Code Of Training & Practice
RULES OF CONDUCT DURING TRAINING & PRACTICE
As a ‘martial way’ and a method of self-defence Aikido is concerned with practising, in a controlled manner, potentially dangerous techniques. Thus students must at all times adhere strictly to the directions of the supervising instructor, whose responsibility it is to ensure safe practice.
1. Students have a duty to protect the safety and well-being of each other. They should therefore
• never execute techniques in a dangerous or reckless manner;
• seek to develop the control in the practice of techniques by which they may avoid being hurt themselves or causing injury to others;
• Never employ superior skill or position within the dojo to gratuitously inflict pain or to abuse others physically.
2. Since Aikido is based on the explicit ethical principle of seeking to resolve conflict through the development of harmony in the conduct of human affairs, it therefore requires all practitioners to accord to each other respect and consideration at all times. Practitioners should therefore
• never use abusive language or conduct themselves in an offensive or aggressive manner;
• never act in any manner that discriminates or gives offence to any person on the grounds of race, sex, religion or disability;
• Never consume alcohol or take recreational drugs before or during class.
DOJO CONDUCT & ETIQUETTE
Proper attitude and behaviour are an essential parts of Aikido training. All students should adhere strictly to the following rules:-
1. Respect the Dojo as a place of earnest study and practice;
2. Perform rei (standing bow) upon entering and leaving the Dojo;
3. Perform a seiza rei (sitting bow) at the instructor every time after a demonstration. 4. Perform a rei or seiza rei (standing or sitting bow) at the start of every practice with every partner before you begin training.
5. If late to a class quietly enter and perform a seiza bow (sitting bow) to kamaza (the upper seat o-sensei’s position)
6. Make sure hands and feet are clean for practice and keep finger- and toe-nails short;
7. If blood is shed on the mat, it must be cleaned up promptly and thoroughly using the correct cleaning materials that are on hand;
8. Keep any areas of skin infection on hands, wrists or feet carefully covered to avoid transmitting infection to others;
9. Wash Gi regularly;
10. Do no wear any personal adornment during practice;
11. If it is necessary to leave the Dojo before the end of practice, you should address the instructor before departing;
12. You must address the instructor if you wish to leave the mat for any reason. At no time, pupils will wonder around the dojo and come and go as they please on and off the mat. 13. Approach each practice with a fresh mind, as though it was the first, and with earnestness and urgency, as though it was the last.
14. Do not cultivate ideas of superiority, no matter what your grade or how long you have been practising.
15. Never employ Aikido techniques outside the Dojo except in circumstances of extreme urgency, to defend yourself or others.
3. IN CASES OF INJURY
1. The instructor should stop the class immediately and ascertain the seriousness of the injury.
2. The injured person should be taken, if possible, to the side of the matted area out of harm’s way.
3. If the injured person cannot be moved, he/she must be left on the mat and the help of trained personnel should be summoned.
4. Trained personnel should also be summoned in cases of severe injury.
5. In cases of possible concussion (i.e. after a bang on the head), the injured person must not be allowed to continue practice but should be referred to hospital.
6. A full report of the incident must be written down in the Accident Book.
Code Of Conduct For Instructors & Volunteers
• Instructors must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person and treat everyone equally within the context of their sport.
• Instructors must place the wellbeing and safety of the student above the development of performance. They should follow all guidelines laid down by the West Midlands Aikido Association and The NGB The British Aikido Board and hold appropriate insurance cover.
• Instructors must develop an appropriate working relationship with students, especially children, based on mutual trust and respect.
• Instructors must not exert undue influence to obtain personal benefit or reward.
• Instructors must encourage and guide students to accept responsibility for their own behaviour.
• Instructors should hold up-to-date governing body coaching qualifications of either Level 1,2,3 from The British Aikido Board.
• Instructor statues and permission to take classes within the club will only be appointed by West Midlands Aikido Association Chairman.
• Instructors must ensure the activities they direct or advocate are appropriate for the age, maturity, experience and ability of the individual.
• Instructors should at the outset clarify with students, and where appropriate their parents, exactly what is expected of them and what students are entitled to expect from their coach.
• Instructors should co-operate fully with other specialists (e.g. other coaches, officials, sport scientists, doctors, physiotherapists) in the best interest of the student.
• Instructors should always promote the positive aspects of their sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violations or the use of prohibited substances.
• Instructors must consistently display high standards of behaviour and appearance.
Code Of Conduct For Parents/ Carers
We expect parents to give unconditional positive reinforcement to their children’s aikido activities. Please do not be critical of your child’s aikido technique or performance.
Aikido can be difficult and at times demanding martial art. We hope that parents give encouragement to their child to simply keep trying his/her best, and to recognize their child’s efforts positively.
Parents should provide positive reinforcement of the Instructors and the instruction being given to their children. If parents have questions or concerns about the instruction in the Club, they should bring those concerns directly to the attention of the Chairman who will decide on any actions, If it was to be a serious action the Instructor will be suspended and a committee meeting will be arranged and a disciplinary procedure will be called.
We expect all students and their families to abide by the general rules of “Fair Play” and abide by these guild lines.
• Encourage your child to learn more about Aikido.
• Discourage unfair play and arguing with officials.
• Help your child to recognise good performance, not just results.
• Never force your child to take part in Aikido
• Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.
• Respect for the Instructors and other students.
• Respect for the dojo and its equipment
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy
• Set a good example by recognising fair play and applauding the good performances of all.
• Never punish or belittle a child for losing or making mistakes.
• Publicly accept officials’ judgements.
• Support your child’s involvement and help them to enjoy aikido.
• Use correct and proper language at all times
Student Disciplinary Action Procedure
One of the goals of the classes that are offered at West Midlands Aikido Association is to teach and install the importance of both discipline and self-discipline to all members if be Adult or Junior students who train in our dojo’s. All students training at West Midlands Aikido Association are expected to represent, in a positive way, both the values and standards of the Dojo in all that they do, and as such, they should strive to be responsible for setting good examples as role models for others to follow, both in the Dojo during their training, and outside of the Dojo in their community. Students are expected to accept responsibility, leadership, and excel in their education, life styles and their training at West Midlands Aikido Association.
Because the training at West Midlands Aikido Association is the study and use of the martial art of Aikido for the purposes of self-defence, students are held to a higher level of responsibility for their actions both in and outside the Dojo environment. They earn the privilege to wear their Dojo Uniform and their rank does not confer privilege or give power, it imposes responsibility. But even when they are out of uniform and are away from the Dojo, they are still expected to represent the values and standards of what West Midlands Aikido Association represents and stands for by accepting responsibility for their actions in anything that they do which may reflect or could have a direct affect on West Midlands Aikido Association
Should it come to the attention of the Chairman or Senior Instructors that any student, Adult or Junior has been involved in an incident, either in the Dojo or outside the Dojo, in which questionable and/or inappropriate actions may have been taken which could directly reflect on the Dojo, any one or all of the following disciplinary action(s) may be taken based on the severity of the incident and/or questionable actions:
1. Verbal reprimand and guidance of student or junior student with parent(s) present.
2. Conflict Resolution and Counselling
3. Written formal apology by the student
4. Suspension from the Dojo
5. Demotion in Rank
6. Permanent termination from The West Midlands Aikido Association membership and dojo
7. A member who is alleged to have breached The Law, The police shall be informed.
Any and all incidents involving questionable actions by any student either in the Dojo or outside
the Dojo, including any Disciplinary Action that is taken, shall be evaluated and handled by the
Chairman and committee on a case-by-case basis, kept strictly confidential, documented and kept on file
by Walsall Wood Aikido Club. All Students shall receive a written copy of any Disciplinary Action that is taken.
It shall be the responsibility of all Students training in all classes at The West Midlands Aikido Association dojo’s to read, understand and be familiar with this policy.
Guidelines for dealing with accidents/ incidents.
West Midlands Aikido Association
• Observe the situation and act swiftly, but stay calm.
• Assess the surroundings and the injured party; is there any danger of further injuries?
• Listen to what the injured person is saying.
• The first aider should be alerted and will take the appropriate action for minor injuries.
• The emergency services should be contacted in the event of an injury requiring specialist treatment.
• Deal with the rest of the group and ensure that they are adequately supervised.
• Do not move someone with major injuries, wait for the emergency services
• The injured person’s emergency contact should be called as soon as possible.
• Complete and incident / accident report form & forward on the West Midlands Aikido Association Chairman or Secretary.
WEST MIDLANDS AIKIDO ASSOCIAITION WILL RECORD AND MONITOR FOR TRENDS, AND CARRY OUT ANY ACTIVES NESSARY TO REDUCE RE-OCCURANCE
Equity and Disability Policy Statement
This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so, it acknowledges and adopts the following Sport England definition of sports equity:
• Sports equity is about fairness in sport, equality of access, recognising inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about changing the culture and structure of sport to ensure it becomes equally accessible to everyone in society.
• West Midlands Aikido Association respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat every person equally within the Aikido dojo and other Aikido clubs or sports clubs, regardless of age, ability, gender race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social/ economic status.
• West Midlands Aikido Association are committed to, and exercise the right of all of its members to enjoy Aikido in an environment without any threat of intimidation, harassment or abuse.
• It is the duty of all club members not to accept discriminatory behaviour of any form and to promote equality of opportunity.
• Discriminatory behaviour will be dealt with seriously, according to the disciplinary procedures of the club.
• If necessary or possible, the club will make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate people with a disability.
