Unspoken Rules of Jiu Jitsu 

Another unspoken rule at the gym I attend is don’t roll and tell. “I tapped out John three times today” unless it’s respectful trash talking between friends, it’s very uncool.

I’m going to keep asking for promotions. I’m going to be the most dominant white belt in existence.

My old instructor wasn't getting promoted at all for like two years when he was a blue belt. He switched schools and within a month they gave him his purple. They knew he wanted to start his own school so they were not promoting him. He wound up getting his black belt 4 yrs later and had started his school when he was brown.

Farting is a legitimate technical defense. It's called the gas guard.

1. Respect the tap (let go right away) 2. Don’t celebrate a tap (Be humble)

Biggest thing for me is hygiene. I shower and brush my teeth before going to class every time. My rolling partners appreciate it when I don't smell like shit.

Had my first roll two days ago after a month of training. The class started with some drills and I happened to be standing next to a black belt, so I asked him if he needed a partner. He said yes and we drilled. When it was time to roll, Coach said I could now join in and my partner said "Let's go." I learned a ton from him and he even let me RNC him. I couldn't have asked for a better first experience.

Respecting others injuries is a big one for me!

If you break your training partner, you don't get another one.

asking, "what i need to work on" is way more beneficial than getting a promotion.

Starting as an almost 40-year-old, promotion is the last thing on my mind. In my 20s I would have been all about the belt color. I wish I'd started earlier cuz how much I love it, but I'm fortunate and glad I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give that first free class a shot.

You guys forgot the tie'ing the belt for a solid minute to avoid going the full round!

If you roll with someone and tap them (especially if they are a higher belt) and you tap them DO NOT BRAG ABOUT IT. Even if it’s the same level belt and it’s your first tap ever. Keep your excitement to yourself. It brings morale down on the team.

Love this Professor’s vibe

"not making direct eye contact" this is more for Brazilians, for us direct eye contact has 2 meanings, fight or kiss.

Music selection is key....we were rolling a couple weeks ago and my instructor had Spotify on ....and im rolling...and all of a sudden I heard..." I don't want any body else, when I think about u I touch myself " lol....the whole class was in tears! It was funny as hell

"Don't kiss your training partners" don't tell me what to do.

I don't mind my students asking me to roll. I have addressed this "unwritten rule" and told them to challenge themselves. It also makes the higher belts stay on their game as to not get tapped by a lower belt. Its gonna happen so leave the ego at the door.

Ha! I have wanted to turn down every promotion I’ve ever been given- from blue to black- because every time I’ve felt totally “unworthy” and undeserving of it. You cannot turn it down of course because that’s disrespectful to your instructor, I’m just saying I’m mystified by people who ask to be promoted. Just focus on getting better, who gives a shit what belt you have.

"Never go commando. Especially in No GI class." "Never wear shoes on the mat" "Don't come to class late to avoid the drills & warm ups, then immediately ask to roll with exhausted students to try to tap them while they're still tired and you're fresh." "Never try to teach your partner something you saw on youtube while you are drilling the day's lesson." "Never ever apply a leglock on an elderly black belt unless he asks you to"

#1: Always talk about Jiu Jitsu #2: When you tap somebody, be sure to pump your fists and celebrate in case your coach didn't see. #3: If you tap out a higher belt and nobody saw, be sure to bring it up after class. Hey, did you hear I tapped _____ #4 If you can't tap somebody you think you should, tell them; "wow, you're strong." #5 Purple belt class is 15 minutes after regular start time. #6 If you haven't got promoted in awhile ask you coach to promote you, they probably just forgot. #7 Always take a picture of the class after class and post to Social Media. #8 In pictures you are may only have a double thumbs-up or hang loose hand sign. #9 If* you don't wear a rash guard you must have a tribal tattoo on your chest. #10 If a lower belt is about to tap you give them tips and pointers on how to finish the submission correctly.

That was really great. Thanks for sharing the conversation.

I almost did number 1, luckily I asked a trusted fellow student and they advised me not to. Pretty much immediately after I realized, belt levels do not actually matter, I am as good as I am and no better. So now I just focus on getting better.

As a senior belt at my gym, I suggest lower belts ask me for rolls. There aren’t many other purples. There are a decent amount of blues and the instructors are brown/black. I’ve been there for a while and so are all the coloured belts. We are pretty close and all have a great time rolling together. If they don’t ask me for a roll, I may go the whole time without rolling with them. It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s that I’m rolling with friends. If they want to roll with people above them, I think that’s a great way to learn but they may need to ask or it will never happen. Plus the white belts that consistently ask, tend to end up in the loop of who I roll with. Brand new people can also ask me to roll. I may not be learning much in the roll but it’s not a waste of time. I want them to stay with the gym and to improve. From a selfish standpoint, staying long enough to get pretty good just gives me more people to roll/drill with. It’s just more friends at the gym who can add to the atmosphere. One unspoken rule I guess for us... when comp season is coming, we take our rolls seriously while staying safe. Safety is above all else so they can go in to comp healthy but when comp season kicks in, I stop fooling around with fun moves and the A game comes out. I’m not doing comps but my partners are and they need to be pushed. Safely.

Pretty standard stuff 1. Don’t ask for promotion 2. Avoid too much direct eye contact 3. Farting on the Mat … 4. What goes around comes around 5. Don’t come to class late or be the first one to leave 6. Belt Washing (they say you should) 7. Asking for rolls 8. Don’t kiss your training partners (Ha) You’re welcome 😇

I actually look at the person (not necessarily in the eyes) but their facial region. I can see what grips they are looking for or what not. A lot of times, you can tell what the person's next move is when you watch their facial reactions. Great post!

I got knee on belly so hard one day, then the guy pulled my leg and behind my head simultaneously, and it caused me to rip one so loud. 😂 I just started laughing. It's whatever. My partner just laughed and we moved away from the area.

I could never imagine asking for a promotion. Keep working hard, every day and the promotions will come.

Y’all forgot the unspoken rule of giving a pineapple to your professor.

You know what can be beneficial in sr vs Jr match up is if the sr picks the submission they will take in advance and trys to set it up that way the Jr gets more time and doesn't get submitted to fast to learn anything. This also provides the sr a chance to really see things develope in the chaos and identifying when a submission is tor is not there in real time.

This is a very informative video. Thank you!

love listening your experiences

I always found that training 'up' with someone more experienced was how I progressed best. Yes, peer-to-peer is great and needed - but there should be no reason to stop anyone who wants to train with someone 'better', if that other person is willing. I'm not saying it should always happen... but from time to time, it's great for accelerated development.

Very nice 👏👏👏 keep up the good work 🔝

My class hasn’t had a lot of consistent people so far (5-7 people plus the 2 instructors). So as far as rolling goes, it’s pretty much just rotation and if you get someone significantly smaller than you, adjust your strength but not your effort (30-50% until you get to your last partner).

Great video. Thank you.

Yes good advice. I started doing ninjutsu, and nimpo bugei with traditional Japanese Jujutsu Ryu. He has now closed due to covid for a while. The sensi chief instructor alway asked what each person was doing and split couples up, putting white belts with green and black belts both male and female too. So you get a good balance or experience. Have now started doing bjj jui jutsu locally as I want to continue and are a good group too. And wanted it to be a Jujitsu typ art. So you have some idea of what's happening as opposed to nothing in a totally different art. But so far it's good to but more relaxed I guess from Japanese Jujutsu.

First 🙂 love this channel. Another great vid

I like training with higher belts because it gives me a challenge and definitely helps with my defense. I’m glad my gym doesn’t have the rule of don’t ask a higher belt

I just started my journey at 44!! So far Liking it a lot!!

i would never even have thought to ask for a promotion. that just seems disrespectful. then again, im only a few months into it so Im not even concerned with belts or stripes yet. Im just focused on showing up, giving it 100%, and being respectful. I trust if i do that everything will fall into place when it should. if i stay a white belt forever i dont even care. it's worth the money just to learn how to defend myself, get a good workout, and meet cool ppl. not to mention it helps me mentally and helps keep me sober.

Teabagging is always appreciated

If your partner doesn’t fart when you stack pass then you aren’t doing it right.

You guys have amazing, loving energy. I would be honored to train with you.

All Well Said. Excellent Intro.

Female white belt here, I learned by way of a busted lip to not train with heavy size male white belts. I had no idea that was a thing but it is. Upper belts are way more aware of their strength and may use their training with you as a "technique drill"; they go at your pace. And yes at the same time I may feel weird asking upper male belts to roll with me, because I have felt "they do not want to 'waste' a roll with me and not be able to do all that they want to do". It is part of what we have to navigate in bjj. I have only rolled with black belts who offered, I felt like a puppy dopey and teething (innocent) playing with a massive dog (lots of technique and tricks). Lol.

This gentleman is jolly.

I'm having my first trial lesson today and it would be a lot easier if you were my instructor.

I have never asked for a promotion but i am confident that i will remain a 1 stripe white belt for the rest of my days

when we do randori or ne-waza, my sensei just says "line up 2 and 2 etc and move 1 spot to the right after 5mins of fighting". Doesn't matter if the next partner is a woman or male or if it's 2nd dan or even 6th dan or green/blue belt. 5mins is up and you move 1 spot to the right. periode, no discussion.

a whole lot of love thanks

On the issue of asking someone to roll, our senior instructor typically pairs people up but if that doesn't happen, you simply hold your hand up, and someone will nearly always will roll with you. This method avoids asking but keeps the invitation open in a passive way.

I'm going to visit my local training center this Saturday and I am SO EXCITED! I would think that upper level belts would look positively upon a beginner who is trying to learn from the more experienced belts. I feel very uncomfortable (right now) asking a fellow student "Do you want to roll?" Thst feels like somewhat of a coarse way to ask. I would ask, "Hey, would you be willing to roll with me so I can find out where I need to focus on improving?" (Not to be formal or stuffy about it. Lol) Any insight into this would greatly help me. Thanks!

He looks like Santa Clause after Santa got a divorce, started intermittent fasting, got fit lost weight.

Picking a partner is easy in my gym Make eye contact, nod, bow, roll...

At my academy our instructors pick our partners and it’s always someone with equal or higher belt. White belts always train and warmup with higher belts.

Remembering humbleness and respect are what make you better for yourself and others no matter what belt is strapped on you

Great historical reference

Expanding on washing the belt, I like the rule of cleaning all your gear. Headgear, gloves (if doing MMA), sandals, etc. should stay clean to prevent any funk. And wear sandals or shoes when off the mat

We’re encouraged to ask senior belts to roll, but don’t be surprised if the senior belt says no. On the flip side…you don’t turn down a senior belt who asks you to roll. You take your beating and you will like it! 😂

My buddies always tell me they’re about to fart and we just move to a corner and keep rolling

I've tapped out to a fart. No regrets

The 250lb white belt against the little female blue belt was me when I started out. The instructor paired us up after I’d been there like two weeks. I got my butt handed to me. It wasn’t a training session, which was disappointing. Most guys who have experience would at least tell me what I’m doing wrong or how to get better, even while rolling.

Weirdly enough with the eye contact one I’m actually not sure where I focus visually during rolling. I mean if we’re standing or I’m passing guard or something I’m probably looking at either their legs or their belly but otherwise while I’m on the ground I’m mostly relying on tactile information rather than visual.

Thanks.

Overly rough, makes people quit BJJ. Unfortunately, some academies do not keep this in check. Having black-belts smash me as a blue belt isn't productive. Also, if your 200+ and rolling with 160 pound person, take it easy. You sound like you have a great school.

The best part was kissing his sweetheart. Nice to see a couple that does Jiu Jitsu together.

Sometimes leaving early is the only way someone can train with long distance from home with few transport route, there always some expectations to the rules

My Professor doesn’t care if we come late or leave right after. He knows we all have jobs and families. Nobody believes washing your belt takes anything away. It’s a respect thing. It’s not going to hurt anyone not washing your belt or vice verse. Do what you choose. I’m not going to wash my belt because someone can’t handle it. I have been involved in MA for over 20 years. Not washing my belt has not effected me or anyone else in any way shape or form.

1:28 That first one is a hard rule with my Kajukenbo instructor, although it's 2 months only; I suppose that's because it's a different art.

Nivel Video, i love it

Always respect the tap

What about having to go around the mat and greet every single person (or every ranked person or whatever) ? Is that a rule? It just feels so over the top when there's like 10+ people on the mat

Also you hang your belt in the sun to disinfect it bit of Glen 20 can help to if there's no sun where you live probs should wash it.

In my academy if we are open we'll just raise our hand and waive to see if anyone wants to roll.

I think a big thing to revisit about lower belts asking upper belts to roll is the idea of a lower belt CHALLENGING an upper belt. I've always been super cool about lower belts asking me for a roll, but have had some that treat it more like a standoff than anything. Those are the ones I have had problems with in the past. And as an upper belt its a bad position, because if you are challenged, you can't just say no. You are kind of obligated to respectfully handle that situation. Thoughts?

This applies to all the gyms I went to pertaining to martial arts in the Philippines but don't be friendly on the first day especially as a walk in. I have had instructors told me you have to do this and that if you want the advanced training only to be retold if you were seriously going to train you shouldn't have been chatting up with the girls during beginner's class while everyone was taking a break. Specifically to a BJJ gym I walked in on as a total newb who was obese, the instructor allowed me to watch the beginner's classes but left me out on the senior training. To be fair he allowed me inside for free even though it was a closed in university location where I wasn't a student but many of his veteran students that don't apply to the advanced class had so many wrong ideas. By far the worse was there is no difference between no-gi and gi. It's not really about girls or being unfriendly but too many instructors have paranoia issues and many are not black belts or early black belts senioring purple belts to teach under advanced classes. This was years ago and things could definitely have changed but I still see it even in things like I needed help in fighting because I was kidnapped by six men and was forced to hire a virtual assistant for help last March-April 2020. (Long traumatic history too long for RU-vid comments) and the VA came back with this weird e-mail about how she was told by the Gracie Online rep that I am free to visit their country or something. Of course I would be free to sign up and pay for the online Gracie course. It's just that if I need a private one on one online coaching on short notice, that's when I have to go to them.

I find this very funny 😂❤

Part of the first rule begs the question of why are the standards for moving up not more codified and clearer for practioners of BJJ?

No techno music during roll or spar or you will have mayhem on mats

When am I going to get my red belt this is taking FOREVER! ^^ White Belt

Don't ask female partners for "give me location to smesh"

If I didn't wash my belt it would quickly become more deadly than I ever could

Give dominant position back to partner if your roll and had to be stopped due to surroundings.

If someone's injured, taking advantage of that and tapping g them out 5 times and thinking your great. Haha

i haven't rolled yet this week will be my 3 class i want everyone to know im strong and will put up a fight no matter what . the way me and my friends wrestle is like death choke will the approach be ok like if i have him on the ground should i grab is throat or is that to much i also lpve putting my hand on the face like posting and messing up breathing

I enjoyed blasting my speakers to even remotely hear this video.

QUESTION FOR ALL BJJ- PRACTITIONERS ... I am a huge mma fan for two decades now, did boxing and kickboxing back in the day and thought about starting BJJ multiple times in the last couple of years but never dared to just because meanwhile I am about 40 lbs overweight, have a very vulnerable shoulder (dislocated 4 times), a messed up meniscus because of years of playing football and am 42 years old. Now because of that I am not sure if BJJ is the right thing for me to do but at this point my desire for doing it is bigger than ever but like I said...I doubt myself because of the points I mentioned. I just want to collect a couple of opinions and advises. What do you people think? Thank you in advance.

Any advice for someone who has never trained but has children who are starting their jiu-jitsu journey?

13:37 - This is how it is in my son's BJJ class. The instructor always pairs the kids up.

Osssss - understand everything and well explained - I’m a 2 stripe blue under a Royce black belt - the only thing unclear to me is the going too rough part - my understanding is you can go as hard as you want as long as you follow the rules e.g. at my School we avoid neck cranks, etc. I try to use as little muscles as possible so I rely more on technique but those who muscle provide that challenge to test technique over strength, no?

Serious question, What can I do to heal faster from bone bruises or prevent them all together? I've now hurt cartilage in my neck (healed like super fast - 2 days). Bone bruised my outside knee (4weeks+ heal time) and bone bruised my ribs (still healing).

While rolling... Lower belts give way to higher belts that are rolling. Example two blue belts rolling bump into a brown and white belt rolling. The blue belts move out the way for the brown belt.

What specific moves does a white belt have to know to advance to blue belt?

what is considered a senior rank purple belt plus?

Yes, I hate it when people skip the warm-up part of the class

The comments never disappoint. 😂 Farting Smeshing Bad breath All mentioned 😂

Blue Belts in BJJ are like the E4 Mafia of the Military. #BlueBeltMafia

Kind of a random one, but one in three people are sensitive to smell, so when you wash your gi don’t use a scent or use hypoallergenic stuff.

not sure if this goes against the first unspoken rule. my daughter’s been training for 7 months and was recommended by the coach/teacher for a future promotion. she really wanted to go to the next level so she worked her butt off and started submitting a lot of her partners. but for some reason, those same partners who are less experienced than her got promoted before she did 🤷🏽‍♂️. that was really odd. and it bothered me & her. now she’s in the next level, and have a lot more learning to do. to add, i think cleanlinees & hygiene should be one of the top rules for each gym/ school