Updated March 2026 | Sensei Sandy BJJ | Tannersville, NY

If you searched "sensei rules", you probably want something simple that actually keeps kids, teens, and adults safe.

At Sensei Sandy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Tannersville, NY, our Sensei Rules are built around 2 realities:

Contact sports can spread skin infections if hygiene is sloppy.
Training can cause injuries if people move fast, ignore taps, or act rude.

So our rules are direct, repeatable, and posted in the gym.

The fast answer: the 5 Sensei Rules

Avoid the fight. Walk away, create space, get to safety, get an adult.
If physically attacked, defend yourself. Protect your head, keep balance, get safe, get help.
If verbally attacked, use the 3 T Steps: Talk, Tell, Tackle (tie up) only if you cannot escape and are being hurt.
No punching or kicking. We use control positions and we negotiate.
Submissions are slow and gentle. Minimal force, no cranking, stop on tap.

Below is why each rule exists, with facts you can quote.

Why Sensei Rules start with "avoid the fight"

Most families do not want their kid trained to "win fights." They want their kid trained to get safe.

That is also how schools think about safety.

In New York, the Dignity for All Students Act was signed September 13, 2010, took effect July 1, 2012, and amendments were effective July 1, 2013.^[1]

Avoiding the fight is the highest skill because it prevents the worst outcomes, and it keeps kids inside school expectations.

Sensei Rules for bullying and verbal conflict

Bullying has a real definition, not just a vibe.

StopBullying.gov says bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior involving a real or perceived power imbalance.^[2] The CDC definition includes these core points and adds repetition or likely repetition.^[3]

Bullying is not rare. NCES reports that in 2021 to 2022, about 19% of students ages 12 to 18 reported being bullied during school.^[4]

That is why our Sensei Rules include a simple script and a clear escalation path, not trash talk and not "tough it out."

The 3 T Steps we teach

Talk: calm voice, "I do not like that. Stop."
Tell: strong voice, "STOP. BACK UP."
Tackle (tie up): only if you are being hurt and cannot escape. Control, then get away and get help.

Why Sensei Rules say "no punching or kicking"

Striking escalates fast and creates chaos. Our program chooses control positions because they are easier to stop, easier to supervise, and easier to teach with safety boundaries.

This also matches injury research comparisons that frequently show lower injury rates in jiu jitsu than in other combat sports contexts.^[5]

That does not mean jiu jitsu is risk free. It means we can design training to reduce risk even more.

Why Sensei Rules make submissions slow and gentle

This is the heart of safe training: go slow enough that your partner can tap, and you can stop.

A 2025 epidemiology study reported injury incidence of 5.5 per 1000 hours of training and 55.9 per 1000 matches in competition for BJJ practitioners.^[6]

A 2021 paper found that 2 out of 3 athletes reported at least 1 injury within a 3 year period that caused a 2 week absence from training.^[7]

Stop on tap. Every time.

Sensei Rules for respect and behavior

Listen to coach the first time.
Be kind and respectful to everyone, including family.
Line up at the start and end of class.
Shake hands at the end of class.
Raise your hand for questions.
Use control, do not hurt your partner.
Tap early, stop immediately when partner taps.
If someone says "Stop" or coach says "Time," stop right away.
No teasing, trash talk, or bullying in the club.

When adults respond fast and consistently, bullying drops.^[8]

Sensei Rules for cleanliness and infection prevention

Clean mats and clean uniforms are not optional. They are part of safety.

1) Wash and dry your gear after class

CDC guidance for athletes says to wash your uniform, towels, and clothing after each use.^[9]

2) No shoes on the mat

Shoes track germs onto training surfaces. Some germs can survive on surfaces for hours, days, or even weeks.^[10]

3) Keep the gym and shared gear clean

CDC guidance for athletic facilities says to clean shared equipment after each use and allow it to dry before use.^[11]

4) Report skin issues early

The CDC notes common infections transmitted among wrestlers include ringworm, herpes gladiatorum, and bacterial infections including MRSA.^[12]

That is why we use this rule: "If I am hurt, dizzy, sick, or feeling unsafe, I tell the coach."

The point of Sensei Rules

Sensei Rules are not about being strict. They are about building a room where people can train hard without getting hurt, getting sick, or getting bullied.

If you want a simple standard to take home, start here:

Avoid the fight. Use control if you must. Stop on tap. Stay clean. Be kind.

References

What People Say

Calm coaching. Beginner-friendly. Real families. Real training.

Jessie Moriarty

"Class at Sensei Sandy BJJ has become such a large part of my family's routine."

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"A calm and structured environment. My kids look forward to every class."

Sandra Martin

"Calm, welcoming, and beginner-friendly. Clear instruction and supportive atmosphere."

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5 Core Rules for Safe, Clean Jiu Jitsu Class