RDGA Academy Standards

 

A clean, safe, respectful, and productive training environment requires everyone to take responsibility for their hygiene, behavior, equipment, and training partners.

These standards apply to all students, parents, visitors, and coaches.

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Hygiene Standards

 

All training gear must be washed after every class. Do not reuse an unwashed rash guard, shirt, shorts, or other training clothing.

Please arrive with a clean body and clean training gear. Students may be asked not to train if hygiene creates a health or comfort concern for others.

Keep fingernails and toenails clean and trimmed to help prevent scratches and injuries.

Check that your feet are clean before stepping onto the mat.

Bare feet are not permitted off the mat. Wear shoes or sandals whenever using the restroom, walking through the facility, or leaving the mat area.

Shoes and socks must be removed before stepping onto the mat. Keep your footwear neatly placed near the edge of the training area.

Showering as soon as possible after class is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of skin infections.

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Skin Conditions and Open Wounds

 

Do not train with a suspected contagious skin condition, including ringworm, impetigo, staph, or an unexplained rash.

Students may return when the condition has been appropriately treated and is no longer contagious.

If you are cut or begin bleeding during training, stop immediately. Clean the affected area and securely cover the wound before returning to the mat.

Any clothing, equipment, or mat area exposed to blood must be cleaned and disinfected before training continues.

When there is uncertainty about whether a condition is safe, speak with a coach before participating.

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Training Attire

 

Students must wear clean, appropriate training clothing.

Recommended No-Gi attire includes:

• A rash guard or form-fitting athletic shirt

• MMA shorts or pocketless athletic shorts

• Compression shorts or leggings underneath, when appropriate

Loose clothing that may catch fingers or toes should not be worn.

Clothing with exposed pockets, zippers, buttons, metal pieces, or other hard attachments is not permitted on the mat.

White or light-colored shirts that become see-through when wet are not recommended.

Traditional Jiu-Jitsu uniforms, or gis, are not required unless specifically announced for an event.

Jewelry, watches, earrings, necklaces, rings, and other accessories must be removed before training.

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Mat Safety

 

No food, gum, or open drinks are permitted on the mat.

Water bottles should remain in the designated area.

Do not step onto the mat while wearing shoes.

Do not leave the mat barefoot. Put on shoes or sandals before entering the restroom or walking through other areas of the facility.

Training equipment should be returned to its proper location after use.

Keep personal belongings organized and away from walkways and training areas.

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Training Conduct

 

Treat coaches, teammates, parents, visitors, and opponents with respect.

Listen while instruction is being given. Avoid side conversations, unnecessary movement, or behavior that distracts others from learning.

Students should practice the technique being taught unless a coach provides different instructions.

Do not attempt to coach over the instructor or interrupt another student’s training with conflicting instruction.

Train with control. The goal is to improve yourself and your partner—not to win every practice exchange.

Do not use excessive force, reckless movement, or uncontrolled submissions.

Release a submission immediately when your partner taps verbally or physically.

Students must respect differences in age, size, experience, physical ability, and intensity.

A coach may change training partners, limit live training, or remove a student from a round when necessary for safety.

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Sportsmanship

 

Be a good training partner.

Help teammates improve, regardless of their experience level.

Do not mock, embarrass, intimidate, or intentionally hurt another student.

Winning and losing are part of training. Students are expected to handle both with maturity.

Aggressive, threatening, discriminatory, or abusive behavior will not be accepted.

Conflicts should be brought to a coach rather than handled during training.

Injuries and Physical Limitations

 

Inform a coach about any injury or physical limitation that may affect your ability to participate safely.

Students are responsible for training within their physical limits and communicating with their partners.

Do not pressure an injured student to continue training.

A coach may modify or restrict participation when there is a reasonable safety concern.

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Youth Students

 

Youth students are expected to:

• Listen during instruction

• Remain with their assigned partner or group

• Follow coaching directions

• Use controlled movement

• Treat teammates respectfully

• Participate without intentionally disrupting class

Children may occasionally need redirection, additional explanation, or a short break from an activity. Sitting out briefly may be used to help a student regain focus and return safely—it is not intended as humiliation or punishment.

Repeated unsafe, disrespectful, or disruptive behavior may result in restricted participation, a parent conference, suspension, or removal from the program.

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Parents and Spectators

 

Parents and spectators are welcome to support students while respecting the training environment.

Please avoid coaching from the sidelines unless a coach specifically asks for assistance.

Do not interrupt class, argue with coaching decisions, or interfere with assigned partners.

Children who are not participating must remain supervised and should not run through the facility, play on equipment, or enter the mat area without permission.

Questions or concerns should be discussed directly with a coach before or after class whenever possible.

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Facility Respect

 

Help keep the academy clean and organized.

Dispose of trash, clean up spills, and take all personal belongings with you.

Do not damage mats, walls, equipment, furniture, or another person’s property.

Students and families are responsible for the actions of any guests they bring into the academy.

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Coach Authority

 

RDGA coaches are responsible for maintaining the safety, structure, and culture of the academy.

Coaches may modify training, change partners, restrict participation, or ask someone to leave when necessary to protect students or maintain an appropriate training environment.

Serious or repeated violations of academy standards may result in suspension or termination of membership.

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Our Shared Standard

 

Every person at RDGA contributes to the quality of the training room.

Come prepared. Train safely. Respect your partners. Maintain good hygiene. Follow instruction. Help create an environment where beginners, recreational students, and competitors can all improve.