Karate is a physically demanding activity. As students develop their skill and knowledge, these demands will increase. As they progress through the ranks, students will also be involved in 'contact activities' that will vary from set attack and defence moves to free sparring. As in any other physically demanding sport or recreational activity, there is always some degree of risk of injury. This means that participating in karate is done with the full understanding that while JWK Karate will do its best to minimise potential risks, there is always some small chance of injury. Therefore, it must be understood those participating in JWK Karate classes accept the risk of possible injury and choose to participate of their own free will. For students under the age of eighteen, this decision is made a parent or guardian.

This document outlines the club's Code of Conduct. Karate students will train in a stimulating and supportive learning environment with an emphasis on development of the whole person, concentration, effort, and respect. All students participating in JWK classes must agree to be bound by this Code of Conduct. 

Training Area Etiquette

• Take your shoes off before entering the dojo (hall of training).
• When entering and the dojo, bow with intent and say either “konnichiwa” (hello)
• When leaving, bow and say “arigato gozaimasu” (thank you) as a sign of respect for your dojo, classmates, sempai (senior) and sensei (instructor).
• Always be on time and have your uniform and belt on before class time starts. 
• If arriving late, you must wait at the side of the training area until Sensei indicates that you may join the class after bowing.
• Make a concerted effort to be hydrated before your karate session. Drink at least one litre of water in the hour prior to your karate session. We only have one ‘drink break’ per karate session.
• Mobile phones must be on silent prior to entering the dojo and not turned on until you go outside.

Uniforms and Training Gear

• Beginners are not required to wear a “gi” or “dogi” (uniform) until their first grading but are encouraged to purchase one as soon as possible if they are keen to get into their karate training. 
• All graded students must wear an approved white dogi, the appropriate belt and a JWK badge on the uniform at all training sessions.
• Dogi or other training attire must always be clean and regularly washed and kept in good repair.
• Students can order dogi, belts and badges from Sensei Light when needed. 

Sparring

• When participating in any sparring activities you must have the approval of your Sensei who must be supervising. 
• You must wear an approved and properly fitting mouth guard to all sparring and opposed training. 
• There is no full contact sparring in JWK Karate. In sparring there is no contact to the head and only light contact to the body for more senior students. 
• Always treat fellow opponents with respect and fairness.

Focus and concentration

The dogo is a very special place. It is a place of focus, concentation, learning and purpose. When you enter the dogo, you will leave behind all of your worries, concerns, stresses, distractions and other influencial factors that do not serve you. When in attendance, you must remain focused on the goal of learning and improving your physical abilities—not trying to make other people laugh, running around being silly or distracting others. When your Sensei or Sempai are talking, you must look at them directly and listen to what they have to say. The more you focus and the more seriously you take your karate, the quicker you will improve. You only take out what you put in, so give it everything you have and take yourself to the next level!

Sickness or Injury

When it comes to your wellbeing, it’s very important that you are honest with yourself. If you are unwell or suspect you are coming down with something, it’s best you do not train. That is your body telling you to rest. Furthermore, if you are working through an injury, please let Sensei know as he will help tailor your karate sessions around the injury. Don’t train on top of your injury and expect it to get better. When it comes to pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiac disorders, neck, joint or back injuries, diabetes, asthma etc, it’s best you consult with your specialists and Sensei Light about whether or not karate is the right form of exercise for you.

Other health related matters 

You must not attend training under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. When training, please pay proper attention to personal hygiene and grooming; clean uniform and ensure that fingernails and toenails are trimmed and clean. If you are cut or bleeding due to an injury in training you must cease training immediately and receive appropriate first aid. Re-joining the training session will not be allowed until the instructor has deemed that is safe to do so. Persons returning to training after injury or females finding out that they are pregnant must consult their doctor before resuming training and advise the instructor of the situation.

In all other cases and except where inconsistent with the above, the Applicant for him/herself, his/her executors, administrators, dependents and other personal representatives, hereby absolves and indemnifies the providers, owners,  trainers, volunteers, agents, employees and other students or persons under the providers control (the "indemnified") from all liability howsoever arising for injury or damage (including but not limited to the Applicants' person, whether fatal or otherwise, property and personal belongings) however caused including by the negligence of the indemnified, arising out of or participating in Martial Arts or in connection with Martial Arts or in anyway caused by, or arising out of, any activity carried on by the indemnified.  

I, the applicant/particpant/guardian, have been advised and understand that the practice of martial arts is potentially dangerous. I, the Applicant/participant/guardian, agree to occupy and use the premises of Sensei Ric Light Jin Wu Koon Karate at risk to myself and release to full extent permitted by law,  Sensei Ric Light, Jin Wu Koon Karate, its owners, trainers agents, volunteers, instructors, jointly and severally from all claims and demands of every kind in of or resulting from any accident, injury, death, loss or damage of any kind to the participant or property while undertaking training in martial arts with Sensei Ric Light and Jin Wu Koon Karate.