Walking into a Jiu Jitsu gym for the first time can be an intimidating experience. With its unique set of rules, customs, and traditions, the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) demands a certain level of respect and etiquette from its practitioners. One crucial aspect of this is understanding and adhering to proper mat etiquette. In this blog, we will delve into the unspoken rules that govern a Jiu Jitsu gym, ensuring a harmonious and respectful training environment for all.
Keep Your Mat Clean:
The mat is the sacred battleground where students hone their skills, and maintaining cleanliness is crucial. Before stepping onto the mat, it is customary to remove your shoes, as they can track dirt, debris, and germs onto the training area. Additionally, ensure your gi or spats & rashguard are fresh and clean, as a foul-smelling or dirty gi (rashguard) can be unpleasant for training partners. Remember, maintaining a clean mat not only demonstrates respect for your training environment but also promotes good hygiene and prevents the spread of infections.
Bowing On & Off The Mats:
Bowing is a sign of respect for not only the mats that you are about to step onto, but for the instructors, and your fellow students. Bowing is done before you enter onto the mat and before you exit off of the mat. When exiting the mat, turn around & face the mat to bow, before stepping off.
Respect the Belt Hierarchy:
The color of a student’s belt signifies their skill level and experience. It is essential to respect this hierarchy and acknowledge the higher-ranked belts. This not only fosters a culture of respect but also ensures that techniques are taught and practiced under the guidance of more experienced individuals. If the mat is crowded and two groups are encroaching on each other, the group with the higher belt in it gets to stay put, and the lower ranking group must move for safety and respect.
Observe Proper Hygiene:
Jiu Jitsu is a physical contact sport, and personal hygiene is of utmost importance. Before stepping onto the mat, ensure that you have showered and trimmed your nails to avoid any potential injuries. Additionally, it is customary to wear clean rashguards or undergarments to prevent unpleasant odors or skin irritations during training. Maintaining good hygiene not only shows respect for your training partners but also contributes to a healthier and more pleasant training atmosphere.
Lining Up:
Line up at the beginning and end of each class in belt rank order. Make sure your gi’s and belts are presentable, even after live rolls. This includes bringing your belt to no-gi classes.
Shoes:
No shoes on the mat. Must wear shoes off the mat. Simple as that.
Communicate Clearly:
Clear communication is vital in Jiu Jitsu, especially during training sessions and sparring. When practicing techniques with a partner, ensure that you communicate your intentions clearly and ask for consent before attempting any moves. This helps prevent any accidental injuries and allows both practitioners to work together effectively.
Addressing Your Instructors:
Instructors with a black belt shall be referred to as professor, every other coach will be referred to as coach.
Tardiness:
If you are late for class, stand on the edge of the mat, receive the instructors acknowledgement BEFORE walking into the mat.
Show Respect During Live Rolls:
Live rolls are a critical component of Jiu Jitsu training. It is essential to test yourself in a controlled environment, but remember, you are on the “get better” mat, not the “see who’s better” mat. Save your 100% rolls for your next competition.
Slap, Bump, Roll:
Begin each roll with a slap, bump, roll as a sign of respect to your partner and acknowledgment that you are both here to learn and keep each other safe.
