Dojo Rules and Etiquette
Ju-Jitsu Dojo Etiquette and Guidelines
Wording Credit to Jordan Wilson at Sanctuary Jujitsu in Madison,WI
The Purpose of Dojo Etiquette and Rules
Every martial arts academy or “dojo,” meaning “place of the way”; has certain rules, etiquette, and guidelines. These dojo rules are in place to ensure that the training environment is safe, orderly, and clean so that instructors can most effectively teach their students.
Rules and Etiquette in Ju-Jitsu
Ju-Jitsu – being one of the most contemporary martial arts – is relatively informal, and prides itself as being separate from the more “traditional” martial arts like Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kung Fu, et al. Many Ju-Jitsu dojos – especially in the United States – feel a lot more like wrestling practice rooms or general sports facilities than a traditional martial arts academy. Almost all Ju-Jitsu dojos have hygiene requirements and rules of general good sportsmanship. In many Ju-Jitsu dojos certain “traditional” ritual gestures such as bowing and organizing oneself by rank are required.
While some of these more “traditional” rules may seem arbitrary, there is an underlying purpose behind them. These rules aren’t so obvious to people who have no experience in the martial arts. Many of them are implicit or “unspoken” rules that people abide by without ever having been explicitly told.
Dojo Rules
- Check Your Ego at the Door
We are all here to learn. We are not here to compete with others, but with who we were yesterday. Be humble in training and you will be vastly better for it. Ju-Jitsu is not a means towards proving ourselves, but a means towards improving ourselves.
- Be Consistent!
Consistency is the biggest key to success and growth in anything, especially Ju-Jitsu. “A black belt is a white belt that never quit.” Promotions are founded in consistency and growth.
- Respect the Dojo
Bow every time you step on and off the mats. This is a sign of respect for the academy, for your training partners, and for the instructor. On top of that, we bow to humble ourselves to the process of learning. This is where we come together to learn and to grow. We would not have that opportunity without the space we are provided.
A) Respect Your Teammates
Ju-Jitsu is not a solitary endeavor. It is a martial art that requires resistance, training, feedback, and support from others. Ju-Jitsu is a team sport. You are never the most important person in the room, even if you are the highest ranked. You should always treat your teammates as you would wish to be treated.
Ju-Jitsu is a team sport. You should respect your teammates like you would a close friend or family member. For many Ju-Jitsu practitioners, their Ju-Jitsu team is very much like their second family.
B) Respect the Instructors
Regardless of rank, the instructor is devoting their time to teach and coach you. Respect the knowledge that they have and the time they are sacrificing to provide you with that knowledge. Do not speak when the instructor is speaking. This is not only discourteous to the instructor, but also to your training partners who are trying to pay attention and learn. Listening to the instructor, giving them your attention while they speak, and not interrupting them allows for them teach clearly while also providing your training partners the ability to pay attention to what is being taught.
- Maintain Proper Hygiene
This relates to respecting the dojo and respecting your teammates. A clean gi or training clothes are mandatory. Your hands and feet must be clean. If you are sick, you should not come to class. If you have any open sores on your skin, they should be covered and avoid rolling.
- Technique Conquers All: Emphasize Maximum Efficiency Minimal Effort
Ju-Jitsu places an emphasis on technique over strength and athleticism. This doesn’t mean that you should never use strength or your athletic talents. It means that they should take a backseat in order to improve your technical abilities in the art. This is especially true when drilling/repping specific techniques.
Drilling/repping is not rolling. You shouldn’t be rigid or resisting your partner. Every technique in Ju-Jitsu can be countered and resisted; the time to apply those counters and resistance is during rolling/ sparring, not during drilling/repping.
In order to learn a technique, one needs to start slow and emphasize fluidity and the proper mechanics of the technique. Resistance and rigidity during drilling/repping will not help your Ju-Jitsu or your partners.
- Maintain Focus
We are all here to learn. Please ask questions if you are confused about anything or if you’d like further clarification. There is truly no such thing as a stupid question, and you will never be castigated for asking questions. Asking questions will help you, your training partners, and your instructor to better understand what is being taught. We are all here to learn together. During class and training, keep talking to a minimum and relevant to the techniques or drills we are performing. It is important to have fun, but it is also important to learn and grow. Focus is essential for this to happen. Focus should be centered on the instructor and the technique that they are showing.
- Maintain Composure
Do not argue with your teammates. Do not raise your voice to your teammates. If you have a disagreement, let it go and move on. If you cannot, speak to the instructor and they will mediate the conflict.
Do not celebrate submissions or success on the training mats. While it may feel good to you, your teammate with whom you are training may feel otherwise, and a celebration may be humiliating or demoralizing to them. Similarly, do not get angry, sullen, or discouraged when you are submitted or positionally dominated.
Everybody gets submitted and positionally dominated, it is 100% normal and not at all indicative of a failure in your Ju-Jitsu. The more you tap in training, the better you will be for it. Every bad position is an opportunity to improve.
- Be Positive
Attitude is contagious. A negative attitude is demoralizing and counterproductive to learning and growth. Within every difficulty lies great opportunity. We should always strive to maintain a positive attitude.
Purpose
The underlying purpose of these dojo rules is to create an environment that is easy to learn and teach in. They are in place to ensure that students can learn and train in a safe, orderly, and fun environment while at the same time allowing the instructor to teach in a concise and clear manner that affords all students an equal amount of attention. Providing the reasons underlying each rule will serve to help our members understand the importance of abiding by the required etiquette.