1. Hygiene is Non-Negotiable

Hygiene is the most important aspect of mat etiquette for the health and safety of all students. Because Jiu-Jitsu is a close-contact sport, cleanliness is a top priority.

• Wear a Clean Gi/Uniform: Your Gi (or No-Gi attire) must be washed after every single training session. Never come to class with a dirty or smelly uniform.

• Personal Cleanliness: Arrive to class clean.

• Trim Your Nails: Keep your fingernails and toenails short and filed. Long nails can cause deep, painful scratches and are a common cause of minor injuries.

• Cover All Wounds: If you have any cuts or scrapes, they must be securely covered with athletic tape or bandages before class.

• Stay Home if You’re Sick: If you are feeling unwell or have any skin infections, do not come to class. It’s your responsibility to protect your training partners.

2. Punctuality and Respect for Time

Being on time is a sign of respect for your instructors and training partners.

• Arrive Early: Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes before class starts. This gives you time to change, prepare, and be on the mat, ready to go, when class begins.

• If You Are Late: Wait at the edge of the mat until the instructor acknowledges you and gives you permission to join. Never just walk onto the mat and join in while a class is in session.

3. Entering and Exiting the Mat

The mat is our training ground, our dojo. We treat it with respect.

• Bow to the Mat: It is customary to bow when you step onto and off the mat. This is a sign of respect for the training area and everyone in it.

• No Shoes on the Mat: This is a strict rule. Shoes track in dirt and germs from outside, which have no place on a surface where we train. Leave your shoes and sandals at the shoe compartment spaces, available next to all training areas (walking barefooted out of the training areas is not allowed).

4. Conduct During Class

Your behavior during instruction sets the tone for your learning and shows respect for the instructor’s time.

• Pay Attention: When the instructor is demonstrating a technique, give them your full attention. Stop what you’re doing, sit or kneel quietly, and listen.

• No Side Conversations: Talking while the instructor is teaching is disrespectful to both the instructor and the other students who are trying to learn.

• Ask Questions at the Right Time: If you have a question about the technique, wait until the instructor has finished their demonstration.

5. Sparring (Rolling) Etiquette

Rolling is where you apply what you’ve learned, but safety and control are paramount.

• The Tap is Sacred: The tap is the universal signal to stop. You can tap your partner, tap the mat, or verbally say “tap.” When your partner taps, you must release the submission immediately.

• Tap Early, Tap Often: Leave your ego at the door. There is no shame in tapping. Tapping means you got caught, and now you have an opportunity to learn. Tapping prevents injuries.

• Be a Good Partner: Be mindful of your training partner’s size and experience level. Don’t use all your strength on a smaller, less experienced partner. The goal is to learn, not to win in the gym.

• Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Always be conscious of other pairs rolling around you. If you are about to collide, stop, reset, and continue. Generally, higher belts are given priority for space.