Dojo Rules – Parents’ Guide
Welcome to Shotokan Fitness Karate School!
To ensure a respectful, safe, and productive learning environment for all students, we ask that parents and guardians follow the procedures below when attending or observing classes. Your cooperation helps foster discipline and focus in the dojo.
🥋 Part 1:
Expectations for Every Class
To ensure your child gets the most out of each session and respects the structure of our training, the following rules must be followed:
✅ Physically & Mentally Ready
Your child must come to class both physically and mentally prepared.
If they are feeling unwell, overtired, or emotionally unsettled, please keep them home until they’re ready to train at their best.
⏰ Punctuality is Non-Negotiable
Class starts on time.
Once students are lined up and the session begins, late arrivals will not be allowed to join. No exceptions.
🥋 Uniform Policy
Students must wear the full official uniform, including the belt with (karate suit GI). No belt = No class. You may be sent home or asked to sit out.
🛡️ Protective Gear
On sparring days, all required protective gear must be brought.
No gear = No sparring. Safety is our top priority.
💧 Bring a Water Bottle
Hydration is essential. Forgetting a water bottle may result in sitting out of parts of class.
Following these guidelines ensures discipline, safety, and a strong learning environment for all students.
Thank you for your support!
Part 2:
General Guidelines and More
Drop-off and Pick-up
- Only one adult should accompany each child to reduce crowding.
- Please change your child’s clothing in designated areas, such as the changing room.
Entering the Dojo
- Remove your child’s shoes before entering the studio/dojo.
- Bow upon entry to show respect and to signal your arrival to the Sensei.
During Class
Parents are not allowed to stay in the dojo during class, except for the final 5 minutes, when you're welcome to enter quietly.
If you are in the dojo during this time, please follow these rules:
- Do not stand in the dojo
- Do not talk on the phone
- Silence your phone
- Avoid entering and exiting repeatedly
- Keep any other children quiet and close to you
Photography and Video
- Photos or videos are not allowed during class without prior permission from the instructor.
- If permission is granted, you must send a copy to us so we can share it with the students featured in the content.
Communication During Class
- Parents are not permitted to speak to their children during class.
- Please wait until class ends to ask questions or make comments.
Leaving Early or Staying Longer
- If the class runs longer and you need to leave, you do not need to stay.
- Simply raise your hand to get Sensei’s attention so your child can be dismissed.
Part 3:
Health and Safety
🧾 Bookings Notice
If you haven’t paid for the full term, don’t send your child to class.
- They may not be allowed in the class or sit out.
- Our priority should be to look after students with confirmed bookings only.
🥋 Bringing Equipment to Class
- Training gear is allowed only inside the dojo and designated safety zones as defined by the Sensei.
- Do not bring unnecessary items into the training area.
🦶 Dojo Floor Condition & Footwear
- Karate is traditionally practiced barefoot.
- If the dojo floor is in poor condition or your child has foot issues, appropriate trainers (non-slip, clean, laced properly) may be worn - if not - is at your own risk.
- Trainers must be cleaned before each class.
- Only martial arts or delegated running trainers are permitted. No casual shoes.
- To be used in the dojo only.
👨👩👧👦 Picking Up Your Child
- Classes may end up to 5 minutes early to allow time for the next group.
- Parents must:
- Be on time for pick-up and inform their child of what to do if late.
- Follow the official timetable and arrive 5 minutes early.
- Never assume class will run longer just because it did once.
- If late dropping off, do not assume extra time will be added.
📱 Contact Details
- Keep your contact information up to date.
- Add our phone numbers to your contacts – if we call, it’s important. Please answer promptly.
👋 Sensei Arrival
- Do not leave your child until:
- The Sensei is present in the dojo.
- Your child is acknowledged and accepted into class by the Sensei.
- Never assume your child is supervised just because the Sensei is nearby.
⏰ Arriving Early
- If early, children must not run or play in the studio or other parts of the venue.
- Please arrive no more than 10 minutes early, and only if the venue allows, to allow time to get changed.
🚗 Waiting During Class
- Parents must wait in designated waiting areas (inside or outside).
- Stay within a 5-minute walk of the dojo in case of an emergency – especially important if your child has health concerns we may not be aware of.
🩺 Medical Conditions
- Inform the Sensei as soon as possible of any medical issues.
- If your child’s condition changes, update us quickly.
- If your child feels unwell, inform the Sensei and stay nearby.
- If seriously unwell, please skip class to avoid unnecessary risk to your child and others.
🥊 Training with Others
- To prevent injuries:
- Nails must be kept short and clean.
- No jewellery of any kind allowed during training.
- Karate is practiced with empty hands and bare feet, unless protective gear is worn.
🥋 Uniform
- Uniforms must fit properly for safety:
- Pants should be the correct length.
- Uniforms must be clean and in good condition.
- Students and parents should know how to properly tie belts and adjust uniforms – this is your responsibility, not the Sensei's.
🍽️ Eating Before Class
- Your child should eat something nutritious before class and allow time to digest.
- No food = no energy.
- Eating too close to training can make your child feel unwell.
🚻 Bathroom Use
- Always ask your child if they need the toilet before class starts.
- For safety reasons, children cannot go to the bathroom alone during class.
- If necessary, they must be accompanied by a parent, or have written permission if of appropriate age.
🛡️ Protective Gear
- Protective gear is essential – this is karate, not a play session.
- Students may wear:
- Gloves (compulsory)
- Helmet
- Body/chest armor
- Groin protectors
- Mouth guards
- Shin/foot guards
- Gloves are currently the only mandatory protective item.
Part 4:
The Gym / Venue
Using the Gym
Please note that use of the gym is strictly prohibited unless you hold a valid membership with the gym. When attending karate classes, the gym facilities are not to be used under any circumstances unless authorized.
Kindness and Respect
All parents, students, and visitors are expected to show kindness and respect at all times while on the premises. This includes respecting the rules of the venue and the gym.
Please observe the following:
- Respect Gym Members and Equipment
Do not interfere with gym members or occupy any of the equipment. Stay clear of all gym activity areas. - Respect Staff and Management
Treat all venue staff and management with courtesy. Whether you're right or wrong, avoid confrontation or arguments. - Appropriate Behaviour
While attending karate, please refrain from:
- Running or shouting
- Talking loudly
- Touching or using gym equipment
- Any other disruptive or inappropriate behaviour
Maintaining a respectful and safe environment helps ensure a positive experience for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation.
Lastly:
Karate training is built on the foundation of self-discipline — without it, there is no Karate.
Failure to follow basic rules by either parents or students — such as lateness, not wearing the correct uniform, missing protective gear, not bringing water, and other essential requirements — will impact your child’s ability to graduate in the future.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
OSS!
🥋 THE DOJO (Sensei)
We always strive to do our best and go the extra mile to look after everyone at the dojo. If we make a mistake, we’ll take responsibility for it. However, we cannot be held responsible for any incidents resulting from the negligence of parents or guardians before, during, or after class.
The Sensei reserves the right to:
- Make exceptions where appropriate.
- Enforce any of our policies or terms & conditions with or without prior warning, should a student, parent, or guardian fail to comply.
🧑👧 THE PARENT / GUARDIAN
At our dojo, responsibility for the student lies with the parent or guardian until the child turns 18. By attending our classes, you agree to:
- Take full responsibility for your child outside of class time.
- Comply with all dojo rules, policies, and terms & conditions at all times.
Thank you for being part of OSS 🥋
🙇♂️ With respect,
The Dojo Team