How to act on and off the mat here at Castillo Jiu-jitsu

As in any school ,there are particular etiquettes that should be followed on and off the matt. In Jiu-jitsu, there should be respect shown to the instructor, other students as well as the school you train in.

There are three categories of mat etiqueet that should be adhered to at the Castillo Jiu-jitsu School . They are:

INSTRUCTOR ETIQUETTE:

1.) After stepping onto the mat, approach the instructor and shke his hand before starting any type of training.

2.) Never challenge an instructor to a fight. (Ask politely for help.)

3.) Refrain from horseplay, talking, and interrupting the instructor while he is teaching. When a technique is being demonstrated, students should stand, sit or kneel attentilvely. They should not slouch or prop themselves against the walls.

4.) Any injuries received outside of the school must be reported to an Instructor before you go on the mat. Minor injuries are common in Jiu-jitsu: bruising, muscle aches, fatige, etc. These are common, especially for beginners. Howver, sharp pain can indicate structural damage. Immediately stop training and inform your instructor of any injuries of this nature.

5.) Do niot leave the mat during class without your instructor's permission.

6.) Call your instructor if you will be absent from classes for any length of time.

STUDENTS:

1.) Always keep your uniform clean. Wash it as soon as you get home from training. Bacteria can accumulate otherwise. No one appreciates training with someone who smells.

2.) Keep finger nails and toe nails trimmed at all time.

3.) Always show respect for your fellow students and training partners. NEVER get too aggressive while sparring. Jiu-jitsu is NOT about aggression. It’s about fitness and economy of
movement. That means you should relax and go easy - don't grind away, or go too hard trying to tap people out. The more techniques you learn, the easier it will become. Techniques trump strength and aggression in all the martial arts.

4.) Students are in close contact with each other, so personal hygiene is important. Please use a deodorant before class. And be sure your feet don’t smell. Please use a foot powder. Not only does this cut down on odor, it also keeps fungi and other microorganisms at bay.

5.) Always bow or shake hands before sparring.

6.) When sparring, if you pick someone up, you are responsible for putting them down safely.

DOJO ETTIQUETTE:

1.) Strive to always be on time for class.

2.) No cell phones or video

3.) Always bow when stepping on and off the mat, there is no religious value to this. It is simply a way of showing respect for the mat you are practicing on.

4.) No shoes of any kind are allowed on the mat. Remove your shoes and place them against the wall so no one will trip over them.

5.) When on the mat, avoid any type of foul language, haughty or rude behavior. Bullying will not be tolerated.

6.) If the instructor has not changed the task, continue doing the task he or she has given (i.e., don’t sit around talking because you feel you have done a move enough times). You can NEVER
do a technique “too many times”.

7.) Do not walk outside with bare feet. If you have to go outside, wear sandals or shoes. This is especially important to prevent the spread of skin conditions such as ringworm. Excessive make-up must be avoided. Earrings, rings and neck-chains etc. are not to be worn during training, if rings cannot be removed, cover them with a plaster. Spectacles may not be worn
during training, though they may be used in order to see a technique being demonstrated. (Soft contacts are worn at the users own responsibility, Instructors must be informed if contacts are used). Do not train on a full stomach or drink large quantities of liquid. If you feel unwell, please inform your the Instructor.

All these rules are in place to make our training safe, serious and fun, that is the reason you come to Jiu-jitsu class. So please adhere to them.
-- John Castillo