Southside BJJ Student Code of Conduct
At Southside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, our mission is to provide a safe, respectful, and high-level training environment for everyone, regardless of age, experience, or background. This Code of Conduct outlines the standards expected from every student.
These guidelines are rooted in the core values of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: respect, discipline, humility, and constant growth.
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Every student is expected to follow Southside’s Student Code of Conduct. To ensure a safe and positive place to train for everyone, please review and observe the following:
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Gym Culture
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Respect is the foundation of our academy culture. Please abide by the following:
- We expect students to demonstrate respect and courtesy to Southside
instructors and their training partners.
- Respect your training partners - regardless of rank, size, or experience. No
student is “just a body” for your practice. Everyone is here to learn.
- Maintain a respectful tone in all conversations, whether it’s on or off the mats.
No mocking, bullying, teasing, or gossip.
- When we receive visiting students, please make an effort to welcome them
(We’re not trying to hurt them!).
- You are not obligated to train with any partner you do not want to train with.
- Racist, homophobic, misogynistic and other discriminatory speech and jokes will
not be tolerated!
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Attitude & Behavior
A good attitude is as important as good technique:
- Leave your ego at the door. Everyone gets tapped, everyone starts as a
beginner.
- Do not boast, brag, or belittle others during or after training.
- Be a good training partner: match your intensity to your partner’s level. Help
others learn.
- Avoid reckless or overly aggressive behavior.
- Do not coach your partner during rolls unless you are an instructor or are
specifically asked to do so.
- Accept constructive feedback with humility.
Hygiene & Cleanliness
We train in close contact. Proper hygiene is not optional:
- Come to class clean (shower regularly, no bad breath or body odor).
- Keep your fingernails and toenails cut short.
- Wash your gi, rashguards, and gear after every class.
- Wear a rashguard or tee shirt under your gi at all times.
- No gi students must wear a rashguard and shorts/spats with no zippers or
pockets.
- A rashguard must be worn for no gi training, regardless of the class or number
of students attending.
- Jewelry should be removed prior to class.
- Take off your shoes prior to stepping on the mats.
- Be sure your feet are clean (not leaving footprints) when stepping onto the
mats.
- Wear sandals in the bathroom. You may bring them or borrow the ones at the
gym.
- Keep open wounds, cuts, and abrasions covered during training.
- Do not train if you have a contagious condition: ringworm, staph, cold, flu,
COVID, etc.
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Class Etiquette
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Discipline begins with consistency:
- Arrive to class on time. If you’re late, wait respectfully at the edge of the mat
until the instructor invites you in.
- If you must leave early, inform the instructor beforehand.
- New colored gis and knee pads are to be washed before training.
- Do not dress or undress on the mats or in the lobby, save this for the changing
rooms.
- No offensive patches, slogans, or imagery on any gear.
- Do not borrow gis without permission.
- Gi jackets must stay on for the duration of gi classes.
- Keep phones on silent during class.
- Ask permission before filming techniques or sparring rounds.
- Line up according to belt ranking at the start and end of class (white belts by the
door).
- We bow at the start and end of class. This is a sign of gratitude and
acknowledgement of our instructors and training partners.
- Do not talk during instruction.
- Sit upright; do not lie on the mats during class.
- Take all of your belongings home after class (bottles, clothing, shoes, etc.). Items
left for a week will be disposed of or donated.
Safety
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Your safety and the safety of others are paramount. Please observe the following:
- Tap early and encourage your partners to do the same.
- Release submissions immediately when a tap is felt or heard - no exceptions.
- Use controlled movements, especially during live training. Sparring is not a fight.
- Avoid dangerous techniques, unless permitted and supervised:
- Jumping guard and scissor takedowns are absolutely not allowed.
- Slamming is not allowed.
- Neck cranks are not allowed.
- If you are wrestling, you MUST yield to the people who are not wrestling/who
are on the ground.
- If you are new, don’t wrestle/go from the feet right away unless we have
designated drills. We will let you start from standup at coaches’ discretion.
- Inform an instructor of any injury or unsafe behavior. Do not try to “tough it out.”
Promotion & Rank
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Promotion in BJJ is earned through commitment, skill, and character:
- Attendance, effort, attitude, and consistency are all considered.
- Promotions are awarded at the instructor’s discretion - not by request.
- Higher belts are expected to set an example for others in conduct, skill, and
humility.
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Off-the-Mat Conduct
Represent the academy with pride outside of training:
- Do not use BJJ techniques to hurt people outside of sanctioned competition or
necessary self-defense.
- Avoid behavior - online or in person - that disrespects the academy or its
members.
- Treat competition opponents with the same respect you would a teammate.
- Be courteous at open mats, seminars, and other schools. Remember, you
represent Southside’s name and culture.
Consequences of Misconduct
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Failure to follow this Code of Conduct may result in:
- Verbal warning
- Temporary suspension from training
- Removal from class
- Permanent dismissal from the academy
These actions are taken at the sole discretion of the head coach or academy leadership
team.
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By becoming a student at Southside BJJ, you agree to abide by this Code of
Conduct. Thank you for helping us maintain a positive, disciplined, and high-level
training environment.
- Enrique Muniz, head instructor
- Adrian Ricci, academy leadership