RuJudo Etiquette and Rules of the Club

Ø       Character

The first requirement to becoming a practitioner of Judo (judoka) is that of being of good moral character.  Bullies, thugs and those with improper motives will be expelled.  Students using Judo at home, in school or improperly anywhere will be expelled from classes.

Ø       Classes

• Class Attendance - We expect students to arrive to class on time.  We also expect students to attend class regularly.  Sporadic attendance impedes both learning and progression in rank.  Attendance requirements must be met in order for a judoka to advance in rank or to progress out of the beginners' class to the intermediate class.

• Conditioning - Judo provides a complete fitness program with conditioning exercises for strength, balance and flexibility.  Judo also provides a means for the development of conditioned reflexes.  These conditioned reflexes ultimately result from the repetitive practice of Judo falling techniques, grappling techniques and throwing techniques.

• Conduct - Good conduct becomes a matter of safety and consideration for others in an active Judo class.  This is discussed in greater detail under the separate heading "Conduct."

• Content - This class provides both physical and academic instruction in Kodokan Judo.  Every class will begin and end with traditional formalities of respect.  Warming up and stretching exercises will be led prior to the instructional period.  All beginning students will learn basic falling, grappling and throwing techniques.  Intermediate and Advanced judoka (above age 12) learn chokes, arm-locking and striking techniques.  Academically, students will learn Judo history, terminology, competition rules and the two guiding principles of Judo: "Mutual Benefit and Welfare" and "Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort."

Ø       Cleanliness

Judo, being a physical contact sport, requires good personal hygiene in every aspect.  Personal grooming and hygiene items include:

• Clean Bodies

• Clean Hands

• Clean Feet – Judo is practice in bare feet.  We recommend wearing or bringing flip-flops or sandals to wear while off the Judo mats.  This will help to keep feet clean and help to prevent from tracking dirt onto the Judo mats.

•  Shortly trimmed, clean fingernails and toenails - This will help to prevent cuts, scratches and turned-back nails.

•  Clean and Neat Hair

• Clean and Neat Clothing - Judogi's must be neat, clean and properly worn.

Ø       Clothing

• Uniforms - Beginning students may wear sweat suits or loose fitting durable long sleeved shirts and long pants.  When a student determines that he or she wants to continue on with class, then a Judo uniform (judogi) should be purchased.  Judogi's suitable for class range in price from $30 to $50 and may be ordered in class.  Please note that Karate uniforms are neither suitable nor durable enough for Judo.

• Other Clothing – Women/girls must wear a plain white T -shirt or leotard under the judogi jacket.

• Footwear - Judoka practice Judo on a mat in their bare feet.  We recommend wearing or bringing flip-flops or sandals to wear while off the Judo mats.

• Jewelry - The wearing of items such as rings, bracelets, wrist chains, earrings, watches, burettes, etc., present a serious safety hazard and may not be worn.

• Protection - Women should consider wearing a sports bra. Likewise, men should consider wearing an athletic supporter.

Ø       Clubs

A student who desires to advance in rank and/or compete in Judo tournaments must be a member of one of the national certifying organizations and of the Budokan Judo Club.

• Budokan Judo Club of Calvert County. Inc.: Enrolled members of our Judo classes are members of Budokan Judo Club of Calvert County.  The Budokan Judo Club holds charter memberships in both the United Stated Judo Association and the United States Judo Federation.

•  National Certifying Organizations: Judoka in our classes have a choice of membership in either the United States Judo Association (USJA) or the United States Judo Federation (USJF).  Both organizations have Judo rank certification authority in the United States.  Annual membership In USJA is $40 and the USJF is $55.

Ø       Code of Ethics

We implore everyone to exemplify the philosophy and discipline of Judo in every aspect of life.  Every judoka must be intolerant of unethical behavior and act swiftly to eradicate it by using established ethical procedures.  In this way, morality and integrity will remain the fabric of Judo's core.  To be compliant with our Code of Ethics all judoka are to contribute to a positive and rewarding experience for all participants in Judo.  This includes:

• Safety

• Sportsmanship

• Respect

•  Nondiscrimination

• Honesty

• Orderly Behavior

• Loyalty

• Lawful Conduct

• Fairness

• Proper use of influence of position.

 Competition

Judo is an individual competitive physical contact sport.  Supervised competition will occur in class.  Also see the “Contests" heading.

Ø       Conduct of Students

We expect the best of conduct from every judoka in order maintain the best and safest training and learning environment.  Our expectations include the following:

• Be on time for class.

• We expect excellent behavior at all times.

• Students must pay attention at all times.

• There will be no talking during class instruction and limited talking in practice.

• Always face your instructor whenever he is talking.

• Always call your instructor “Sensei" (pronounced “sen-say" which means teacher).

• Always show respect for your instructors and others.

• Horseplay and fooling around are strictly prohibited.

• Laziness is not tolerated.  Students are expected to do the required class work.

• Always be careful and look out for your fellow judoka.

• Course, harsh and vulgar language will not be tolerated, this includes the word "kill."

• No one will leave the mat without first gaining permission from one of the instructors. The one and only exception to this is in the case of illness a student may leave immediately without seeking permission.

• Students are expected to take care of water and restroom needs before class and during breaks.  Period breaks are given in each class.

• Students may not leave the mat to go to a parent or to the edge of the mat to talk to a parent without gaining permission from one of the instructors.

• Food and drink are not permitted on the mat.

• The judogi should always be neat, clean and properly worn.

• While watching, students will sit either cross-legged or on the heels.

• The courtesy of bowing will be observed at all appropriate times.  This is discussed in greater detail under the “Courtesy" heading.

• Students must stop all activity immediately upon the command “Matte" (pronounced “mah-tay" which means stop).

• Judo is not to be practiced or played with outside of class.  Violators will be expelled.

Ø       Conduct of Parents

Parents are invited and encouraged to watch classes. However, we have certain expectations of our parents as well.  These expectations are as follows:

• Parents are expected to get their children to class on time and to pick them up on time.

• Outside of class, we expect the parents of our judoka to reinforce the conduct that we expect from our students.

• In class, we expect parents to not intervene under any circumstance in order to allow our instructors to maintain the control of the class.

• Parents may not call their children to the edge of the mat or off the mat without gaining permission from one of the instructors.

• Parents may not come onto the mat without permission from one of the instructors.

• Parents may not offer instruction to anyone.

• Parents may cheer on and encourage their children.

• Parents may not criticize their children's skill or performance.

• Parents are expected to enforce the rule of no practice or playing of Judo outside of class.

• Parents are expected to display respect for Judo, the coach/instructors and other Judo officials at all times.

Ø       Contests

Students will have opportunities to compete in contests in class and tournaments (called shiai's, pronounced "she-eye") outside of class.  Memberships in the USJA or USJF and the Budokan Judo Club are required in order to compete in a shiai.

Ø       Courtesy & Respect

Judo remains the most courteous and respectful sport in existence today.  The etiquette of bowing demonstrates the courtesy of and respect for Judo, Judo Sensei's and other judoka. Bowing in Judo equals to the American handshake and has nothing to do with any religious practice.  The courtesy of bowing will be observed:

• When entering and leaving the practice hall.

• When entering and leaving the mat.

• At the beginning and end of classes.

• Before and after practice or sparing with a partner.

• Before and after contests.

• Before and after receiving promotions and awards.