MEMBER GUIDELINES

Until you step onto the mat, you won’t truly understand what Jiu-Jitsu has to offer.

Welcome to the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu! Our program follows a belt ranking system that starts with white belt and progresses all the way to black belt. Each belt level covers a range of techniques across seven key categories: takedowns, sweeps, guard passes, submissions, defenses, escapes, and combinations. Techniques start with the basics and become more complex as you advance. Every belt level has a set number of techniques to master in each category. Ultimately, the goal for each practitioner is to become a true Master, embodying the essence of the professional warrior.

Throughout your Jiu-Jitsu journey, you'll face challenges physically, mentally, and socially. Your confidence and ego will be tested. You’ll experience moments of doubt, frustration, and struggle. You’ll likely encounter the “slump” and feel pain, inadequacy, and the urge to quit. But if you push through, you’ll emerge stronger than you ever imagined.

Warning: Like any sport, Jiu-Jitsu carries a risk of serious injury. The techniques shown in this program are demonstrated by skilled professionals and are intended solely for training and competition. Attempting these techniques on your own without proper instruction and supervision is not a substitute for proper training. Never try any of these techniques without direct instruction from qualified instructors. Anyone who practices these techniques without supervision does so at their own risk. The Triton Fight Center Association is not liable for any injuries resulting from the use of these techniques.

RULES & ETIQUETTE

Leave your ego outside and be humble and respectful to others.
Be on time for class (Arrive 10-15 minutes before class begins).
Check in at the KIOSK.
Put cell phones on vibrate.
If you are late approach the instructor prior to joining class.
Bow to the center of the mat when entering or exiting.
Remove footwear before stepping on the mats.
Wear footwear off of the mat.
Keep quiet while instructor demonstrates techniques.
No foul language will be tolerated.
No offensive odors such as unsanitary BO, tobacco, ammonia, etc.
Students must wear the appropriate uniform for class.
Wear a kimono that is clean with no rips, tears, holes, or stains. No mismatching of the kimonos.
Women are required to wear at least a sports bra under Gi top (rash-guards are recommended w/sports bra) along with athletic undergarment under Gi bottoms. Men with excessive body hair are required to wear a rash-guard.
Rash-guards are mandatory for NOGI class. If you wear spats, wear grappling shorts over them. Ladies may wear athletic leggings, but compression short shorts are NOT allowed.
Proper hygiene is required when going from one class to another.
Keep uniforms and gear clean (wash kimono after every class).
Proper personal hygiene is required (this includes guest that are in the spectator area).
Keep finger and toe nails cut short at all times, hands and feet must be clean.
Long hair must be tied back.
Remove all jewelry and piercings before class. No metal objects may be worn on the mats.
Give higher ranked belts preferred space during sparring.
Be aware of your surroundings and maintain a safe environment when training.
Use proper tap out procedures. Remember it is only a training session.
Open cuts must be covered at all times.
Show courtesy before and after each sparring session.
Mouth guards are encouraged during sparring.
If you are sick, stay home.
You are responsible for your child’s behavior if he/she is not participating in class.
What you learn is taught for your development not only as a student, but also as a citizen and should be used as a last resort when everything else has failed.
Respect those you train with and your instructors. Rank is a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. Respect the training facility.
Don’t leave the mat without notifying the instructor.

TERMINOLOGY

Gi – Uniform used to train BJJ (Kimono)
No-Gi - Practice/training without a gi (uniform)
Armbar - Locking the elbow joint of an opponent's arm. Usually causes opponent to tap out.
Back Mount or Rear Mount - This is a position where a student has control of another student from the back (i.e. a student is face down with another student straddling his back).
Break Fall - A technique to "break your fall" when thrown or falling by slapping your arm on the ground and properly positioning your body.
Bridge - A technique use to "buck" off or dislodge an opponent who is in the mount position.
Gi Choke - Where you use your gi (uniform) or your opponent's gi to perform a choking technique.
Guard Position - When a BJJ student is on the bottom trying to defend against another student (who is on top of them) by wrapping their legs around the opponent.
Half Guard - A defensive position where you are on your back. One of your feet is on the inside of an opponent's leg and the other is on the outside. From this position, many students will try to move to a guard position.
Lapel – The bottom part of the gi collar.
Mount Position - Where a BJJ student is sitting on top of another student's chest or waist.
Pass - Transitioning from one position to another (i.e. "passing" or getting around an opponent's guard position in order to gain control).
Side Control - This is a position where a student controls another student from the side (i.e. one student is on his back and the other student is on top with his legs positioned out to the side of the opponent for better control).
Submission - Where a student forces another student to submit (give up) through a choke, arm bar, etc.
Sweep - Gaining a dominant position through a sweeping technique (i.e. knocking an opponent to the ground by sweeping them off their feet through a leg grab).
Take The Back - To maneuver into position to achieve a back mount (or rear mount).
Tap Out or Tapping - A BJJ student indicates his submission by tapping on the ground or on his opponent.
Turtle - A defensive ground position where you tuck in your arms, legs and head like a turtle hiding in its shell.
Base - Center of Gravity, the point at which all of the weight of an object appears to be concentrated.
Posture - Usually thought of as maintaining base while you’re in guard.

Students will receive stripes on their belts to indicate progress within their rank. Each belt may have up to four white stripes. Rank advancement is based on the individual student's skill and progress, with the times listed above representing the minimum requirements for eligibility.

Note: Belt promotions are at the sole discretion of the head instructor. Factors such as consistent class attendance, natural ability, or competition experience may accelerate the promotion process. Conversely, a poor attitude, a bad temper, or a lack of integrity outside the academy may delay advancement.

Tips for Success

Make it a point to attend class regularly! We highly encourage consistent participation.
Take notes or record videos during class and review them between sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned.
Maximize your class time. Repeating a technique may feel tedious, but it’s essential for developing muscle memory.
Tap early, tap often. Escapes are important to practice, but always prioritize safety. Tapping helps prevent muscle and joint strain and keeps you from missing training time.
Ask questions. Don’t hesitate to approach higher ranks and ask different people for insights. Each individual might offer tips that are specific to their body type and experience.
Set a goal to learn one thing in every class. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. If you walk away with one new skill or piece of knowledge, it’s been a successful session.
Relax, and remember to breathe.
Strive to improve both on and off the mat. Your training is only a small part of your day—use your time wisely.
Focus on improving your overall health and be an example others will want to follow.
Challenge yourself to grow and reach new heights.

BJJ Fact

At some point, you will get tapped out by a lower belt.

The best way to minimize this is to:

Avoid rolling with lower belts who are improving or giving you a tough time.
Avoid rolling when you’re fatigued.
Avoid putting yourself in vulnerable positions.

By avoiding these situations, you might reduce the chance of getting caught by a lower-ranked belt. However, if you take these steps, your personal growth will be hindered, and your team will miss out on the opportunity to grow together.

The truth is, getting caught by a lower belt is no big deal. Keep it fun, keep learning, and keep rolling.