Denmark Grappling Club: Culture & Code of Conduct

Our Culture

The Denmark Grappling Club is built on the principle of "building something for the community that outlives us." We're a grassroots, member-owned club where everyone—from complete beginners to experienced practitioners—trains together in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Code of Conduct

1. Come to Class Like You're Going on a First Date

Show up clean, fresh, and ready to train.

  • Shower before class and wash your training gear after every session
  • Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed short
  • Tie back long hair
  • Brush your teeth
  • Bring fresh, clean gear to every session

Why it matters: You'll be in close, intimate contact with your training partners. Showing up fresh and clean demonstrates respect and care for everyone on the mats.

2. We Honor Boundaries and Communication

Consent and communication make our training sustainable.

  • When your partner taps, release immediately—taps are always honored, no questions asked
  • Trust that your partners can tap for any reason: physical discomfort, needing a break, fatigue, or just sensing something's off
  • Welcome your partner's communication about their limits and capacities
  • Speak up when you need to pause, sit out, or adjust during drilling
  • Listen actively when your partner shares their needs

Why it matters: Everyone shows up with different capacities each day. Honoring boundaries keeps all of us training safely for the long term.

3. We Celebrate Each Person's Journey

Everyone brings their own goals and motivations to the mats.

  • Meet your training partners where they are—some train to compete, others for fitness, self-defense, or pure enjoyment
  • Adapt your intensity to support your partner's goals and current state
  • When training with someone wanting lighter work, sharpen your technical game
  • When you prefer lighter work and your partner wants intensity, suggest drilling or technique-focused rounds
  • Embrace variety in intensity as a path to becoming a more versatile grappler

Why it matters: We all grow together when we find ways to train that serve both people, regardless of different goals or experience levels.

4. We Prioritize Health for the Whole Community

Taking care of ourselves means taking care of each other.

  • Train when you're healthy—if you're experiencing fever, body aches, sore throat, or chest congestion, rest and recover at home
  • Keep the mats safe by covering small cuts securely with tape and bandages
  • Seek medical treatment promptly for any skin conditions, and return to training only when medically cleared
  • Ringworm requires minimum 72 hours of treatment before returning
  • Other infections need appropriate treatment and clearance
  • Ask openly and kindly if you notice something: "Hey, what's that mark?"—we protect each other through awareness
  • Give injuries the time they need to heal properly—this keeps you training for years to come

Why it matters: Close-contact training means we share responsibility for each other's health. Taking time to recover fully gets everyone back on the mats faster and stronger.

5. We Create Safety Through Respect and Inclusion

Denmark Grappling Club welcomes everyone.

We build our community on respect, inclusion, and mutual care. This means:

  • We treat every person with dignity regardless of gender, race, age, ability, sexual orientation, or background
  • We honor taps immediately and apply techniques with control appropriate to our partner's experience
  • We train clear-headed and present
  • We respect each person's right to choose their training partners—declining to roll with someone is a personal boundary that we honor without explanation

If something feels wrong or unsafe, speak with any committee member. We take all concerns seriously and handle them with confidentiality and care.

Why it matters: We're building something that will serve our community for generations. That foundation requires trust, safety, and respect from every member.

Club Etiquette

On the Mats:

  • Protect the mats by keeping shoes off—always wear footwear (thongs/sandals) everywhere else, including toilets
  • Begin and end rolls with a fist bump/slap and handshake—acknowledge your partner
  • When sitting out, stay aware and clear of rolling pairs

During Class:

  • If you arrive after class starts, join quietly and blend in without disrupting the instruction
  • Ask questions freely, and save longer conversations for after class
  • Focus on the technique being taught—help build the learning environment by staying on topic
  • Support the learning pace: if you've mastered the fundamentals being taught, use that time to help others refine their technique
  • More experienced students: share your knowledge generously when drilling
  • Newer students: embrace curiosity and ask for help whenever you need it

After Class:

  • Contribute to our shared space by helping pack away mats and equipment
  • Shower within 30-60 minutes after training to keep your skin healthy

Remember

We're here to train hard, learn together, and build a community that outlasts any individual member.

What we're creating here is special—a space where people can challenge themselves, grow, and connect with others who share this journey. This club is a privilege we're building together, and it deserves our respect and care. Honor yourself, honor your training partners, and honor what we're building together. When we treat this space with reverence, it becomes something that serves our community for generations to come.

OSS 🥋

By training at Denmark Grappling Club, you agree to uphold this Code of Conduct and contribute to our positive, inclusive community.

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