Unita Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training Guidelines

🥋 Unita Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training Guidelines

📌 Note: There are four short quizzes below — all Unita students are required to complete and submit them.

👋 Getting Started

Welcome to Unita BJJ — we're excited to have you on the mats with us!
These guidelines will help you feel confident and get the most out of your training.

🙇 Bowing & Tying Your Belt

  • We bow at the start and end of class as a sign of respect.

  • Some students also bow when entering or leaving the mat — you’re welcome to do so, but it’s not required.

  • At some gyms, students turn away to tie their belts. That’s not expected here at Unita, but if you prefer it, that’s totally fine.

🧼 Clean Training = Happy Training

Because BJJ is a close-contact sport, good hygiene is a must for everyone’s safety and comfort.

  • Always wear a clean uniform to class — freshly washed after your last session.

    Don’t be the stinky training partner. 😅

  • Keep your fingernails and toenails trimmed — sharp nails can scratch your partners.

  • For Gi classes, wear a rashguard underneath your gi.

    Here’s why that matters →

  • For No-Gi, avoid loose t-shirts or shorts with pockets. Instead, wear:

    • Snug-fitting rashguards or dri-fit shirts

    • Make sure your shirt has short or long sleeves; please no cutoffs or tank tops

    • Athletic shorts or spats without pockets

  • Never go barefoot into the bathroom.
    Flip-flops are available near the door — please use them.

  • After every training session:

    • Shower as soon as possible

    • Wash your gear thoroughly

    Staying clean keeps you — and your training partners — healthy.

Take Quiz 1 by clicking this link

🔄 Rolling (Sparring)

If you're brand new to BJJ — welcome! You won’t jump straight into full sparring (called “rolling”) right away.

We wait until a student earns their first stripe so they have time to learn the basics and feel confident in the gym.

Already have experience from another academy? Awesome — just check in with a coach and we’ll see where you’re at.

To help you build comfort and skill without pressure, you’ll do positional drills (like from closed guard) and partner exercises. You’ll never be rushed into rolling — we want you to enjoy the journey and feel ready when the time comes.

🛡️ Safety First — Always

BJJ is safest and most enjoyable when everyone respects each other. At the core:

Train the way you'd want others to train with you.

🤝 While Rolling:

  • Control matters more than winning. Avoid rolling in a way that could injure yourself or your partner.

  • Apply submissions slowly and with control. Give your partner time to tap — that’s how we keep each other safe.

  • Avoid sudden, explosive movements.

    These can easily lead to injury — even if you didn’t mean to.

If you’ve caught someone in a submission and they won’t tap:

  • Let go and keep rolling. Don’t risk hurting them.

  • If this happens often with the same partner, tell a coach — we’ll help guide them.

✋ When You Need to Tap:

  • If you're caught in a submission, tap early and tap proudly.

  • There’s zero shame in tapping — it’s how we all learn.

  • Trying to “tough it out” only delays your progress and increases risk of injury.

  • And believe it or not, your tap might be the boost your partner needs to stay motivated — especially if they’re newer or less confident.

We’re all here to grow together, and rolling should be fun, safe, and respectful for everyone on the mat.

Take Quiz 2 by clicking this link

👀 Awareness on the Mat

Always stay aware of your surroundings while rolling. If another pair is getting close:

  • Move to a safer area — even if they haven’t noticed yet.

    Being proactive helps everyone stay safe.

We all share the mat, so helping each other avoid collisions is part of good training etiquette.

🚫 Dangerous & Illegal Techniques

Some techniques are never allowed, under any circumstances, because they are too risky:

  • Slamming

  • Striking of any kind

  • Biting

  • Eye gouging (including chin-to-eye pressure)

  • Headbutting

  • Fishhooking

  • Small joint manipulation (e.g., fingers or toes)

  • Hair pulling

  • Grabbing or crushing the windpipe (including with forearm/elbow)

  • Ear pulling

These moves can cause serious injury and will not be tolerated.

Also, during No-Gi rolling, do not grab any clothing — even if your partner is wearing gi pants.

⚠️ Techniques That Require Instructor Permission

Some advanced or high-risk techniques are only allowed if you’ve been given permission by a coach:

  • Neck cranks

  • Bicep slicers & calf slicers

  • Wrist locks

  • Heel hooks

  • Kneebars

  • Toeholds

✅ Straight ankle locks are the exception — they’re allowed without special permission.

🤝 Building a Positive Culture

We’re all here to grow together, and that starts with how we treat each other.

  • Respect your training partners — win or lose.

  • Bragging about tapping someone, especially a newer student, creates a negative vibe. Don’t do it.

  • If you're more experienced or stronger, don’t just "smash" less skilled partners.

    Instead, use those rolls to develop your defense, transitions, and control.

  • Encourage your teammates. Be the training partner that helps others level up.
    Remember: we all started as beginners once.

Take Quiz 3 by clicking this link

🥋 Promotions at Unita BJJ

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uses a system of stripes and colored belts to celebrate progress — and at Unita, we believe promotions are a great way to recognize both your hard work and dedication.

BJJ is a fun journey, but it can be challenging at times. That’s why having clear milestones helps keep you motivated and moving forward.

⇮ White Belt Promotions

As a new student, you'll earn white stripes on your belt based on class attendance and your growth in skill and teamwork.

  • 🎯 Every 20 classes, you're eligible for a white stripe

  • No belt or stripe fees — ever!

  • You’ll also need to show progress in technique and a positive attitude with teammates

Once you've earned 4 white stripes, you begin working toward 3 blue stripes, awarded at:

  • ✅ 100 classes

  • ✅ 120 classes

  • ✅ 140 classes

After 160 classes, plus demonstrated skill in rolling, drills, and mentoring, you may be ready for your blue belt. This usually takes 1.5 to 2 years of steady training.

🎓 Advanced Belts (Blue, Purple, Brown)

For blue, purple, and brown belts:

  • Stripes are awarded after a minimum of 6 months and 50 classes, assuming good progress and maturity on the mats.

  • After receiving 4 stripes, there’s another 6-month/50-class minimum before moving to the next belt level.

Most students spend about 2.5 years between these belts if training 2–3 times per week.

🧭 Progress & Perspective

The most important thing in BJJ?
Compare yourself to your past self — not to others.

  • Focus on how far you’ve come (think: 6 months ago), not just belt rank or tapping partners

  • Don’t let promotions be the only goal — learning, improving, and having fun is what really matters

  • Patience and consistency are the secret to making it all the way to black belt

If you’re struggling in class or feel stuck:

  • Ask a coach or senior belt for help — they’re happy to share and it helps them grow, too

  • If you're feeling discouraged or thinking of taking time off, talk to your instructor first. Every black belt has had moments like that — you're not alone.

🙌 Returning After Time Off?

Whether you’ve been gone for weeks, months, or even years — don’t ever feel shy about coming back.

Life happens, and we get it.

We’ll be excited to see you — smiles, high-fives, and a spot on the mats are always waiting for you.

Take Quiz 4 by clicking this link

Every day on the mat is a good day!  Have fun and enjoy the journey!