One of the most important aspects of Martial Arts training is proper etiquette.  Knowing what to do and what not to do, in or out of the school is essential knowledge for any Kung Fu practitioner. While you can spend a life time learning everything there is to know about Martial Etiquette, the following are a few basic rules to follow.

• All students must wear proper uniform when taking lessons (School Shirt, Pants, Shoes, and Sash)
• Students must bow before entering and leaving the training floor. (Proper Bow: Left hand in open palm, Right hand in closed fist, coming together just below the chin. Bows can be done either on one knee, in cat stance, or feet together w/slight bend forward at the waist.)

• When entering the school for the first time students must approach the memorial shrine and bow on one knee. (This is constent showing of respect to the founders, because with them we would not be practicing this great art.)

• Students should always show proper respect the Chief Instructor by greeting him/her with a bow either on one knee or standing w/feet together, slightly bending at the waist. (Students should never bow their Sifu on one knee in a public setting as this is considered embarrassing to the Sifu. If students hands are full a simple bow at of the head w/slight bend of waist is sufficient)

• If student bows with a weapon in their hand. The weapon should placed in the left hand w/blade pointing straight up. Right hand extended in front of the body in open palm w/slight bend at the waist.

• In any traditional Kung Fu school, there is usually  one Chief Instructor. At the Jow Ga Martial Arts Academy that is Sifu Troyon Williams. Students of the school should always refer to him as “Sifu (father/teacher)”. Any other Kung Fu master should be referred to as  Sifu followed by their sir name example; “Sifu Thomas”.

• Students should always show respect to each other and the instructor by bowing before the start and ending of each class.

• Students must do their best to be on time for a class, however if a student is late, he or she must first bow the memorial shrine, then wait for instructor to bow them into class.

• If Sifu enters the training floor while class is in session, the instructor of the class or the most senior student present must bring the class to attention and bow to Sifu.

• Most traditional Kung Fu schools identify ranking using the family system.        

• Sifu (father or mother)

• Si Mo (Sifu's Wife)

• Dai Si Hing or Dai Si Jeh (biggest brother or biggest sister, sifu’s oldest student)

• Si Hing (older brother)

• Si Jeh (older sister)

• Si Dai (younger brother)

• Si Moy (younger sister)

             Students should address their senior class or assistant instructors with the proper title.

• Students should address Sifu’s classmates and instructors with the proper title.

• Si Gung (Sifu’s  Sifu)

• Si Bok (Sifu’s older classmate)

• Si Sook (Sifu’s younger classmate)

• Students must respect the founders, teachers, and teachings of Jow Ga

• Students must always show respect  fellow classmates by never laughing or joking when a student makes a mistake.

• Because we are family within the kung fu school students must always show respect for the school by helping keep the school clean at all times

• Students are not allowed to handle any weapon without permission

• Students are should NEVER teach anyone Jow Ga in or out of the school with the permission of Sifu.

• Students should never be boastful in or out of the school, nor should the behave in a manner the adversely affects the school of the Sifu.