Rules

BJJ Rules as per the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF)

For information on the IBJJF event schedule click here.

 

Scoring under IBJJF Regulation
4 Points 3 Points 2 Points 1 Points -1 Point
Mount Passing Guard Take Downs

Sweeps

Knee on Belly		 Advantages Penalties
  • Positions must be progressive to earn points, advancing the position, not regressing or changing.
  • Example: the competitor can’t move from mount to knee on belly to accumulate points.
  • No points will be marked for the athlete who is attaining a position while in a submission. Points will only be awarded after the submission is completely defended.
  • Example: When one athlete is mounted on his opponent but is in a guillotine the points of the mount will be awarded only when the submission is defended.

Ways to Win
There is never a draw. Bouts will be decided by:
  • SUBMISSION (by tapping or verbal, screams such as “ai” indicates a tap)
  • DISQUALIFICATION
  • UNCONSCIOUSNESS
  • POINTS / ADVANTAGES
  • BLEEDING UNCONTROLABLE
  • REFEREE DECISION IF POINTS ARE EQUAL
Disqualification
Major Fouls: Major fouls are those that lead to immediate disqualification by the referee.
  • The use of foul language, cursing, or other immoral acts of disrespect towards the referee or any of the assisting public.
  • Biting, hair pulling, putting fingers into the eyes or nose of one’s opponent, intentionally seeking to injure genitalia or the use of fists, feet, knees, elbows, or heads with the intention to hurt or gain unfair advantage.
  • When the fighter has his kimono ripped during the fight, the referee will give him a set time to change it. If the fighter does not change it in time he will be disqualified.
  • The fighter must wear shorts under the pants, keeping in mind the risk that the suit might get torn or unsowed, If this occurs, the athlete will be given a set time determined by the referee to find another pair of pants to wear. If the athlete cannot change within the set time, he will be immediately disqualified.
  • When an athlete has been submitted to a lock and to avoid tapping out he runs out of the ring, he will be immediately disqualified. In such cases when it is considered a technical foul, not a disciplinary foul, the offender may return to the competition to fight the absolute division or in case of a bracket of three.
  • When the athlete breaks any restriction rule.
Foul
Penalties:
  • On the first offense the offender will be given a verbal warning.
  • On the second offense the offender’s opponent will be given an advantage.
  • On the third offense the offender’s opponent will be given two points.
  • After the third offense the referee may disqualify the athlete for any further fouls.
    • The athlete will only be allowed to kneel after having taken hold of his opponent's kimono.
    • When either of the athletes run to one of the extremities of the ring to avoid combat, or while ground fighting flee by crawling or rolling out of the ring or by standing up avoiding engaging or purposely stepping out of the ring to gain time.
    • When the athlete avoids engaging by taking off his kimono or by allowing it to be taken off with the intention of stopping the fight to allow himself rest or to avoid the attacks of his opponent.
    • When the athlete inserts his fingers inside the sleeves or pants of the opponents uniform, or with both hands on the opponent’s belt.
    • When the athlete stalls the fight, holding his opponent and, not seeking to engage or gain submissions when in the guard, on top, or on the bottom.
  • Holding the opponent, standing up, or any position designed to stall. Noticing this, the referee will request that 20 seconds be marked and say “LUTE”, making the gesture. At the end of the 20 seconds if the athlete hasn’t changed his position or shown visible signs of engagement, the referee say again “LUTE” and make the same gesture, penalizing the athlete and giving an advantage for the other, if he continues stalling the referee will stop the fight saying “PAROU”, and he will penalize the same, giving 2 points for the other, and both athletes will return to their feet at neutral positions. With the possibility of disqualification on the next offence
    • NOTE: A penalty with immediate loss of 2 points occurs when an athlete runs from the ring in order to avoid a sweep that the referee considers would be completed, or when the athlete flees the ring in order to avoid a lock that has not yet been completed and not engaging in the article "E" for disqualification
Advantages:
  • It is considered an advantage when the athlete attempts but does not complete any of the fundamental moves of the fight; i.e. sweep, take down, submission etc.
    • Advantages through takedowns: When there is a visible loss of balance in which the adversary nearly completes the takedown. A visible loss of balance during an attempted throw will also result in an advantage.
    • During closed guard (when the athlete on the bottom has his legs wrapped around his opponent’s waist)
  • The one on top will earn the advantage by being on the offensive, trying to dominate his adversary’s guard (pass the guard). For the referee to consider it an advantage, the athlete that is on top must come close to passing the guard, forcing his adversary to exert energy to regain position e.g. half guard, almost immobilizing, etc.
  • The one underneath will earn the advantage if he almost sweeps his opponent, putting him in a dangerous position, as well as when he attempts a lock that forces his opponent to defend. NOTE: for the sweep attempt to be considered worthy of an advantage the athlete underneath must open his legs.
Restrictions:
  • In all categories the referee has the authority to stop a match when either of the competitors is in danger of serious bodily harm as a result of a submission and award the victory to competitor applying the submission.
  • Cervical locks, neck cranks, and heel hooks are not allowed in any category except for chokes in the juveniles or adult divisions in all belts.
  • Athletes under 18 (Juveniles) are only allowed to compete in the open class.
  • Wrestling shoes or any type of shoes, head gear, grown protection, shirts under the gi (except for girls) and any kind of protectors that can alter the outcome of the match in any way are not allowed in competition.
  • In children’s divisions between 4-15years, when a competitor is executing a triangle and the opponent stands up it is the referees obligation to stand in a position to protect both athletes, specifically to reduce the risk of cervical damage.
    • FROM 04 THROUGH 12:
      • SLAM FROM THE GUARD
      • BICEPS LOCK
      • WRIST LOCK
      • TRIANGLE PULLING THE HEAD
      • FOOT LOCKS OF ANY KIND
      • KNEE LOCK, LEG LOCK
      • CERVICAL LOCK (ANY KIND)
      • FRONTAL NECK CRANK
      • EZEQUIEL
      • CALF LOCK
      • OMOPLATA (SHOULDER LOCK)
      • FRONTAL GUILLOTINE
      • SCISSORS TAKEDOWN
      • HEEL HOOK
    • THE AGES OF 13 THROUGH 15:
      • SLAM FROM THE GUARD
      • BICEPS LOCK
      • WRIST LOCK
      • TRIANGLE PULLING THE HEAD
      • FOOT LOCK S(ANY KIND)
      • KNEE LOCK, LEG LOCK
      • CERVICAL LOCK(ANY KIND)
      • FRONTAL NECK CRANK
      • EZEKIEL
      • CALF LOCK
      • SCISSORS TAKEDOWN
      • HEEL HOOK
    • AGES 16 TO 17
      • SLAM FROM THE GUARD
      • LEG LOCKS
      • CERVICAL (only without chokes)
      • BICEPS LOCK
      • CALF LOCK
      • WRIST LOCK
      • MATA LEAO WITH FOOT
      • SCISSORS TAKEDOWN
      • HEEL HOOK
    • FROM ADULT THROUGH SENIOR (BLUE & PURPLE BELT)
      • MATA LEO WITH FOOT
      • SLAM FROM THE GUARD
      • LEG LOCKS
      • CERVICAL (only without chokes)
      • BICEPS LOCK
      • CALF LOCK
      • SCISSORS TAKEDOWN
      • HEEL HOOK
    • FROM ADULT THROUGH SENIOR (BROWN AND BLACKBELT)
      • SLAM FROM THE GUARD
      • CERVICAL LOCK(only without chokes)
      • SCISSORS TAKEDOWN
      • HEEL HOOK
Hygiene:
  • Kimono must be washed and dried with no unpleasant odors.
  • Toe and fingernails must be cut short and clean.
  • People with long hair must keep their hair from interfering with their opponent or themselves during the match.
  • Athletes are not permitted to paint their hair with spray and may be disqualified by the referee by doing so.
Gi / Kimono:
COMPETITORS ARE REQUIRED TO USE KIMONOS UNDER THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATIONS
  • Constructed of cotton or similar material and in good condition. The material may not be excessively thick or hard to the point where it will obstruct the opponent.
  • Colors may be black, white or blue, no combined colors (white kimono with blue pants, etc.)
  • The jacket is to be of sufficient length down to the thighs, sleeves must reach the wrist with arms extended in front of the body. The sleeve should follow the official measures according to IBJJF from the shoulder to the wrist.
  • Belt width 4-5cm, with color corresponding to rank tied around the waist with a double knot, tight enough to secure the kimono closed.
  • Athletes are not permitted to compete with torn kimonos, sleeves or pants that are not of proper length or with t-shirts underneath the kimono (except in the female divisions).
  • If the uniform is torn during a match the competitor will get a 10 minute time limit to return with a new and proper uniform. In the event the competitor cannot do this in 10 minutes they will be disqualified regardless of who tore the uniform. It is recommended to have a spare at the event and a sturdy uniform from the start.
Competitors must abide by the hygiene and kimono specifications in order to compete; otherwise the opponent will be considered the winner.

Age Categories:
  • Mighty-Mite; 4, 5,6 years
  • Pee-Wee; 7, 8, 9 years
  • Junior; 10, 11, 12 years
  • Teen; 13, 14, 15 years
  • Juvenile; 16 and 17 years
  • Adult; 18 to 29 years
  • Master; 30 to 35 years
  • Senior I; 36 to 40 years
  • Senior II; 41 to 45 years
  • Senior III; 46 to 50 years
  • Senior IV; 51 to 55 years
  • Senior V; 56........ years
ProStar in some cases may deem the event to only offer Senior I, II, and III Divisions due to the number of competitors. In this case Senior III will offer competition for ages 46 and above.

Fight Duration Times:
  • YOUTH and JUVENILE (4-17)
    • Mighty-Mite; 2MIN
    • Pee-Wee; 3MIN
    • Junior; 4MIN
    • Teen; 4MIN
    • Juvenile; 5MIN
  • ADULT (18 – 29)
    • WHITE; 5MIN
    • BLUE; 6MIN
    • PURPLE; 7MIN
    • BROWN; 8MIN
    • BLACK; 10MIN
  • MASTER (30-35)
    • BLUE; 5MIN
    • PURPLE-BLACK; 6MIN
  • SENIOR: (over 35 according to the tournament)
    • WHITE-BLACK; 5MIN
Direction and Decision:
  • All those that will be in an official function in the competition such as: technicians; professors; directors; time keepers; or other officials. Other unofficial people giving instructions from inside the dedicated area of competition will warrant disqualification of the competitor.
  • The gi checker verifies before the competitors’ nails are trimmed, the uniform is correctly fitted by the official IBJJF measuring tool and assures the uniform is correct in color and material.
  • The mat referee is the highest authority on the mat and has the authority to disqualify competitors during the match. No one can overturn his decision. The referee is assisted by the time keeper in the matches. In cases where a referee shows incapable to continue refereeing because of obvious mistakes, the tournament director has the authority to replace him.
  • In case the two athletes are accidentally injured and unable to continue during the final match the result will be :
    • Points or advantages are confirmed they will determine the winner.
    • If no points or advantages exist the result will be a draw.
  • If the two athletes stand from a position on the ground in any situation the judgment will be equal to that if standing.
  • For the final matches there will be a maximum of twice the rest period for the athletes.
  • For the final match the competitors will be allowed two opportunities to make weight.
  • In case of only two athletes on the bracket and one of the competitors does not show up for the final match the athlete present will be awarded the win and the competitor not present will not receive a medal or classification.
  • In case the athlete is attempting to pass the guard and attempts a foot lock without success with the adversary sitting up, the competitor on top will receive2 points after he defends the attack and keeps the position for at least three seconds In addition if the competitor attempting the submission, puts the opponent in visible danger he will receive an advantage point.
  • In case that the athletes weight with one kimono and change it for the fight they will disqualified, except in case that the referee tell him or her to change the kimono, but it must be measure again when the referee looks is necessary.
  • Patches on kimono / gi must be securely sewed on and in the authorized location in order to prevent the restriction of grips to the uniform. Click here for official patch placement on the uniform.
Patch Locations Diagram:
4747 Research Forest Drive | Suite 180 - 232 | The Woodlands, TX 77380