Code of Conduct
After several rounds of editing I have finished the Code of Conduct. As our group evolves, grows, changes, matures more people than yours truly will be in charge of things. Having a Code of Conduct has not been necessary until now because I have always known what conduct I wanted from the people I immediately teach. Now that other Instructors and Captains are teaching things when I am not necessarily there I want to be very clear about these expectations.
Swordfighters is based on Character values that I believe are universal. These values are very old and transcend cultures. Even people with vastly opposing ideologies can and do support similar character values. Honesty, Integrity, Benevolence, Courage Tenacity and so on define what we universally think of as nobility. The martial arts that I have studied derived from the old ways. My Karate teacher Mr. Ohshima was from a Samurai family. The virtues that I have learned about in western martial arts are the same as those espoused in Asia. Most esteemed martial arts instructors include some form of these character values as part of their practice.
Corollary principles such as "Following The Line" and Learning how to make Redress (Taking responsibility for your actions, making a genuine apology, and making amends) and common practices of courtesy such as being on time, listening to your instructor, speaking and behaving with politeness and respect, shaking hands before and after interacting with someone all derive from these Character Values.
My instructors were wise to include acts of courtesy and character values as driving principles in practice and also in simple but incredibly important common courtesies.
Here is my final version of Swordfighters Code of Conduct then. I have given a lot of thought to the code and the resoning behind it. Nothing is perfect though so I keep thinking about it. If you think of something regarding it let me know.
For a downloadable and signable copy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vtJ-a_mQ3d_MZ038wvoPb4a5nBnqtLME2-KTrn2zXEE/edit?usp=sharing
Swordfighters Code of Conduct
Please adhere to these precepts when you practice with Swordfighters.
1. Don’t be late. Our facility is available to you 30 minutes prior to practice. The Crossfit programs are usually finishing up at approximately 7:00 pm. You can arrive at 7:00 and use the time to warm up. If Crossfit runs over, be respectful and wait until they are finished. Unless you have a good reason such as work delays or family requirements, try to be ready for practice by 7:25pm. While not required, if you are going to be late, try to give the Instructors a heads up.
2. Practice with a serious intent. Sometimes practices will feel more casual and at other times they will be intense and serious. Regardless of whether we are learning techniques, working on fundamentals, choreographing moves, or sparring, always practice with awareness and focus. Minimize small talk in favor of working on the task at hand. Particularly when sparring, do not allow your concentration to waver from your opponent. Even as you move between opponents, maintain your concentration and a serious intent. When sparring or practicing with a partner, therefore:
a. Shake hands before and after any paired practice.
b. When directed to do so, salute to begin a paired practice and again to end it.
c. Stay focused on your opponent from the moment you shake hands until the end when you shake hands again.
d. Follow the gear safety policy. You can find it here: https://www.martialenergyworks.com/safety .
3. Respect the “Line”. The line is the chain between your seniors, you, and your juniors. While we do not use a belt ranking system in Swordfighters, we recognize seniority by experience and by age. If someone has been practicing HEMA longer than you they are your senior. If they started after you they are your junior. We respect the experience of people who have practiced other martial arts as well. If you have similar HEMA experience and additional experience beyond HEMA then you are technically their senior. If you began Swordfighters at the same time, then whoever is older is senior.
a. Follow the direction of the Instructor or designated Captain.
b. Face your peers honestly, respectfully and when sparring, with serious intent.
c. Be considerate of your seniors when asking for help. They have the opportunity to enhance their own character by helping juniors but they are not obliged to do so. Your responsibility is to show respect by your willingness to learn, by following directions, and by your tenacity. Presume that any issues in learning are yours and adjust to what is required of you.
d. In general, do not presume to instruct others unless someone asks you for help or when directed to peer coach by the instructor. Instead, respect the path that others are on and support them through example.
4. Seniority does not automatically confer leadership. Leadership in Swordfighters is conferred by the instructor to designated Captains. Only Instructors and Captains teach classes. The senior student can presume to be responsible for open practices when no Captain is present though they are not obligated to do so. In this case they monitor safety and act as tutors if a junior directly asks for help.
Perhaps the most important quality of leadership is to be willing to set aside your own practice to facilitate the practice of others. This ultimately enhances the character values upon which practice is based and makes you a better martial artist technically as well. To have the qualities of leadership inspires others and is a higher form of martial practice.
5. Character Matters in Swordfighters. Character development is important in its own right. When teaching martial arts it is doubly important, otherwise we would be handing people capability without the moral authority to utilize it. Holding yourself to high character, facing yourself and your fears to develop clarity makes you a better martial artist. Therefore,
Be honest
Demonstrate integrity. Endeavour to make your words, your thoughts and your deeds the same.
Practice tenacity. “Fall down seven times, get up eight.”
Be kind even when facing your opponent. “Slay but never humiliate.”
Demonstrate self control. “If you let fly with your sword, withhold your anger, if you let fly with anger, withhold your sword.”
If you make an error, make redress (make it right by apologizing and, if possible, correcting the error)
6. General and obvious courtesies are also required:
Keep yourself, your gear, and the gymnasium clean and in good order.
Do not drink or do drugs prior to or during practice.
Report injuries to the instructor or Captain. Inform your peers of any special concerns that you may require prior to facing them in practice.
Get the attention of the instructor to let them know before you leave the floor or the gym.
Be prompt when getting ready for a practice. If you are late for class, wait for the instructor's permission before joining the class and join the class promptly when directed to do so.
If you cannot follow this code of conduct, you will be asked to leave. Frequent issues with behavior will be grounds for dismissal.
Please sign this form indicating that you understand.
Signature__________________________________________
Date: ______________________