1. Personal Hygiene is Non-Negotiable

This is the most important rule of all, as it directly impacts the health and safety of everyone you train with. Jiu-Jitsu is a close-contact activity, and good hygiene is a sign of respect for your partners.

• Keep Your Gi and Rash Guard Clean: You must wash your uniform (gi) and any gear (rash guards, spats) after every single training session. Never wear a dirty gi to class.

• Trim Your Nails: Keep your fingernails and toenails short and filed. Long nails can cause deep, painful scratches and cuts.

• Stay Fresh: Brush your teeth and consider using deodorant before class. Avoid strong perfumes or colognes.

• Cover Any Cuts: If you have any cuts or scrapes, cover them securely with athletic tape or a bandage before stepping on the mat.

2. Bow When Entering and Leaving the Mat

You will notice practitioners bowing to the mats as they step on and off. This is not a religious gesture. It is a sign of respect for the training area, your instructors, and your training partners. It’s a moment to clear your mind, leave your daily troubles behind, and mentally prepare yourself to learn and train with focus.

3. Punctuality Shows Respect

Arriving on time is a simple yet powerful way to show respect for your professor and your classmates. It shows that you value their time and are serious about your training. If you are unavoidably late, wait at the edge of the mat until the instructor acknowledges you and gives you permission to join the class.

4. Respect the Hierarchy

Jiu-Jitsu has a belt system that represents experience and knowledge. This hierarchy deserves respect.

• Lining Up: At the beginning and end of class, students line up facing the instructor, typically in order of rank (higher belts in the front).

• Addressing Instructors: Your instructor should be addressed as “Professor” or “Coach.”

• Learning from Upper Belts: Higher-ranking students have a wealth of knowledge. Be respectful, ask questions, and be grateful for their willingness to help you. When it’s time to roll (spar), a lower belt will typically ask a higher belt to train.

5. Pay Attention During Instruction

When the professor is demonstrating a technique, your full attention is required.

• Stop and Listen: Stop what you are doing, sit or stand quietly, and focus on the details of the instruction.

• No Side Conversations: Talking with your training partner while the instructor is teaching is disrespectful to both the professor and the students around you who are trying to learn.

• Save Questions for the Right Time: If you have a question, wait until the instructor has finished demonstrating the technique.

6. Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

Your safety and the safety of your training partners are paramount.

• Tap Early, Tap Often: Tapping is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of intelligence. It means you recognize you are caught in a submission and are ready to reset and learn. Tap firmly on your partner or the mat, or verbally say “tap.”

• Be a Good Partner: During drilling, your goal is to help your partner learn the move correctly, not to “win” the drill. Apply techniques with control, not brute force.

• Spatial Awareness: Be aware of your surroundings when rolling. If you are about to collide with another pair, pause and reset. The pair with the lower-ranking belts should be the one to move.

7. Keep the Mat Clean and Sacred

The tatame is a respected space. Treat it as such.

• No Shoes on the Mat: Never wear shoes, sandals, or socks on the mat. Take them off before you step on.

• Keep Gear Off the Mat: Your gym bag, water bottle, and other personal items should be kept off the mat area.

• No Food or Drinks: To maintain cleanliness, never bring food or drinks onto the mat.