Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy Amsterdam

House Rules

21 June 2025

Welcome to BJJ Academy Amsterdam

We want everyone — children, teenagers and adults — to feel safe, respected, and motivated. These House Rules help ensure our gym stays a positive, inclusive space for all. By attending our classes, you agree to follow them.

Article 1 – Respect for All

1.1 Treat everyone — teammates, coaches, and visitors — with courtesy and respect.

1.2.Bullying, aggressive behavior, or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

Article 2 – Hygiene

2.1 Remove all jewelry, piercings, and watches before class.

2.2 If you’re feeling unwell (e.g., flu, cold, or skin condition), please stay home until you recover.

2.3 If there’s blood on your gi, rash guard, mat, or partner – pause and clean it immediately.

2.4 Wear a clean gi or rash guard to each class and wash your training clothes after every session. For specific clothing requirements for nogi and gi classes, see Article 4.

2.5 Maintain personal hygiene: keep nails clean and trimmed, shower after training and cover cuts or scrapes with clean tape.  

2.6 Only barefoot is allowed on the mats. Wear flip-flops or slides when off the mat.

2.7 Take your personal belongings with you after class, and dispose of waste in bins.

Article 3 – Training Etiquette

3.1 Always follow the instructor’s guidance and tap early to avoid injury.

3.2 Always respect you partner’s tap — stop immediately. Do not crank submissions or apply them with excessive force.

3.3 No jumping attacks are allowed (e.g., jumping closed guard, jumping submissions, jumping takedowns).

3.4 No slams under any circumstances.

3.5 Stay aware of your surroundings — train safely and give others enough space. If two pairs get too close during sparring, the pair with the lower ranking belts must move to create space and avoid collisions. This helps maintain safety and keeps the flow of training respectful and smooth. That said, in many cases, it’s quicker and more efficient for the pair who invaded the space to move, regardless of rank. Use common sense and awareness to keep everyone safe and training smoothly.

3.6 Be mindful of new or less experienced partners. Adjust your intensity to match your training partner’s level and size, and lead by example.

3.7 Before class begins, line up by belt rank and make sure you have your gi and belt readily tied.

3.8 Keep your training gear on during training.

3.9 Celebrate each other’s progress, regardless of age or experience. Training is about growing together — not about winning.

Article 4 – Clothing

4.1 Nogi classes: A rash guard and shorts (without pockets and zippers) are mandatory.
Shorts should not be skintight. Tights may only be worn with shorts on top. T-shirts, or similar items are not permitted.  

4.2 Gi classes: Your gi must fit properly — not excessively loose or tight, with sleeves and pant legs of appropriate length to avoid hindering your training partner. Gis must be free from holes or tears to prevent injury and ensure safety.

4.3 Training gear must always be clean. If attending multiple classes in a row, a second clean set of gear is required. See Article 2 for hygiene-related requirements.

4.4 Avoid training gear with visuals or language that could be considered offensive or inappropriate. This includes items referencing political messages, violence, drugs, alcohol, or anything that may cause discomfort or distraction to others. Use good judgment when choosing what to wear.

Article 5 – Kids class

5.1 Children must be registered before class through the app.

5.2 Kids must ask the instructor’s permission before stepping on or off the mat.

5.3 Only barefoot is allowed on the mat. Kids should bring flip-flops or slides and a water bottle to the class.

5.4 Parents/legal guardians may observe only the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes of the class.

5.5 Parents/legal guardians are welcome to quietly observe. Please stay seated and avoid interrupting. Any siblings present should also stay quiet and calm. This will support all kids to focus and maintain a calm and positive learning space.

In situations not explicitly covered by these House Rules, or where interpretation is required, the gym staff reserves the right to make final decisions to ensure safety, hygiene, fairness, and a respectful training environment.

These House Rules are available at the gym and on our website. If you have questions or feedback, feel free to reach out — we value your input! Thank you for being part of the community.

Train safe, be kind, and enjoy the journey!

BJJ Academy Amsterdam

email: info@bjjaa.nl