Until you step on the mat, you will have no idea what Jiu-Jitsu has to offer.

Welcome to the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu! The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program consists of a belt ranking system that begins with a white belt and progresses to a black belt. Each belt level consists of specific techniques in 7 major categories; takedowns, sweeps, guard passes, submissions, defenses, escapes, and combinations. Techniques begin with fundamentals and become more difficult as each level is reached. In addition, each belt level has a corresponding number of techniques for each category. The ultimate goal for each of us should be to become a Master, the epitome of the professional warrior.

During your Jiu-Jitsu Journey, you will be tested physically, mentally, and socially. You will have your confidence and ego tested. You will experience the all-mighty slump. You will experience pain and frustration. You will have doubts and experience inadequacy. You will bleed and you will want to quit. If you stick with it, you will become stronger than you could ever imagine.

WARNING: Jiu-Jitsu, like any sport, involves a potential risk for serious injury. The techniques used in these classes are being demonstrated by highly trained professionals and are being shown solely for training purposes and competition. Doing techniques on your own without professional instruction and supervision is not a substitute for training. No one should attempt any of these techniques without proper personal instruction from trained instructors. Anyone who attempts any of these techniques without supervision assumes all risks. The Bristow Training Center shall not be liable to anyone for the use of any of these techniques.

• 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 the 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. Camouflage is reserved for active or prior service veterans.
• Women are required to wear at least a sports bra under the Gi top (rash guards are recommended) along with athletic undergarments under the Gi bottoms. Men with excessive body hair are required to wear a rash guard.
• Rash guards are mandatory for the NOGI class.
• 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 guests who 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.
• Mouthguards are encouraged during sparring.
• If you are sick, stay home.
• If you test positive for COVID, we require a negative test to return.
• 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.

1. Gi – Uniform used to train BJJ (Kimono)
2. No-Gi - Practice/training without a gi (uniform)
3. Armbar - Locking the elbow joint of an opponent's arm. Usually causes an opponent to tap out.
4. 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).
5. Break Fall - A technique to "break your fall" when thrown or falling by slapping your arm on the ground and properly positioning your body.
6. Bridge - A technique used to "buck" off or dislodge an opponent who is in the mount position.
7. Gi Choke - Where you use your gi (uniform) or your opponent's gi to perform a choking technique.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Lapel – The bottom part of the gi collar.
11. Mount Position - Where a BJJ student is sitting on top of another student's chest or waist.
12. Pass - Transitioning from one position to another (i.e. "passing" or getting around an opponent's guard position in order to gain control).
13. 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).
14. Submission - Where a student forces another student to submit (give up) through a choke, arm bar, etc.
15. 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).
16. Take The Back - To maneuver into position to achieve a back mount (or rear mount).
17. Tap Out or Tapping - A BJJ student indicates his submission by tapping on the ground or on his opponent.
18. Turtle - A defensive ground position where you tuck in your arms, legs, and head like a turtle hiding in its shell.
19. Base - Center of Gravity, the point at which all of the weight of an object appears to be concentrated.
20. Posture - Usually thought of as maintaining base while you’re on guard.

1. Come to class! We encourage everyone to attend class as much as possible.
2. Take notes or videos and review them between classes.
3. Take advantage of class time. Drilling a technique can be repetitive, but doing so will create muscle memory.
4. Tap early and tap often. While it is important to practice escapes, err on the side of caution. You will save yourself from a lot of muscle and joint soreness and possibly having to miss training time.
5. Ask questions. Take advantage of high ranks, and ask multiple people if you have a question. Each person may have details that are specific to their size and body type.
6. Focus on learning one thing during each class. Don’t get overwhelmed. If you come away from each class learning one thing, that class was a success.
7. Relax and breathe.
8. Make improvements on and off the mat. Your training time is just a small percentage of your day. Use your time wisely.
9. Look to improve your health and strive to be an example that others may want to emulate.
10. Demand more of yourself.

You will get tapped out by a lower belt.

The best way to prevent this is to:

• Avoid lower belts that are getting better or giving you a tough roll.
• Avoid rolling when you are tired.
• Avoid putting yourself in bad situations.

If you avoid these things, you will be less likely to get caught by a lower-ranked belt. But if you avoid these things, your development suffers, and your team will suffer.

The truth is, that it is no big deal to get caught by a lower belt. Keep it fun, and keep rolling.