Official Tournament Rules
Tournament Rules of Adults
This point system has been objectively simplified to only reward the competitor when he is able to obtain a clearly dominant position. Everything will be done to prevent stalling. Competitors are expected to bring out their best and chase victory through the unmistakable means of submission. If a submission does not occur, the competitor that accumulates 12 points will be declared the winner of the match.
TIME LIMIT: 30 minutes. If by the end of the match the score is even, sudden death will apply.
MOUNT FROM THE FRONT............................................... 4 Points
Both knees and feet must be on the ground for 3 seconds
MOUNT FROM THE BACK................................................. 4 Points
Both knees and feet must be on the ground for 3 seconds, or both feet must be hooked inside of legs for 3 seconds
CROSS MOUNT...................................................................... 3 Points
Must have control of opponent for 3 seconds
SWEEP FROM THE GUARD................................................. 1 Point
Must have control of top position for 3 seconds
STALLING................................................................................ 1 Point
The stalling competitor forfeits one point to his opponent.
TAKE DOWN........................................................................... 1 Point
INACTIVITY: A competitor may not hold both sleeves at any time with the intent of stalling. The referee reserves the right to give TWO warnings for stalling, which will count as 2 faults. The competitor then has 5 seconds to release the sleeve after each warning. The third occurrence will lead to immediate disqualification.
3-MINUTE GUARD REVERSAL: A competitor, when inside the opponent's guard, must be trying to pass the guard and the competitor on the bottom must be attacking. After 3 minutes, if the competitor on top cannot pass the guard, the competitor on the bottom will earn ONE POINT and the referee will reverse the position.
STALLING: If a competitor is in the cross mount position and stops attacking or holds still for more than 30 seconds, the referee reserves the right to give TWO warnings for stalling. On the third warning, the match will be interrupted and the competitor on top will have to choose one of the two options: to pass or defend the guard. And he will forfeit ONE POINT for stalling.
If a competitor is in the top/back mount position and stops attacking or holds still for more than 30 seconds, the referee reserves the right to give TWO warnings for stalling. On the third warning, the match will be interrupted and the competitor on top will have to choose one of the two options: to pass or defend the guard. And he will forfeit ONE POINT for stalling.
If a competitor is inside the guard and backs away in an attempt to flee from the match and does not attempt to pass the guard of the bottom competitor, this will also be considered stalling and after TWO warnings will forfeit one point to his opponent.
COIN TOSS: If during the course of the fight, the competitors are standing and neither of them is taking the initiative to go to the ground, the referee, at his discretion, will flip a coin and the winner of the toss will choose to either choose to defend or attack from the guard position.
FOOT LOCKS: Foot locks are permitted. Knee locks are permitted for brown belts and up only. Heel hooks are not allowed at any level.
ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES: No strikes, biting, eye gouging (includes chin to eye), head butting, small join manipulation (finger and toe locks), hair pulling, or ear pulling.
BODY SLAMS: Body slams are permitted from the guard among purple belts and up.
NECK CRANKS: Neck cranks are not allowed at any level other than Brown or Black belts.
SCREAMING: If caught in a joint lock (arm/leg) a competitor screams, he will forfeit the match.
IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION: Will result from any of the following: Deliberate bending of the fingers or toes, hair pulling, striking, biting, pressure points, eye gouging, or groin shots. Any attempt to avoid combat by going out of the mat. Disrespect through gestures or verbal abuse toward a referee, a competitor or a spectator will also result in disqualification.
MATCHES WILL END: With a tap out, when 12 points are accumulated, at the 30 minute time limit, or by referee intervention (disqualification).
Tournament Rules for Children (ages 5-15)
The same rules and point system applies. The time limit will be 4 minutes for children 10 years old or younger, and 5 minutes for children over 10 years old. There will be no 12 point victory rule or 3-minute guard reversal rule.
Submissions allowed are the same as those for adult white belts (No slamming, neck cranks, knee locks or heel hooks for any children.) If by the end of the match, no submission is achieved, the child with the most points at the end will be declared the winner. If the points are even, sudden death will apply-first point wins.
Appropriate Attire (All Competitors)
- All athletes should fight and weigh-in with traditional weave fabric gi only (single, double or golden). All blue or all white. No other color of gi is allowed.
- Competitors with torn gi will not be allowed to compete.
- Underwear is mandatory for all competitors.
- No T-Shirts allowed under the gi/kimono (except for female competitors).
- Fingernails and toenails must be clipped.
- Gi/Kimonos with extra thick collars will not be allowed.
