FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Check out the hygiene and sparring etiquette sections within the FAQ for detailed answers about the rules we enforce at Bear Trap. It covers the basics and then some - just about everything you'd need to know. Don't worry about bowing, lining up, etc - we don't do any of that. Show up on time, say hi to your teammates, warmly welcome new folks, and be ready to learn.

Next to safety, hygiene is one of our top priorities at Bear Trap AJJ. Maintaining proper hygiene is critical to keep training sessions productive, uninterrupted, and safe.Training Hygiene:Bring indoor sandals/slides to wear around the facility and the restrooms. Do NOT go barefoot off the mat - keep your slides near the edge of the mat for easy access. Though we have foot wash tubs to clean feet before stepping onto the mat, practicing this aspect of hygiene helps keep our foot tubs cleaner in the long run, and therefore the mats and your skin as well.Never wear shoes on the mat - only bare feet permitted, after using the foot wash tubs prior to stepping on the mat.Remove all jewelry and accessories. If it cannot be removed, securely cover it with athletic tape. Please do not wear makeup to class; it can smudge onto yours or training partner's gis and gear.Trim your fingernails and toenails. They must be kept short and not sharp (file in addition to trimming if you need to). Scratches can and do happen, and can easily get infected with staph or similar - which can, in severe cases, be life-threatening. Practice good dental hygiene, as you will be in close proximity to your training partners. Come to class with fresh breath, either having brushed your teeth or used mouthwash or mints.Make sure your body and hair are clean and washed before class. Do not shave or shower right before coming to class if you can help it, as this can open up pores for greater risk of skin infection. DO shower if you have worked out just before class, as cleanliness is the priority above all. ALWAYS shower after each class - letting sweat and mat germs sit on your skin and in your hair increases your chances for skin infections.We recommend using shampoos, soaps, and conditioners with tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, etc - these are anti-septic and anti-fungal. We do NOT recommend anti-bacterial soaps like Dial. While this seems counterintuitive, this can be detrimental to skin health - they have harsh chemicals that strip the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness. They also kill beneficial bacteria that protects the skin and makes it more vulnerable to infections. Do also keep your skin moisturized, as dry, cracked skin can also make you more vulnerable to skin infections.DO NOT COME TO PRACTICE WITH A SKIN INFECTION. If you are not sure whether you have one or not, err on the side of caution and ask the coach. Sanitize and bandage open cuts and wounds, and cover securely with athletic tape. Keep them clean, dry, and covered. Re-sanitize after training. DO NOT COME TO PRACTICE IF YOU HAVE A SKIN INFECTION OR INFECTED CUT OR WOUND. No food or gum on the mats - it's a choking and cleanliness hazard.Use the gym-provided body wipes after training, before you go home to shower. It's an easy additional layer of protection we offer at no charge to you, and it will take you just a minute of your time before you head out the door.Read point #1 again.Safety & First AidIf you get blood on the mats, alert the coach so it can be immediately sanitized.Help yourself to first aid kits in the facility, and notify the coach if you need assistance. We will keep ice packs on hand as well.Gear MaintenanceWash all your gear, after every practice. Belts, knee sleeves, all of it. If wearing wrestling headgear or shoes, sanitize these too. Use a product like Odoban mixed into a diluted water spray or Lysol wipes.If you show up to practice with your gear, clothing, or body dirty/smelly/unwashed - you will be asked to sit out of practice.Wash your gear on cold to prevent shrinkage with a laundry sanitizer (like Odoban or Lysol laundry sanitizer products), and hang dry to prevent gear from shrinking, reduce wear, and prolong lifespan.Stay home if...You are feeling sick.You have an infected or severely bleeding wound.

To create a productive, positive, and safe training environment, here are some sparring etiquette pointers you should know before training at Bear Trap AJJ: DO's of sparring: You can spar with anyone regardless of rank, just ask. Anyone has the right to refuse a roll. Respect your training partner's decisions to refuse rolls. If you and another partner are new to each other and have never rolled before, start measured and mindful. It's not an ego competition, it's just training - as you develop rapport with each other, you can gauge how hard you can roll with each other, and appropriately ramp up intensity. Respect your partner and the risk for injury. Go slow if you're new and don't forget to breathe! You're more likely to injure yourself and others if you train hard without further experience, and build poor habits. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Tap early and tap often! We're in it for the long haul; avoid unnecessary wear & tear on the body. No need to tap at the last second. This is why we emphasize control of the position before the submission - you'll know if you would have a submission locked in, and no one has a submission ripped on them needlessly in a frantic effort to finish the sub. Tap clearly and loudly. Tap your hand, stomp your foot, shout out TAP if you need to - this way your partner knows to release a submission, especially if the environment is loud or distracting and they may not be able to hear you. Watch your space and be mindful of others rolling. If the mat's crowded in your rolling area, stop and move to an area with more space to avoid bumps and collisions. DON'Ts of sparring: Feel pressured to roll with anyone that you don't want to roll with, or feel like you have to say yes to upper belts because of their rank. You don't have to explain yourself. You can also stop mid-roll if you need to. Slam, twist, muscle, or jerk out of positions with lack of control. Do not throw or take down your partners hard or without control. If you're in an unfamiliar position, do not panic - keep your defenses, breathe, relax, and try to work your way out. Tap if it is uncomfortable. It's okay if you don't know how to get out yet, we're all here to learn! Ask the coach for help after your roll, or during if your partner is okay with it. Strongarm smaller partners. If you're bigger or stronger, it's not a productive roll to use those attributes during a training session. Use those rolls with smaller teammates to work on technical skills.