Questions tagged [etiquette]

Use this tag for questions about expected behavior, the code of conduct for different styles of martial arts, and communication among martial artists and with others.

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6 votes
1 answer
387 views

Why isn't striking part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

A few days ago I got to my gym early, so I decided to look around a bit. There are many pictures of famous BJJ practitioners quotes from them that are framed and hanging on the wall. I usually never ...
8 votes
2 answers
685 views

How to spar against a weaker opponent

I am taking Beginner Muay Thai classes for a couple of months now quite regularly. A few rounds of light sparring (no elbows, no knees & kicks to the head, focus on technique instead of power) ...
4 votes
3 answers
131 views

If partner is using additional moves in drill, should you tell him not to?

This question is more about etiquette. Years ago I took some martial art classes that focused on striking. The other day I tried an intro class to Sambo. Overall it went well. The last thing we did ...
9 votes
4 answers
2k views

Correct usage of the title "Master"?

Is it proper to refer to anyone who teaches classes at your school as Master, or is that title generally reserved just for the person who is the head of the dojo? FWIW, to give it a little more ...
10 votes
5 answers
3k views

Etiquette when changing from karate to jiu-jitsu

Background information: I will start university in September and I want to continue practicing martial arts. I've been doing shotokan karate for 8 years now and I have a black belt exam in December. ...
11 votes
2 answers
539 views

Is shaking hands after a judo competition bad etiquette in Japan?

Judo contains a number of rituals inherited from Japanese culture, one example being the codification of bowing to your opponent before and after competing.1 However bowing doesn't carry the same ...
2 votes
1 answer
103 views

How to deal with a judgmental instructor

Instructor behavior observed: Comparing students with each other Blaming students Insulting students Impulsive decisions Lack of discipline in teaching martial arts Going mostly spontaneous and with ...
15 votes
6 answers
16k views

Why is a gi worn left side over right?

I know the proper way to put on your gi is to put the left side over the right side, but why is this? Where did this custom come from? I think it applies to all martial arts (at least I know it does ...
5 votes
1 answer
179 views

How to test teacher's ability?

The nature of teaching is that the student trusts the teacher to have the skill that the teacher teaches. This is usually proved by the teacher being authenticated, probably by having reputation or a ...
8 votes
8 answers
5k views

What is a grandmaster?

In your own school, you have a Sifu (師傅 or 師父) or sensei (先生), which is frequently translated as master or teacher. In the same way you have a grandfather, who is the father of your father, you have a ...
2 votes
4 answers
277 views

Which martial arts styles work best with social distancing?

Yesterday, I saw a woman and a young boy sporting their TKD gear, shopping after class. I wondered what their school was doing to meet social distancing guidelines. Wear a mask? Probably, not. Stand ...
14 votes
5 answers
9k views

Etiquette for sparring with women - How to find the balance and not do disservice?

How do I find the balance between being a jerk (i.e., one who is hitting too hard) and being someone who is doing a disservice to female sparring partners (i.e., one who avoids hitting and mostly just ...
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why do some students wear headbands during practice?

I saw that at some schools of some martial arts many of the students wear headbands. They seem to only be in certain martial arts (like Karate), and I would almost never see it in others (like BJJ or ...
0 votes
2 answers
339 views

Is it okay to get a custom belt if you're not a black belt?

In BJJ and other martial arts, I've seen people with black belts that have been customized, like having words written on them, etc. I was wondering if it is okay for someone who has a color belt to ...
8 votes
3 answers
343 views

How to Deal with Talkative Training Partner

What is a good way to stop people from talking to me & correcting little flaws in my technique when I'm trying to concentrate on fixing larger flaws in my technique? I know that some gyms don't ...
8 votes
2 answers
1k views

Judo zarei difference between men and women

I have read this page about reishiki ("dojo etiquette") and have a question about zarei (the kneeling bow at the beginning or end of the class). Many sites describe a difference in zarei for women ...
8 votes
2 answers
278 views

What is the etiquette for practicing with more experienced partners in BJJ?

I practice and instruct judo, where my advice to beginners is to seek the most experienced and skilled practice partners available. My experience is the normal beginner tendency is to train with ...
10 votes
2 answers
889 views

Why is the red part of a BJJ belt on the left side?

I have been practising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a while. The red tip of the belt is worn on the left side; the only explanation for this is because it is the same side as the heart. This doesn't sound ...
6 votes
6 answers
2k views

Aikido seiza: Why is the left toe placed over the right toe?

A student asked the Aikido master the reason behind keeping the left toe over the right toe when sitting, and he told her "I honestly don't know". He later said that one reason might be because of how ...
7 votes
2 answers
179 views

What Etiquette Should be Followed When Sparring at Another School?

In addition to sparring with practitioners of my own school/style, I’d like to spar with practitioners of different styles, as I feel this would benefit my fighting ability in the long run. How ...
6 votes
3 answers
10k views

Why did a Samurai always wear their katana on the left side?

A katana is traditionally used with both hands. But why is it always on the left side? I have read that in the Samurai schools they don't care much about the student are left handed or right handed. ...
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is it appropriate to display the dojo kun at home?

The dojo kun is a set of 5 principles that should be followed in the dojo. The dojo kun states the basic philosophy of karate, according to Funakoshi. Some schools choose to recite the principles at ...
2 votes
2 answers
204 views

Switching schools/styles - Is it disrespectful to ask about differences in technique?

I trained for a few years in one school, but have since moved away and have been looking for a new place to train (most likely in a different style). I know that there will always be differences in ...
3 votes
3 answers
3k views

What are the corrects words to greet our shifu?

I have a question concerning the way we greet our shifu in the beginning and end of our lessons. I was wondering what the explanation is and if I'm saying the right things to our Shifu. Are the ...
3 votes
1 answer
581 views

Is bowing a universal sign of respect across all martial arts?

When are students or instructors expected to bow and to whom? For spectators, family, friends or anyone else not participating, is anything expected of them as signs of respect?
-1 votes
1 answer
397 views

What is the difference between a Teacher & an Instructor? [closed]

Although I could answer this question according to my class; In general terms with all forms of martial arts how can we define the difference between them ? ****What else i would like to hear**** ...
8 votes
5 answers
2k views

Addressing martial artists of another style

I have been training in GoJu Karate for about seven years now. Recently the school hosted a seminar by Guru Master Julius Megrito. The heads of about five other clubs came together for classes with ...
25 votes
5 answers
891 views

How can I respectful​ly raise concerns about class difficulty level/teac​hing style at my club?

I practice Taekwondo regularly with the club at my university. There are three main instructors, one 3rd dan and two 1st dan (my belt level). The club has a lot of black belts of varying degrees who ...