Student Handbook
Welcome to American Martial Arts Center. A word from the Master Instructor, Hello, and welcome to our school. I look forward to helping you grow as a martial artist and see to it that you accomplish all your martial arts goals. It is our aim as a school to provide you with the highest quality of martial arts instruction available. Like any new student there is much anticipation and excitement in exploring the new and fascinating world of the martial arts. With that in mind, we have enclosed some very important information about our school and it s operating procedures. These procedures have been established for the safety and well being of our students, the instructors, and the facility in which we conduct our business. Please take some time to review this material and share it with your family members, and friends, that way they are aware of our policies when visiting. We look forward to helping you develop a strong body, a sharp mind, and an indomitable spirit through study of the martial arts. Again, welcome to our school. Brian Fleck Master Instructor American Martial Arts Center 4540 Donald Ross Road Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418 (561) 741-4090
General Information Student Policies Classroom Etiquette Student Uniform Tip Testing Description of Classes Schedule
Student Policies The policies and procedures listed below are offered as a general guideline to the students and Parents. These policies have been designed to ensure a safe and productive training environment for all students. Arrival Time The studio will be open 15 minutes prior the beginning of class, when applicable. Please do not arrive any earlier. Changing Room Students are encouraged to come to class in their uniform. If this is not possible, the bathroom may be used by students to change into their uniforms before class and into their street clothes after class. The bathroom is not supervised, If your child is unable to change on his / her own then please accompany them to the bathroom, or have your child change at home. The instructors nor Gold s Gym are responsible for articles left in the bathroom. Please be sure all your valuables are kept in your gym bag and brought into the room with you. Observation Area The observation area is offered as a convenience to parents and guests of students. Loud and disruptive sounds are distracting to the instructors and students. Please refrain from banging on the glass. The parent or legal guardian must supervise children not actively taking class. Younger siblings who are in the observation area, MUST be closely monitored by their parent, or guardian the entire time. Under no circumstance should they be left in the studio or Gym unattended. Guests are to remain in the observation area. Parents may enter the training floor only with the permission of the class instructor. Parents should not distract, or try to get their child's attention while they are training. Injuries & Medical Problems Students who are injured outside of class or who have a medical problem, must notify the class instructor prior the start of class. Parents of minor students must take responsibility to do this. Do not ask your child to relay this information. If you are not able to come into class please provide a written explanation of the injury and/or medical condition and what limits should be placed on your child s activity. If the child s doctor has provided a note describing the injury and limitations imposed, please provide a copy of this to the instructor. If you are sick, or currently in an infectious state with an ailment, Do not come to class. Student Readiness Students should be in their uniform with belt properly tied. If a student forgets their belt and uniform they may NOT train. Students are not permitted to train in street clothes. Students should come to class prepared to train.
Long Hair Students with long hair (shoulder length or more) should pull their hair back in a ponytail during class. Hair clips and other hard retaining devices are potentially dangerous to students when training and must be avoided. Fingernails & Toenails Fingernails and toenails should be neatly trimmed. This is a safety requirement meant to protect all students. Jewelry All jewelry must be removed prior taking class. This includes: earrings, nose rings, belly rings, toe rings, watches (instructors may wear a watch), bracelets, anklets, necklaces, rings, etc Jewelry is a potential hazard to yourself and other students. Students who have recently had their ears pierced and are unable to remove the jewelry may be excluded from certain activities. Nutrition & Hydration Students should eat properly and drink plenty of water prior coming to class. Exercising without eating and hydrating properly is dangerous. Plan your diet to match your training.
Classroom Etiquette 1. Students are expected to bow to the flags when entering the room. 2. Students are to place shoes, bags, or any other attire neatly by the entrance way. 3. Student uniforms are to be on before entering the do-jang (top included). 4. Belts should be tied around your waist without facing the flags, other students, or instructors. Unless you need help tying your belt, you should always face away from others, and the flags. 5. Practice your forms, one-steps, and self defense before class begins. 6. If you need help, ask instructors, or other black belt students. 7. Always answer yes sir / no sir yes ma am / no ma am when speaking to a black belt / instructor. Do Not answer yeah yes or uh huh 8. All adult black belts shall be addressed as Mr. Miss or Mrs. followed by their first or last name. If you don t know their name, ask. You may also address them as sir or ma am 9. The Master Instructor shall be addressed as Master Fleck. 10. KI-YUP (YELL) when told to do so. 11. When asked to line up, answer yes sir and quickly move to position. 12. There is no talking in line, during drills, or self defense. If you have a question about curriculum, ask. Do not carry on conversations during class time. This is a Martial Arts School, and you are here to train, not socialize. If you want to be social, do so before or after class, but not during class. 13.Study all curriculum on the websites study page. Students will be asked questions during testing. 14.DO NOT ask when you can test for your next belt, or when the next testing is. The Master Instructor will invite you to testing when He thinks you are ready. 15.Be on time!
Student Uniform and Belt Your uniform is your first piece of training equipment you receive. it is also one of the most important. Students should take pride in wearing their uniform and belt. Please keep the following guidelines in mind when caring for your uniform and belt. Cleanliness Cleanliness is required in your training. Keep yourself, and your uniform clean. Students should come to class clean, with a clean uniform. Student uniforms should be washed on a regular / weekly basis. Uniforms should be folded when kept in your gym bag, or back pack. Do not crumple or mash your uniform in to the bag. Your uniform should be folded neatly and then placed in your bag. Treat your uniform with respect. Safety Pins & Straight Pins Under no circumstance should safety pins or straight pins be worn on a uniform while the student is taking class. Wearing safety pins or straight pins in a uniform is dangerous to the student and those around them. Under no circumstance should a student train with these items in their uniform. Belts Our belts are used to hold our uniforms together and signifies to the instructors, and other students what level everyone is at. You should take special care of your uniform, and ensure that your belt is treated with respect. Your belt should not touch the ground unless it is being tied around your waist. It is disrespectful to throw your belt on the ground. Children are not to use their belt as a jump rope, whip, or to hit others with it. If caught doing so, their belt will be taken away by their instructor. Do not machine wash your belts. Traditionally belts are not washed. If you feel the need to wash your belt, it should be washed by hand in cold water, and then air dried. Do not machine dry your belt. Washing and drying your belt will usually result in the belt shrinking and discoloring.
Tip Testing Students are awarded black or white stripes at each new belt level for the following: The first stripe is for the students form / pattern. A form is a series of movements arranged in a particular order, and has a certain number of movements using kicks, blocks, and strikes, to hone the students skills. The second stripe is for the students one-step sparring. One-step sparring is a controlled simulation of an attack. It teaches students how to defend themselves in a controlled environment, if someone was to take a step forward to attack them. Students learn timing, distance, accuracy, and the different possibilities of an attack from these exercises. The third stripe is for self-defense tactics. SDT (self defense tactics), or RWSD (real world self defense) is when the student is grabbed in a bear-hug, headlock, or any other type of attack, and then learns how defend against it. More advanced students practice two-steps and three-steps, and work on more advanced self-defense. After students have obtained three stripes on their belt, they are generally ready for promotion. Students are not to ask when they can test for their next belt. When the Master Instructor tells the student they are ready to test, they will be invited to testing.
Description of Classes We conduct ourselves at the highest level of professionalism in a friendly and relaxed learning environment. All our classes are supervised by Kukkiwon Certified Instructors, and ensures that you receive the highest quality, and safest instruction available. Traditional Children s Program (Ages 7 12) This class is designed for our beginning, Intermediate to advanced level students. This class covers the fundamental techniques of Taekwondo. The pace of class is designed for beginning to intermediate level students, so they have the maximum amount of time to learn basic techniques prior moving to the advanced class. Traditional Adult Class (Ages 13 and Up) This is our traditional class for all students above the age of 13 (Middle School as well). All Students are expected to work hard and act like adults. This is a class for serious study in the martial arts. It is conducted at a much higher level of intensity than the Youth Classes and number one requirement, is a mature and positive attitude toward self-improvement. Traditional Youth / Adult Advanced Class (Red & Black) This class is designed for those students who have attained the rank of red belt and black belt. This is a more serious and faster paced class than the beginner s class. Students will cover advanced level techniques. Traditional Weapons (Black Belt) Our Traditional Weapons program is designed for students who have reached the level of black belt, and are serious about advancing their training in the art of weaponry. Students learn the Staff, Escrima, and Combat Sword. Our style Korean Karate / Taekwondo is the foundation of our martial arts program. It stems from the traditional art of Shotokan Karate. We also teach a variety of different martial techniques, such as: Hapkido, Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, Tai Chi, Kyusho-Jitsu, and more. Our system is made up of approximately 50 percent foot techniques and 50 percent hand techniques. It emphasizes quick movement, footwork, the legs as a primary weapon of defense, but a variety of different hand techniques as well. The Master Instructor has uniquely blended the best of all, creating a cutting-edge system for self protection.
There are 4 components that make up our art, they are: Forms / Patterns: Patterns are a series of movements for developing offensive and defensive techniques, which includes: blocking, kicking, and striking applications that can be practiced without the presence of an instructor. Patterns are thought to have originated from individual movements learned, and then put together as a sequence of different attacks against an opponent for combat purposes. In essence, you are fighting one person using a series of different attacks. Self Defense: Our system of self protection consists of offensive and defensive techniques, against a variety of different attacks, such as: punches, pushes, and grabs. Escapes from: chokes, head locks, bear hugs and take downs. It uses both long range and close range fighting techniques. It uses dynamic kicking for longer range attacks, and hand, elbows, knees, pressure points, joint-locks, and throws, for closer range fighting. Our tactics for ground fighting are focused on escaping and striking, regaining footing, and then finishing a downed opponent. Sparring: Sparring is a form of training that forces the student to improvise, think under pressure and keep their emotions under control during a confrontation. Each match should teach the student about their skills, level, and ability. Sparing is about more than just fighting or winning a trophy, it's about self realization, and self awareness. Promotion: To advance from one rank to the next, students must demonstrate their proficiency before their teacher, or a panel of judges. Promotional tests include: the execution of patterns, sparring, self-defense, board breaking, and answering questions on terminology (to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the art). Breaking is used to demonstrate the skills honed in TKD, by breaking one or more objects. Typically this is done with a board, but also may include concrete, bricks or ceramic tiles, using the hand or foot, and may also include a fingertip, toe, head, elbow, knuckle, or knee.
Schedule of Classes Please visit our website for our current class schedule. www.americanmartialartsjupiter.com If you have any further questions about student policies, please contact the Master Instructor through our contact page. Thank you, Brian Fleck Master Instructor American Martial Arts Center