Why is Mat Etiquette So Important?

Jiu-Jitsu etiquette isn’t just about tradition; it’s about function. Every rule serves a purpose, usually tied to three main pillars:

1. Safety: Many rules exist to prevent injuries and ensure the mat is a safe place to train hard.

2. Respect: Respect is the foundation of all martial arts. Etiquette shows respect for your instructor, your training partners, and the training space itself.

3. Higiene: In a close-contact sport, hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of skin infections and maintain a healthy training environment.

Essential Etiquette Rules for Success

Here are some of the most important etiquette rules you should know before your first class.

Respect Begins at the Door

• Bow When Entering and Leaving the Mat: It is customary to give a short bow as you step onto and off the mat area. This is not a religious gesture; it is a sign of respect for the training space and everyone in it.

• No Shoes on the Mat: This is a universal rule. Shoes track in dirt and germs from the street onto the clean space where we roll. Always leave your shoes or sandals at the edge of the mat.

• Keep the Academy Clean: Help maintain a tidy training space. Throw away your empty water bottles, used athletic tape, and any other trash. A clean environment is everyone’s responsibility.

Personal Hygiene: A Golden Rule

• Wear a Clean Gi (Kimono): Your gi should be washed after every training session. Showing up to class with a dirty or smelly gi is disrespectful to your training partners and unhygienic.

• Keep Your Nails Trimmed: Long fingernails and toenails are a hazard. They can accidentally scratch and cut your training partners during a roll. Keep them trimmed short.

• Mind Your Personal Grooming: Ensure you are clean, and if possible, brush your teeth before class. Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes.

Conduct During Training

• Be on Time: Arriving on time shows respect for your instructor’s and classmates’ time. If you are late, wait for the instructor’s permission before stepping onto the mat.

• Pay Attention When the Instructor is Talking: When the instructor is demonstrating a technique, stop what you’re doing, take a knee or sit quietly, and pay attention. Avoid talking with your peers during instruction.

• Tap Early, Tap Often: Tapping (three firm pats on your partner, the mat, or verbally saying “tap”) is your way of saying “stop.” It is not a sign of weakness; it is a crucial part of learning. If you feel pain or are in a submission you don’t know how to escape, tap. Your partner must release immediately.

• Be a Good Training Partner: Especially as a beginner, your focus should be on learning, not “winning.” Do not use excessive force. Aim to be a partner that others want to train with—controlled, safe, and focused on technique.

• Have Spatial Awareness: Be mindful of other pairs rolling around you. If you and your partner roll near another group, pause, reset in the middle of your space, and continue. The lower-ranked pair is generally the one to move.