When working with couples, the most common question is, "How do we get started?" I begin with cultivating their own rituals.

One woman recently spoke to me about having her husband in chastity, and when she jingled the keys, he snapped into it, but she wasn't there. We developed an idea where she would have him fetch an outfit that made her feel sexy and powerful. The transition helped her get there.

I guess this is protocol, but I have arbitrarily renamed it "rituals." Hah.

I agree that protocols wasn't perhaps the right word. To many I think it conjures up images Gorean type slavery, memorizing multiple positions, stylized behavior etc.

I was thinking more of a set of rules that provide a framework for the session. However, your idea of rituals that facilitate the transition into play is also the type of thing I meant.

I once played with a Domme who transitioned to session by pointing to a red sticker on the floor saying "OK, when I return I want you naked, on your knees with your nose on that little red dot. Once your nose touches that dot it doesn't move" and then walking out of the room.

It was like an instant change in atmosphere and immediately got me completely into the right frame of mind.

I have my signature stuff, but the overall level of protocol depends on the person I'm playing with and various factors in the scene. There is no one size fits all with protocol.