Respect the tap
Respecting the tap is in my opinion one of the cardinal rules for practicing Jiu Jitsu with others. When a person taps either physically or verbally the roll should stop immediately. When a roll begins, it is two people consenting to physical combat. If a tap is achieved and not respected the roll turns into non-consensual assault. The ability to immediately end a roll with a tap creates trust and not respecting the tap is a trust destroyer. Intentionally not respecting the tap is grounds for expulsion in many gyms and says a lot about a gym that allows practitioners to not respect the tap. Always respect the tap.
Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes newer people don’t know how to tap. One time I was rolling with a 2-week-old white belt and each time I got a submission or in my mind got close to a submission the person would say loudly YEP! Or Yeah You Got Me! At first, I was confused and was able to coach the person later the appropriate way to tap out so there is no confusion and the roll stops immediately upon a physical or verbal tap.
Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed
Fingernails and toenails are like little dull knives on the tips of mini spears. Long nails can slash skin, scrape eyes and eyelids, and rip skin during grip battles. Nails should be kept trimmed to prevent unnecessary injury to your training partners. I’ve seen bad scratches happen because of long nails and the professor making the perpetrator clip their nails before returning to training, don’t be that guy. I like to keep a pair of clippers in my gym bag or at the gym for times when I’ve forgotten.
Make way for upper belts when rolling
During live rolling, the class can get crowded which sometimes can lead to collisions of heads, knees, and feet. Be Aware of your surroundings while rolling. As a general rule if you roll into another roll the person with training with the higher rank gets the right of way. Stop your roll and move to a different spot.
Stand according to rank or at the end of the line when visiting
Many gyms have a lineup of students usually at the beginning of the class and the end of class. This is a time for the professor or coach to address the group to discuss the plan for the day and any other announcements they might have and to bow into and out of the class. Some gyms do this and others don’t.
Most gyms that practice the lineup have their students line up rank which is by color then by stripes for those gyms with stripes. Make sure to line up in your correct spot. If I’m visiting a gym I will always stand at the end or back of the line regardless of rank. Often the professor will tell me where to stand or introduce me to the class.
Greet professors and coaches when entering the gym
It is always a good form of respect to greet the professors and coaches when entering the gym or mat. I also always like to greet any black belt on the mat to show respect for their dedication to the art.
Use preferred titles
Preferred titles should be used while practicing Jiu Jitsu. In general while on the mat black belts are professors and those teaching with colored belts are coaches. First names should not be used when addressing professors on the mat unless the professor has explicitly asked to be called by their first name or something else.
Be mindful of coaching others while live rolling
Coaching is usually a good thing in Jiu Jitsu, but while live rolling there are a few situations where you should be mindful to make sure your coaching is appropriate and conducted at the right time.
No upper belt coaching- While live rolling it is extremely annoying to hear a lower belt practitioner trying to coach you while you are rolling with them i.e. you should put your foot here, you almost have it, etc. If my partner executes a nice move like a sweep, I may say nice sweep during the roll, but that is about the extent of feedback I’ll give a higher belt or lower belt while live rolling. If something is happening and learning would be beneficial in real-time consider stopping the roll to get into a technique demonstration.
No white belt coaching- White belts should almost always refrain from coaching during a live roll.
Coaching others as a spectator- I’ve seen and been in rolls where some rando watching starts coaching one of the participants in the roll. This is often confusing and out of place as it is typically unexpected. Having somebody coach while rolling is fine and can be a good tool to learn, but doing it without telling the practitioners at first is usually in bad taste. It is acceptable if the professor in charge of the class does this to aid in learning though.
Learn to tie your belt correctly
There are many ways to tie your belt correctly and you should master at least one way to ensure that it is correct every time. Some gyms have the bar on the belt on the right side, while others have it on the left. Know where your gym has the bars and practice tying your belt your preferred way until you do it without even thinking. In the day of social media and constant pictures making their way to the internet, you don’t want to be the guy in the team photo with your bar on the wrong side for all to see.
Bow when exiting and entering the mat area
This varies greatly from gym to gym, but it is a form of respect to bow while entering or exiting the mat area. Nobody is going to fault you for bowing even if it is not a requirement of the gym.
Follow the flow and house rules when visiting
Rules and etiquette vary greatly from gym to gym and it’s always a good idea to know them and go with the flow when visiting another gym. Some gyms may require things like only specific Gi colors or technique rules like no heel hooks for white belts. I like to ask the professor or main contact you’ve had with the gym what to expect so you’re not flying blind when you show up for class. On the day of the visit, introduce and greet the professor and ask if there is anything to know about the rules, etiquette, or anything else you should know about. Then go with the flow and enjoy participating in a new environment.
Stick to the techniques the professor or coach is showing during class
The process for teaching moves in class usually goes with the professor showing the move followed by practicing the move with a partner while the professor walks around the class to observe and coach. This is not the time to explore outside of what the professor is teaching. It’s ok to ask the professor questions and get their input on your execution of the move, but try to stick to what is being taught, there is a time and place to self-study and practice other moves.
Wash your Jiu Jitsu clothing after every class including your belt
Don’t be the stinky person in class. Clothing worn during practice should be washed after every class with no exceptions. If you are going to multiple classes in a day multiple sets of clothing should be utilized. Your belt should also be washed, it gets dirty the same as other parts of clothing and your hard work and experience don’t wash off when you put it in the washer.
Stay home if you are sick
Jiu Jitsu is an about as close contact of a sport or any activity for that matter that there is. We often bleed, sweat, and tear into each other’s faces and mouths when rolling. If you are sick, have respect for your training partners and stay away from the gym to not affect them.
Do not attempt dirty Jiu Jitsu moves in training
Some moves should be avoided, especially in training. Here is a shortlist of some of them:
Grabbing fingers
Pinching and scratching
Neck cranking
Intentional striking
Oil checking
Covering the mouth with the palm of the hand
Knuckles in the side of ribs
Slamming from closed guard or triangle
Grabbing the shorts or rashguard in NoGi
When practicing NoGi, it is against most rule sets to grab clothing and should not be done in training. Any part of the Gi and pants is in scope when Gi grappling.
Slap and fist bump before rolls
Most gyms begin with a simple slap of hands and fists before rolling commences. This signifies that both parties are consenting to combat.
Thank your partner after a roll
It takes guts and self-control to have productive rolls with a partner and it goes both ways. After every roll it’s a good idea to thank your partner for sharing the mat with you. With every roll both of your experience goes up and progression is made on the Jiu Jitsu journey.
Be humble after rolls
Whether you tap or submit, be humble post rolling. You should not get overly excited and or brag to others if you submit your partner. Whether in loss or win learning should be the primary objective, thank your partner for the experience and move on to the next.
No shoes on the mat ever
With sweaty bodies flying and colliding with one another the mats can be a breeding ground for bacteria and filth. The mats should be protected in a sterile environment as much as possible. Not having ground containment tracked onto the mat via shoes is one of the rules you will find in nearly every Jiu Jitsu gym, except for wrestling shoes which are worn only on mats. Expect to be brutally called out if you step a foot on the mat in shoes.
Wear shoes off the mat, especially in the bathroom
While every Jiu Jitsu gym I’ve ever heard of requires no shoes on the mat, likewise shoes should be worn off the mat. This helps keep the mat clean and sterile as much as possible. One of the worst offenses you can make is to use the restroom without shoes and then track your nasty feet onto the mat. Though I’ve seen gyms not enforce this rule, it is disgusting and those that offend have no shame.
Have good personal hygiene
Again don’t be the stinky guy in class. If you work outside in the heat all day make sure to shower before attending Jiu Jitsu class in the evening. If you are a heavy sweater utilize deodorant. Wash your hands and feet if they are dirty or smelly. Bad hygiene can be one of the toughest coaching conversations a professor has to have, take care of yourself and don’t make somebody have to point it out.
Be mindful of bad breath
Halitosis can be a very potent submission technique, but it’s not the way you want to win. Brush your teeth, use mouthwash, chew gum, or use a mint before class and your partner will thank you.
Practice appropriate non-verbal cues and tone
The majority of what a person trusts is based on how they look and sound rather than what they say. Remember you are there to learn and when taken seriously Jiu Jitsu can be a fulfilling way of life. Be alert, attentive, and engaged in your training, and those around you as if contagious, will often follow suit.
Keep distractions out of training including cell phones
Cell phones can be very distracting to others while training. Put your screen away and be there for the moment enjoying the task at hand, Jiu Jitsu.