Internal Rules of the BJJ Swiss Academy Association
1. Use of the premises
Shoes are strictly forbidden inside the premises. They must be left in the changing room. Moving around off the mat is done in clean sandals. Impeccable personal hygiene is required. Showers are recommended before and after training.
The gi (or nogi outfit) must be clean and dry for every training session. Finger and toe nails must be cut short, out of respect for your partners and to avoid scratches and injuries.
2. Standard kit and equipment
For adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and nogi classes, wearing official BJJ Swiss Academy kit is recommended. Otherwise, students must wear equipment suited to the practice.
For nogi, students must wear a rashguard and shorts suited to grappling, meaning without pockets and designed for safe sporting use.
During sparring and open mat sessions, a rashguard and shorts, or a gi suited to grappling / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, are mandatory. Equipment must be pocket-free, of a suitable design and ideally match the visual identity of BJJ Swiss Academy.
3. Registration and the MAAT app
Registration for classes, open mats, trial classes and guests is mandatory through the MAAT app. No access to a class or to the mat will be allowed without a booking confirmed in the app beforehand.
If no member is registered in the MAAT app for a class within the six (6) hours before it starts, BJJ Swiss Academy reserves the right to close registration and not to run the class, without this giving rise to any compensation, refund or cancellation.
4. Mat etiquette
Students must bow when entering and leaving the mat, line up according to their rank, keep proper attire and follow the instructor’s directions. Stepping onto the mat always requires permission.
5. Image rights
Any photograph or video taken on BJJ Swiss Academy premises belongs to the academy and may be used for communication purposes.
6. Competitions
All costs relating to competitions, including travel, are borne by the student or the parent. As far as the availability of its volunteers allows, the academy endeavours to provide an instructor to accompany competitors at national events.
7. Permitted techniques
Techniques must be used in line with safety rules and with the limits of the student’s rank. Students are not allowed to practise or apply techniques forbidden at their level under IBJJF rules.
8. The instructor's role and punctuality
Instructors run the class, take attendance and ensure that the rules and discipline are respected. Access to the mat is granted only by the instructor or by the highest-ranked student. Students are expected to be punctual.
9. Parents' attendance
Parents accompany their child to the edge of the mat, then let the instructors run the session independently. They may remain in the area set aside for visitors. That said, it benefits children’s development and independence to attend classes on their own, without their parents present. Any question or specific request should be addressed to the instructors outside training time. For safety reasons, parents are not allowed onto the mat unless explicitly invited by the coaching team. Parents are encouraged to foster respect, discipline and sportsmanship in their children so as to support a positive environment.
10. Use of the strength-training area
Strength-training equipment must be used responsibly and in line with safety rules. Every item must be put away after use and used only for its intended purpose. No metal, cast-iron or sharp equipment may come into contact with the mat.
11. Self-service use of the premises
The academy is accessible in self-service between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., 7 days a week, outside classes and private bookings. Access is via the key issued by a manager. The robot vacuum must be put on charge on arrival and started on leaving. The facilities must be properly locked on the way out. The key must be returned to the dedicated holder without fail.
12. Upkeep of the premises
Instructors and volunteers are responsible for the upkeep and sanitising of the premises, equipment and mats, following the cleaning schedule posted in the changing room. Students may be asked to help with cleaning and maintenance on a voluntary basis.
13. Loan of gis
Loan gis are provided free of charge to the student for the duration of the class and must be returned at the end of training. They may only be lent during the trial period. New students should buy their own equipment from the shop as soon as possible. Loan gis are washed by a member of the academy after every use. Equipment cannot be rented.
14. Changes to the schedule and facilities
BJJ Swiss Academy reserves the right to change the class schedule according to the facilities available and its human resources. No right to cancel a membership may be claimed as long as at least one class per week is offered in the member’s age category.
The facilities may also be relocated within the geographical boundaries of the Gruyère district. Such changes do not give rise to any right to early cancellation of the membership, as long as at least one class per week is maintained in the member’s age category.
15. Approval of these rules
These internal rules have been approved by two members of the BJJ Swiss Academy committee.