Student Code Of Conduct
Equality in training
Our goal at Battalion Martial Arts is to create a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for everyone interested in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and Combatives. We are dedicated to fostering respect, camaraderie, and mutual growth within our community. Please review and adhere to these guidelines to help us maintain a positive and safe environment for all members.
We have a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and/or prejudice based on the following grounds:
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment / transition
Marriage or civil partnership
Pregnancy and maternity
Race
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation
Specific Guidance on Disabilities
Battalion Martial Arts is committed to an inclusive environment where students of all abilities feel welcomed and supported. We expect all members to show respect and understanding toward disabilities and health conditions and encourage students with disabilities to attend. Reasonable adjustments will be made wherever possible to support individual needs.
Open Communication: We encourage students to share information on any relevant disabilities or health conditions, which will be kept private. This information helps us make adjustments and conduct health and safety assessments to ensure everyone’s well-being.
Safety First: While we strive to make activities accessible, students will only be permitted to participate in exercises that are safely within their ability to undertake.
Conduct, Respect & Hygiene
Conduct and Respect in Class
Battalion Martial Arts is open to all who enjoy HEMA and Combatives, regardless of background or experience level. We do not tolerate hateful language, prejudice, intolerance, or general rudeness. We believe HEMA is for everyone and aim to provide a supportive and respectful environment for all.
Respecting Boundaries: Make sure your training partner is comfortable with the specifics of any exercise and respect their wishes to stop or modify activities at any time. All members have the right to pause or step away from a lesson if needed.
Encouraging Participation: We encourage everyone to participate to the best of their ability. Our members range from those seeking light activity and social interaction to those training at advanced levels, with many in between. All are welcome. During drills, we work at the intensity level that suits the comfort and skill level of the least experienced partner.
Consent in Close Contact: Martial arts training often involves close personal contact. Please be mindful of others’ boundaries and avoid any remarks or behaviors that could be interpreted as inappropriate, including sexually suggestive or explicit comments. Respect all members and communicate openly to ensure that everyone feels comfortable. If you have concerns about any behavior, please reach out to an instructor promptly.
Conduct at Social Events
We expect members to uphold these standards of inclusivity and respect not only during classes but also at any club-affiliated social events and social media. Building positive relationships with your club mates is more than just courteous; it also contributes to the trust and safety essential in martial arts training.
Hygiene & Health
As a close-contact athletic activity, maintaining personal hygiene is crucial. We ask all members to arrive at each class freshly bathed, with clean hands, trimmed nails, and in freshly washed clothing. The use of deodorant and ensuring fresh breath is also appreciated to uphold a respectful environment.
In addition to personal hygiene, we encourage all members to be mindful of their health. If you are feeling unwell, experiencing symptoms of illness, or have been in close contact with someone who is ill, please refrain from attending class. This helps protect the health and safety of all members and ensures a safe training environment for everyone.
We understand that discussing hygiene and health can be sensitive, but these practices are essential given our close training conditions.
Safety & Martial Realism
At Battalion Martial Arts, our mission is to study martial arts with a commitment to safety while pursuing martial realism in our practice. We believe in creating a training environment where every member feels responsible for their own and others’ safety.
Speak Up for Safety: If at any time you feel unable to participate safely or notice anything concerning in class, please speak up immediately. We rely on each member’s awareness and input to maintain a safe training environment for everyone.
Focus on Improvement, Not Winning: Our goal in drills and sparring is mutual improvement, not “winning.” This focus helps build skill, respect, and trust among training partners of all proficiency levels.
Be a Supportive Partner: Approach every interaction with kindness and consideration, understanding that each member is at their own stage of learning. Maintaining this standard is essential to our club’s values. Disregarding this commitment to respect and cooperation can result in immediate and permanent removal from training.
Safety and Training Levels
Our training environment includes members with various levels of experience. Beginners should not feel pressured to match the intensity levels of more experienced students; those advanced practitioners have built competency that allows them to train safely at higher intensities. Beginners are only permitted to train at higher intensities when instructors deem them ready.
Who to speak to if you have concerns
If you feel that a partner’s actions have gone beyond acceptable martial contact, inform an instructor immediately so we can address the situation. We want to maintain a safe, respectful training environment and will take appropriate action as necessary. If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe during training, please don’t hesitate to speak with your instructor.
Non-Disparagement
Battalion Martial Arts values open, respectful communication, both within the club and in public forums. We encourage thoughtful discussions and constructive feedback to continuously improve our training experience. However, disparaging or derogatory comments about the club, its instructors, or fellow members in public forums may lead to immediate expulsion from the club. We ask that all members approach concerns or criticisms through our internal channels (see “Who to Speak to If You Have Concerns”) so they can be addressed constructively.
If you find yourself consistently dissatisfied with Battalion Martial Arts’ approach or philosophy, it may indicate that this club is not the right fit for you.
Guidelines for Constructive Feedback:
Avoid Derogatory Comments: Personal insults or comments that demean other members, the club’s overall philosophy, or training methods are harmful to our community. Instead, consider voicing your perspective in a respectful manner directly to instructors or within the club.
Examples of Feedback Approaches:
Acceptable: “I’m struggling with this technique’s interpretation and can’t quite get it to work.” — Constructive discussion about techniques or challenges is welcome and encouraged. If possible, bring this up with an instructor or a club member in a respectful public discussion.
Not Acceptable: “Battalion Martial Arts is pointless; the instructors are inflexible and won’t listen to my ideas about practice.” — Disparaging remarks like this harm the group’s environment. If you feel consistently dissatisfied, please consider whether this is the right space for your needs.
Gear & Sparring
As you progress at Battalion Martial Arts, you’ll be expected to acquire personal gear for training and sparring. Prioritize the following items as you begin building your kit:
Appropriate shoes
Fencing mask
Protective gloves
Fencing jacket and groin protection
Personal gear is required for sparring, while club gear is intended primarily for drills and light free play. Please consult your instructor for guidance on specific gear recommendations and requirements.
Sparring Clearance and Safety Standards
Before you can participate in sparring, you must receive clearance from an instructor to ensure safety for yourself and others. This clearance confirms that you possess the necessary skills, control, and equipment for safe sparring. Criteria for sparring clearance include, but are not limited to:
Proficiency in the Full SOE Curriculum: This includes mastering all techniques and breakfalls as outlined in the curriculum.
Extensive Light Sparring Experience: Demonstrate controlled, light knife sparring over time with a variety of partners.
Controlled Striking Ability: Show that you can pull strikes on command and adjust strike power appropriately, maintaining safety and control.
As you work towards sparring clearance, you will receive our club’s standard rules for sparring and equipment, which all members are expected to follow.
Agreement with this document
By training with Battalion Martial Arts, you confirm your agreement with the guidelines outlined in this document. Please be aware that any breach of these standards may result in temporary or permanent suspension from training.
These guidelines are designed to create a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for everyone involved. Thank you for your dedication to upholding these values and contributing to a respectful and supportive community at Battalion Martial Arts.