Frequently Asked Questions

Water, Indoor-only shoes/sandals, T-shirt and shorts or leggings

Yes!! Regardless of athletic ability, strength, or size you can begin something new and change your life with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most complete martial art. This completeness is exemplified in Mixed Martial Arts
(UFC, Bellator, One Championship), as every Professional Mixed Martial Artist must study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in order to compete at the highest level.

1. Bow to the center of the mat when you enter.
2. Bow to the center of the mat when you exit.
3. Keep a respectful posture in the dojo.
4. Classes begin with a formal bow to the instructor with students lining up in descending grade order.
5. Classes end with a formal bow to the instructor and then to the picture of Grand Master Carlos Gracie Senior.
6. During Class, when the instructor is demonstrating the techniques, every student must remain quiet and attentive.
7. For safety reasons, if you are late, stand by the side of the mat waiting for permission from the Professor to come onto the mat.
8. For safety reasons, if you need to leave the mat or leave earlier you must ask permission from the Professor.
9. Bow to your partner before and after practice.
10. Talking should be kept to a minimum level and should relate to the class subject.
11. Absolutely no foul language inside the school.
12. Do not belch inside the dojo.
13. Keep finger and toenails short for everyone’s safety.
14. All students must wear a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kimono.
15. It is mandatory to wear a t-shirt or rash guard underneath the Kimono.
16. The Kimono must ALWAYS be clean. A dirty kimono is a sign of disrespect.
17. The Kimono must be worn at all times.
18. When tying your belt, students must face away from the instructor.
19. The belt represents your progress. Keep it on.
20. Refer to Black-Belt Instructors as ‘Professors’
21. All metal objects, jewelry, earrings, necklaces or other such items should be removed.
22. No shoes, food, or drink on the mat.
23. No cell phones in the dojo area.

• Advanced Training/Rolling/Sparring
  You must have 3 stripes on your belt to be eligible for this Advanced portion of the class. Once you are eligible to Roll, you will attempt to gain dominant position, control and apply Submission holds.
• Specific Technique Training
  This portion of class is based on the Technique that the Professor has demonstrated that session. Your partner will give you some resistance from a specific position in order to familiarize you with the movements. This will allow you to feel leverage, balance, timing and demonstrate how the resistance will apply to Advanced Training/Rolling/Sparring. As soon as you or your partner are able to capitalize on the position, you will both re-set and start over again.
• Tapping
  This is the most important term that you will need to know. When you are participating in class as a beginner, you should know that your partner will tap (pat on you with their hand) or verbally say tap in order to indicate that they would like to stop or re-set. For your safety, do not tap with your feet, as your partner may not be aware that your are doing so.
  
• Escape the Hips and Bridge
  These are hip movements that you will learn in class to help you develop movement from having your back on the ground.
  
• Side Control/Side Mount
  A position in which you are on top and perpendicular to your partner.
• Mount
  When you are sitting on top of your partner’s belly with your knees touching the floor. This position will help you capitalize on your partners hip movement and your will learn how to attack and escape from this position.
• Half Guard
  Half Guard- When only one leg is locked in between your legs. You will learn attacks, reversals and escapes from this position.
• Closed Guard
  When your back is on the ground and your legs are wrapped around your partner’s waistline in order to maintain a neutral position. You will learn both attacks, reversals and escapes from this position.
• Guard Pass
  When you start in your partner’s guard and you are able to apply technique to open and go around or through your partner’s legs in order to obtain a dominant position such as Side Control or Mount.
• Sweep
  This is a reversal movement where you are on the bottom and you will use a technique in order to establish a top position. The movement must come from Guard in order to be considered a Sweep.
• Back Control/Backpack
  This is a position where you control your partner’s back. You are using your legs to create “hooks” and arms to control your partner’s entire upper body. From here you will be able to apply Submission holds, such as Chokes and Arm Attacks. You will learn attacks and escapes from this position.
• Submission
  Submissions are the main goal in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. When you apply the Joint Locks and Chokes on your partner and it results in them Tapping, this is called a Submission.