Respect & Attitude

• Leave your ego at the door. Everyone’s here to learn and grow.

• Be friendly, helpful, and humble — higher ranks are role models; lower ranks should be respected.

• Talk less during technique instruction. When someone is demonstrating, give your full attention.

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Cleanliness & Hygiene

• Clean yourself before class.

• Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed — nobody wants accidental scratches.

• Wear clean training gear only. Your clothes should not be smelly.

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Dress Code

• Wear proper No-Gi attire: rashguard (or fitted shirt) + shorts or spats/leggings (no loose clothing, pockets, zippers, or metal).

• Remove all jewelry (rings, bracelets, earrings, etc.) before stepping on the mats.

• No shoes on the mat. Keep sandals or flip-flops nearby for off-mat walking, especially in bathrooms.

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Mat Etiquette & Safety

• Bow or show respect when entering/leaving the mat area (if your local culture or your branch prefers this). 

• Avoid unnecessary roughness, slamming, or overly aggressive techniques outside of controlled sparring. Be mindful of your partner’s safety. 

• If you're injured or have a skin condition, inform your instructor before training, and follow their guidance.

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Punctuality & Participation

• Arrive on time. If you're late, enter quietly without disrupting the class.

• Participate fully — warm-ups, drilling, technique, and rolling — unless you're injured or otherwise excused.

• If you need to leave early, let the instructor know ahead of time.

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Clean Up & Shared Responsibility

• After class, clean up your gear and personal items. Don’t leave tape, water bottles, or trash around.

• Help maintain the cleanliness of the facility — the mats, changing areas, and common spaces.

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Rolling & Sparring Culture

• Rolling is a learning tool, not a competition. Be safe with your partner and respect their limits.

• Tap early, tap clean. There’s no shame in giving up — it’s part of the process.

• Don’t teach or correct others without express permission from an instructor.

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Community & Mindset

• Encourage newer students and help build a positive atmosphere.

• Be patient — it takes time to learn, and everyone was new once. 

• Stay open to feedback and be willing to grow, both technically and personally.