Students must wear a correct Taekwondo uniform or ATA T-shirt and belt except with special permission. Students must never wear T-shirts at a formal event such as a tournament, testing, or belt promotion. At these events, students must wear complete Taekwondo uniforms. Never put your belt (current or old) on the floor!
Students must have clean bodies, clean uniforms, trimmed nails, and hair short or gathered without recourse to headbands. Students should not wear any jewelry when in uniform without the instructor's permission (generally granted only for religious reasons, and only if the jewelry does not pose a safety hazard).
Bare feet are allowed only in the practice area. Students should never walk on pads or mats with shoes.
Students should bow first before entering the school and before addressing an instructor.
Always address instructors as "Sir" or "Ma'am." If including the instructor's name, use Mr., Miss, or Mrs. followed by the surname (last name -- for example, Mr. Nelson). When instructors ask questions, students should end their answers with "Sir" or "Ma'am" (for example, "Yes, Sir" or "Yes, Ma'am").
Students should rise whenever an instructor enters the room (even a dressing room or school reception area) and bow. If a class under an assistant instructor is in progress, it should stop on arrival of the higher ranked instructor and all should bow on command (usually given by the assistant instructor).
All students should follow all instructions from instructors. If there are any questions about the instructions, students should ask them immediately and with proper respect (using "Sir" or "Ma'am"). If sitting, students should stand and bow before addressing an instructor.
Students should not be in the school if they have been consuming alcohol or drugs, or if they have a communicable health problem. If a student is on any prescribed medication, the student should advise the instructor as it may affect performance. Students should also inform instructors of any physical problems or limitations, preferably before class starts.
All students should bow to the flags when entering or leaving the dojang (school). If adjusting a uniform or belt, always face away from the flags.
Dojangs are NO SMOKING areas. Students should never smoke in uniform, even outside the dojang. Students should not chew gum or eat in uniform without the instructor's permission.
Students should take responsibility to keep the school and associated dressing and restroom areas clean out of respect for their instructor, their fellow students, and themselves.
All students should memorize and follow the Spirit of Taekwondo.
Students must obtain permission from their instructor before attending another ATA or other martial arts school. Students must also obtain their instructor's permission before attending non-school martial arts functions because each student is representing the ATA.
