There are numerous Taekwondo organizations. Each organization and Instructor teaches his/her own interpretation of Taekwondo and operates his/her Dojang (pronounced doe-jung), in accordance with his/her own rules and regulations. The regulations presented below may or may not be in accordance with that of other Dojangs' or national/local organizations.

Training in Taekwondo is mental and spiritual, as well as physical. In addition to self-defense techniques, students learn to build self-control, discipline, and respect for other people. As a part of the training, certain traditions and formal behaviors are observed (regulations). These behaviors do not have any type of religious symbolism, they merely show respect for the oriental cultural base of Taekwondo.

Etiquette is an integral part of Dojang protocol. Etiquette is your actions that express your respect of another person. Etiquette is a lofty and valued attitude and is a source of harmony and solidarity. To maintain order in a group of students, especially minors, there must be strict discipline and enforcement of the rules of etiquette. A moral and modest attitude is important in etiquette. Etiquette is an essential part of Taekwondo training.

Students must constantly be guided by a deep respect for Taekwondo, the MTT Dojang, and all members of the Dojang. Good manners, politeness, courteous behavior, and maintenance of formal etiquette are part of training. Students must know the MTT Dojang regulations and always obey them, which are as follows:

• Upon entering and exiting McLaughlin's Taekwondo of Texas Dojang; students shall bow first, to the Instructor if he/she is present. Upon entering and exiting the Dojang designated training area (outlined in black); students shall bow first, to the Instructor if he/she is present. If the class has already begun before a student enters the Dojang training area, the student shall wait, after bowing to the Instructor, for the Instructor's acknowledgment of student's bow and his/her permission to join the class.
  1. To bow in proper Taekwondo manner, bow your head by 45 degrees. The upper body should bend at the waist by 15 degrees. The back soles of both feet should stick together firmly. Both palms should rest at the side of the appropriate leg. Eyes look downward, except in sparring when eyes are kept on the lower part of the opponent's body.

• Students are required to print their name legibly on the class "Attendance Sheet" before every class. No student is permitted to enter another student's name.

• Students are required to check the designated area for announcements and obtain their announcements indicated by their highlighted name, before class. It is each student's responsibility to read and maintain these announcements for future reference.

• No one is allowed to wear shoes in the MTT Dojang designated training area, unless otherwise instructed. There shall be no food or drinks in the training area. Consider the Dojang as your home and treat it as such. The designated training area must always be kept clean and empty of any distracting items. The Dojang is home for those who wish to learn the Way of the Korean Martial Arts. Members should, without having to be asked, help keep the Dojang clean. All personal belongings should be kept out of the designated training area. Every student is responsible for his/her own valuables.

• New students are expected to wear a Dobok (Uniform) 4 weeks after their first class. In the meantime, new students are required to wear tights/bike shorts under appropriate loose fitting clothing.

• Students shall exercise care to keep their Dobok clean and pressed at all times. Color Belts wear appropriate white collar Doboks and Black Belts wear appropriate black collar Doboks. Students shall take care to pay respect to their own bodies and keep themselves clean. Fingernails and toenails should be clipped and kept short to help prevent injuries to oneself and other members. No metal of any sort, except eye glasses or a wedding ring, should be worn during class. No barrettes, head-bands, or other articles of clothing should be worn, other than the Dobok and Dhee (Belt) required for class.

• Students shall show respect for the countless hours and effort to attain each rank by NEVER letting his/her Dhee touch the floor.

• When class is to officially begin, the Instructor will clap his/her hands, at which time all students in the MTT Dojang will stop what they are doing, face the Instructor in the position of attention, and bow to the Instructor. The Instructor will return the bow, then, give the command, "chul sa" (line up). Students will again bow to the Instructor, and then quickly line up. Students will line up according to rank and seniority, the highest ranking member to the front right as he/she faces the Instructor. The students will then stand and remain at the position of attention. At this time the Instructor will conduct warm-up exercises, and then proceed with the rest of the class.

• During class, proper respect and discipline must be maintained at all times and MTT Dojang etiquette followed by all members. The chain of command of ranks must be followed at all times.

• Should the Chief Instructor enter the MTT Dojang, the presiding Instructor (or highest ranking member), will call the class to attention, have them turn and face the Chief Instructor, and bow. The Chief Instructor will return the bow and either have students resume their training or instruct the class on what they are to do next.

• If it should be necessary for a student to leave the MTT Dojang before the class is over, he/she must get permission from the Chief Instructor, unless he/she received permission prior to the class.

• Should a student wish to direct a question to the Chief Instructor, he/she does not do so directly, but approaches the Senior Member during break or after class. If the Senior Member is unable to help the student, the Senior Member may ask an Instructor, but the Chief Instructor should never be approached directly. If the Instructor is unable to help the student, it is now the Instructor's responsibility to ask the Chief Instructor. The Instructor shall raise his/her hand, and wait for the Chief Instructor's acknowledgment of their raised hand and permission to ask a question. A chain of command is established, and problems dealt with at the level where they properly belong. Proper MTT Dojang etiquette should be observed at all times.

• When addressing a Black Belt, it is respectfully mandatory to begin the address appropriately with "Sir" or "Ma'am".

• A student should NEVER ask to learn advanced techniques or the next Taegeuk Poomse. The Instructor will teach the student what he/she is qualified to learn at his/her level. It is disrespectful to ask for additional training when a student may not yet have perfected what he/she is presently working on.

• There shall be no unnecessary noise during class. Students must remain silent at all times unless instructed otherwise. Students seated at the sidelines should remain still so as not to disturb those training, and learn from the exercises being conducted. Guest(s) are welcomed and encouraged to watch training. Students are required to inform his/her guest(s) that these rules apply to guest(s) as well.

• While seated on the floor, students should keep proper posture conductive to good health, with hands in fists, forearms resting on the thighs, back straight, head erect, and legs folded with the right leg on the outside of the left. No student should lean against anything when sitting or standing.

• Before and after exercises, if students should adjust their Dobok and Dhee, students should turn away from the Instructor or fellow student he/she is working with, 180 degrees to their right, adjust their Dobok and Dhee (Belt), then turn to the right 180 degrees, facing the Instructor or fellow student he/she is working with.

• Warm-up exercises before training and loosening-up exercises after training must be practiced by every participant in order to prepare the BODY, the MIND, and the SPIRIT. Failure to do these exercises could result in pulled muscles and a lack of concentration on the part of the participant. When training, one must be in proper physical condition and focus his/her concentration. If he/she fails to do this, serious injury could result. Any student under his/her physician's care, shall advise the Chief Instructor, and upon release, return to class providing the Chief Instructor with his/her Physician's Release Form, to participate fully in all class activities.

• At the end of class, students will again line up according to rank and seniority. The commands are the same as during the opening ceremony.

• The MTT Dojang is a place of learning. It is where individuals come, not only to learn how to defend themselves physically, but mentally as well. It is the goal of the martial arts to help develop the total person. Members of a Dojang are like a family. They help each other learn from their experiences both in and out of the Dojang. Members should be proud to be accepted as part of this family. This pride should be reflected, not only in how they conduct themselves while in the Dojang, but outside the Dojang, in their normal daily activities.

• It is imperative that at no time should Taekwondo techniques be displayed outside of McLaughlin's Taekwondo of Texas Dojang, unless it is a matter of self-preservation when NO OTHER CHOICE is available, or prior approval from the Chief Instructor. Do not practice with any person who is not a student of McLaughlin's Taekwondo of Texas.

• All students shall be addressed by their last names. Even minors should be addressed in this manner. If we call the minor Mr. or Miss, then we are teaching them respect. Respect for both themselves and for others. This will be carried over into their private lives which will reflect their respect for others and their Martial Arts training. Students should NEVER be addressed by their first names; it is a sign of disrespect.

• The Instructor should be addressed by his/her last name, followed by "Sa Bum Nim", (Sa Bum, meaning Instructor, Nim, meaning Honorable), e.g., "Shin Sa Bum Nim". The Chief Instructor should be addressed by his/her last name, followed by "Chang Sa Bum Nim", e.g., "McLaughlin Sa Bum Nim". Masters, 4th Dans or above, should always, whether in or out of a Dojang, be addressed as "Master", followed by their last name, e.g., "Master Blanks". High ranking Masters must be addressed by their correct titles such as "Grand Master Poos", more correctly addressed as "Kuk Sa Nim". These Instructors should NEVER be addressed by their first names; it is a sign of disrespect.

NOTE: Native Korean words may be spelled slightly different since the Chinese language is most commonly used today. The Korean spellings MTT uses have been provided by Mr. and Mrs. Shin, residing in Korea. Various versions are as follows:

• Dojang or Tojang
• Dhee, Dee, or Tti
• Dobok or Tobok
• Sa Bum Nim, Sah Bum Nim, or Sam Bum Nim

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Belt tests are a way of recognizing a student's skill and commitment to the MTT Dojang. These tests help students to set intermediate goals on their path to a Black Belt and instill in them a desire to reach the Black Belt. This desire will show itself in other areas of a student's life as he/she strives to meet and surpass all the goals they set in their lives. The main purpose of a belt test is to build self-confidence.

Belt test etiquette is an integral part of MTT Dojang protocol. Etiquette is a person's actions that express their respect of another person. Etiquette is a lofty and valued attitude and is a source of harmony and solidarity. To maintain order in a group of students, especially minors, there must be strict discipline and enforcement of the rules of etiquette. A moral and modest attitude is important in etiquette. Etiquette is an essential part of Taekwondo training.

Students must constantly be guided by a deep respect for Taekwondo, the MTT Dojang, and all members of the Dojang. Good manners, politeness, courteous behavior, and maintenance of formal etiquette are part of training. Students must know the MTT Dojang belt test regulations and always obey them, which are as follows:

• Belt testing is a privilege and a sign of achievement. Only the MTT Chief Instructor is qualified to make the decision in which a student's ability is capable to advance (i.e., tenets, trinity, performance, attendance, participation, support, etc.).

• Belt testing will start promptly as scheduled and will last up to several hours. Students shall arrive no later than 30 minutes before test time to:
  1. Pay for Test (nonrefundable)
  2. Deliver "Teacher Comment Form" (juniors only)
  3. Stretch
  4. Prepare

• Juniors are responsible for their TCF (Teacher Comment Form). At no time may the TCF be accepted before the day of testing. Junior students that don't present their TCF on the day of testing will forfeit the privilege of testing.

• Students shall wear appropriate Dobok (cleaned and pressed) and have all the necessary equipment for gyoroogi.

• Students arriving while the test is in progress will forfeit the privilege of testing.

• Test etiquette follow the same rules as a normal class in which students and their guest(s) must provide the utmost respect by remaining silent at all times during the exam.
  1. Pagers must be placed on vibrate mode.
  2. Cell phones should be turned off.
  3. Outgoing calls should be made outside of testing area.

• The format of the belt test may vary, but is generally given in three parts:
  1. Q&A, Stances, Punches, Blocks, Kicks, Combinations, Poomse
  2. Gyoroogi
  3. Kyepka

• Students should never approach the Black Belt Board, nor ask questions of the Chief Instructor during test. Students may ask to have a question repeated, if:
  1. Student didn't hear the question.
  2. Student has made a mistake on a technique during testing, in which the student may respectfully ask the Chief Instructor for permission to do the technique over again.

• Students are required to answer questions loudly and kihap appropriately.

• Breaking boards are required in most tests (not all). The size and thickness of the board will depend on the age, size, and belt level of the student as well as the difficulty of the breaking technique. After a board is broken, the student will be handed the broken pieces. Accept the boards with two hands and respectfully bow to that person.

• Students may keep the boards they break and should quietly give the boards to his/her guest(s) to hold, or put them with their shoes and sparring gear, returning to the training area immediately, to provide the next student their full attention.
  1. Parents may want to mark the date, belt level, and breaking technique on the boards.

• The decision of the Chief Instructor is FINAL. No appeal or correspondence will be entertained.

• After belts are awarded and students are dismissed, students may ask the Black Belt Board to sign their broken board. Place the boards with two hands on the table in front of the person accepting your request, bow, step away from the table, and stand in joonbi. Accept the boards with two hands and respectfully bow to that person.

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Tournaments are a place for a participant to learn and enjoy the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, team work, and individual effort to see how their skill and technique stack up against others in their category. There is a code of etiquette to follow at all tournaments, for participants, tournament officials such as Referee, corner scoring Judges, Timer, Recorder, Coaches, and even spectators.

The following is a general code of etiquette to make any tournament an enjoyable event for everyone.

• McLaughlin's Taekwondo of Texas will notify students about upcoming tournaments in which students will be able to participate in. Any other tournament that a student may here about is not to be attended for competition without permission from their Chief Instructor.

• Preview the "Competitor Checklist" and the additional/optional supplies for competitors and spectators, to assure the appropriate items are readily available to take with you.

• Allow sufficient time for competitor "check in" (weigh in, pick up paperwork, badge, etc.), which varies at each tournament. Don't expect anyone to hold the tournament up for you.

• Students planning to attend and participate in a tournament should plan to attend the whole event and help support all other team members of the MTT Dojang.

• Always show proper respect and manners to all tournament officials, opponents, Coaches, etc.

• Yelling and cheering from the sidelines to fellow competitors is allowed as long as you are being constructive. Derogatory remarks or profanity will not be tolerated.

• Do not cut through competition areas to get to your destination. You could be completely unaware of interrupting a competition.

• Parents or guest(s) are welcome to film events at a tournament; however, the tournament floor is for the tournament officials, current competitors, Coaches/Instructors, security personnel, and host ONLY. Parents or guest(s) must respectfully remain off the tournament floor. Filming tips include:
  1. Seek the steadiness of a tripod on higher ground to secure camera.
  2. Set camera window to view the entire competition area.
  3. Avoid zooming in and out during competition.

• If you have a question about the outcome of any competition, contact your Coach. Your Coach shall be the one to answer your question, or question a decision.

• Adult students participating in a tournament should help out in any way possible by keeping score, time, gear, before and after their events, and report their score to the designated MTT score keeper for record.

POOMSE

Before Poomse:

• When called upon, appropriately answer loudly ("Sir" or "Ma'am"), bow upon entering competition area, run to the starting position, bow to the Referee and Judges, and stand at attention.

• To adjust your Dobok and Dhee, participants should bow to the Referee and Judges, turn 180 degrees to their right, adjust their Dobok and Dhee, turn to the right 180 degrees, and bow to the Referee and Judges. Avoid adjustments facing the Referee and Judges.

• If appropriate, state your name and Dojang at a reasonable volume, and wait for permission to start Poomse.

During Poomse:

• Remember to kihap (yell) at appropriate times. If you forget the next move or made a mistake, you may ask for permission from the Referee to start over.

After Poomse:

• When you have finished, stay in finishing position until given instructions to return to starting position by the Referee, and stand at attention.

• Upon dismissal, respectfully bow to the Referee and Judges, then bow off the competition area and return to sitting position around the competition area until all other competitors have performed.

• You will be provided further instructions to either receive an award at the competition area, or pick up your award at another designated area.

• Exit the tournament floor area after receiving your award to await further instructions regarding the gyoroogi competition.

GYOROOGI

Before Gyoroogi:

• Prepare hogu and all other sparring equipment to avoid waiting or penalty.

• When called upon, appropriately answer loudly ("Sir" or "Ma'am"), bow upon entering competition area and run to the starting position designated by the Referee. Bow to your opponent with eyes fixed on the lower part of the opponent's body, then shake hands with your opponent.
  1. To shake hands in proper Taekwondo manner, the handshake is made with right hand, with left elbow in 90 degrees with hand under right elbow, palm down. Bowing is necessary but do not exaggerate motion.

• Wait for equipment inspection and general commands from the referee.

During Gyoroogi:

• Do not cheer yourself or intentionally attack unprotected/penalty areas of your opponent.

• Obey the Referee at all times.

• If your opponent is hurt, respectfully sit on the competition area floor in front of your Coach, facing your Coach, and remain silent until instructed to return to the match.

After Gyoroogi:

• Stand at your starting position at attention. After the decision of the match, respectfully bow and shake hands with:
  1. your opponent
  2. your opponent's Coach
  3. Referee
  4. corner scoring Judges
  5. your Coach

• Always bow upon exiting the competition area and return to sitting position around the competition area until all other competitors have performed.

• You will be provided further instructions to either receive an award at the competition area, or pick up your award at another designated area.

• Exit the tournament floor area immediately after receiving your award.

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