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A guide to our community, standards, safety, and membership.
Welcome• Getting Started • History • Standards • Safety • Community
About This Handbook
This handbook is provided to introduce members to Coalition Combat Sports, our community, standards, policies, and expectations. It is intended as an informational resource and does not replace or modify any signed agreement.
Prior to participation, each member signs a Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement and any applicable membership documents. Those signed agreements remain the governing legal documents. If any inconsistency exists between this handbook and a signed agreement, the signed agreement shall control. A copy of your signed agreement is available upon request.
Welcome to Coalition
We're glad you're here.
By walking through our doors, you've already done something most people never will. You've chosen to step outside your comfort zone, learn something new, and invest in yourself. That first step takes courage, and we're honored you've chosen to take it with us.
Coalition is more than a place to train. It is a community built on the belief that our greatest strength comes through the combined leadership of ourselves and one another. Every member contributes to the culture, regardless of experience.
Our motto, Strength in Unity, carries two meanings. First, it means unity within yourself. As your thoughts, words, and actions become aligned; you develop discipline, confidence, and integrity. Martial arts becomes more than learning techniques. It becomes a lifelong practice of personal growth.
Second, it means unity within the group. We don't simply train together. We help one another improve, support one another through challenges, and share responsibility for maintaining a respectful, welcoming, and safety-conscious training environment.
Like anything worthwhile, martial arts rewards consistency. Growth isn't measured by a single class, but by the decision to keep showing up. Over time, you'll build not only skill, but confidence, resilience, and friendships that extend beyond the mat.
Our coaches and long-time members are here to guide, support, and challenge you. We provide the structure, the opportunity, and the community.
The path forward is yours to walk.
Welcome to Coalition.
Keo Lyons
Founder
Getting Started
A few simple habits will help you get the most from your training and become a great training partner.
Before Class
• Aim to arrive 10 minutes early.
• Sign in at the front desk.
• Wear clean training attire.
• Remove jewelry and empty your pockets.
• Trim fingernails and toenails regularly.
• Bring water and anything you'll need for class.
During Class
• Listen carefully during instruction.
• Ask questions when you're unsure.
• Apply techniques with control.
• Tap early and respect your training partners.
• Focus on learning rather than winning.
After Class
• Clean any shared equipment you used.
• Wash your training gear after every session.
• Shower as soon as possible.
• Continue practicing what you learned.
Your Journey
Everyone starts as a beginner. Progress comes from consistency, not perfection. Attend class regularly, ask questions, and trust the process. Over time, you'll develop not only technical skill, but confidence, resilience, and lasting friendships.
Coalition Standards
Coalition operates as a collective effort. Every member shapes the culture. These standards exist to protect safety, preserve respect, and strengthen the team.
Protect Yourself. Protect Your Training Partners.
Train within your abilities, apply techniques with control, communicate injuries, and prioritize the well-being of your training partners.
Be a Leader.
Leadership is not determined by rank or experience. Lead yourself through discipline and accountability and lead others by setting a positive example.
Be Present.
Aim to arrive on time and prepared to train. When instruction begins, conversations stop. Give your full attention to your coaches and training partners.
Show Respect.
Treat coaches, teammates, opponents, and the academy with respect. Demonstrate professionalism through your words and actions.
Strengthen the Team.
Every interaction contributes to the culture. Support one another, represent the academy well, and leave the gym better than you found it.
Understanding the Risks
Combat sports involve inherent risks. Coalition uses instruction, supervision, training standards, and other safety practices designed to help reduce risk; however, injuries can still occur.
Membership Agreement
Important Provisions of Your Signed Agreement
Prior to participating at Coalition Combat Sports, every member signs a Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement. The following sections highlight some of the most important provisions of that agreement to help familiarize you with your rights, responsibilities, and the risks associated with training.
A copy of your signed agreement is available upon request. The complete signed agreement remains the governing legal document.
Inherent Risks of Training
Martial arts and combat sports involve inherent risks. Training may include grappling, takedowns, submissions, strikes, and other activities that can result in serious injury, permanent disability, or death. Although Coalition Combat Sports provides instruction, supervision, and safety standards to help reduce these risks, no training environment can eliminate them entirely. By participating, you acknowledge and voluntarily accept these inherent risks.
Your Responsibility
Every member shares responsibility for maintaining a safe training environment.
• Train within your abilities.
• Apply techniques with control.
• Immediately report injuries or unsafe conditions.
• Inspect equipment and training areas before use.
• Refuse to participate if you believe conditions are unsafe.
Medical Fitness & Health
Participants are responsible for determining that they are physically and medically able to participate. Inform Coalition of relevant medical conditions, injuries, or limitations and update that information if your condition changes. Consult a healthcare professional when appropriate regarding your ability to participate.
Do not train while sick or with a potentially contagious condition. Your signed agreement also authorizes emergency medical care when necessary and provides that participants are responsible for resulting medical expenses.
Photo & Video Release
Coalition Combat Sports may photograph or record classes, seminars, and events for instructional, promotional, or educational purposes.
Membership Terms
Monthly Billing
Memberships are billed monthly on a recurring basis. Payments are processed before each training cycle and are non-refundable once processed. Payments are processed through a third-party payment processor. A 4% processing fee is added to each transaction by the payment processor.
Cancellations & Pauses
Memberships may be canceled or paused at any time by providing written notice via text message or email. A minimum of 7 days' notice before your billing date is required to prevent the next scheduled charge.
Fixed-Term Memberships
Coalition offers month-to-month, 3, 6, and 12-month memberships. Fixed-term memberships are a commitment for the selected term. Early cancellation is subject to a $99 cancellation fee.
Membership Pauses
• 6-month memberships: Up to 60 days
• 12-month memberships: Up to 90 days
Academy Policies
Coalition may modify class schedules, programs, instructors, and facility operations as reasonably necessary. Members are expected to uphold the Coalition Standards. Membership privileges may be suspended or terminated for unsafe, disruptive, or inconsistent with the standards of the academy.
Our Commitment
Coalition Combat Sports is committed to promoting responsible training practices and maintaining a professional and respectful training environment. Every member contributes by training responsibly, protecting their training partners, and upholding Coalition Standards.
Cleanliness Standards
Cleanliness is a shared responsibility. It protects your health, your training partners, and the integrity of our training environment.
Illness
Do not train if you are sick. When in doubt, stay home.
Personal Hygiene
Arrive clean. Trim fingernails and toenails. Brush your teeth and wear deodorant.
Mat Rules
The mat area is shoe-free unless using designated mat shoes.
Clean Gear
Wear freshly washed training gear for every class.
Post-Training Hygiene
Shower as soon as possible after training and wash your gear after every session.
Equipment Care
Clean any shared equipment after use and return it to its proper place.
Recognizing Common Skin Infections
The information below is provided for general awareness and is not medical advice or a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified healthcare professional. Skin conditions can have similar appearances. If you are unsure, do not train and seek appropriate medical evaluation.
Combat sports involve close physical contact, making skin infections a risk for every academy. Recognizing the early signs and staying off the mat when contagious helps protect your teammates and keeps our community healthy.
Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)
• Circular or ring-shaped rash
• Red, scaly, often itchy
• Highly contagious through skin contact and shared gear
• Do not train. Follow appropriate medical guidance before returning to training.
Impetigo
• Honey-colored crusts or blisters
• Common around the face and extremities
• Highly contagious bacterial infection
• Do not train. Follow appropriate medical guidance before returning to training.
Staph Infection (Including MRSA)
• Painful red bump that may resemble a pimple or spider bite
• Can become swollen, warm, and drain pus
• Seek medical evaluation promptly
• Do not train. Follow appropriate medical guidance before returning to training.
Herpes Gladiatorum
• Clusters of painful blisters
• May be accompanied by fever or swollen lymph nodes
• Spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact
• Do not train. Follow appropriate medical guidance before returning to training.
Folliculitis
• Small red bumps around hair follicles
• May resemble acne or razor burn
• Usually less serious but can become infected
When in Doubt
If you notice a suspicious rash, lesion, or other possible skin infection, notify management before training and seek appropriate medical evaluation. Do not rely on self-diagnosis. Strength in Unity means taking responsibility for one another's health and safety.
