- Home
- Resources
- Rules/Policies
- Little Dragon's Class Rules
Little Dragon's Class Rules
Below is the rules packet that we are handing out to all incoming students. You may print out the FULL packet in PDF form by clicking the link found at the bottom of this page.
At Fabiano’s Karate, we teach children the importance of respect, discipline, and responsibility. Therefore, we have constructed a set of rules for all students to follow. These rules provide structure for students to learn and help ensure a more organized class.
- All students are asked to take care of bathroom breaks and drinks prior to class beginning. We encourage all students to get to class between 10 and 15 minutes early, and to use that time to prepare for class and ask for help.
- Students must be in class for more than ¾ of the time to receive credit; therefore students who are more than 10 minutes late will not receive credit for class. Students who leave with more than 10 minutes in the remainder of class will also not receive credit. This is to ensure fairness for students who are in class for the entire duration.
- To show respect to their teachers, we require all students to say “Yes/No Sir” or “Yes/No Ma’am” when asked a question or requested to do something in class.
- Uniforms are a big responsibility and we do have some guidelines:
- Uniforms must be clean. When in front of instructors, it is very disrespectful to have a dirty uniform. Girls must wear a white t-shirt under their Gi. Boys may wear a white t-shirt under their Gi.
- Make sure feet are clean and nails are trimmed. We are trying to promote good hygiene and reduce the chance of infection or disease.
- No jewelry. We do not want anyone to get injured during class, and do not maintain a lost and found. We are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged jewelry. Therefore, please do not bring it to class.
- Students are to pay attention to the instructor at all times and only talk when it is his/her turn. If a student has a question, they should raise their hand to ask their question.
- To ensure the safety of all students, there is no horseplay before, during, or after class.
- No bad language, insulting words, cursing, or negativity is allowed at any time. We want this to be a positive environment for everyone to enjoy.
- No giving up. “I can’t” is a phrase that should not be used in the dojo. Try your best! We do not expect anyone to do something perfectly, but we expect you to put forth a good effort.
- No gum, candy, food, or drinks are allowed in class.
Dojo Etiquette
For the Students:
- Before Class: Practice! Work on anything that you are having trouble with and be sure to ask for help if you need it. Instructors will be here and would be glad to help you out!
- Independence: In an effort to work on independence, we ask that students try not to communicate with their parents during class. Students who leave class to talk with their parents repeatedly will be asked to sit out and will not receive an attendance mark for the day. There are, however, exceptions to this, including injury or if a child is not feeling well. Please talk with an instructor to get permission to leave class to talk with a parent. This helps ensure that all instructors know what is going on and can take appropriate measures if necessary.
- Bowing: This is an important part of showing respect for the dojo, instructors, and higher ranks. Students shall bow in and out of every room they enter or exit.
- Attention: Remain quiet and focused during class. Don’t fidget, turn around, or look away from an instructor. To show that you are listening, look directly into the eyes of the person who is talking, whether it is a senior student or an instructor. If you need to yawn, cough, sneeze, or fix your uniform; turn around to the back of class. This shows respect for your instructor and fellow students.
- Physical Discomfort or Injuries: If you have an injury, please do not push yourself beyond what you are capable of. If you feel that you will injure yourself further by doing an exercise, please tell an instructor right away and do not continue the exercise. “Pushing yourself” is definitely a show of good motivation, but doing so to a point of injury or discomfort is not healthy or effective.
- Class Participation: Since everything we do is a team effort, it is important to count along with the rest of the class. Instructors like to hear loud and clear counting from the entire class and you should be a part of it. This is not shows that you are listening and paying attention, but it is shows respect for your peers who are following the directions.
- Kiai (Spirit Yell): The Kiai is an important aspect of Karate. We try to motivate you to be the best that you can be. One of the ways that we can tell if you are trying your best is through the demonstration of power and focus while performing your Kiai.
- Respect the Higher Ranks: Rank is about responsibility, not about privileges. As you gain more experience and move up the ranks, consider it your duty to be a role-model for those that follow. It rests upon you to show others the way. Show proper etiquette and work ethic if you expect others to do the same.
- Asking Questions: It is very important to ask questions. If you are not sure how to do something, and you don’t ask, it is not possible for you to improve yourself. We want everyone to get past their shyness and ask questions. This is what the instructors are here for. Always remember, “There is no such thing as a dumb question.”
- Receiving Answers: Listen and learn from your mistakes. If an instructor or senior student corrects you, listen to them. Do not argue with anyone, especially with an instructor. Arguing is not respectful and does not help you to succeed.
- After Class: Ask questions! Instructors stick around a few minutes after class. If you need help with anything, please ask and an instructor will gladly help. Students may not exit the building without their parent present.
For the Parents and Family:
- Pickup/Drop-off: We encourage parents to drop their children off 10-15 minutes before class and pick them up promptly (no later than 10 minutes) after class. Parents wishing to stay for class are more than welcome.
- Remaining Quiet: Parents and siblings observing class should remain quiet during instruction. Please keep (your other) children quiet, and refrain from answering your cell phone during class. Children not in karate at Fabiano’s must not be out on the instructing floor during classes. Cell phones should be turned off or set to vibrate prior to class starting. If you must answer your phone, we ask that you take the phone conversation outside the building where class cannot be disturbed. If you would like to talk with other parents, please do so at a whisper level or after class. Disrupting class with noise is both disrespectful to the instructors and the students trying to learn.
- Sideline Coaching: As with any sport, parents are asked to not to yell to their children or coach from the “sidelines.” Instructors are here to help your children with the exercises and activities that we do. We ask that you please refrain from coaching your children during class. If you need to make us aware of something, please get a hold of an instructor who will gladly assist you.
- Encouraging Your Children: If your child comes to see you during the class, please encourage your child to return to class and to have communication with an instructor if a problem exists.