Senior Members Rules
Senior Grade’s Rule… But Senior Grades Live by the Rules...
It’s not just about wearing a darker belt - it’s about setting the example.
With higher
grades, comes higher expectations! Our senior karate-ka don’t just demonstrate sharp technique,
they embody the discipline, etiquette, and spirit of Wado-Kia.
From guiding junior students to upholding dojo traditions, senior grades carry the
responsibility of leadership as well as skill.
Yes, black belts and advanced kyu grades are role
models - guardians of the standards that keep our dojo strong. - Your kicks may be
higher and your kata sharper, but it’s the rules you uphold that truly show why the Senior Grade’s Rule.
| Lead by Example | Train hard, bow properly, and never forget your manners. If you cut corners, juniors will too. |
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| Be a Mentor, Not a Menace | Guide the juniors. Answer questions, lend a hand, and support their journey. Save the scary faces for kumite. |
| Stay a Student | Never stop learning. There’s always another layer of kata to uncover, another tweak to your punch. The moment you think you know it all is the moment you stop progressing. |
| Respect the Instructors | Yes, even when you’re a dan grade. Follow their lead, don’t contradict them mid-lesson, and back up their decisions. |
| Train with Humility | No strutting, no “I’m the Sensei now.” Karate is about quiet confidence and self-discipline, not showing off. |
| Mind the Dojo Etiquette | Bow, keep it tidy, shoes lined up, kit packed away. Be the first to set the tone. |
| Pitch In | Mats don’t lay themselves, and bags don’t carry themselves. Help set up, tidy up, and support club events. |
| Train Safely | You’re stronger and faster — which means you’re responsible for controlling your power. Don’t flatten a 10-year-old to prove a point. |
| Foster a Good Atmosphere | Encourage others, keep the banter respectful, and make the dojo a place people want to come back to. |
| Know Your Associations | Keep SKF membership up to date, support seminars, and respect the rules of the SKGB, EKF and WKF when competing. It’s not just paperwork — it’s your licence to represent karate at every level. |
| Carry Karate Outside the Dojo | Senior grades represent the club everywhere — in the supermarket queue, at work, and on nights out. Show respect, integrity, and discipline off the mats as well as on them. |
| Extras worth adding | Gear Responsibility: Keep your gi and belt clean, and bring the right kit
(pads, gum shield). Look After Juniors: Check their kit, help them tie belts, and ensure they’re safe in drills. No Ego Sparring: Train hard, but don’t turn every round into the World Championships. |
| Remember
- Every bow, Every word, Every action is part of your Legacy. Be the Karate-Ka that juniors respect, peers trust, and the Dojo is proud to stand behind. |
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