USJA Etiquette

 
The following is taken from the USJA Senior Rank System Handbook:

"Receiving an award--

It has been observed that most students are unfamiliar with the protocol for receiving an award like a trophy, medal, or certificate. The procedure described herein is the most widely accepted one. Face the person who is presenting you with the award, at attention, at about six feet in front of him/her. Do a standing bow. Step forward (left foot and then right) and receive the award with your left hand then shake hands with the presenter with your right. Step back (right foot and then left) and bow. 

Gift Giving--

It is customary to give gifts on certain occasions in the context of your martial arts training. If you are training for an extended period (more than a few workouts) at another dojo, it is customary to give the instructor, and any special individuals a small gift each at the time of departure. 

It is also customary to give a gift to your instructor at the end of each year. If the gift is to be from the entire class, then it is the responsibility of the senior students to notify all concerned parties for their participation and to make whatever arrangements necessary.

The monetary value of the gift is not as important as your recognition of the custom of formally thanking the people with a token of your appreciation for the time and energy they have devoted to you. 

Visiting Another Dojo--

Before visiting another dojo, you should get the permission of your regular instructor. The same would be true if you were changing dojos permanently. 

Arrive at the visiting dojo before the start of class. Do not come in late. Introduce yourself to the instructor or have a student introduce you to him/her. On occasion, you need a letter of introduction from your regular instructor. Once you are introduced, obtain the permission of the head instructor to work out with the class. 

At the end of the class, thank the instructor(s) again for their hospitality. Help put away any training equipment such as the mats. 

If a visitor comes to your dojo, introduce yourself and make him/her feel welcome. Off to introduce the guest to the instructor. 

Attitude Toward Instructors--

The attitude of the student toward Judo and the Judo instructor is very important. It should be one of respect for the hard work the instructor has gone through to gain and possess the knowledge of the art. The student who may know more than some instructors still gains by being a part of an organized class because it takes a person outside himself to see his technical faults and suggest ways to overcome them. 

Thus, respect for the position of the instructor, no matter what his rank or knowledge of Judo, is the key to a good instructor-student relationship. The alert student should try to keep an open mind, listen to everything the instructor has to say,  and try his/her best to follow instructions exactly. Hard work is needed and the hard work only takes place whenn the student is determined to master the techniques and skills of Judo. " 

OSS!

OSS (actually OSU!) is a phonetic expression, formed out of two characters. The first character OSU means literally push or control and determines the pronunciation of the whole term. The second character SHINOBU has the literal meaning of bear, endure, suffer. 
 

The expression OSS was created in the Japanese Naval School and is universally used for everyday expressions such as please, thank you, I understand, sorry, greeting someone, etc., as well as inside the world of Japanese martial arts nearly any time a response is required.
 

OSS must not be said loosely, OSS should be spoken by using the hara (tanden), in the lower abdomen. Spoken while performing a bow with the upper third of the body, the word OSS expresses respect, sympathy and confidence in the partner. OSS also tells the sensei that the instructions were understood and that the student will do his/her best to follow them.

In the following situations OSS should be used:

A- When bowing at the start and finish of the class.

B- Upon receiving any advice or command from the Instructor, the student must reply by answering OSS .

C- Before and after Randori or Kata.

D- Upon receiving OSS from Instructors.

Dojo and personal hygiene

The dojo is a serious place of study. We train in combative arts that hold roots in the battlefields of our ancestors. In modern times, it is good to have fun and enjoy our training atmosphere. However, we owe it to our lineage to treat the arts and all things connected to them with a great deal of respect. 

In the dojo, we find ourselves in close contact with our training partners and the mats. We must be considerate of our training partners and the dojo.  

Personal hygiene is a must in the dojo.

–Your uniform should always be clean and in good repair.
–Do not practice shirtless.
–Fingernails and toenails should always be trimmed short
–All sharp jewelry should be removed prior to practice
–Long hair should be tied back out of the way (braids or pigtails preferably)
–Deodorant should be used prior to practice, but strong cologne should not.
–If you have malodorous breath, use some type of breath freshener prior to practice
–Bandage all cuts and scrapes prior to practice (do not wait for it to get broken open while on the mat)
–Tape up any exposed Velcro on your gloves and/or shorts to prevent scratching of your partner which could lead to infections.
–Bring a sweat towel with you and use it rather than your uniform or constantly dripping sweat onto your partner and the mats
–Do not wear heavy makeup as it can stain the uniforms worn by you and your partner


ALL members are responsible for Dojo hygiene–


–Pick up after yourself. Throw you trash in the trash cans.
–If you see trash that is not yours, pick it up and throw it away anyway.
--Return all borrowed equipment to the proper place when finished.
–If there are any blood spills, use the disinfectant to clean it up immediately. (if it’s your blood and you are capable of cleaning it, please do so)
– The locker area is not for overnight use. Take your uniforms and other garments with you when you leave the dojo.
–Don’t hesitate to grab the dust broom and sweep the mats between classes.

Overall, just use good common sense, respect your dojo, and be courteous to your training partners.  Having a clean and accurate training area and clean partners will make a much more positive learning experience.

See you at the dojo,

Sensei Larry Keith