Do You Have to Bow? A Look at BJJ Traditions and What We Do at G.I.R.L.S. Gym

If you’ve visited more than one Jiu Jitsu school, you’ve probably noticed that no two are exactly alike — especially when it comes to traditions. Some gyms follow a very formal set of rules, while others (like us!) take a more relaxed approach.
At G.I.R.L.S. Gym, we’re not big on tradition for tradition’s sake. Our focus is on community, training smart, and growing together. But if you’re new here (or visiting somewhere else), it can be helpful to know what kinds of customs are common in the BJJ world — and where we stand on them.

Here are a few you might run into:

• Bowing on and off the mat:
  Some schools expect students to bow every time they enter or leave the mat. It’s a sign of respect — not just to the instructors, but to the art itself — and for many people, it also serves as a mindset cue, a way to mentally shift into training mode and leave distractions behind.
  
  We don’t require this at our gym, but you’re always welcome to do it if it helps you get focused or feels meaningful to you.
  
  
• Lining up by rank before and after class:
  At many traditional schools, students line up in belt order. It’s a way to recognize experience and honor the structure of the class. We don’t do this — our classes tend to start with everyone just getting down to business.
  
  While we respect the belt system as a way to show skill and experience, we believe everyone on the mat is equal.  Whether you're brand new or years deep, we train side by side, and we all have something to learn from one another.
• Uniform and Gi color rules:
  Some gyms allow only white or blue Gis, or require school patches. At G.I.R.L.S. Gym, we’re not picky about Gi color. Show up in tie-dye? Cool. Just make sure it’s clean.
  
  
• Belt stripes and promotions:
  Stripes are common at many schools as a way to mark progress between belt levels. We use them for kids only — not for adults. For adults, we do something a little different: before earning a blue belt, students earn an orange and green belt here. These belts aren’t standard in traditional BJJ, but they help recognize and motivate students during that long stretch from white to blue.
  
  If you have an orange or green belt and are visiting another school or participating in a competition, we recommend wearing your white belt — it’s the universally recognized starting rank in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and helps avoid confusion.
• Slap and bump before rolling:
  This one’s nearly universal today. Most rolls start with a slap and a fist bump — it’s a quick, mutual show of respect before sparring. But fun fact: G.I.R.L.S. Gym opened before that tradition caught on. So around here, we’ve always just slapped hands to start a round — and we’ve kept it that way. Different motion, same message.
  
  That said, if you're competing or visiting another school, you should follow their lead —and that includes starting with a slap and fist bump.  Its a sign of good sportsmanship, and at most places, it's expected.
  
  
• Not asking higher belts to roll:
  In many traditional schools, it’s considered bad form for a lower belt to ask a higher belt to roll — the higher belt should do the asking. That’s not how we do it. Anyone can ask anyone. If someone’s not feeling up for a round, we trust them to say so.
  
  

So… Why Don’t We Follow All These Traditions?

Because we believe culture matters more than ceremony. At G.I.R.L.S. Gym, we care more about creating an inclusive, encouraging, and empowering environment than sticking to rigid traditions. That said, we do believe in respect — and part of that is understanding the customs at other schools when you visit. If you’re unsure, just ask. It goes a long way.

Our way might not be traditional — but it works for us. And more importantly, it creates a space where people feel welcome, seen, and excited to learn.