Our code
Discipline. Honor. Sacrifice.
We train for control, not conquest. Build skill. Bury ego. Help your brother up.
The mat code
Ten rules, no exceptions
- 1
Leave ego at the door.
The mat is a classroom, not a courtroom.
- 2
Every round requires consent.
Anyone may decline or stop a round with anyone, at any time, without explanation.
- 3
Tap early. Release immediately.
A tap may be by hand, foot, or voice. "Tap," "stop," a pain sound, loss of responsiveness, or coach stoppage ends the action immediately.
- 4
Protect your partner.
Apply technique with control. Nobody wins a drill.
- 5
Be coachable.
Listen, ask clear questions, and follow the lead instructor.
- 6
Drill cooperatively.
First repetitions are cooperative. Progressive resistance is added only when directed.
- 7
Train in your lane.
First-timers use beginner positional work; live submissions and standing rounds require coach clearance.
- 8
No unsolicited coaching.
Guest teaching requires advance approval from the lead instructor, gym, organizers, and youth-safeguarding process.
- 9
Honor every academy.
No recruiting, affiliation politics, rank entitlement, or belt promotion.
- 10
Help your brother up.
Leave the room safer and cleaner than you found it.
There is no rule here that a lower belt must accept a higher belt's roll. Consent outranks rank.
Prohibited
Not permitted in a mixed beginner and teen setting
- Slams
- Jumping guard and flying submissions
- Scissor takedowns / kani basami
- Uncontrolled sacrifice throws or mat returns
- Neck cranks and spinal locks
- Heel hooks and knee reaping
- Kneebars, toe holds, biceps/calf slicers, and wrist locks
- Explosive application of any submission
- Any technique the lead coach has not authorized for that participant lane
Etiquette
How we carry ourselves
- Bare feet on clean mats unless the academy approves clean grip socks for a medical reason.
- Sandals or shoes off the mat, especially in restrooms.
- Clean gi and rashguard; trimmed nails; no jewelry.
- Follow 3 Embers etiquette for bowing, line-up, late arrival, and instructor greetings. Those customs vary across academies.
- Uke means the receiving partner; tori means the executing partner.
Concussion rule
Removed means removed
A suspected concussion means immediate removal, no same-day return, parent/guardian notification for a minor, and no return to contact training until cleared by an appropriate healthcare provider.