The practitioner must constantly be guided y a deep for the dojo, for all the people in it, and for the purpose of the practice. Good manners, politeness,courteous behaviors, and maintenance of formal etiquette are part of a practitioner's training, and essential to developing a respectful attitude to the art. The practitioner should memorize the rules, and always obey them.

Coaches should monitor the practitioner's commitment to self-improvement,and insist on constant self-control. The goal is self-confidence, to be able to achieve peaceful resolution of conflict wherever possible.

The following are several basic rules on how to conduct oneself in the dojo:

THE BOW

If standing, bend forward at the waist. You should retain eye contact with the person to which you are bowing. If kneeling, place you hands flat on the floor in front of you so that your hands are touching or overlapping. Touch your forehead to your hands.

When a higher Black Belt member enters a studio with a class in session the coach will stop class, acknowledge his presence by having the class bow to him or her.

ENTERING/EXITING THE DOJO

No practitioner should join or leave class in progress without coach's permission. Face the room and bow as you enter or exit the dojo.

WORKING WITH A PARTNER

Show respect by bowing to your partner both before and after working together.

SEIZA

Whenever sitting in class, sit seize or with your legs crossed: never sit, which your legs outstretched.

STEPPING ON/OFF THE MAT

Always take off your shoes before you step on the mat. Only approved shoes are to be worn on the mat. Face the center of the mat and bow before you step on or off the mat. Step on with the left foot, step off with right foot.

START/CLOSE OF CLASS

Line up, sitting seize, facing the front of the room (for Kodai no Bushido this is the wall with the flag). White belts will face the front. More advanced practitioners will sit on either the right or the left depending on rank. Black belts will sit with their backs to the wall. When you hear kiotsuke become quite and sit at attention. When you hear shomeon-ni bow to the front of the class. When you hear sensei-ni bow to the class. For the close of class you will line up the same, but the bows are in reverse order.

JOINING/LEAVING CLASS

In order to join a class in progress stand at the edge of the mat and wait for the coach to bow you on. When you must leave before class is concluded tell the coach you wish to bow off leaving the mat. Whenever you leave the mat (regardless of the reason or
expected duration), stand at the edge of the mate and make eye contact with the coach. Wait for the coach to bow to you before leaving the mat.

EXIT THE MAT AFTER CLASS BY RANK

As a sign of respect for their elders, students remain in sei-za after the class has ended until all the higher-ranking dojo buddies have bowed of the mate. No practitioner should or leave class in progress without coach's permission.

SAFETY

It is the responsibility of all to maintain a safe environment. When you feel uncomfortable about a technique the safe thing to do is to pass. Inform the coach whenever you feel that another participant is not working safely. Notify coach before class if you have any mental or physical limitations that may restrict the techniques that
are safe for to receive and / or do to others.

INJURIES

Injuries are not allowed. If you must injure yourself your self-stop where you are and call the coach over. All black belts should be trained and certified in Red Cross Standard First-Aid as well as in Ju-Jitsu restorative techniques.
Immediately bring any and all injuries to coach's attention. Do not leave the mat to attend the injuries without notifying the coach as to why you are leaving the mat.

THE -"MAITA"

This is not really a rule of etiquette, but a very important safety rule.
If you are in pain or placed in a dangerous position, tap your partner, your self or the mat so that your partner is aware that you wish him her to stop. This means that the tap should be loud and / or distinctly felt.

THE ART OF STAY ON THE MAT

Much of what we practice routinely with each other will seriously injure the uninitiated. It is not be demonstrated or practiced on others outside of the dojo. The first rule of self-defense is to avoid situations that require self-defense.

There are also some additional rules of etiquette that should be practiced.

1) No profanity in dojo.

2) No smoking in dojo.

3) All coaches should be addressed as Mister, Mrs., Miss, or Ms.

4) Practitioners should not free spar without protective cup.

5) No practitioners should ask or challenge a higher-grade belt to free spar.

6) No jeweler should be worn during class.

7) Practitioners should not chew gum during class.

8) Practitioners should always work out in a clean uniform.

9) Practitioners should always keep fingernails and toenails trimmed.

10) No practitioner should test for promotion if behind on lessons or payments.