Kuk Sool Won of Washington, DC

Won™.  Perhaps you are already signed up. Read this now as a prospective or beginning student. Refer to it later, as memory fails or questions arise.

As a new student you will hear the word "etiquette" repeatedly, you will learn that proper etiquette accounts for a high percentage of your score on belt tests. You will hear the masters say that the first thing to be learned as a student of martial arts is etiquette. What exactly do they mean by ETIQUETTE? They mean the proper code of behavior for a martial artist.

So- - what is the proper behavior of a martial artist? The deceptively simple answer! Any behavior that is motivated by RESPECT. If you truly learn this martial art, it is inevitable and natural that you will develop respect for the art. In appreciating the truth and beauty of the art automatically you will also develop respect for the teachers who impart their knowledge to you. Likewise you will have respect for your classmates who share your learning adventure. And finally, there will be respect for you, the learner.

The remainder of this paper consists of various rules and regulations. In reading through them and learning them, don't forget that RESPECT is the rationale for their existence.

TITLES
Always address the instructors by their correct titles, both in and out of class. You may also say "Sir" or "Ma'am". Using the instructor's first name or saying "Hey You" is not polite or respectful. Instructor titles are listed below.

Grandmaster                         Kuk Sa Nim (10th Degree/Founder/President)
Chief Master                         Chohng Kwahn Jahng Nim (10th Degree/Vice President)
Senior Executive Master         Su Suhk Kwahn Jahng Nim (9th Degree)
Executive Master                   Suhn Im Kwahn Jahng Nim (8th Degree)
Senior Master                        Ji Do Kwahn Jahng Nim (7th Degree)
Head Master                          Joo Im Kwahn Jahng Nim (6th Degree)
Master                                  Pyung Kwahn Jahng Nim (5th Degree)
Assistant Master                     Sa Bum Nim (4th Degree)
Third Degree Black Belt         Pu Sa Bum Nim
Second Degree Black Belt       Kyo Sa Nim
First Degree Black Belt           Jo Kyo Nim

BOWING
Bowing is the most obvious way to show respect. Because Western culture has little experience with the act of bowing it is often misunderstood. Bowing is not a form of worship, a display of subservience, or an admission of inferiority. In Eastern cultures bowing is a simple method of greeting, and a sign of respect, such as a handshake in Western culture.

As a martial arts student you will bow frequently. It is important to know when and how to bow.

Bow whenever you enter or leave the practice area of the Do Jahng. This "Do Jahng Bow" is executed by bringing the right fist over the heart (palm-side facing the heart) and say "Kuk Sool", then bend forward from the waist.

When you first see your instructor, bow to him/her as you greet him/her. When you leave school bow to an instructor, bow as you bid him farewell. When bowing to instructors, always bow lower than the instructor does.

"Bow in" before practice and "bow out" after practice. These bows are done from a kneeling position at the beginning and ending of every class. The first bow is to the national flag. The second bow is to the association flag. The third bow is to the Grandmaster if he is in the Do Jahng, or to his picture if he is not in the Do Jahng. The fourth bow is to the head instructor. The next bow should be made to any and all Black Belts present at the time of the bow in/out. This bow should start with the highest-ranking Black Belt and follow down to the lowest ranking Black Belt. The last bow is to all of your fellow classmates.

If you are in the Do Jahng when a class bows in/out you should always stop what you are doing and participate in the bow. If you are in street clothes you may perform the bows from a standing position, but kneeling position would be better.

During class or practice...

- Bow to teacher when beginning and ending hyung.
- Bow to association flag when practicing hyung without an instructor's supervision.
- Bow to opponents before and after sparring.
- Bow to partners before and after technique practice.
- Bow any time that the instructor tells you to bow.

This bow is executed by bending forward from the waist slightly (about 15 degrees). Your eyes should be lowered but you should still be able to see all of the person to whom you are bowing. If you are in uniform then your hands should be "catching" your belt in the attention position. If you are in regular clothes then keep your arms at your side.

FORMAL AND SEMI-FORMAL BOWING
The semi-formal bow is done from the standing "attention" position, with your feet together. If you are in uniform put your hands on your belt, index fingers pointing downward and touching (forming the point of a triangle). If you are not in uniform, place your hands at your sides. Bend forward at the waist to a 90-degree angle and say "KUK SOOL". Look downward, at your feet, as a sign of trust. When bowing for sparring, look at your opponent's feet. This will allow you to keep your opponent within your field of vision. This also applies if you have a weapon in your hands, or if you are about to do techniques with a partner.

The formal bow is done from a kneeling position. Knees are together, and hands are either on the belt as in semi-formal bowing or on the thighs. Place your hands close to each other on the floor in front of you, so that you make a triangle with your thumbs and index fingers. (This hand position is specific to the martial arts. When the formal bow is used in social situations, the hands are slightly separated.) When you bow, lower your forehead to your hands and say "KUK SOOL". All Kuk Sool students should stop whatever they are doing and participate in the bowing whenever a class is doing formal bowing.

Bowing represents the mutual respect that the instructors and students should feel among themselves and towards each other. When you bow, you are not bowing to that person, but to the knowledge, wisdom and skills that person has acquired, and to the rank that they have attained.

Another way of showing martial art etiquette can be seen in the way one hands items to another person. You should always use two hands when giving or receiving articles to or from a person with a higher belt rank.

PREPARING FOR CLASS
1. Come into class clean and well groomed.

2. The Korean word for the martial arts uniform is Do Bok. Come to practice with a complete and presentable Do Bok. This means the uniform should be clean and un-torn. It should include underwear, jacket, pants, and a belt. Any T-shirt or leotard worn under the jacket should be black. Always treat your Do Bok with respect; after class, fold it neatly. So that the color will not fade, wash your Do Bok with a mild detergent in cold water. Either hang to dry or use low heat when using a dryer.

3. Change into your uniform without delay before practice. Always wear the full uniform at the beginning of class. If the weather is to hot you may ask permission to take off the jacket after class has bowed in.

4. Do not wear jewelry during practice. Jewelry can cause injury to yourself or your partners. Also your jewelry may get broken.

5. Do not use drugs except for medications. If you are ever found drunken or drugged, you may be expelled.

6. Once you are in uniform, begin your warm ups.

DO JAHNG DO'S and DON'TS
1. Do take your shoes off before entering the practice area of the Do Jahng.
2. Do not play on or use any of the gym equipment.
3. Do not eat, drink, chew gum, or smoke in the Do Jahng.
4. Do not leave your Do Bok or any other possessions in the Do Jahng.
5. Do not swear, curse, or use any vulgar language inside the Do Jahng.
6. Do keep the Do Jahng clean and orderly.

DURING PRACTICE
1. Be on time for class; attend class regularly
2. If you arrive late, ask for permission to join the class. If you must leave class early,
ask for permission before leaving.
3. If your uniform needs adjusting face away from flags, front or partner, and kneel on
your right knee when you fix it.
4. Whenever you've been told to sit down during a class session, sit properly with your feet crossed or tucked under you. Do not slouch or lean against the walls.
5. Concentrate on training. Never do anything to obstruct your own or another's learning. There should be no talking or horseplay during practice.
6. Practice to your full potential. Push yourself to the limit of your endurance, energy and concentration.
7. Keep a strong mind. Do not let doubts and/or fears overshadow you. Also do not show your weariness. It is contagious and will quickly contaminate your classmates.
8. At the same time be realistic. Do not push yourself beyond safe limits.
9. Discuss any problem or question with an instructor.

WEAPONS
1. Ask for permission from an instructor to use a weapon. Usually weapon
techniques are not taught until one has earned a Brown belt.
2. Always treat weapons with care and respect. Do not lean or rest upon your weapon.
3. Never leave a weapon unattended. When finished practicing, put it away promptly.
4. Do not touch weapons that you are not taught in Kuk Sool.

THE PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITY OF RANK
1. Obey instructors and higher belts.
2. Do not disturb others while they practice.
3. Help lower belts. Remember that you did not achieve your rank without the help of others.
4. Never try to do something that you have not been taught.
5. DO NOT TEACH in or out of the Do Jahng if you are not qualified.
6. If you wish to practice at another Kuk Sool School, ask your instructor for permission to do so.
7. NEVER USE MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING NEEDLESSLY, USE ONLY TO DEFEND GOOD!!!

LEARN TO COUNT
Below is a list of basic numbers in Korean. You will hear these in class.

Hana    One            Ta-Sut     Five             I-Hop       Nine

Tool     Two           Ya-Sut     Six               Yul          Ten

Set      Three          Il-Gop     Seven

Net      Four           Yu-Dol     Eight

MARTIAL ARTS FORMS - WHAT DO THEY MEAN
The Korean word for form is Hyung. To beginning students or to casual spectators of martial arts, hyungs seem to be dance like routines of techniques strung together arbitrarily. Though many are like beautiful dances, they are hardly arbitrary. Hyungs are actually a method of training, which can improve the serious student physically, mentally and spiritually.

On the physical level, hyungs teach coordination between hands and feet, balance for moving and turning, basic techniques, and improve strength and conditioning. A hyung must be repeated thousands of times before the body is able to perform the techniques smoothly, gracefully, and powerfully, gaining maximum effect without wasted effort. This basic aspect of hyung practice takes many years to achieve.

Although single repetition of hyungs can improve a student on the physical level, he or she will not progress beyond a certain limit if hyungs are practiced mindlessly. The techniques in hyungs are not random. They are a series of offensive and defensive moves against an imaginary opponent. Thus, each hyung is a staged contest, which demonstrates the principles of fighting and the application of techniques. In many martial arts, each hyung focuses on some particular example from the natural world, such as fighting methods of an animal or the properties of a natural element like water, wind, or clouds.

Hyungs also have a spiritual basis. Many draw principles from the ancient Chinese Book of Changes, The I Ching. Chinese priests practiced forms as a method of moving meditation, which enhances the integration of mind, body, and spirit. While this spiritual element of hyungs may seem the least attainable to the student, it is actually the foundation upon which they rest. Thus the master has as much to learn from the simplest Hyung as the novice.

WHY DO MARTIAL ARTIST ALWAYS BREAK THINGS?
Those that have attended many martial arts demonstration know that board breaking, brick smashing, bottle shattering, and numerous other destructive practices are always a prominent part of the action. Are there some reasons for this, beyond impressing the spectator? The answer of course is yes.

On the physical level, breaking is a means of testing one's techniques. A good break requires good balance, speed, accuracy, power, and control. One can train endlessly, but without actually applying techniques against a real object it is difficult to know whether they would be effective. If the technique works against a stack of boards or bricks, however, one is reasonably assured that sufficient power has been attained.

In most breaks, power is not the limiting factor. In fact almost anyone is physically capable of splintering several pieces of lumber in a single blow. The reason most people could not obtain this feat, is a matter of negative attitude and lack concentration, or doubt. Breaking requires mobilization and coordination of both the limbs and the mind. To learn and to know that one will be successful is the purpose of breaking exercises. Attainment of this level of coordination and confidence is no simple matter, but it is within everyone's reach. Once it is attained however, there are few limits on its application. To be sure, there are always more difficult challenges, but the principle remains the same. Ultimately, one should be able to apply this to all facets of life. In doing so, one transcends the sport-like and merely physical aspects of one's training and begins to understand that martial arts are truly about so much more than just breaking bones.

KUK SOOL WON™ TEST MATERIAL

YEA-UI (etiquette)
Uniform
Bowing
Attitude Giving and Receiving Articles

JAW SAE(stance)
Ki Mah Jaw Sae (Horse)                                   Kong Kyuk Jaw Sae (Attack)
Bahng uh Jaw Sae (Defense)                            Juhn Gool Jaw Sae (Front)
Crane Stance (One Leg)

SOO KI (Hand Techniques)
Punch (single and multiple)                               Inside Block
Backfist                                                          Outside Block
Spear Hand (H/M/L)                                         High Block
Knife Hand (Inside, Outside)                              Low Block
Circle (Spinning) Knife Hand                              4 Directional Blocking
Ridge Hand                                                      X Blocks (H/M/L)
Elbow strikes (6 strikes)                                    Palm Strike (single and multiple)
1,2 sudo (Backfist, Reverse Punch, Turn Knife Hand)

JOK SOOL (Kicking Techniques)
Front Stretch Kick                                             Side Kick
Front Kick                                                        Hook Kick
Roundhouse Kick                                               Back Kick
Inside Crescent Kick                                          Outside Crescent Kick

NAK BUB (Falling Techniques)
Front Roll Shoulder Roll & Stand Up
Shoulder Roll & Break Side Fall
Front Fall Back Fall
Dive Roll Twisting (Front/Side)
Cat Nak Bub (High)
Cartwheel
One Hand Cartwheel
Elbow Cartwheel
Round Off
Handspring