House rules
Rope Jam Rules
These rules apply on top of the House Rules for all rope jams and rope-first events.
Focus of the event
- Rope jams are rope-first social events.
- Floor work, partial suspension, and full suspension all belong here.
- Other play is welcome when it stays rope-centred or grows from rope.
- We aim for a mix of learning, practice, and play.
Using the space
- The lab area is for talking, demos, coaching, and working things out aloud.
- The play area is reserved for more focused scenes once you are ready to go deeper.
- Keep the stairwell and walkways clear so people can move safely between rooms.
- Match the energy of the room you are in. Louder scenes belong in the play area, louder chat in the lab area. See Volume and matching the room.
Consent and negotiation
- All (house consent rules)[/house-rules] apply.
- Before you tie with someone, talk about:
- Health issues, injuries, surgeries, and areas to avoid
- Medication, fainting history, and nerve issues
- How intense the scene can be, physically, emotionally, and sexually
- Limits on exposure, pain, sexual touch, and marks
- What kinds of positions are fine and which are not
- Safewords or signals, including non-verbal signals
- What will happen if someone feels unwell or wants to stop
- If you are new to rope, say so clearly.
- Do not present yourself as more skilled than you are, as a rigger or as a rope bottom.
Safety and skills
- Bring and use safety shears or another cutting tool made for rope.
- All rope play is at your own risk. Assess any rope, hardware, and anchors before loading them.
- Do not suspend a partner without:
- A sharp cutting tool to hand
- A clear, realistic plan to get them down fast
- Ties that restrict breathing should be approached with care and clear, informed consent from your partner.
- Neck rope is generally not allowed. For us this means rope around the neck that is attached to something.
- Hosts may allow specific neck rope ties if you ask in advance.
- Avoid putting full body weight on a single wrist or ankle unless you both understand the risks and still consent.
- Think about the path of your ropes, the load on joints, and the risk to nerves. Both rigger and model are responsible for safety.
- Watch your rope tails and body movement so you do not hit or trip people around you.
- If you feel out of your depth, change the scene, lower the intensity, or come back to the floor.
- If you have a CNC (consensual non-consent) dynamic, talk to a host first or you risk being interrupted.
Using hardpoints and house gear
- Only use fixed hardpoints, frames and furniture that the hosts have marked for rope.
- Ask a host before your first suspension, especially if you are new to the space.
- Do not climb or swing on beams or frames. They are for rope, not for acrobatics.
- No multi-person suspensions or droplifts without explicit prior permission.
- Use your own straps, carabiners, and hardware if possible. If you borrow house gear:
- Check weight ratings and wear
- Use it within its limits
- Return it to the right place afterwards
- Maison Tsuri Neko and its hosts do not accept responsibility for equipment failure, misuse, or resulting injuries.
Photos and privacy at rope jams
- Photos are allowed only when:
- Everyone in the frame gives a clear yes
- Anyone in the background, even a toe, also agrees
- Do not rely on “I will blur you later”. If in doubt, do not take the photo.
- Ask a host before using tripods, lights, or other photo gear. Flash is not allowed.
- For sharing:
- Keeping photos in a private gallery is fine with consent
- Posting anywhere online needs fresh, explicit consent from everyone in the image
- Ask again if time has passed or the context has changed
Follow any extra photo rules or systems for that specific jam.
Rope-centred play guidelines
- Rope jams are for learning, practice, and rope-centred play.
- Sex, impact, and other play can happen, but rope stays the main focus of the room.
- If your scene is very sexual, very intense, or needs more space or privacy, ask a host and move if possible.
- Avoid long, very loud screaming or heavy public humiliation scenes. These can unsettle others even when consensual.
- Any host may call an energy check: pause, look around the room, adjust.
- If a scene upsets you or brings up strong feelings, you can leave the room, use the quiet space, or ask a host for support.
Substances and intoxication
- Rope and altered states do not mix.
- Rope jams are sober events.
- Maison Tsuri Neko has a zero-tolerance policy for intoxication at rope jams.
- If you arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you may be asked to leave.
- It is not safe for someone who is intoxicated to tie or be tied.
Cleanliness and gear
- Coil and store house rope where you found it.
- Do not take venue gear away with you.
- Brush tatami and mats after your scene.
- Wipe sweat, lube, and wax off surfaces.
- If you borrow shared toys or tools:
- Clean them after use with the products provided
- Return them to the shared area
Staying over and winding down
- If the event allows overnight stays, the staying-over rules apply.
- White lights and a music change mean the jam is winding down. Bring scenes to a close and drop the volume.
- Keep late night noise low so sleepers can rest.
- After your last scene, check in with your partner. Make sure they are warm, grounded, and supported.
Problems, risky rope and support
- If you see risky rope, unsafe anchors, or someone in visible distress, talk to a host at once.
- If a host or monitor stops or changes your scene, follow their instructions. You can discuss details and safer options afterwards.
- The team can warn, pause, restrict suspensions, or, if needed, suspend or ban people who tie in ways we find unsafe.
- If an injury or near miss happens, please tell a host what happened. We track incidents so we can improve teaching and safety.
- You can also reach a host after the event via message, email, or our anonymous form.
Related pages
- House Rules - baseline rules for all events
- Private Rope Lessons in Leuven - deeper coaching on fundamentals and flow
- Rope & Safety Kit for Sale in Leuven - pick up practice-ready lines and cutters