NEW STUDENT
FREQUENTLY-ASKED-QUESTIONS
Kuk Sool... or Kuk Sool Won?
Kuk Sool is the name of your martial art. Literally, Kuk means "nation" or "country"; Sool means "martial art." Thus, Kuk Sool translates to "[Korean] national martial art." Kuk Sool Won is the name of the organization that oversees Kuk Sool instruction worldwide (Won means "association").
Conduct...
Kuk Sool is a traditional martial art and, as such, stresses etiquette (yea eue in Korean). The rules of etiquette are sometimes complex, so if you are unsure about proper conduct in a particular situation, by all means please ask your instructor.
Always remember to bow and say KUK SOOL! when you enter and leave the building, as well as when you enter or exit the dojang (classroom) area. Non-students do not have to bow, but they do need to remove their shoes and hats upon entering the building -- and please, no eating, chewing gum, drinking, or smoking inside! Also -- and we shouldn´t even have to mention this -- profane or abusive language or behavior is never acceptable in our school.
Why do we bow?
Bowing (kyung nyeh in Korean) is part of the traditional Asian way of greeting, parting, and demonstrating respect. Unlike bowing in western culture, Asian bowing is by no means a sign of subservience, nor does it have a religious connotation. Bowing -- knowing when to and how -- is a fundamental part of Kuk Sool etiquette.
By the way, if you attend a Kuk Sool event as a spectator rather than a participant, you still need to stand and bow at the appropriate times.
How do I address my instructor?
Senior ranks (not just instructors) -- of all ages -- should be addressed as either "sir" or "m´am" or by their Korean title, if known. Doing so demonstrates respect for the hard work that they have invested in learning martial arts. Please refer to your terminology sheet for a listing of titles for black belt ranks.
Why can´t I wear jewelry in class?
For safety reasons. Rings, bracelets, watches and the like may cut or bruise you or your partner during classes; necklaces may cut or choke you; earrings may be dislodged. Please leave your jewelry in your vehicle or in the dressing room.
How come (s)he knows .... and I don´t?
Comparing ourselves to others is perfectly natural -- but it can be detrimental to your progress. Learning -- whether martial arts or a foreign language -- is a highly individual process. That is why your instructor knows not only the subject matter (Kuk Sool), but also about the learning and teaching process and about you and your unique style of learning. Trust your instructor´s judgment! You will be shown new material when you are ready to learn it; in the meantime, devote yourself to practicing the skills you are currently acquiring. YOU NEED MORE PRACTICE! Never, never take it upon yourself to teach Kuk Sool to other students: you are a student, not a teacher.
Miscellaneous...
- Please do your part to help keep your school clean. Don´t touch mirrors, pictures, or glass panes: that not only keeps items fingerprint-free, it also reduces the chances that something will get broken!
- Weaponry can be very dangerous, especially in untrained hands -- therefore we insist that you never touch any weapon except under the direction of your instructor.
Attendance and Attendance Cards...
Your attendance and progress are tracked on your attendance cards. The instructors will update the cards, but you need to help them by pulling your card from the stack.
At the beginning of each class, take your card from racks at the front desk window, and place it in the bin at the entrance to the classroom.
Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced?
For adults and children, the dividing line between "beginner", "intermediate" and "advanced" is yellow belt and red belt: white and yellow belts are "beginners", blue and red are "intermediate", and brown belts and up are "advanced."
Late for class?
Be on time! In fact, be 10 or 15 minutes early -- that way you´ll have time to change clothes, fill in your attendance card, etc. When you are late for class, you are cheating yourself out of instruction that you have paid for. If unavoidable circumstances make you late for class, you must ask the instructor´s permission to join class, and then, you must bow in before joining the group.
Make-Up Classes?
Regular class attendance and practice is critical to the learning process. When you enrolled, you made a commitment to yourself to enhance your life situation through martial arts. Missing classes (without good reason) defaults on that commitment! We will try and work with your schedule variations, but please understand that we are usually busy during the week and cannot accommodate requests for special make-up classes.
Injured? Sick?
Coming to class when you are sick or injured is usually a personal decision. If you are highly contagious, however, we will make the decision for you: stay home! Kuk Sool is a hands-on contact activity and we would appreciate your keeping your cold and flu germs to yourself. If you are mildly "under the weather," then come to class -- but respect your body and don´t push yourself too hard! If you have an injury or other unusual medical condition, please always inform the instructor before your class begins.
Private Instruction?
Private instruction can be arranged on occasion. Contact the program director for details.
Can I attend class at another Kuk Sool school?
If you are temporarily out of your home area and wish to practice in another school, be aware that each school has its own policy regarding visiting students and that you should contact that school´s manager or program director in advance; also remember when visiting another school that you represent not only yourself, but also this school -- so please, remember your yea eue.
Dobok (uniforms)
Maintaining good appearance is important. Please keep your uniform clean and in good repair. Uniforms should be washed in cold water with mild detergent and machine dried on a low setting. Never wash your belt.
Women should wear a t-shirt underneath their uniform top; men may wear a t-shirt underneath their uniform top. If you wear a t-shirt underneath your uniform, it must be either a plain black t-shirt or, preferably, a black Kuk Sool t-shirt.
During the hot summer months, students under the rank of dahnbohnim (brown black belt) are permitted to wear a black Kuk Sool t-shirt to class instead of a uniform top; however, you must still bring your uniform top with you to class because you may need it for techniques practice.
You must wear a complete, clean uniform to promotional testings and other formal occasions. Regularly-enrolled students may only practice wearing approved uniforms.
Why are the uniforms black instead of white?
Kuk Sool reflects the traditions and culture of its native country, Korea. In Korean culture, black represents wisdom.
Why do some uniforms have patches?
Our supplier sends us plain black uniforms; if you want to add patches, patch sets (with instructions for their placement) are available at nominal charge. Plain black uniforms are appropriate for most occasions; however, some events (Kuk Sool tournaments, for example), require that you wear a uniform with proper patches.
Why do black belts wear uniforms with gold fringe?
Those uniforms are given to dahnbohnim (black brown belt) students upon their promotion to first degree black belt. Although those uniforms are typically worn only during semi-formal occasions, they may be worn at any time in place of a standard all-black uniform.
What are those really fancy uniforms?
Those are called general uniforms (chang goon dobok in Korean) and are worn only by black belts, typically only during formal occasions. They are modeled after the ancient dress of the Korean Royal Court and the uniform´s appearance designates the rank of the wearer:
| silver trim | assistant instructor (1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree black belt) |
| silver and red trim | instructor (4th degree black belt) |
| red trim | master (5th or 6th degree black belt) |
| red and gold trim | senior master (7th or 8th degree black belt) |
| gold trim | chiefmaster (9th degree black belt) |
Testing
Promotional tests are conducted monthly, usually on the first weekend of the month. Specific announcements of time and location are generally made 10-14 days in advance of the test date. You should have at least 3 weeks of regular classroom attendance "under your belt" before your first test. Generally, you should always test at each opportunity -- however, your instructor and/or program director has final say over whether or not you will test.
You must preregister for your testing. Registering on the day of the test is subject to a late fee.
For white, yellow, blue, and red belts, testing is held on Fridays in one session, children and adults test together. Color belt students must pass two stripe tests before they can test for the next higher belt color. Each stripe testing is $10 to cover local administrative costs. Belt test are $35, which covers the cost of the belt and the administrative paperwork at World Kuk Sool Association Headquarters.
For brown belts, stripe tests are administered quarterly on Friday night; children and adults test in the same session. Brown belt stripe testings are $35. There is no preset limit to the number of black stripes a brown belt must have before advancing to the black belt level.
Passing a rank test does not depend solely upon technical skill; etiquette and attitude play major roles, so please remember your yea eue, be on time for your test, wear a complete, clean uniform, and do your best!
If you are unable to make a regular testing due to unavoidable schedule conflicts, we may be able to arrange special testing for you on an alternate date. Please be aware that special testings are usually harder than regular testings, and that board-breaking is never allowed at special testings. If you need special testing, please contact your school master in advance to make arrangements.
Tournaments
Although tournament competition is a small part in the overall Kuk Sool universe, there are a number of regional World Kuk Sool Association (WKSA) tournaments held throughout the United States each year. San Antonio Martial Arts Center does not usually attend the regional tournaments as a group, but if you are interested in attending as an individual, please contact us and we will get you a schedule. Each October, there is a large WKSA tournament in Houston which San Antonio Martial Arts Center does attend as a group.
Students of all ranks may compete in the following events:
- no-contact sparring (dae ryuhn)
- techniques (soo)
- forms (hyung)
Brown belt students and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree black belts may also compete in these events:
- weapon forms (moo ki hyung)
- board breaking (kyuk pah)
In addition, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree black belts may also compete in an exhibition of freeform, choreographed self-defense demonstration routines of their own design.
Because we highly encourage participation in the Houston tournament, San Antonio Martial Arts Center conducts a series of special training classes each summer and fall to prepare students for competition; there is NO additional cost for these classes. Appropriate announcements are made in the weeks before these classes.
Questions? Problems?
We want you to feel comfortable here -- it is our school -- but it is also your school. If ever you have questions about or problems with our policies and practices, please do not hesitate to contact us. We sincerely welcome your questions. Generally, it is best to conduct such conversations face-to-face with the school master in the office rather than in the dojang (classroom) so as not to disrupt class time; however we are also available by telephone.
SCHOOL RULES
- Always show respect to the school.
- Always remove shoes and hats upon entering school.
- All students are required to wear shoes and shirts outside of school.
- No eating, drinking or chewing gum inside of school.
- No smoking or alcoholic beverages allowed in school.
- No loud talking or loud noises.
- All students must bow and say "KUK SOOL!" upon entering and exiting the school.
- Only students may enter Dojang (Practice Area); non-students must have permission.
- Guests must be well-mannered and respectful.
- Anyone showing disrespect or not following the above rules will be asked to leave.