1. Students must be on the mat before the scheduled class time.  
2. Show respect by bowing to the instructor upon entering and exiting the mat and to training partners before and after training.  
3. Permission from the instructor is required before leaving the mat during instruction.  
4. Lower-ranking students should wait for a black belt to invite them to spar.  
5. Wear a clean BTT Gi for Gi classes and a BTT rash guard for No-Gi classes.  
6. All Gis must have BTT patches for training, drilling, or competition.  
7. A t-shirt or rash guard must be worn during training and exercise.  
8. Use designated changing rooms for all clothing changes.  
9. Foul language is strictly prohibited inside the school.  
10. Remain silent and attentive when the instructor is demonstrating techniques.  
11. Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed and clean.  
12. Remove all jewelry, piercings, necklaces, and rings before training.  
13. Classes have priority on the mats. Mats and fitness equipment may only be used freely when no class is in session.  
14. No cell phones or electronic devices are allowed in the mat area without the instructor’s permission.  
15. Shoes, gum, food, and drinks are not permitted on the mats.  
16. When in public, remember that you represent Brazilian Top Team and its respected reputation worldwide—always conduct yourself with dignity and respect.  
17. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the journey!  

Every question is answered with Osu. Every greeting is Osu. Every instruction or question in class is answered by “Osu” instead of “yes” or “I understand”. When performing techniques in class, each technique is often accompanied by a loud “Osu”. When practicing in class and your opponent lands a good, hard technique, you say “Osu” to acknowledge your opponent’s skill. As a measure of respect, fighters at a tournament bow and say “Osu” to the front, to the referee, and to each other, before and after the fight.

Osu is a combination of the words: Oshi, which means “Push”, and Shinobu, which means “to Endure”. It means patience, determination, appreciation, respect, and perseverance.

BJJ training is very demanding. You push yourself until you think you’ve reached your limit. First your body wants to stop, but your mind keeps pushing you. Then your mind wants to stop, but your spirit keeps you going. You endure the pain. You persevere. That is Osu. BJJ is not learned overnight. It takes years to properly learn the fundamentals. The basic techniques are performed thousands of times (ren ma – “always polishing”) until they are done by reflex or instinct, without conscious thought (mushin – “no mind”). It’s easy to get frustrated by doing the same thing over and over again, especially when progress seems to be slow. To overcome that frustration and continue training takes patience and determination. That is Osu. This strength of character develops in hard training and is known as OSU no seishin (the spirit of Osu). The word Osu comes from oshi shinobu, which means, “to persevere whilst being pushed”. It implies a willingness to push oneself to the limits of endurance, to persevere under any kind of pressure.

The single word Osu captures most accurately the ultimate in what the art of Bjj, has to offer. One who is truly able to manifest the spirit of Osu in every word, thought, and action may be regarded as wise and brave. Training should first and foremost be approached in the spirit of Osu. One’s daily life, and the responsibilities it holds, would be more completely lived if addressed in the spirit of Osu.

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Even for the beginner, who is conscious of his lack of training and does not necessarily want to face the demand of training, it is enough merely being aware that through perseverance and the will to continue, there come great physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional gains. All that is needed is that special determination.”