How to Mosh in a Mosh Pit
Are you going to a concert this weekend? Have you seen the pits and have always been curious, but are concerned that you may come out with a broken face? With a little know-how and a lot of courage, you can make your way through a mosh pit and who knows? You might jump right back in.
Steps

   1. Know what you're getting into. Be objective and recognize that you may get hurt, and you're definitely going to get covered in the sweat (and maybe even the saliva or blood) of complete strangers. While the objective of a mosh pit is to make physical contact without getting hurt, there is a good degree of unpredictability and risk. If you're considering making your debut in a mosh pit, be aware of the potential consequences and make sure that they're worth the thrill.
   2. Wear the right gear. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting stained or even ruined. Your outfit should also be comfortable and light, since it will get hot in the pit. Steel toe shoes are a good idea so that your toes don't get crushed, as you can count on them getting stepped on. Make sure your shoes fit tightly and lace them well, because if it falls off, you'll have an impossible time getting it back and your unprotected foot will suffer in the meantime.
   3. Brace yourself. Whether in the mosh pit or out, you need to keep your hands and more specifically your arms prepared. Don't look like you're ready to strike someone (you'll freak people out and probably get yourself beat up), but certainly don't put yourself in a position where your hands are going to be stuck to your sides and you accidentally get your face knocked by someone's skull flying at you, but you weren't ready for it.
   4. Watch and observe from the side. How brutal are the individuals bouncing around this freak show? Are people just having fun, or are they going for blood? Know the difference between those who are slam dancing and the idiot high school football player who's running around smashing people in the face with his knuckles. If the latter is present, wait until he's worn out, or think twice about going in at all.
   5. Participate on the side line by pushing people back in the pit and embracing mosh pit kids from falling to their deaths as they circulate the rim. There are going to be people flying back and forth, side to side, up and down and all over the place. When you're ready to deal with this, it's time to enter.
   6. Go in backwards. The back of your head is pretty hard, so it might get a bruise but you'll be all right. You're not going to fall if you move fast enough and people are ready to catch you on the other side. This is going to give you your first glimpse of the reality of the pit. People on the opposite side of the pit are going try to push you back in. You can either fight it and stand or you can go across again.
   7.
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      Circle the circle pit. You're going to continue pushing, bouncing, and slamming off of other people in the pit. Eventually you're going to be able to control your direction and choose your hits, maybe even on your first night. Go at the speed of the crowd and be ready for the dropper: the dropper (or breakdown) is the violent outburst that many metal, hardcore, alternative bands, punk rock, and similar types of music have that goes from normal lyrical music to a crashing point which will set off the adrenalin of every kid around you and is virtually the "go" sound or green light that it is time to smash and slam again. If you're unfamiliar with the music, this is going to be hard to spot, but if you see it coming, you're going to have one up on half of the kids at the show.
   8. Switch things up.

          * Bodyslam. Jump into the air, aiming to have your upper body make contact with another mosher. A collision is the goal here.
          * Stage dive. Push your way past the crowd and the bouncers if you can so that you can get on stage. Without disrupting the band or any of their equipment, dive into the crowd (make sure they see you coming) and tense up when you land so that you're easier to catch.
          * Crowd surf. You can start off either by stage diving or by hoisting yourself up on two (taller) people's shoulders. Don't have somebody lift you up by the foot with their hands because odds are, the people around you won't have enough time to see you coming and somebody (including but not limited to you) will get hurt.


Tips

    * If someone falls down, you immediately help them up. This is the unwritten protocol of all mosh pitters. If you keep going and someone is down, you risk seriously hurting or even killing them (and if that doesn't happen, some large mammal of a man is going to hurt you for not following this protocol).
    * If you find someone's sneaker, wallet, or other personal belonging, it is also mosh etiquette to hold it up in the air to be claimed by its owner.
    * Be sure that your valuables (e.g. wallet, phone) are tightly secured, or else they might fall off or get snatched in the pit. Better yet, leave as much as you can at home.
    * Stay hydrated. It's hot and sticky in the mosh pit, and you'll be getting quite the workout.
    * You'll know when you've had enough. Moshing is seriously athletic you will get very tired. It may take you all night to get there, or it may be after your first run. When that happens take a break and enjoy the music from outside the pit.
    * Go with some friends and stick with them. That way, you'll have a few landmarks and lifesavers.
    * When crowdsurfing, try to stay relaxed and go with it. Dont flail around and hit/kick people as it is very likely you will get hit back


Warnings

    * You're going to get hit. As long as you're not a target of another and you're keeping your hands in a position not to get tagged in the face and you're leaning backwards, you'll be safe.
    * Watch for kids who wear German studs in a pit. They can and will leave scars.
    * Women, beware. There are guys in the pit who are going to go for the gold and try to cop an anonymous feel. If you get harassed, get a good look at the perpetrator and don't hesitate to announce what he did. Most will disapprove and act accordingly.
    * While participating on the side line is perfectly acceptable, understand that you are shoving moshers from their "blind spot" in most cases. A violent push from the side can send an off-balance mosher directly into an oncoming elbow or head that would've otherwise been averted. Furthermore, you can and will be specifically targeted for retaliation if you do this throughout the show.
    * Leave the karate moves at home.