As a Japanese sport, all judo players adopt and respect Japanese traditions. One of these is the bow, or "rei". An appropriate bow should be used on entering and leaving the hall where judo is practiced (the "dojo"), when stepping onto or off the mat ("tatami"), and at the start and end of every training session, and before and after any contest. It is also considered polite to bow when being presented with an award or medal.

Other important rules that need to be obeyed to help you practice judo safely and get on with others on the mat include:

• Always asking permission from your instructor ("Sensei") to go on or off the mat or to be excused from any exercise.
• Do not get onto the mat unless you have been given permission by the instructor - line up at the edge of the mat and wait quietly.
• Footwear MUST be worn off the mat at all times - and when walking between the changing rooms and the mat you should be wearing either zoris (a type of Japanese "slipper") or similar footwear like flip-flips - much easier to get on and off than trainers - and safer to leave at the side of the mat should anyone accidentally fall on them!
• Footwear MUST NOT be worn on the mat. Don't forget to leave your footwear nearly at the side of the mat - line your zoris so that the heels are together and touching the edge of the mat.
• Finger and toe nails MUST be kept short and clean - you don't want to scratch your partner, and it is extremely uncomfortable to catch and pull back your nail on a judo jacket.
• Your judo suit ("judo gi") MUST be kept clean. Make sure it fits properly - ask your instructor to check that the jacket and trousers are the right length, particularly if you have gone through a growth spurt just before entering a competition.

If you follow these rules, you won't go far wrong, and you will find it much easier to get on with others on the mat. Remember an important part of judo is learning to respect other people both on and off the mat.

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