Tournament Rules of Jiu-Jitsu - Crosley Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts

About Jiu-Jitsu Tournament Rules of Jiu-Jitsu

Tournament Rules & Point System of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (IBJJF)

The typical tournament is divided up into matches between the same belt ranks and weight classes within the belt ranks. The progressive ranks in BJJ are white, yellow, orange, green, blue (after 16), purple, brown and finally black belt.

The match begins with competitors standing up on padded mats wearing gis. Competitors attempt to perform a takedown throws, foot sweeps, tackles, or alternatively, pulling the opponent to "guard". Once on the ground, they grapple but are allowed to stand up at any time.

The Referee

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.

During the match the central referee is to always be directing the competitor to the center of the ring. In the event that the competitors move out of bounds during the match, the referee will call "STOP" and the competitors must hold their position without movement. The same occurrence will happen when 2/3 of the competitor’s body is outside the boundary. The referee may be assisted by the timekeeper in moving the athletes back to the center of the ring.

The referee will not allow interference from outsiders during the match. Paramedics will be allowed on the mat at the referee’s discretion. Expiration of time will be determined by the timekeeper during the match. The time-keeper will notify the central referee immediately with an auditory and visual signal. Notes taken are the responsibility of the scorekeepers. Notes must read exactly what the central referee dictates and cannot be altered.

Time Limits

Kids - 2 minutes for 4 to 6 year olds, 3 minutes for 7 to 9 year olds, and 4 minutes for 10 to 15 year olds.
Juvenile (16 & 17) - 5 minutes
Adult (18-29) - 5 minutes (white), 6 minutes (blue), 7 minutes(purple), 8 minutes (brown) and 10 minutes (black belts).
Master (30-35) - 5 minutes (white), 6 minutes (blue, purple, brown & black)
Senior (over 35) - 5 minutes (blue, purple, brown & black)

There is never a draw. Bouts will be decided by:

SUBMISSION
POINTS
ADVANTAGES
DISQUALIFICATION

1. SUBMISSION

Submission occurs when a technique forces the athlete into admitting defeat by:

Tapping with the palm against his opponent or the floor in a visible manner.
Tapping with his feet on the ground (if he is unable to use his hands).
Requesting verbally to the referee that the fight be stopped (if he can neither tap with his hands or his feet).
The referee may end the fight giving victory to the one who applied the lock if he sees his opponent is exposed to serious physical damage.
A coach of one of the athletes may request that the fight be ended either by directing himself to the referee or by throwing the towel into the ring for any reason
When an athlete is under a submission attack and screams or says "Oww" This will be the same as if he taps.
The referee may end the fight when one of the athletes is injured or the doctor's examination proves he is incapable to continue. If this occurs, the victory will be given to the opponent as long as the injury was not caused intentionally by conduct worthy of disqualification.

2. POINTS

Points are awarded when athlete achieves a strategic superior position over the opponent through performing proper technique. The more dominant the position, the more points are awarded.

Takedowns

Any kind of throw or takedown where opponent lands on his/her side or back – 2 POINTS

NOTE 1: The takedown that lands outside of the fighting area will be valid as long as the athlete that applied it stood with both feet in the fighting area while making the takedown.
NOTE 2: If If the athlete has one of his knees on the ground and is taken down, whoever applied the take down will be awarded 2 points as long as he has both his feet on the ground.
NOTE 3: When the athlete attempts the double leg and the opponent sits on the floor and executes a sweep, the athlete who attempted the takedown will not receive points, but the one who executed the sweep will.
NOTE 4: When a competitor throws his opponent and ends up rolling to the bottom, the competitor throwing will receive 2 points and the opponent on top will receive an advantage.

Passing the Guard

Is when the athlete who is top, in between the opponent's legs, moves to his side, establishing a perpendicular or longitudinal position over his adversary's torso, controlling and leaving him no space to move or escape the hold - 3 POINTS

NOTE: It is necessary to establish this move for 3 or more seconds to receive the points. If opponent escapes, an advantage will be given instead.

Knee in the Belly

When the athlete on top places his knee and chin across the opponent's stomach, holding his collar/sleeve and belt/pants with his other leg towards the head - 2 POINTS.

NOTE: It is necessary to establish this move for 3 or more seconds to get the points. If opponent escapes, an advantage will be given instead.

The Mount

The mount position is one of the most dominant positions in a match or fight. It is achieved when the athlete sits on his opponent's torso; the opponent may be lying on his stomach, side or back. It will also be considered mount, if one knee and one foot are on the ground - 4 POINTS.

Taking the Back

Achieving and controlling the opponent's back is highly advantageous on the way to finish the fight. The athlete takes the back from a bottom position, taking hold of the neck and wrapping his legs around the waist. The heels must be leaning on the inside of the thighs, not allowing him/her to escape - 4 POINTS.

NOTE: Points will not be awarded if both heels are not evenly positioned in the inner part of the adversary's thighs.

The Sweep

Sweeps are strategically executed to reverse the opponent to the bottom position in a way where he/she is unable to defend or post - 2 POINTS.

NOTE 1: It will not be considered a sweep if the move does not begin from inside the guard or half guard.
NOTE 2: When the athlete sweeping advances his position to the back of his opponent during the attempted sweep, he is awarded 2 points
In case the match ends up tied on points as well, the athlete with most advantages will win.

3. ADVANTAGES

It is considered an advantage when the athlete almost completes a move on your opponent, such as sweeps (opponent bounces back to the top), takedowns (visible loss of balance in which the adversary nearly completes the takedown), guard pass (when forcing the adversary to exert energy to regain position), submissions (forcing opponent to defend), etc...

In case of a tie in advantages, the referee will decide the winner after the following criteria:
- Effort to finish the match
- Aggressiveness
- Positioning control

4. DISQUALIFICATION

The following are considered unacceptable and will lead to immediate disqualification by the referee:

Use of foul language, cursing, or any other immoral acts of disrespect towards the referee or any of the assisting public.
Biting, hair pulling, intentionally placing fingers on eyes, nose or mouth, intentionally seeking to injure genitalia or the use of fists, feet, knees, elbows, or heads with the intention to hurt or gain unfair advantage.
Running out of the mat area when put on a submission hold.

Penalties

On the first offence the offender will be given a verbal warning.
On the second offence the offender's opponent will be given an advantage.
On the third offence the offender's opponent will be given two points.
After the third offence the referee may disqualify the athlete for any further fouls.

Hygiene

The kimono must be washed and dried with no unpleasant odors.
Toe and fingernails must be cut short and clean.
Competitors with long hair must keep it from interfering with the opponent or themselves during the match.

The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Official Website

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