from my school. I thought it was worth sharing.
http://www.steelcitymartialarts.com/respect.html
The other day a group of us were discussing the importance of "respect" in jiu-jitsu. At SCMA we recognize that jiu-jitsu is an intense activity, so we make a point of keeping things light. You won't see a bunch of guys acting tough and mean-mugging each other at SCMA – there is a lot of humor and no one takes themselves too seriously.
At the same time, though, everyone needs to show a basic level of respect for themselves, their training partners, their instructors, and the school. Otherwise, the whole system breaks down and we have a poor learning environment.
These concepts aren't rocket science – you probably were exposed to most of them by your kindergarten teacher. We've recently noticed however that some of the newer students aren't regularly following these basic concepts. This may be due to the general decline in manners in our society (envision your 50+ year old author sighing and shaking his head), or it may just be that people were sleeping that day in kindergarten. In any event, here are my Top Tips on Jiu-jitsu Respect for those that need it:
1. When you arrive at the school, you should "bow-in," and when you leave you should "bow-out." It shows basic respect for your school and your practice. When, in SCMA or any martial arts school, you should always be in the habit of referring to the Head Instructor as "Sir/Miss" or "Sensei" or "Professor" or "Mr./Ms. _______." "Sensei" means "teacher" in Japanese and it's a traditional sign of respect, so many of use that. Handles such as Sonny, Dude, Man, My Friend, and Buddy are left outside the school.
2. No profanity or bad behavior in the school – ever. Come on, people.
3. Remember that everyone has a "first day." Be respectful and welcoming to new students, and be a positive role model for them. Remember how you felt when you started – be the guy that you would have wanted to meet on your first day.
4. Always make sure that your gi is clean laundered before every class. Do NOT wear a gi that you trained in, but did not wash. See our other blogs on this topic for more detail if you need it!
5. NEVER, EVER ask to be promoted or question why someone else was promoted. This should be so obvious I hesitated to mention it, but it comes up from time to time so I'm including it on the list. There is much more to a promotion than simple "fighting ability." Put your time on the mat, be a good teammate, and show a basic level of respect, and your time will come. It's poor form to ask about promotions, and frankly it's counterproductive. Don't be "that guy."
6. We always should be grateful when an instructor takes the time to help us with a technique during the class. As such, the appropriate response is "Thank you Sir/Miss" or "Thank you, Sensei." We should not respond with "Oh yeah, I knew that" or "I saw a really cool technique like that on Youtube."
7. You should train jiu-jitsu during class, not sit on the mat and talk about jiu-jitsu. Trust me, it takes more than 2 or 3 repetitions to learn a technique. Your time on the mat is valuable, so you should use it to train and learn jiu-jitsu. And, it's distracting to other students and disrespectful to the instructor to sit on the mat and talk, instead of training.
8. Resist the temptation to "teach" others while on the mat. Yes, of course, it's ok to discuss the technique with your partner and help each other with it. But you should not walk over to someone else and assume the obligation to help them with the technique. That's what the instructor does, and doing so is a sign of disrespect to him/her. And, here's a general rule for you – if you're a White Belt, don't offer advice to anyone on technique – ever. Last night I watched a White Belt with no stripes walk over and offer advice to a Blue Belt. Puhlease . . . . Of course, if the class is crowded and you're a higher ranked colored belt, it's ok to help a White Belt who asks you a question. Even then, though, you should back off and defer to the instructor if he or she approaches.
- Always shake or slap hands at the beginning and end of a roll. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you're feeling old school, you also can throw in a little bow or an "osu." Please resist any temptation to say something like "Let's get to work" or "Let's do this" – yes, I've heard it said.
10. When rolling with higher ranked students and instructors and you are fortunate enough to "tap" the person, count your blessings and be glad that the person gave you the opportunity to roll. Be happy about and grateful for the experience, but be humble about it, too. You may never get that opportunity again!
11. Fix your gi and belt before lining up at the end of each class, and don't get in the front line if you're a White Belt (and if you're a colored belt, line up in front if there is room – hiding in the back shows disrespect for the belt and for the Head Instructor that awarded it to you). You should turn around and face the back of the room when you fix your gi. Facing the front while you're doing so is traditionally viewed as a challenge. Of course, you're free to challenge Johnny any time that you want – but please promise to let me know how that works for you . . . .
12. If you'd like to take a few minutes after classes are over to quickly roll with a teammate or drill techniques, you should first approach the instructor and ask, "Is it OK if we roll for a few minutes?" The instructor will almost always say "Yes," but you should not presume that it's ok.
13. On a related note, you should never stay so long after a class or open mat is scheduled to end, such that the instructor has to ask you to leave. Be aware of the clock and be sensitive to the instructor's time. I always thought that Santino's approach to this issue was the most effective – after about 3 minutes he yelled "OK GUYS, TIME TO LEAVE" while making "shooing" motions with his hands. No one was ever confused about the message.
14. If you're waiting for a class to begin, and another class is in session, STAY OFF THE MAT. You can speak quietly with your friends off of the mat, but do not speak loudly or break out in loud laughter. Have respect for the class in session and the instructor teaching it.
15. When in doubt, watch the higher ranks and do what they do!
Respect is important in martial arts and in life in general. SCMA and its affiliates are special places, and we want to keep them that way. So let's all remember the importance of respect to others, on and off the mat.
Just wanted to put it out there because I thought it would help some people. It was intended for our school, but I think a lot of it applies nearly everywhere/anywhere.
Good post.
We don't call people Sir/Miss, sensei, professor etc. But it's usually because the instructors will correct you and say "Just call me ____"
Our head instructor asks to be referred to as Coach or by his first name. Just not "mate", "buddy", etc.
The "Sir", "Professor", "Sensei", etc. IMO belong in TMA schools and the military. Respect, not worship.
" You should turn around and face the back of the room when you fix your gi. Facing the front while you're doing so is traditionally viewed as a challenge."
In 13 years of training, I've never heard this before.
Otherwise, good list. Respect and good behaviour is especially important if you want kids and women to feel welcome and comfortable at your academy.
Good post. Simple things like "please" and "thank you" matter, in life and in training.
" You should turn around and face the back of the room when you fix your gi. Facing the front while you're doing so is traditionally viewed as a challenge."
Not seen as a challenge, but basic respect to turn away while fixing your gi/belt... At least that is how it was at my first bjj school. Maybe it is a Brazilian thing?
myates - " You should turn around and face the back of the room when you fix your gi. Facing the front while you're doing so is traditionally viewed as a challenge."
Not seen as a challenge, but basic respect to turn away while fixing your gi/belt... At least that is how it was at my first bjj school. Maybe it is a Brazilian thing?
I don't know if "challenge" was the word he wanted to use really (but, I could be wrong). What I think he was intending was more a blatant sign of defiance. Sort of like showing up to a wedding wearing your boxers and a stained v-neck t-shirt. (at least I think that's what he was going for (As if challenging you because I don't respect you)).