Etiquette - The Paradigm Academy - #1 BJJ in Lowell MA

Student Creed

Please Respect Our Rules and Treat The Academy Like Your Home. Because It Is ❤️

I am my own problem. But I am also my solution.
I intend to develop myself and avoid anything that could reduce my mental growth or physical health.
I intent to develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
I intend to use what I learn in class constructively to help myself and others.

Etiquette definition – “the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.”

We don’t have too many rules, but the ones we do have mean a great deal to us.

Academy Etiquette

Take Care Of Others. Take Care Of Yourself

Arrive early for class (stretch, warmup, review technique).
Outside foot wear is not permitted, sandals must be worn (no bare feet off the mat).
Always Check-in before class begins.
Be mindful of classes in session. Speak quietly and respectfully
Shoes, Food and Electronic devices are not allowed in the training area.

Training Rules

& Guidelines

All jewelry, piercings, necklaces and other items should be removed before training.
Fingernails and Toenails must ALWAYS be neatly trimmed and clean before class.
Always bow when entering and leaving the mat
A rash guard must always be worn under your kimono and during no gi.
If you are late for class, shake the instructors hand before joining.
Always cleanup after yourself (tape, water bottles, equipment, etc).
Footwear must ALWAYS be worn off the mat & in the bathroom.
The mat must be cleaned (swept, vacuumed and disinfected). Take your time, do a good job.

Live Training

Rolling & Sparring

Always shake hands before and after live sparring.
Be MINDFUL of your training partners skill, weight and age level.
Long hair should be tied up.
Yelling, Grunting or Wincing is a verbal tap.
No slamming, scratching or striking.
No spine or neck cranks.
No grabbing individual fingers or bending fingers backwards.
For a full list of illegal techniques see the next section.

Character

& Self Development

Check your attitude and ego at the door. This is the wrong place to bring negative energy.
Work on your weaknesses in class. Remember that this is TRAINING not COMPETITION.
Help new students with what you know. Pay it forward!

Illegal Techniques

& Further Requirements

Flying submissions, scissor takedown and jumping guard

- These techniques are NEVER allowed in a live sparring environment.
- For offensive and defensive purposes they can be practiced in a controlled setting.

Heel hooks

- Never allowed in the gi
- No-Gi Purple belt and up can utilize in live training(catch and release).

Neck / Spine Cranks & slamming are not allowed at any experience level.

- (can opener, twister, suplex etc).

Use of any foot gear, head gear, hair pins, jewelry, cups (genital protectors) or any other protector made from hard materials that may cause harm to a training partner is NOT ALLOWED.

Fingers should NOT be placed inside an opponents sleeve or pant leg

Catch & Release

Training and Safety

When a practitioner believes that a submission hold is locked in, he should apply reasonable force to submit his training partner. However regarding joint-locks, especially TWISTING ones(heel hooks, kimuras, toe holds, americanas etc) should never be applied 100% in a training environment.

An armlock for instance should not have excessive force applied to it if the arm is fully extended. Another example is a Kimura lock. Once a training partners hand has been put behind his or her back, actual force should decrease substantially even if the training partner is not tapping. Please keep in mind that in some circumstances a student might be unable or unaware of “when to tap”.

By adopting this philosophy to your submission holds before they are finalized you can study your opponent’s reactions and escape motions, and then work on countering their defense to your initial attack. This intelligent approach to training is safe, reliable and minimizes the risk of injury to one another. Remember that we are a team and are here to make each other better. If one person gets injured, the team gets injured.

Live Training

Given the fast natured pace of live training and the safety of our students, it is restricted to new practitioners whom do not possess any previous grappling experience(wrestling, judo, previous training etc).

Once a practitioner has earned 2 stripes on their belt, they are free to participate in live sparring.

How Are Stripes Earned?

Your First 2 Stripes are awarded when you demonstrate a basic knowledge and proficiency of the Academy Etiquette, Training Rules and the listed Techniques & Movement Patterns.

White Belt 2 Stripe Requirements

Technique and Movement Patterns

Techniques

Break fall / Rolling break fall
Hip Escape (regular, side, forward)
Bridge aka Umpa
Sitting Hip Escape
Hip Heist aka Technical Get up
Front Roll / Back Roll / Shoulder Roll
Knee Elbow Recovery
Supine position to knees
Armlock from Closed Guard
Opening The Closed Guard
Knowledge of the 6 main positions
- (The Guard, Side control, Knee on Belly, Front Mount, Back Mount, Turtle)

Movement Patterns

Bear Crawl
Crocodile Walk
Frog Walk
Gorilla Walk
Butterfly Walk
Crab Walk
Cartwheel
Handstand into Front Roll

Have Any Questions Or Feedback?

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