Safety Guidelines

Very few injuries are incurred while practicing jiujitsu, due to the strong discipline inherent in a jiujitsu class and the traditional concept of partner protection and mutual respect. The following guidelines are designed to prevent injuries and promote safe training in every class.

• Never use a technique that is beyond your capabilities.
• Keep all finger and toe nails short. Painful injuries and infections can result from torn nails.
• Warm-up and warm-down periods are vital to the reduction of muscle and joint injuries. Every class begins with a warm-up period designed to increase the range of joint movement, strengthen the muscles, increase blood flow, elasticity, contractions, and to elevate body temperature.
• Warm-down periods should never be neglected because of their value in removing muscle lactic acid, muscle soreness, and to stretch and relax tired muscles.
• Exercise caution when applying throwing, joint-locking, and neck restraint techniques.
• When using a throwing technique, learn to control and assist your partner to breakfall.
• Forceful bending, wrenching, or twisting of joints must be avoided.
• Extra caution should be used when applying finger locks.
• Do not chew gum or wear rings or metal ornaments during practice.
• The Martial Arts Code of Sportsmanship requires that assistance be given at all times by the higher rank.
• Giving way to others is not a sign of weakness, it is an essential element of safe partner-training. If you do not tap out when you feel pain, you will likely get injured.
• Do not misuse your knowledge of jiujitsu inside or outside the club.
• The best liquid to replenish lost body fluids is water.
• Before practicing kicking and punching techniques, make sure the knees, ankles, elbows, wrists, and shoulders are well warmed up.
• Avoid kicking or punching "the air" with power and speed.