WELCOME TO HOME TRAINING
Safety
Safety first, always. A technique done safely and slowly is worth more than one done fast and rough.
Space
Take good care of your mat space and always review the area of training.
Rules
Respect your partner. Your partner is helping you learn. Take care of them and follow the golden rules.
Mat setup checklist:
1. Lay mats on a flat, clean floor. Use a non-slip underlay on smooth floors.
2. Push mats against a wall or baseboard on at least two sides so they cannot slide.
3. Tape the seams with athletic tape or use border edge pieces so there are no gaps or trip edges.
4. Leave no exposed hard floor at the edges of the training area.
5. Move furniture, toys, pets, and anything sharp or hard well away from the mats.
6. Never train on bare tile, concrete, hardwood, beds, couches, trampolines, or grass.
7. Mats that shift or separate are a common problem, and securing them with tape, border tiles,
underlay, and wall contact is recommended.
1. Clean the mats after every session. Sweat and skin contact can grow bacteria and fungus such as staph and ringworm, so spray and wipe with a dedicated mat cleaner or a roughly 1:10 bleach-to-water solution, and let mats dry completely before stacking.
2. Trim fingernails and toenails short every week.
3. Wash the gi or rash guard after every session.
4. Shower soon after training.
5. No training with open cuts, rashes, or skin spots until a parent or doctor checks them.
6. Wear sandals off the mat and bare feet on the mat.
Arizona Heat Warning
Garages and patios in Phoenix can be dangerously hot for much of the year. Train in an air-conditioned room whenever possible.
If a garage is used, train only in the cooler hours, run a fan or portable cooling, drink water every 10 minutes, and stop immediately for dizziness,
headache, nausea, or unusual fatigue.
Nice-to-Have Equipment
A grappling dummy, or a homemade dummy made from a gi, an old towel, a couch pillow, and a belt, which is useful for practicing hand placement for chokes and arm locks.
Mouthguard and Knee Pads for extra protection.
A large screen so small details are easy to see.
Partner Rules
1. We bow or fist-bump before and after every round.
2. The partner being taught gives light resistance only when the lesson asks for it.
3. "Stop," "Tap," "Ow," or a tap on the body or mat means the partner lets go immediately. No
exceptions.
4. We switch roles evenly. Everyone gets equal turns.
5. No showing off, no surprise attacks, no "real fighting."
6. If either partner is tired, upset, or hurt, the session ends.
Parent as Training Partner
Parents do not need jiu-jitsu experience.
The lesson videos will show you exactly how to be a helpful partner: stay relaxed, move slowly, give the right body position, and let your child
finish the technique. Parents should never "test" a child with full resistance at home.
Home Training Rules:
1. An adult is home for every session, and in the room for every partner session.
2. Warm up every time. Every activity should start with a warm-up, stretching, and gradual
cardio.
3. Tap early, tap often. Tapping is smart, not weak.
4. Release instantly when your partner taps or says stop.
5. Drill submissions "to the position, not the finish." At home, you set up and lock in the
position with zero squeezing or cranking. Finishing with pressure happens only at the
academy under the Jiu Jitsu Graduate Coach's supervision.
6. Protect the head and neck. Never push, pull, or crank a partner's head or neck.
7. No standing takedowns or throws at home unless the lesson video specifically allows it,
you are on 1.5 inch or thicker mats, and an adult is spotting.
8. Stay on the mats. If you roll near the edge, stop, reset to the center, and restart.
9. Stop for pain, dizziness, a bump to the head, or tears. Tell a parent right away.
10. Never try moves you saw on social media or in videos that are not part of your assigned
lessons.
Testimonials
Let Others Inspire You.
Thank you to Coach Ethan for being so patient and encouraging to our child.
- Megan Solomon
My son has grown more confident and skilled with movement in just a short time. I look forward to seeing future growth.
- Mario Rodriguez
