ArchwayJitsu.com - The home of Archway Jiu-Jitsu club

The home of Archway Jiu-Jitsu club

Jiu-Jitsu has its own etiquette, some of which comes from its history as the defensive art of the unarmed Samurai, some coming from the need for safety during training. Here are some of the things Jitsuka have to consider during training.

-You must have a clean gi with a correctly tied obi. This shows respect for the art and respect for your training partners — would you want to train with someone who smelled?

-You must rei (bow) to your partner at the beginning and end of each practice. This indicates that despite the fact you're about to try to hit each other and perform potentially painful techniques, you still have respect for your partner and you have no real desire to hurt them.

-You must not lose your temper or swear during training

-You must not eat or drink in the dojo (training hall).

-You must rei into and out of the dojo, to the highest grade on the mat when you leave and join the session and to the instructor. At the beginning and end of every session, a more formal welcoming and greeting session is performed (in Japanese), with students lining up opposite the instructor(s).

-You must gain permission from the instructor before leaving the mat, especially when injured and also if only to get a drink of water. This is to ensure the instructor is always aware where his students are.