Rules of Engagement

I remember when i first went to a dojang when i was four years old. I was about 3 feet in a pure white doh-bok stepping into a world with guys 6 feet tall all around me. I never understood what the master was saying, i always messed up on the jump kicks cuz my legs always got stuck.

Years later i learned how to address and how to behave when entering someone else's dojang. Theres always a set of unspoken manners and rules when starting off and someones dojang.

1) It doesnt matter what belt you were. If at first you were a brown and TKD, and you go to Gumdo, it doesnt mean shit. You are a white no matter what. TKD and Gumdo are different arts. One is sword, the other is unarmed combat.

2) Dont talk. Do not acknowledge until you are ackknowledge. Do not speak until spoken to. I found this out very early along with my first beating back when i was a white belt.

3) You are powerless. Do not act almighty and royal. In your first month, you are shit to them. Nothing more than shit.

4) Never laugh. Just dont laugh. Unless you want the whole studio kicking your ass, never laugh.

5) Be perfect. In the first monthes, you have to work your ass off to get accepted. Once you are one of the students, you are expected to act as a soldier. After that, you can slack off a bit.

A week ago i went to a Gumdo studio to witness one of their training classes. Very disorganized. Very bad at maintaining discipline and order. But keeping all of those rules for 45 mintues saved my ass.

Rules of engagement...........and so it shall be