RULES AND DIVISIONS

• Submission (causing your opponent to physically or verbally tap-out or quit by using a technique within the rule set). All competitors must be aware of dangerous techniques and know how to tap-out.
• Referee stoppage (medical or rule infringement)
• Corner/coach stops match
• Highest score at end of regulation time period
• Referee decision

4 Points: Mount | Back Mount |Back Control

3 Points: Guard Pass

2 Points: Takedown | Sweep | Knee on Belly

(All positions must be held for 3 full seconds in order to score points)

• If no submission is earned during the match, the athlete with the most points shall be declared winner when the match has reached regulation time or in the event of the match being stopped due to both athletes suffering injuries.
• Advantages: When there is a draw in the number of points, the athlete with the most advantage points shall be declared the winner.
• Penalties: When there is a draw in the number of points and advantage points, the athlete with the least penalty points counted against him/her shall be declared the winner.

Individual match results will decide the winner in 3- to 6-person divisions and who will move on to the Elimination Stage in 7-person and larger divisions.

If there is a tie based on match results, we will look to the following criteria to decide the top competitors, in this order:
1. Number of wins by submission
2. Head-to-head
3. Fastest submission (in seconds)
4. Sum of match points (higher is better)
5. Sum of match advantages (higher is better)
6. Sum of match penalties (lower is better)

Submissions and takedowns depend on age and skill level. Please see the complete listing of allowed and disallowed holds and takedowns for each division below.

Note the shift in ages for the Youth Divisions (now ages 5-12) and Teen Divisions (now ages 13-17). Previously ages 5-13 and 14-17, respectively.

Disallowed unless explicitly stated for that division:

• No twisting leg locks (heel hooks or toe locks). Exception: Heel hooks and reaping are allowed in elite no-gi divisions.
• No reaping
• No neck cranks
• No “Full Nelson”
• No twister body locks / spinal cranks
• No muscle destruction submissions. Exception: Calf and bicep cutters are allowed in brown-black belt and advanced-elite no-gi divisions.
• No striking of any kind
• ZERO tolerance on slamming. Slamming to escape the guard and various submissions from the guard may result in competitor being immediately disqualified. Note: Takedowns are not considered slamming, unless intent to injure is determined by the referee. It is the competitor’s responsibility to deliver opponent safely to the mat.
• No spiking an opponent onto their head
• No eye gouging or fish hooking
• No grabbing the ears
• No hair pulling
• No finger or toe holds
• No thumbing
• No scratching or pinching
• No kicking
• No biting
• No touching the groin area
• No knees or elbows on face
• No slippery substances allowed on body or clothing
• No inserting of fingers inside pat cuffs or sleeves for grip. Additionally, no inserting of foot into opponent’s belt to hold, push, or lift opponent.
• No use of rash guard/shirt in applying submission
• No passivity or fleeing the mat: deliberately or repeatedly moving outside the designated mat area, stalling or refusing to engage with an opponent are considered a foul. Committing four (4) fouls in a match results in an automatic disqualification.
• Good sportsmanship is expected at all times: no spitting, swearing, or disobeying of a referee’s verbal commands.
• The referee has FULL discretion to disqualify a competitor immediately after a serious, dangerous, or deliberate foul.

The following will result in immediate disqualification:

• Slamming opponent
• Egregious application of forbidden action
• Fleeing mat to avoid submission
• Arguing with the referee
• Unsportsmanlike conduct against other competitors, referee, coach, or public

• Leg Locks are ILLEGAL in all Youth and Teen divisions with the following exceptions – straight ankle locks are legal for Teen blue belts and Teen advanced no-gi.
• Straight ankle locks are legal for all adult belt levels and no-gi divisions; turning in direction of foot not under attack is allowed for brown-black belts and advanced-elite no-gi divisions only.
• Straight knee bars are legal for brown-black belts and intermediate-advanced-elite no-gi divisions only.
• Figure 4 toe holds are legal for brown-black belts and advanced-elite no-gi divisions only.
• Heel hooks are legal for elite no-gi divisions only.
• Note: Reaping (crossing your leg from outside in over your opponent’s hip or thigh while attacking a foot) is illegal in all divisions (with the exception of elite no-gi divisions).

• In no-gi, no crushing or squeezing neck with hands or forearm. In gi, no crushing or squeezing neck with hands or forearm without choke (grip on gi required).
• No pulling on head to finish Triangle choke (straining the neck) except in junior blue belt.
• Where Guillotines are allowed: No standing Guillotine chokes. Must not try to finish choke standing. Attacking athlete must sit back to the ground in a safe manner. No throws while holding Guillotine (must have head and arm for throws).
• No lock inside closed guard with legs compressing kidneys or ribs. No jumping guard.
• For safety reasons, once a correct position for an arm lock or choke has been achieved, the referee may immediately stop the fight without waiting for the lock to be applied fully. This allows young competitors to learn the basics of submission grappling and Jiu Jitsu in a safe environment.
• The third stoppage for crying in the same match will be treated the same as a medical stoppage. Additionally, yelling out may be considered a verbal tap (in all divisions).

• Stopping a match when out of bounds is at the discretion of the referee – considering safety of position, interference of other matches, etc.
• Competitors who move onto or outside the ring border when standing can (at the discretion of the referee) be restarted standing in the center of the mat.
• If competitors move outside the ring while in an established ground position, the action may be frozen and moved back to the center of the mat, in position.
• If competitors move outside the ring area, while in a scramble, the athletes will be brought to the center of the ring and restarted standing.
• If a take down or throw occurs with throwing athlete having both feet in bounds the take down will be relocated to center of the ring.
• If any part of the throwing athlete’s feet or foot are outside of ring during throw then athletes may be restarted standing.
• Deliberately or repeatedly moving outside the ring area will be considered stalling and penalized accordingly. Athletes will not escape submission by fleeing the ring.

2-PERSON DIVISIONS
Head-to-head, best of three matches
Note: Third match does not take place if one competitor wins the first two matches

3- TO 6-PERSON DIVISIONS
True round robin

7-PERSON DIVISIONS AND LARGER
Best of one pool is run as a round robin with a maximum of 4 matches per competitor (called Group A). The 4 top competitors will qualify and move on to a single elimination Finals division that decides 1st through 4th place (called Elimination Stage).

Elimination Stage Notes: In the Semifinal round, the competitor in top position matches competitor in third position; competitor in second position matches competitor in fourth position. In the Finals Round, the two winners of the semifinal matches move on to decide 1st and 2nd place; the two losers move on to decide 3rd and 4th place.

Hygiene:

At weigh-ins, all competitors will be checked for communicable diseases, not limited to but including ring-worm, staph, herpes, and impetigo. If a competitor is deemed to have a communicable disease, they will be disqualified. Shoes must be worn AT ALL TIMES, except when on competition mat. Competitors found barefoot in restrooms may be disqualified. Disqualification is non-refundable.

Protective Gear:

• Protective mouth guards are highly recommended for all competitors.
• Use of any foot gear, headgear, hair pins, jewelry, cups (genital protectors), or any other protector fashioned of hard material that may cause harm to an opponent or the athlete him/herself is forbidden. Also forbidden is the use of eyewear and/or eye protectors, even if they are made for sports practices.
• The use of joint protectors (knee, elbow braces, etc.) that increase body volume to the point of making it harder for an opponent to grip the Gi are also forbidden.
• Guage holes must be taped; participation is at your own risk.

Gi Attire:

A clean solid-colored Jiu Jitsu uniform (white, royal blue, black or pink) is required to compete in the Gi divisions. The fabric of the pants and jacket (including the lapel/collar) must all be the same color. Uniform jacket must have a four finger space at cuff and sleeves within 3 inches of wrist. Pants must be within 3 inches of ankles. Adult male competitors are not allowed to wear clothing under the Gi jacket. Athletes must wear undergarments: The use of thong-type undergarments is not permitted; only brief-type undergarments may be worn (immediate disqualification will occur if it is discovered that competitor is not wearing proper undergarments during a match).

No-gi Attire:

Board shorts/fight shorts that are above the knee (with no pockets or with pockets entirely stitched shut) or tights are required lower body attire (gi pants are not allowed). No buttons, zippers, drawstrings or anything that could scratch opponent allowed. Upper body must be covered by rash guard (tight fitting compression shirt). Tank tops and t-shirts are not allowed. Athletes must wear undergarments: The use of thong-type undergarments is not permitted; only brief-type undergarments may be worn (immediate disqualification will occur if it is discovered that competitor is not wearing proper undergarments during a match).

Two minutes will be allowed for a cut to stop bleeding. Medical staff can stop a fight immediately if the injury is determined to be too serious.

The referee’s top priorities include keeping participants safe and ensuring a fair match. The referee can stop or restart a match at any time if he or she considers it necessary for safety reasons and grant submissions before the tap occurs if they deem the hold to be firmly secured.

The referee’s decision is final and non-negotiable. Arguing with the referee (by athlete or coach) can result in immediate disqualification.

The referee will call competitors to the mat. Wait at edge of mat until directed by referee. Athletes may only talk to the referee for medical or uniform issues; such as my pants are coming off, or I am bleeding.

The referee will use four main Portuguese commands that each competitor needs to know:

1. COMBATE (com-ba-tchee)
   This is the start/restart of match.
2. PAROU (pa-row)
   This means stop. When referee gives this command, athletes should hold their
   position and maintain all grips until directed by the referee to move. Failure to
   comply may result in a penalty.
3. LUTE (lu-tchee)
   This means that one or both athletes have been called for stalling and are being given a penalty. Referee will point at you or touch your shoulder if you cannot see the referee. DO NOT STOP the match when you hear this word. It is simply a notification that you have been given a penalty for a stalling.
4. FALTA (fal-tah)
   This means an athlete has been called for a penalty for doing something illegal that does not warrant a disqualification. Referee will point at you or touch your shoulder if you cannot see the referee. DO NOT STOP the match when you hear this word. It is simply a notification that you have been given a penalty for a rule infraction.

It is each competitor’s responsibility to know how to tap both verbally and physically and to do so before injury is incurred. In an effort to prevent injury, referees may stop the match and grant submissions before the tap occurs if they deem the hold to be firmly secured. Furthermore, calling out or making noises of exertion may be seen as verbal submission by the referee. Competitors are highly encouraged to wear protective mouth guards.

We enforce a zero tolerance rule on disrespecting, threatening with physical violence, or verbally abusing referees, staff, competitors or spectators at any time before, during, or after the event. If any spectator, coach, or competitor threatens or abuses the referee in any shape or form, they will be escorted out of the building.

Regulation Match Times:

• Youth gi and no-gi matches consist of one 3-minute round.
• Teen gi and no-gi matches consist of one 4-minute round.
• Adult/Master white and blue belt gi matches consist of one 5-minute round.
• Adult/Master purple, brown, and black belt gi matches consist of one 6-minute round.
• Adult/Master beginner and intermediate matches consist of one 4-minute round.
• Adult/Master advanced and elite matches consist of one 6-minute round.

There is a ZERO (0.00) weight allowance. Weigh-ins take place in the Bullpen just prior to competing (wearing full competition attire). Competitors have only one opportunity to make weight. Competitors weighing more than the maximum weight listed for their division will be DISQUALIFIED and will NOT be allowed to compete. Disqualification is non-refundable. Over weight competitors will NOT be moved to another weight division.

After 20 seconds of no action (i.e. backing out of the guard without engaging, butt scooting) the referee may issue a warning for stalling. After an additional 20 seconds the referee may issue an advantage to the opponent. After 20 seconds more, the 3rd stalling call will see two points to the opponent, and a 4th stalling call will result in a disqualification.

(source: ibjjf.org)

• Athletes who initiate a takedown movement after the opponent has pulled guard shall not be awarded the two points or advantage point relating to the move.
• When an athlete forces his/her opponent back-down, sideways or into a seated position on the ground after standing on two feet at some point during the movement, and keeps the fight on the ground and himself/herself in the top position for 3 (three) seconds.
• When an athlete forces his/her opponent to the ground on all fours or belly-down, points shall only be awarded once the athlete performing the takedown has established a back clinch on his/her opponent—hooks need not be in place but at least one of the opponent’s knees must be maintained on the ground for 3 (three) seconds.
• If an athlete forces his/her opponent to the ground in the outlying safety area, the athlete performing the takedown should have both feet within the match area when the movement begins. In this case, if the athletes land in a stabilized position, the match shall be restarted at the center of the match area and the athletes will be placed in the same position they were in when the match was stopped. The referee will count 3 (three) seconds of stabilization before scoring the points.
• When the opponent has one or two knees on the ground, the athlete performing the takedown will only be awarded points if he/she is standing at the moment the takedown is carried out. An exception may be made under circumstances addressed in IBJJF Rules, page 18, item 4.1.6 and respecting the 3 (three) seconds of stabilization.
• When the athlete forces his/her opponent to the ground using a single or double-leg takedown and the opponent lands seated and successfully applies a counter-takedown (another takedown), only the athlete performing the counter-takedown shall be awarded the two points when he/she can stabilize this position for 3 (three) seconds.
• For any takedown technique where the athlete, delivering his/her opponent back-down or sideways on the ground, lands in guard or half-guard and immediately suffers a successful sweep by the opponent, he/she shall be awarded an advantage relating to the takedown and his/her opponent shall be awarded the two points from the sweep.

Both Gi and No-gi competitors must make contact before pulling guard. Kneeling or butt scooting before contact will result in: First occurrence warning, second occurrence referee calls 1 point awarded to opponent, third occurrence referee calls 2 points awarded to opponent, and fourth occurrence referee calls disqualification. Pulling guard after contact in Gi and/or No-gi will result in no points.

Jumping guard is illegal in all youth and teen, gi and no-gi divisions; as well as in the adult and master white belt divisions and adult and master beginner no-gi divisions.

Reversal of position points are given when one opponent reverses from the bottom to the top position and has control and position. The reversal has to come from your guard or half guard. For example if you’re passing my guard and I IMMEDIATELY put you on your back I receive reversal points. If competitor A from bottom guard is able to duck under arm of competitor B and come to top position and control for 3 seconds, reversal points will be awarded. Note: Rolling someone over when you are mounted or in cross-side control is an escape, not a reversal.

Due to the large number of competitors and dynamic nature of the sport, only active competitors, official press and staff are allowed in the bullpen and competition areas. Coaches, parents and friends are asked to remain in the spectator areas. No standing in front of the bleachers. Plenty of bleacher seating is available. Photographs and video can be taken from a seated positing along the fence. Attendees disregarding these guidelines may be asked to leave the premises.

Coaches must pre-register by the Thursday before the event in order to receive free admission (one free coach entry for every five athletes competing). See the Coaches page to register and for more details.

In the pursuit of safety and fairness, in all female-designated divisions, athletes must register and compete in the division that aligns with their sex assigned at birth.