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Spinning around in the pit the young man, drenched in sweat, is knocked to the ground. Before he has time to realize he's been knocked down three people yank him to his feet. "You goin' back in," one of them asks him and all he can muster is a weak, "No," before pushing his way to the back. In every part of culture, even small circles, there are rules. The first and most important rule of moshing is if you see anyone in trouble or if someone falls you get them to the side where the pit isn't so bad.

Mosh pits also build up heat due to the amount of people moving around, and in some clubs, like when 328 Performance Hall was still standing in Nashville, Tennessee, getting too hot could be dangerous. Most people drink before or even during a show. Moshing around with alcohol in you system will dehydrate the hell out of you, so you always want to be drinking water along with whatever else you're drinking. It's better to be going to the restroom a few extra times than being passed out in a pit.
The origins of the mosh pit come from the early hardcore punk scene, and a band named Bad Brains as the ones who coined the term. It progressed from pogoing and circle pits to the modern pushing and shoving. You might see a circle pit now and then, but not that often. Pits are often full of energy and the rush and release of any pent up frustration makes a person feel good afterward. You're not going in to hurt or get hurt, but there are some who go against the moshers code. Some bands don't even want you to mosh. If you do though.. mosh responsibly.

Learn more about this author, Zachariah Langley.
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