Academy Rules

The rules every student follows at a Gracie Foundation academy, and our advice for getting the most out of your training.

These rules apply at every academy in the network. They exist to keep everyone safe, clean and respectful, so that every trip to the mat is a good one.

When attending classes

  • Always make sure your finger and toe nails are cut short before class.
  • Always wash your hands before class.
  • Remove all jewellery. You could injure yourself, your team-mates, or damage the jewellery.
  • Your Gi must be washed after every class.
  • All Gis must be white.
  • Keep your uniform in good condition. Never wear a ripped, torn or stained uniform.
  • Please do not walk around bare-chested.
  • Always greet the instructor when entering the mat at the start of class.
  • When the instructor calls for line-up, do so quickly and quietly.
  • Let your instructor know if you need to leave the mat before the end of class.
  • Let your instructor know if you expect a lengthy absence from classes.
  • Always let your instructor know if you are injured or ill.
  • Arrive 10 minutes before any scheduled class. If you are late, take up the front position outside the mat, wait for the instructor's attention and ask permission to join.
  • Phones on vibrate or silent.
  • No shoes, food or drink on the mat.
  • No foul language will be tolerated.
  • Always wear a mouth guard when sparring. A groin box is optional.
  • There are no barriers between the sexes.

Our advice

  • Wear a clean Gi, live a clean life.
  • Identify the hidden lesson in every tap.
  • Log on to the video library regularly.
  • Become a black belt in Gracie Fundamentals.
  • Use training time wisely. Talk less, drill more.
  • When nursing injuries, come to class and observe.
  • Respect all students and make their safety your priority.
  • Go beyond techniques; become a student of principles.
  • Make the most of the mat. Leave your ego at the door.
  • Learn to become comfortable in worst-case scenarios.
  • Be eager to share and receive knowledge from anyone.
  • Like our Grand Master, learn to instruct yourself.
  • Pace yourself. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
  • Learn how to fight so you never have to.
  • Learn to learn between the lines.
  • Tap early and tap often.

Parents watching sparring

It is not healthy for a child's Gracie Jiu-Jitsu journey if a parent sits on the sidelines shouting instructions with the intent of helping them win during sparring with another child. The instructor coaches; parents cheer. Read more.