BJJ class etiquette

chaps

chaps

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Ive been a hardcore MMA fan for almost two years now and I just signed up for BJJ class and I am looking for advice. I have never trained in martial arts before so I was wondering if there was anything I should know as far as manners are concerned.

The teacher mentionned in class to us white belts that it's an unwritten rule in BJJ if a higher belt is rolling besides you, you give them all the space they need out of respect since they've been doing this longer than you have. That makes a lot of sense. I also rolled with the teacher at the end of class since we were an odd number of people and I didnt have anyone to partner up with(she offered it). She is a female but also a BJJ Black Belt. Of course I got tapped immediately even if I put her on her back all the time and was concentrating only on sub defense without even attempting anything myself. I tried to pass her guard like twice but she blocked everything easily(Of course LOL, she's a black belt!). I was having so much fun even if I got schooled.

I was just wondering if there was anything else I should know as far as things I should or shouldnt do since this will only be my 3rd class ever on Monday.

Thanks!
 
Dont stink.
Wash your gi after every class.
Dont try and pull peoples fingers off.
Knuckle up before each fight.

The above are a few little niggles of mine.

This is an overall ethos to follow - Dont do to others what you wouldnt want them to do to you!

going hard, illegal moves, dick moves - can all be used at different times with different partners as long as yu both know and are both doing it.

Oh and as shes a lady instructor - dont get a boner!
 
FlameBoy said:
Dont stink.
Wash your gi after every class.
Dont try and pull peoples fingers off.
Knuckle up before each fight.

The above are a few little niggles of mine.

This is an overall ethos to follow - Dont do to others what you wouldnt want them to do to you!

going hard, illegal moves, dick moves - can all be used at different times with different partners as long as yu both know and are both doing it.

Oh and as shes a lady instructor - dont get a boner!
Click to expand...


Hahaha

Thanks for the tips man!
 
Some unspoken rules depend on your gym. Many gyms don't allow white belts to use heel hooks or neck cranks, because they are dangerous, especially if you don't know how to defend against them. Likewise many competitions do not allow them. Slamming people is generally bad form at the white belt level too, but that depends on your gym, how thick the mats are and your partner.
 
at my gym basically no one is allowed to do heel hooks unless you are in advanced no gi or the mma class.

absolutely no neck cranks.. Slams are only allowed in the MMA class..
basically the rules apply you can roll like you would in your division at a tournament..


I really think the most important is washing your Gi everyday.. stinky and dirty Gi is so fucking gross.. ~

And finger pulling.. I had my finger pulled out of my socket because of stupid white belt who thought that was the way to defend a choke..
 
There is a thread titled Tips for Judo n00b? in which a lot of regular posters have contributed, and while slightly different, they have a shared lineage. You will find a lot of purposeful advice in there in general that could be used for starting any martial art, but also for a grappling art specifically.

Here is my advice. Show formalism. Bow on and off the mat. Bow to your sensei, lol. Bow to your uke/tori (nage.) Give other students space as you stated. Wash your gi, and be hygienic...shower regularly, cut your hair, trim your nails, etc.; etc. Do not be a drill sergeant. Do not offer advice on jits. Do not hurt your training partners. Etc.; etc. I hope this helps.
 
Also, I will reinforce what has already been stated. Do not be a super tough guy and do unorthodox, illegal moves without your partner's consent or a senior student or the instructor observing or whatever, because chances are you will get hurt. After reading that post about a finger almost getting torn off, my stomach turned. I have been fortunate, but I know I am on borrowed time. Anyway, no leg locks and no neck/spine cranks. Most schools only allow brown belts and black belts to use leg locks anyway. I think anyone can use neck/spine cranks, but I'm not sure; then again, don't use them to be on the safe side or until instructed to do so or instructed as to how to do so. Otherwise, good luck, be safe, and most of all, learn and have fun!
 
Don't treat her differently because she is a female instructor... she will kick your ass. :P
 
The things people have mentioned are all good pointers. In general, common sense and the golden rule are good indicators of what you should or shouldn't do. However, when in doubt, don't hesitate to ask a higher belt or your instructor and if you do make mistake with regard to etiquette, don't be too proud to apologize.

Out of curiosity, who is your instructor?
 
Good hygiene, clean gi, please trim your nails (I can't tell you how many times I have been badly scratched while rolling), respect your partner and try to use technique as much as possible. No one wants to roll with a spaz! I got my rib broken in my 1st class by a guy and couldn't train for over a month.

Good luck and have fun.
 
K, im not from bjj, but i would say the main thing is
Just be respectful and eager to learn...very important in combat sports
 
treat BJJ like you are a llittle kid. honestly! Have absolutely NO ego, and be respectful. Saulo talks about having no ego in the univ. of JJ book all the time. Tap, Tap, Tap get used to it, and most importantly have fun!
 
OhioJudoka said:
There is a thread titled Tips for Judo n00b? in which a lot of regular posters have contributed, and while slightly different, they have a shared lineage. You will find a lot of purposeful advice in there in general that could be used for starting any martial art, but also for a grappling art specifically.

Here is my advice. Show formalism. Bow on and off the mat. Bow to your sensei, lol. Bow to your uke/tori (nage.) Give other students space as you stated. Wash your gi, and be hygienic...shower regularly, cut your hair, trim your nails, etc.; etc. Do not be a drill sergeant. Do not offer advice on jits. Do not hurt your training partners. Etc.; etc. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Most BJJ clubs I've been to don't bow, except MAYBE at the start and finish of class. I slap hands before and after each roll, but I find many people at other clubs don't.

Remember, anytime you roll in class, you win. Tapping someone out does not equal a victory. Tapping out to someone does not equal a loss.
 
Commissar said:
Remember, anytime you roll in class, you win. Tapping someone out does not equal a victory. Tapping out to someone does not equal a loss.
Click to expand...

I hate to be a broken record, but Commissar is absolutely correct, and he knows it. Rolling is mutually beneficial for both students. "As Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another." It is important to remind yourself that you do not always have to win, or not tap until you turn purple. Be a good partner.
 
If you're doing no-gi, please wear a shirt that covers your gross, hairy armpits. Rolling with a guy in a beater sucks.
 
[Tycho?];33759247 said:
If you're doing no-gi, please wear a shirt that covers your gross, hairy armpits. Rolling with a guy in a beater sucks.
Click to expand...

This

And

In Gi wear something under your Gi or shave your chest
 
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