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Description
Many casual and outside observers will see a number of people reacting violently towards others and by themselves or moshing to loud, fast, or heavy (or a combination, thereof) music and believe that it is a free for all, that those in the practice of moshing do not care about others around them, and that this practice is not controlled. However, in a properly conducted moshpit, there are certain unspoken and unwritten (until now) laws that govern the behaviour of those wishing to enter the pit. When followed, these rules ensure the safety of everyone in the moshpit, and will let everyone feel a lot more relaxed and more welcome to let go more than they would do, if moshing was not controlled. There are only a few rules, but they are very important. Here is a list of rules that every member of a moshpit should follow:

#1 - Dress code

The moshpit dress code is a rather lenient one. Girls should keep a top on at all times, because there are many guys who would just love to cop a feel out there. Guys on the other hand may enter topless. Both sexes MUST wear jeans/shorts/trousers/etc, not only for their own safety, but so as to ensure the female members of the pit that the male members will not take advantage of them. You also look really weird when nakedly moshing, and you probably won't make any friends.

There should also be no chains or weapons of any kind, the pit may be violent, but the members should not be in it to seriously injure other members, and if you are, you shouldn't be in there in the first place. It would be a good idea to cover up or remove piercings, as if they get caught on something, you could be in a bit of trouble, a lot of pain, and even more blood.

Apart from these restrictions, moshers may wear whatever they choose.

#2 - Helping others

Because of the very nature of the activity of moshing, many people will find themselves falling down. Once someone has fallen down, it is the duty of those in the immediate vicinity to stop straight away and help them up, no matter what the circumstances. It is considered polite to help someone up if you know you have just knocked them over. This is the most important rule, and this must be adhered to, even if the others aren't.

If someone is badly hurt, is looking out of their depth or just simply wants to get out, it is the duty of those in the immediate vicintiy to help this person exit the pit safely and quickly.

It should be noted that once you are in a moshpit, all social barriers are dropped. Everyone is truly equal, and should be treated thusly. You are all brothers and sisters, united for your love of this particular song or band, and so you should look out for one another and help one another.

#3 - Aggressive behaviour

In the pit, there is a very fine line between acceptable behaviour and not acceptable behaviour. There should be absolutely no ganging up on people. It's everyone on their own, for themselves, until they hit the deck.

Acceptable injuries sustained would be things like - small cuts, bruises, dead legs/arms. Basically, anything that can heal within 48 hours is acceptable. Anything worse than that means that the pit is too violent. As said before, there is such a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not. Generally, if you go into a moshpit, you have to accept pretty much anything that you sustain, but you should be able to feel that you can mosh without fear of long term injury.

There should be no pursuing of vendettas outside the pit - what happens in the pit, stays in the pit. If someone smacks you in the face, smack them back! Don't wait until after the mosh to settle scores, it's not in the spirit, and if you feel that way after pitting, you should not be going into moshpits.

Here are some tips:

Don't go out of your depth. if you've never moshed before, don't go arms flailing into the middle. Start off by moshing to one or two songs at a time, build up your confidence and stamina at the edges of the pit. Only move to the middle of the pit or stronger pits when you are confident enough to stand up for yourself.

Never go for longer than you can handle. You run out of energy so quickly in a moshpit, so it makes sense to take regular breaks. If you don't particularly enjoy a certain song, get out of the pit and drink some water, or just catch your breath for a few. It is very easy to find yourself tired right in the middle of a pit with no way out.

Don't be too violent. you may be confident, but others might not. Try to pick out those at your level of stamina and confidence, and pit with them. Don't hit people too hard, especially in the face or the gut. Don't push people on the edges inwards; they may not be ready to mosh at that level yet.

Always have your wits about you. don't stop to pick your nose or scratch your arse! When the song breaks down, make sure you know when the heavy part is coming in again, and don't let it take you by surprise. Look for incoming attacks, and brace yourself as much as you can, moving to meet the oncoming offense if possible.

Of course, the main rule is just to go crazy and have a load of fun. You can make some great friends in a moshpit. Properly done, moshing is one of the most liberating and stress relieving activities you can do. I fully recommend anyone to try it all out at least a few times. It may seem daunting at first, but soon enough, you'll find yourself starting moshpits. I cannot think of anything more stress relieving, fun, and primal than moshing to heavy music. Play safe! (I feel so old saying that...)

Description
Many casual and outside observers will see a number of people reacting violently towards others and by themselves or moshing to loud, fast, or heavy (or a combination, thereof) music and believe that it is a free for all, that those in the practice of moshing do not care about others around them, and that this practice is not controlled. However, in a properly conducted moshpit, there are certain unspoken and unwritten (until now) laws that govern the behaviour of those wishing to enter the pit. When followed, these rules ensure the safety of everyone in the moshpit, and will let everyone feel a lot more relaxed and more welcome to let go more than they would do, if moshing was not controlled. There are only a few rules, but they are very important. Here is a list of rules that every member of a moshpit should follow:

#1 - Dress code

The moshpit dress code is a rather lenient one. Girls should keep a top on at all times, because there are many guys who would just love to cop a feel out there. Guys on the other hand may enter topless. Both sexes MUST wear jeans/shorts/trousers/etc, not only for their own safety, but so as to ensure the female members of the pit that the male members will not take advantage of them. You also look really weird when nakedly moshing, and you probably won't make any friends.

There should also be no chains or weapons of any kind, the pit may be violent, but the members should not be in it to seriously injure other members, and if you are, you shouldn't be in there in the first place. It would be a good idea to cover up or remove piercings, as if they get caught on something, you could be in a bit of trouble, a lot of pain, and even more blood.

Apart from these restrictions, moshers may wear whatever they choose.

#2 - Helping others

Because of the very nature of the activity of moshing, many people will find themselves falling down. Once someone has fallen down, it is the duty of those in the immediate vicinity to stop straight away and help them up, no matter what the circumstances. It is considered polite to help someone up if you know you have just knocked them over. This is the most important rule, and this must be adhered to, even if the others aren't.

If someone is badly hurt, is looking out of their depth or just simply wants to get out, it is the duty of those in the immediate vicintiy to help this person exit the pit safely and quickly.

It should be noted that once you are in a moshpit, all social barriers are dropped. Everyone is truly equal, and should be treated thusly. You are all brothers and sisters, united for your love of this particular song or band, and so you should look out for one another and help one another.

#3 - Aggressive behaviour

In the pit, there is a very fine line between acceptable behaviour and not acceptable behaviour. There should be absolutely no ganging up on people. It's everyone on their own, for themselves, until they hit the deck.

Acceptable injuries sustained would be things like - small cuts, bruises, dead legs/arms. Basically, anything that can heal within 48 hours is acceptable. Anything worse than that means that the pit is too violent. As said before, there is such a fine line between what is acceptable and what is not. Generally, if you go into a moshpit, you have to accept pretty much anything that you sustain, but you should be able to feel that you can mosh without fear of long term injury.

There should be no pursuing of vendettas outside the pit - what happens in the pit, stays in the pit. If someone smacks you in the face, smack them back! Don't wait until after the mosh to settle scores, it's not in the spirit, and if you feel that way after pitting, you should not be going into moshpits.

Here are some tips:

Don't go out of your depth. if you've never moshed before, don't go arms flailing into the middle. Start off by moshing to one or two songs at a time, build up your confidence and stamina at the edges of the pit. Only move to the middle of the pit or stronger pits when you are confident enough to stand up for yourself.

Never go for longer than you can handle. You run out of energy so quickly in a moshpit, so it makes sense to take regular breaks. If you don't particularly enjoy a certain song, get out of the pit and drink some water, or just catch your breath for a few. It is very easy to find yourself tired right in the middle of a pit with no way out.

Don't be too violent. you may be confident, but others might not. Try to pick out those at your level of stamina and confidence, and pit with them. Don't hit people too hard, especially in the face or the gut. Don't push people on the edges inwards; they may not be ready to mosh at that level yet.

Always have your wits about you. don't stop to pick your nose or scratch your arse! When the song breaks down, make sure you know when the heavy part is coming in again, and don't let it take you by surprise. Look for incoming attacks, and brace yourself as much as you can, moving to meet the oncoming offense if possible.

Of course, the main rule is just to go crazy and have a load of fun. You can make some great friends in a moshpit. Properly done, moshing is one of the most liberating and stress relieving activities you can do. I fully recommend anyone to try it all out at least a few times. It may seem daunting at first, but soon enough, you'll find yourself starting moshpits. I cannot think of anything more stress relieving, fun, and primal than moshing to heavy music. Play safe! (I feel so old saying that...)