Mosh pits may seem like total chaos, and for the most part they are! But mosh pits can also be lot of fun. Moshing is a good way to let loose, if you know how to behave. Behind the flailing flesh and dancing denizens of the pit is a set of guidelines which are in place to make sure everyone has a good time while throwing their bodies around. Hopefully, this guide will get you started on the right path so you can enjoy the most popular form of consensual violence.

It’s your choice to get in the pit

Don’t shove people into the pit. Putting a person in a mosh pit is signing them up for something without their consent, which is uncool. Once you’re in a pit it can be difficult to get out, so make sure everyone in the mosh pit wants to be there.

If someone doesn’t want to be there, they won’t go all out. This is less fun for everyone because they’ll get thrown around but won’t return what you’ve given them. Don’t feel like you have to put yourself in a mosh pit unless you want to match the kind of movement of the pit. Once you’re in, keep giving it everything you got and whatever happens, good or bad, know you’re there because you chose to be.

Help one another

Just because someone is in a mosh pit doesn’t mean they’re there to hurt each other.

Sometimes, someone drops their glasses or phone, or falls over themselves. When something like this happens, you need to help that person get up or get their items off of the ground. Nothing ruins a mosh pit like someone losing their sight or literally getting stomped on. If someone calls out after losing their phone/wallet/keys/glasses, help them look! The sooner they have their things the sooner you can get back to moshing. If someone falls, make some room! It’s hard to get back up with thrashing bodies all over you.

Mosh with everyone

Hitting people can be fine, but don’t start fights. Moshing is about connecting with others. If someone hits you don’t single them out. Everyone is equal in the pit, and equally deserving of bumps and hits! If someone pushes you, maybe change where you’re being pushed so you run into somebody else. If it goes right, that motion gets amplified and energizes the pit even more!

There are several kinds of mosh pits. You’ll find them at everything from EDM festivals to metal concerts. Some are so crowded that all you can do is pogo. Other pits (like circle pits) have more space for you to throw yourself into others, and vice versa, giving everyone more room to be reckless and let loose. The point is to embrace it, and be considerate of others. Remember, you want to get along after all that moshing!