please note the following rules of etiquette and protocol:

 

 

Picking up Senior at a Airport:

 

1. Always bow when meeting Senior
2. Always politely ask if you can carry their luggage. Note: Some seniors want to carry briefcases, etc.
3. Always open the door for them and allow them to pass first.
4. Always walk in front of the Senior Instructor to direct where he/she is going
5. Open and close the car door for them at all times.
6. Always seat the Senior in the back seat opposite the driver. Next in rank would be seated behind the driver and third in the passengers seat in the front.
7. Maintain protocol at ALL times

 

Conduct at testing:

 

1. Person greeting guests are to make sure the senior is ALWAYS greeted first. Rank will then follow.
2. Most senior guest will be addressed first upon entering the Dojang or Testing area
3. All Senior Instructors will be addressed when they enter.
4. No one is to address the test board or walk up to the test board without the consent of the senior Black Belt on the training floor.
5. All students entering and exiting the dojang (test floor) will politely bow.
6. Never turn your back to the test board or special guests.
7. You should never sit with your back to the test board
8. You will follow the commands of the Black Belt running the test to the fullest.
9. Any disrespect will be dealt with harshly.

 

Performing Patterns at Testing:

 

1. Line up by rank (unless designated to perform individually)
2. Bow to the Test Board
3. Bow to the Black Belt conducting the test
4. Always bow at the beginning of your first pattern and after completing your last.
5. Bow to the test board when leaving the testing floor
6. Never turn your back when leaving the test floor.

 

Ho Sin Sol at Testing:

 

When you are called out to perform your Ho Sin Sol routine you will conduct yourself as follows:

 

1. Black Belt running the floor will instruct you as when to bow.
2. Self defense team will line up by rank with the most senior to the right
3. The student testing will line up to the far right, even if he/she is not the senior.
4. The team bows to the test board
5. The team bows to the Black Belt conducting the test.
6. The student testing will face his/her assistants and bow.
7. Command to begin will be given.
8. Upon completion the person testing will bow to his/her assistants first and then to the test board. (This is opposite of when you begin)

7. Bow to the test board when leaving the testing floor
8. Bow to the Black Belt conducting the test before you leave the test floor

9. Never turn your back when leaving the test floor.

 

Breaking at Testing:

 

All candidates will follow these guidelines when getting ready to break:

 

1. Your name will be called out
2. Bow to the test board before you set up your distance
3. Bow to the Black Belt conducting the test
4. Candidate will have three (3) only three attempts to break
5. Upon completion come to attention and bow to the Test Board.
6. Bow to the Black Belt conducting the test.
7. Bow to the Test Board before leaving the test floor.

 

Sparring rules for Testing:

 

1. The Black Belt Conducting the test will call out candidates for sparring.
2. Candidates will come to attention
3. Candidates will bow to the Test Board
4. Candidates will bow to the Black Belt conducting the test
5. Candidates will bow to each other
6. Command to begin will be given
7. When told to stop candidates will do so immediately and come to attention
8. NEVER LOSE YOUR TEMPER. This is very Disrespectful to the Test Board and all who train in Tae Kwon Do. You may be removed from the test and event if this occurs. This type of action is very rarely accepted in Tae Kwon Do.
9. Self Control is one of the Five Tenets and will be upheld at ALL times.
10. Upon the command to stop students will come to attention and face each other
11. Command to face the test board and bow will be given
12. Command to face the Black Belt conducting the test and bow will be given
13. Command to bow to each other will be given
14. Bow upon leaving the test floor
15. Never turn your back to the test board.

 

Receiving Rank:

 

1. When the Simsa is completed the Black Belt conducting the exam will have all the candidates come onto the testing floor and line up as designated.
2. All candidates will bow to the Test Board
3. All candidates will bow to the Black Belt conducting the test.
4. When your name is called out you will immediately say “Yes Sir/Yes Man” bow to the test board and approach the head table. Note: When your name is called move behind the row that you are seated-never move in front –this shows disrespect to your fellow students. This procedure will be shown to you at the Simsa.
5. You will then come to attention, bow to the Senior, and come to parade rest.
6. When results are given to you bow and accept your new belt with both hands graciously and with humility.
7. Bow to the Senior and begin walking backwards-Never turn your back to the Senior or Test Board.
8. You will return to your position the same way you left
9. Bow before you are seated and remain in a proper seated position until told to stand up
10. Each person receiving his or her new rank will follow this procedure.

 

 

Etiquette for Social events and dinner:

 

1. When highest ranking guest arrives all will stand and come to attention
2. All will politely bow to the senior guest
3. All will remain standing and quiet until senior is seated
4. Highest ranking Black Belt is always seated in the center
5. Second in rank to his left and then 3^rd in rank to his right. This will alternate until all are seated. Wives of seniors may be seated with them.
6. Special guest or dignitary may be placed close to the center or at the head table
7. Always try not to have your back to the head table
8. Always wait for the senior to start eating first before you begin
9. Absolutely NO SMOKING is ALLOWED.
10. If you wish to give a toast to a senior, always stand and allow the rim of the senior’s glass the higher position
11. If toasting from a distance again always stand and try to place your glass in a lower position
12. Ask the senior at the table you are seated at if it is okay to drink your beverage without turning away from him/her. This is a custom from our past, one that is not rigidly enforced
13. Seniors at individual tables should always be accorded the respect of their rank. Allow them to be served first, eat and drink first, and be attended to by the juniors
14. If leaving a table before a senior, always rise and bow before backing away
15. If you are leaving for a extended period of time or leaving the event always let the senior know the reason for your leaving-Leaving before a Senior Black Belt is considered rude and should be avoided
16. If the Senior Rank gets up from his/her table and approaches another table, all at that table should stand.
17. It is considered appropriate for all to stand up when a Senior at their table gets up to leave at any time
18. If you must leave a social event before it is complete, you should bow to the Senior, explain the reason for your early departure, and ask permission to leave
19. If the Senior is addressing the audience or in conversation with someone and you have to leave, you should bow to the head table and back out slowly-It is always best to let one of the dignitaries know beforehand of the reason for an early departure, so the senior can be informed if he/she asks

 

Presenting a Gift

 

1. Make sure the gift is appropriate-A bottle of wine, etc
2. Never present a gift that might be embarrassing to the recipient
3. Remember: Always use two hands when presenting an gift to a Senior
   
   

 

Please, always show Respect for your Seniors, all Black Belts and students. Remember: Respect is our “Way Of Life”. Without Respect we have no Tae Kwon Do.

 

 

   

 

Master David D. Drysdale Sr. VII Dan ITF/USITF/DSOTKD

 

Mrs. Joan M. Drysdale VI Dan ITF/USITF/DSOTKD

 

 

 

Compiled and edited by Master David D. Drysdale Sr.

Special thanks to Mr. Steve Blakely VI Dan for his personal insights-Book of Etiquette and Customs