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Dojo Etiquite

Your First Class

If you don’t have a judo or jujitsu uniform (or Gi), that’s fine - just come dressed in t-shirt & sweat pants or shorts. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. You may also bring a notebook to take notes during class. If you decide to attend regularly, you will be asked to acquire a Gi (Jujitsu workout uniform). We can recommend places for you to purchase a Gi, but you may get one wherever you prefer. 

Respect

At Red Dragon Jujitsu, we tend to be on the casual side. We don't strictly follow a hierarchy of titles and obedience. We do expect students to follow instructions, and to treat both their instructors and fellow students with respect. Martial arts etiquette can be a little complex and intimidating for newcomers, but it doesn't need to be. As long as you show up with a good attitude and are willing to learn, everything else is just gravy.

The Bow

The bow, or rei, is the Jujitsu salute. It is done when you begin working out with a partner, and when you stop working out with that partner. It shows respect for each other, and is an indication that you will start (or stop) practicing with each other. The bow is simply done by standing erect with feet together and hands on the front of the thighs. Then, while looking at your partner, a bow is made by bending forward and sliding the hands down the thighs to the knees for about one second, then standing straight again.

Entering/Leaving the Mat

The bow is used when entering or leaving the mat and the dojo. This signifies two things: First, it lets others know that you are coming on the mat to practice with them. Second, it signifies that you are leaving the worries of your life behind you during class. While you practice, you will do your best to focus on the class and forget about the outside world. Then when class is done and you bow as you leave, you may again address the rest of your life.

Students should get permission from the instructor before entering the mat once class has begun. During class, students should get permission from the instructor before leaving the mat. These are safety rules to let the instructor know who is on the mat and that no one is injured.

Beginning and ending the class

At the beginning of class the brown belts will be seated to the Instructor’s left, the blue belts and green belts to the Instructor’s right. All white belts will sit facing the instructor. 

When signaled, the students bow to the instructor and the instructors return this respect. The class also ends with this procedure.

Sitting

Sitting on the mat is done in a certain way for the purpose of safety. Seiza (say-zah), the first and preferred way for ceremonies and show of attentiveness, is on the knees with your buttocks resting on your feet. In the aspect of safety, if someone were to fall on someone sitting in this manner, the person falling would slide off and the person sitting would not get hurt. Anza, the second way of sitting, is crossed legged. Unless you have an injury that rolex replica prevents sitting in Seiza or Anza, any other way of sitting or reclining on the mat is considered highly impolite, inconsiderate, and extremely unsafe unless in the execution of an art.

The Tap

In jujitsu it has been found that when one wants to show submission, in place of saying anything which takes a considerable amount of time, he either taps the mat, himself, or his partner at least twice in rapid succession. It is easier and faster by far, as well as being safer. If you are in a position that prevents you from tapping with your hands, you may tap with your feet or say “Mate” (mät-e) or “Stop”.

General Rules

  • Horseplay is neither accepted nor respected on the jujitsu mat

  • Sportsmanship is king on the mat and safety is law

  • No student should engage in Randori without the instructor’s supervision or that of the senior students.

  • The student should never use any techniques not previously explained by an instructor. Complicated techniques, without previous experience or training, can lead to serious injury.

  • Fingernails and toenails should always be clipped short to prevent scratching or harming others. Jewelry must also be removed - it can get snagged or caught and potentially hurt yourself or your partner. The gi must be free of pins and other hard or sharp objects which might be hazardous.

  • Students should maintain the highest degree of personal cleanliness. Jujitsu is a body contact art.

  • Students must be punctual at all scheduled meetings.

  • Students must obey the instructions of their seniors and their instructors.

  • Students should always be courteous and helpful to each other.

  • Report all injuries to the Sensei.

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