RULE #1 - NOBODY GETS HURT.

The most important rule of all at SBG Australia. Our coaching staff will always promote a healthy training environment but here are some simple guidelines that will help prevent you from getting injured, or injuring your partner.       

Always tap if anything hurts, and always wear your safety gear!     

As time goes by, you will learn to tell the difference between something being uncomfortable, and something causing injury. Despite the trite slogans, pain is not weakness leaving the body. Pain is your body becoming injured; which is neither tough, nor smart. So when in doubt, tap. Tap early, tap hard, and tap directly on your partner’s body, not on the mat itself.       

Also remember that it is up to you to bring, and wear, the proper safety gear. This includes a mouthpiece, and when appropriate protective cup, or ear guards.  

Always honour a tap, immediately!       

Whether you think you have a submission on or not, when someone taps, you stop - no exceptions.

All submissions go on slow!       

The mark of a good BJJ player is the fact that they can apply the finish, slowly. There are certainly moments where you need to scramble, but on the last few inches of extending the arm, or applying the submission, you should move in slow motion, and give your partner lots of time to tap. If they refuse, you should explain they need to tap, without extending the lock, and if they still refuse, let it go.       

Athletes who throw on submissions hard, or fast, will be asked to leave the Gym. Twisting leg locks, and neck cranks are not allowed on the mat unless you are a pro MMA fighter working with another pro. Talk to your coach before attempting to apply any form of leg, or foot lock.

Grabbing fingers, ears, hair, or skin is also not allowed. These things won’t give you an advantage, but they will make your training partner angry, so it is considered bad etiquette. 

RULE #2 - KEEP IT HONEST. 

This rule is about integrity. If you want to warm up, or “slow roll”, make sure you inform your partner prior to rolling, and make sure you maintain that pace throughout the roll. There are no submissions in a slow roll. 

Here is who you do not want to be:

You do not want to be the person on the mat who asks people to slow roll, and then turns it competitive as soon as you think you have an advantage.       

You do not want to be the person on the mat who sits against the wall, resting, and then asks someone else who has been rolling all evening if they want to roll.

You do not want to be the person on the mat whom no one else wants to roll with, because you haven’t washed your uniform, or you have bad hygiene. This is not just an aesthetic issue, but also a safety issue. 

If you want to roll competitive, say so up front. As long as you are clear from the start, then it is fine. If you haven’t been rolling as long as your partner, then acknowledge that fact when you ask them to roll, and don’t be a “mat shark” looking for easy prey. And if you forgot to wash your uniform, or your body, prior to class, then be forthright enough to stay off the mat. Keep it honest, and you will progress faster. 

RULE #3 - THE COACH IS IN CHARGE. 

If the timer is running, wait until the coach calls break before you quit the drill, roll, or exercise. If you stop on your own to tie your belt, grab water, or sit in the bathroom, while the rest of your peers keep working, you only cheat yourself. The obvious exception to that is if you feel sick, dizzy, or injured. In these cases make sure you inform your coach, and stop as needed so you can stay healthy.       

When your coach talks, you listen. There are no sideline classes, interruptions, or discussions that should be occurring while the coach is teaching. Stop whatever you are doing right away, listen, and follow the directions. Failure to do so can cost you your membership at the gym. This just isn’t for your own progress, or that of the other members, but also for everyone’s safety.       

If you are unable, or unwilling to do anything your Coach is asking, then communicate with them directly. All our staff is here to help and we will accommodate you as needed. 

TIPS TO AVOID BACTERIAL (STAPH) INFECTIONS

Always clean your hands and feet before entering the mat area. 

Wash your BELT! Too many people wash their GI's and forget their belt. Dragging MRSA bacteria back to the mats every day.

Shower as soon as possible after EVERY training session - scrub well.

Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing (e.g., bandage) until healed.

Immediately disinfect any cuts or scrapes after class.

Tape and protect pre-existing cuts/scrapes before going to class.

Do not store your sweaty training gear in a place where they will stay damp.

Keep your training gear away from pets, your couch, etc. Consider them contaminated.

NEVER bring a dirty GI/Rashgaurd back to the mats - you could be re-contaminating the mats.

If you notice a training partner coming to class with dirty gear, EDUCATE them on the dangers!