BJJ Member's Guide

Welcome to the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu! This grappling art consists of a belt ranking system that begins at white belt and progresses to black belt. The ultimate goal for each of us should be to become a Master, the epitome of the professional warrior.

During your journey you will be tested physically, mentally, and socially. You will have your confidence and ego tested. You will experience a slump from time to time. You will experience pain and frustration. You will have doubts and experience inadequacy. You will bleed and you will want to quit. If you stick with it, you will become stronger than you could ever imagine.

Jiu Jitsu Gi (Uniforms):

1. Our facility has a few rental Gi that you may barrow, if available.  You may utilize a rental Gi until you purchase your own. 

2.  Purchase a cheap Gi online.  This is the most cost effective and is highly recommended for those who are trying out BJJ for the first time. We recommend this brand for starters:  https://sanabulsports.com/collections/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-bjj-gis 

3.  Purchase a team Gi.  Recommended for those who are 100% committed to training. 

WARNING: Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, like any sport, involves a potential risk for serious injury. The techniques used in these classes are being demonstrated by highly trained professionals and are being shown solely for training purposes and competition. Doing techniques on your own without professional instruction and supervision is not a substitute for training. No one should attempt any of these techniques without proper personal instruction from trained instructors. Anyone who attempts any of these techniques without supervision assumes all risks. Pacific Grappler Dojo shall not be liable to anyone for use of any of these techniques.

RULES & ETIQUETTE

• Leave your ego outside and be humble and respectful to others.

• Be on time for class (Arrive 10-15 minutes before class begins).

• Check in at the iPad.

• Put cell phones on vibrate.

• If you are late approach the instructor prior to joining class.

• Bow to the center of the mat when entering or exiting.

• Remove footwear before stepping on the mats.

• Wear footwear off of the mat.

• Keep quiet while instructor demonstrates techniques.

• No foul language will be tolerated.

• No offensive odors such as unsanitary BO, tobacco, ammonia, etc.

• Students must wear the appropriate uniform for class (Gi or NoGi attire).

• Wear a BJJ Gi that is clean with no rips, tears, holes, or stains. 

• Women are required to wear at least a sports bra under Gi top (rash-guards are recommended) along with athletic undergarment under Gi bottoms. Men with excessive body hair are required to wear a rash-guard.

• Rash-guards are mandatory for NoGi class.

• Proper hygiene is required when going from one class to another.

• Keep uniforms and gear clean (wash your Gi after every class).

• Proper personal hygiene is required (this includes guests that are in the spectator area).

• Keep finger and toe nails cut short at all times, hands and feet must be clean.

• Long hair must be tied back.

• Remove all jewelry and piercings before class. No metal objects may be worn on the mats.

• Give higher ranked belts preferred space during sparring.

• Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a safe environment when training.

• Use proper tap out procedures. Remember it is only a training session.

• Open cuts must be covered at all times.

• Show courtesy before and after each sparring session.

• Mouth guards are encouraged during sparring.

• If you are sick, stay home.

• What you learn is taught for your development not only as a student, but also as a citizen and should be used as a last resort when everything else has failed.

• Respect those you train with and your instructors. Rank is a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. Respect the training facility.

• Don’t leave the class and facility without notifying the instructor.

TERMINOLOGY

1. Gi – Uniform used to train BJJ 

2. No-Gi - Practice/training without a gi (uniform)

3. Armbar - Locking the elbow joint of an opponent's arm. Usually causes opponent to tap out.

4. Back Mount or Rear Mount - This is a position where a student has control of another student from the back (i.e. a student is face down with another student straddling his back).

5. Break Fall - A technique to "break your fall" when thrown or falling by slapping your arm on the ground and properly positioning your body.

6. Bridge - A technique use to "buck" off or dislodge an opponent who is in the mount position.

7. Gi Choke - Where you use your gi (uniform) or your opponent's gi to perform a choking technique.

8. Guard Position - When a BJJ student is on the bottom trying to defend against another student (who is on top of them) by wrapping their legs around the opponent.

9. Half Guard - A defensive position where you are on your back. One of your feet is on the inside of an opponent's leg and the other is on the outside. From this position, many students will try to move to a guard position.

10. Lapel – The bottom part of the gi collar.

11. Mount Position - Where a BJJ student is sitting on top of another student's chest or waist.

12. Pass - Transitioning from one position to another (i.e. "passing" or getting around an opponent's guard position in order to gain control).

13. Side Control - This is a position where a student controls another student from the side (i.e. one student is on his back and the other student is on top with his legs positioned out to the side of the opponent for better control).

14. Submission - Where a student forces another student to submit (give up) through a choke, arm bar, etc.

15. Sweep - Gaining a dominant position through a sweeping technique (i.e. knocking an opponent to the ground by sweeping them off their feet through a leg grab).

16. Take The Back - To maneuver into position to achieve a back mount (or rear mount).

17. Tap Out or Tapping - A BJJ student indicates his submission by tapping on the ground or on his opponent.

18. Turtle - A defensive ground position where you tuck in your arms, legs and head like a turtle hiding in its shell.

19. Base - Center of Gravity, the point at which all of the weight of an object appears to be concentrated.

20. Posture - Usually thought of as maintaining base while you’re in guard.

Students will be awarded stripes on their belts to denote progress through the rank. At each belt, four white stripes may be awarded. Rank is awarded based on the skill and progress of the individual student, and times given above are minimums and signify eligibility only.  

Note:    Belt promotions are always at the discretion of the head instructor.  Factors such as above-average class attendance, natural ability, or competing could possibly shortened the time to be promoted, while a poor attitude, bad temper, or a lack of common morality outside the academy could lengthen it.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

1. Come to class! We encourage everyone to attend class as much as possible.

2. Take notes or video and review them between classes.

3. Take advantage of class time. Drilling a technique can be repetitive, but doing so will create muscle memory.

4. Tap early and tap often. While it is important to practice escapes, error on the side of caution. You will save yourself from a lot of muscle and joint soreness and possibly having to miss training time.

5. Ask questions. Take advantage of high ranks, and ask multiple people if you have a question. Each person may have details that are specific to their size and body type.

6. Focus on learning one thing during each class. Don’t get overwhelmed. If you come away from each class learning one thing, that class was a success.

7. Relax and breathe.

8. Make improvements on and off the mat. Your training time is just a small percentage of your day. Use your time wisely.

9. Look to improve your health and strive to be an example that others may want to emulate.

10. Demand more of yourself.