Rules of the Pit

Rules of the Pit

If you enjoy going to concerts as much as I do, you will probably come across a moshpit at one point or another. A moshpit, found mostly at rock or metal concerts, is a place where fans can go crazy and have an overall good time. It is guaranteed that you will witness a bloody nose, or some minor cuts and scrapes. However some pits can become quite vicious. Fights can break out due to the actions of some patrons. However many fights or serious injuries can be avoided by following a few guidelines surrounding moshpits.

To avoid injuries and/or altercations, these are a few of the unsaid rules that apply to moshpits:

#1- Don't throw blatant elbows, punches, kicks etc.

I was at a show one time and we were going pretty hard in the pit, it was about the second song of the headlining band and the pit was pretty big. The pit began to clear unexpectedly and it became clear as to why. Some guy was straight up back kicking at random, trying to inflict damage to any random person that crossed the path of his foot. To make a long story short, I was lucky that my brother was there to pull me off of the guy before I either hurt him or worse got us kicked out early. Just don't be that guy.

#2- Don't force anyone into the pit.

Lets be honest, no one likes the guy who goes around the edge of a pit and either punches, grabs, kicks, slams, or shoves the bystanders who just want to get up close to the action. Plus there is no better way to get your ass kicked: shove the wrong guy who is just trying to have a nice time with his date. I've seen it happen countless times. If you want to be in the pit, just take your beating and be happy with it. The surrounding crowd can keep you at arms length, so don't try to close that gap.

#3- Help a guy out.

If someone decides that they want to exit the pit, let them. NEVER GRAB someone and pull them back into the pit. That is another way to have involuntary dental work done. If someone falls in the middle of a pit, help them up. Don't continue to mosh over them. Don't trample or step on someone who has fallen down, maybe they will do the same for you when you have your turn at the bottom of the pit.

#4- Don't try to force a pit.

There is nothing worse than being in the middle of a good show and having some dude slam into people who aren't expecting it. Dude, if it isn't already a pit, don't try to make it one. Pits will form on their own; don't try to force a good thing.

If you follow these few simple rules you will have a lot more fun and yes, you might even make some friends in a moshpit at a concert. Just follow proper Moshpit Etiquette, and you will have a good time.

Rock on.