Training Etiquette & Safety

Kingston Jiu Jitsu is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone to train in. All instructors abide by our code of conduct, which can be found in our safeguarding policy.

Health & Safety of Our Members

We take the health and safety of our members very seriously at KJJ. Jiu Jitsu is a close-contact martial art. High standards of safety and hygiene are essential to protect everyone who trains here.

Please read and follow the guidelines below.

General Health & Hygiene

• Always train in clean kit. Gi and rash guard must be freshly washed before every class.
• Rash guards are mandatory in all classes for hygiene reasons.
• Do not attend class in unwashed clothing.
• Shower regularly and maintain good personal hygiene.
• Keep nails short and clean to prevent scratches and cuts.
• Remove all jewellery and piercings before training, or securely tape if they cannot be removed.
• Wear footwear (flip-flops or sliders) off the mat.
• Never walk onto the mats with outdoor shoes or bare feet from changing rooms or toilets.
• Cover and clean any cuts or wounds before training.
• If you bleed during class, stop immediately, clean the area, and disinfect before returning.

Training When Sick or Injured

• Do not attend class if you are unwell.
• Even minor illness can spread quickly in a close-contact environment.
• Do not train with any skin infection (ringworm, staph, impetigo, herpes).
• These infections spread rapidly and can shut down the academy.
• If injured, be honest with yourself and your training partners.
• Avoid movements that aggravate injury.
• Inform your instructor of any relevant health conditions or injuries before training.

Our Safety Culture

• Respect your training partners at all times.
• Safety comes before ego.
• Protect your partner, even if they do not tap.
• Report unsafe behaviour, illness, or hygiene concerns to an instructor.
• Train to learn and improve, not to injure.

Class Attendance & Punctuality

Adult classes must be booked in advance.

Arrive on time and be ready to train at the start of class. This allows for a proper warm-up and helps reduce injury risk.

Late arrivals are disruptive to both the instructor and other students. If you arrive late, you may only join the class at the instructor’s discretion.

If permitted to join:

• Enter the mat area quietly and without interrupting.
• Complete an appropriate warm-up before engaging in drills or sparring.
• Follow any instructions given by the coach before joining the group.

Consistent punctuality is part of respecting your training partners and maintaining a safe training environment.

Leg Lock Training Policy

At Kingston Jiu Jitsu, we take a progressive approach to leg lock training. Everyone should learn them in a safe, structured environment. Because leg locks carry specific risks, especially advanced submissions such as heel hooks, they must be trained with care and control.

KJJ Leg Lock Training Rules

• Control first, always: apply submissions slowly and with precision.
• Never crank or explode into a movement.
• Tap early, tap often.
• Defenders must tap as soon as discomfort is felt.
• Catch and release: secure the position, then release.
• Focus on control, not finishing.
• No twisting escapes from locked-in submissions.
• Progress gradually from basic ankle locks to advanced techniques under coaching.
• Understand the risks of knee reaping and avoid reckless pressure.
• Leg lock training must be supervised by an instructor.
• Communicate clearly with your training partner.
• Release immediately if your partner moves unsafely.
• Prioritise your partner’s safety over winning the roll.

For more detail, please read Marc’s article on safe leg lock training.