BJJ Convert Develops Stand Up Game and Earns Promotion
From Left to Right - Sensei Chey, Johan, Sensei Rodriguez
BJJ practitioners looking to develop their takedowns are a regular sight at the Des Moines Judo Academy. Most pass through, polishing a throw or two for competition before returning to their primary art, never making it past white belt. June 5th, 2025, Johan split from the pack for that trend by testing for, and being promoted to, “rokkyu” or “yellow belt.”
Johan first joined our dojo in November of 2024, and was more than a little scared of doing “randori,” a form of sparring, upright. Since then, Johan has developed his “ukemi,” the skill of falling or being thrown with minimal or no injury, enough to overcome his hesitation and can be seen regularly taking on other students at the dojo on thursday nights. His favorite stand up moves thus far are O-Goshi and Sumi-Gaeshi. Johan continues to train on BJJ at the No Coast school twice a week. When talking about the changes Judo has made in his overall grappling game, Johan explained that it caused him to appreciate gi fighting over no-gi, due to the increased technicality.
We look forward to more exciting developments from this man just beginning to make major headway in the Gentle Way, and anticipate watching his grappling style evolve as he becomes even more comfortable upright.
Judo Dojo Etiquette: Respect, Hygiene, Sparring, and Training Principles
Welcome to the world of Judo, where sweat meets soul and discipline checks your ego at the door. Whether you’re rocking a white belt or have stripes that could intimidate a zebra, one thing’s for sure—dojo etiquette isn’t optional. It’s essential. It’s not just about mastering the art; it’s about respecting the space, the people, and the philosophy that got us here in the first place.
Let’s break it down—how to carry yourself like a Judoka and not a clueless tornado in a gi.
Bowing: More Than a Nod, It’s the Entry Fee
Bowing isn’t just a tradition. It’s your cover charge for entering a space of mutual respect. It tells the room: "I’m here to learn, not to throw people like a maniac without context."
You bow to your partner, to the space, to your coach. It's not submission; it's alignment. You're syncing your mindset with the art. That said, don’t overdo it. No need to bow mid-throw like you’re reenacting a Shakespearean tragedy.
Quick hits:
Bow in at the start and end of class.
Bow before randori.
Don’t bow mid-fight like an NPC stuck in a loop.
Eyes forward, not at the mat—respect doesn’t mean weakness.
Hygiene: Because Nobody Wants to Catch the Funk
Don’t be the smelly kid!
Wearing a clean gi isn’t just about smelling good. It’s about not being the reason someone wishes they had nose plugs taped inside their headgear.
Wash your gi. Trim your nails. Shower. No one wants to roll with human Velcro covered in funk. If you're not clean, you're disrespecting your partners. And the mat gods will judge you.
Pro tips:
Toenails and fingernails = mini razor blades if ignored.
Deodorant is not your enemy.
If your gi stands up by itself, burn it.
Bonus Tip: No Shoes on the Mats
This one should go without saying—but just in case it doesn’t: shoes don’t belong on the mats. Ever. The mats are sacred ground where we train, fall, and sometimes accidentally eat floor. Dragging in dirt, germs, or dog poop residue from the parking lot is a fast track to ruining everyone’s day. If your footwear touches the street, it doesn’t touch the tatami. Flip-flops at the edge are fine. Street shoes? Absolute no-go.
Sparring Etiquette: How Not to Be "That Guy"
Here’s where a lot of new Judoka (and some veterans) mess it up. Sparring is not your audition for an action movie. You're not there to win. You're there to learn.
Match Energy
If your partner’s chill, you’re chill. If they ramp it up, match them (responsibly). It’s not a flex contest. It’s cooperative combat.
Don’t Try to Win Practice
If you’re training to be the dojo alpha, you're missing the point. Nobody gives medals for demolishing training partners. You’re either improving, helping others improve, or being a danger. Choose wisely.
Communication is King
Want to go hard? Ask. Want to keep it technical? Say so. You’re not a mind-reader and neither are they.
Avoid Injuries (Seriously)
If you hurt someone, you didn’t win—you failed. We only get one body. Protect yours and theirs.
Story Time: "Pal" and the Armbar Incident
Let’s talk about Pal. After class, we're sparring. I’m working grips and ground control—nothing nuts. Pal wasn’t vibing. He lets out a roar and goes full berserker, cranking a wild armbar like it’s Mortal Kombat. I was tapping, repositioning, doing the whole polite exit dance—and he still rips it.
Coach stops the session. The room freezes. I smile, take a deep breath, and say, “I think I’m done for the day.”
Later, Coach pulled Pal aside. Respectfully handled. Pal faded from the mat over the next few weeks. Not because of punishment—because people didn’t want to roll with a loaded cannon. No hate, just natural consequences.
Moral of the story: Don’t be the reason people flinch when your name gets called for randori.
Real Talk: Wins, Losses, and the Woo-Woo
Here’s the deal. Everyone wants to win. That’s baked into our DNA. But there’s winning... and then there’s winning at the cost of trust. The line between pushing yourself and becoming a problem is thin, and once crossed, it’s hard to uncross.
Progress isn’t always a highlight reel. Sometimes your win is getting tossed less. Or sensing balance better. Or backing off before you go full gremlin. That’s still growth.
Judo gems:
Ju = gentle. Not weak—smart.
Kuzushi = unbalancing. That includes ego.
Aiki = blending. Not overpowering.
Train with flow. Win with humility. Lose with curiosity. That’s the woo-woo. That’s the art.
Wrap It Up: It’s About People, Not Points
The dojo is sacred—not because of the walls, but because of the people in it. If you're not making it safer, better, and more respectful, then what are you even doing?
Respect your partners.
Clean your damn gi.
Don’t try to be the dojo warlord.
Train smart. Communicate. Be cool.
At the end of the day, nobody remembers the throw. They remember how you made them feel.
Now go be the Judoka people actually want to train with.
Your Turn:
Let’s hear from you. How do you keep the good vibes rolling and the mat monsters respectful? Got a golden rule for training etiquette? A sneaky trick to build trust with your randori crew? Or a story where someone (maybe you) totally fumbled the dojo code? Share your thoughts below—let’s turn this blog into a black belt-level conversation. Steel sharpens steel, after all.