Before Class Begins: Preparation and Respect

Your Jiu-Jitsu practice starts before you even step on the mat. Proper preparation shows respect for your academy, your instructors, and your training partners.

1. Hygiene is Non-Negotiable

This is the most important rule. You will be in very close contact with others.

• Clean Gi: Your gi (and any no-gi equipment) must be washed after every single use. Do not show up in a gi that is dirty or smells.

• Personal Cleanliness: Shower before class if possible, use deodorant, and ensure your breath is fresh.

• Trim Your Nails: Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed short. Long nails can easily scratch and cut your training partners.

• Cover Cuts: If you have any open cuts or scrapes, cover them securely with athletic tape or a bandage.

2. Punctuality Matters

Arriving on time shows respect for your instructor’s and classmates’ time. If you are running late, wait by the edge of the mat until the instructor acknowledges you and gives you permission to join.

3. Protect the Mats: No Shoes Allowed

The mats are a sacred space for training. Never step on them with shoes or socks you’ve worn outside. This prevents dirt and bacteria from contaminating the training surface. Have a pair of sandals or flip-flops to wear when you are off the mat (e.g., going to the restroom).

On the Mat: During Instruction and Drilling

Once class starts, your focus should shift entirely to learning and practicing safely.

4. Bowing On and Off the Mat

It is a tradition in many martial arts to bow when entering and leaving the mat area. This is a simple sign of respect for the training space, your instructors, and the art itself.

5. Pay Attention During Instruction

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

• Stop what you’re doing: Cease any movement or conversation.

• Listen actively: Don’t talk with your friends while the instructor is teaching.

• Ask questions at the right time: It’s great to ask questions, but wait for the instructor to finish their explanation before raising your hand.

6. Drilling with a Purpose

During drilling, your goal is to learn the movement, not to “win.”

• Be a good partner: Allow your partner to complete the technique. Provide a normal level of resistance so they can feel the mechanics, but don’t actively try to counter them unless instructed to do so.

• Stay focused: Don’t use drill time to chat about your day. Focus on performing quality repetitions.

During Rolling (Sparring): Safety and Humility

Rolling is where you apply what you’ve learned against a resisting partner. Safety and control are paramount.

7. Tapping is Learning

Tapping is the most important concept for any beginner. It is how you signal that you are caught in a submission and concede. There is zero shame in tapping.

• How to Tap: Tap your partner firmly and clearly three or more times. You can also tap the mat or say “Tap!” verbally.

• Tap Early, Tap Often: If you feel pain or are caught in a choke, tap immediately. Trying to tough it out is how injuries happen.

• Respect Your Partner’s Tap: The instant your partner taps, release the submission immediately.

8. Be Spatially Aware

Always be aware of the other pairs rolling around you. If you are about to collide with another group, stop, reset, and give each other space. The lower-ranked pair should typically be the one to move.

9. Control Your Intensity

Don’t be the person who goes 100% force and speed against every partner, especially those smaller or less experienced than you. Good training is about control. Try to match the energy and intensity of your partner.