Club Rules
Introduction
The correct etiquette is expected from all students at all times. Bedford Jujitsu club has retained some elements from tradition, but the majority of our rules are in place for the health and safety of our members.
Before class
Getting changed
We ask that students change into and out of their training kit at the dojo, rather than arriving in their kit. The exception to this is Juniors.
It is not permitted for any student or instructor to get changed in the dojo itself. Instead, they should use the facilities provided, taking extra care to ensure that no Juniors are present at the time.
Mobile phones and cameras
All phones should be on silent, with vibrate switched off, for the duration of the class.
The capturing of photography and video is prohibited by Bedford Jujitsu Club, unless written consent is provided in conjunction with a club instructor.
Entering and leaving the dojo
Bow before entering and leaving the dojo, facing inwards each time. Upon arrival it is polite to greet other students and instructors. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that their fees are paid in advance.
At the beginning of the class
Please arrive in advance, check in with the assistant instructor so that they can mark you on the register. We ask that students arrive well before the scheduled start time to help set up the mats.
Once the mats are laid, all students should line up quietly at the side of the mat, to the right from the perspective of the instructor. All students should be ready so that when the instructor invites everyone onto the mat, everyone can do so immediately. Please bow when stepping onto the mat (see separate section on ‘bowing’)
If you arrive late for a class
If you are late for your class, you must wait (kneeling or standing) on the side of the mat to be invited to join in by the instructor.
Personal appearance and hygiene
We ask that all students maintain good personal hygiene and appearance:
Feet are clean and odour-free, nails trimmed
Wear sandals when off the mat, especially in the toilet area, so that bare feet do not contaminate the mat
Hands are washed and nails trimmed
All removable jewellery (including piercings not visible under the training suit) should be removed.
Long hair must be tied back
Open wounds/cuts/grazes should be dressed appropriately (e.g. with a plaster)
Clothing
Clothing is washed and ironed, and odour-free
Ensure your training suit is smart and your belt tied properly.
If you need to adjust your uniform during the class, face away from the instructor and your training partner, towards the outside of the mat, before doing so.
Only plain black t-shirts are permitted to be worn under the gi
Only socks with rubber grips should be worn, and only if needed to prevent the spread of infection
BJJA badges should be sewn on the right sleeve
During Class
Addressing the instructors
Black belts should always be addressed as “Sensei” (instructor) or “[surname] Sensei”, but never by their first name. It is improper to address anyone with a rank below Black belt as “Sensei”.
When bowing to a senior grade, the deeper bow should be done by the junior as a sign of respect.
Many schools prohibit students questioning instructors, however we feel that questions are an important part of learning and improving. All we ask is that questions are raised politely and with respect. For example, rather than making a negative comment about the efficacy of a technique (“I would just counter like this”) it is more respectful to raise your hand, then ask politely “Sensei, how do I ensure that the technique can’t be countered, please?”.
Senior grades (assistant instructors)
Senior grades are responsible for helping lower ranked students and organising the class. They should be treated with respect. As part of their responsibilities, senior grades are asked to help maintain discipline in the club, as well as provide administrative duties such as registering students for a class or checking that fees are paid and memberships up to date. Please do not take offence if a senior students asks you for information with regard to any of the above.
Stepping on and off the mat
All students must seek permission from the instructor before stepping on to or off of the training mat for any reason. This includes drinks/toilet breaks and injuries, as well as arriving to or leaving the dojo altogether.
Please remember to bow (see section on ‘bowing’).
We ask that all students step on/off the mat from the same side, to the right from the perspective of the instructors.
Training Safely
When the instructor calls stop (yame), stop what you are doing immediately. We also insist that all techniques are practiced in a controlled manner.
Only qualified instructors are permitted to give instruction. It is against our club rules for any student to give instruction or guidance, even if they are a higher rank than another student. We have asked our instructors and assistant instructors to be vigilant to this.
Respecting the instructors’ and students’ time
When an instructor gives an instruction (such as to gather at one side of the mat, take a drinks break, or collect equipment from the edge of the mat), students must do so:
as quickly as possible, and;
in silence
Bowing
The bow is a sign of respect. We do this when we:
arrive at, and leave from, the dojo
step onto, and off of, the mat
greet, or receive instruction from, the instructor
before starting a set of techniques, and when finishing a set of techniques, with your training partner. It is not necessary to bow between each technique.
are doing so as part of the bowing cemerony at the beginning and end of every class
For a standing bow, heels should be together, but feet spread, hands by the sides with palms open, and a straight back.
It is disrespectful to look up at the instructor or training partner while bowing it as it shows distrust.
Spectators
We ask that spectators respect our rules, as well as those students training on the mat. Please switch off your mobile phone, and note that we do not permit the capture of any photography or video. Please identify yourself to the instructor team at the beginning of the class and remain quite during the session.