Rules that reward real jiu-jitsu

Scoring

What each position is worth, and what it takes to score it.

• 2points

  Reverse knee on belly

  Scores the same as the standard position, with 3 seconds of control.

  Counts if

  • The top athlete is free of the guard and puts the knee or shin nearest the opponent’s hip on their belly, chest or ribs.
  • The other knee is off the mat. With it down, no points are awarded.
  • The opponent is on their back or side.
  • Control and pressure last at least 3 seconds.

  Includes

  • Standard knee on belly, as before
  • Reverse knee on belly

• 4points

  Every mount

  Standard, reverse or back mount, as long as the bottom athlete’s shoulders are above the top athlete’s knees.

  Counts if

  • The bottom athlete’s shoulders are above the top athlete’s knees.
  • Control and stability last at least 3 seconds.

  Includes

  • Standard mount, facing the opponent
  • Reverse mount, facing the opponent’s legs
  • Back mount or seated back mount
  • Mount with both of the bottom athlete’s arms under the top athlete’s legs

• 4points

  Every back control

  Hooks, crossed legs or body triangle all count, with 3 seconds of control.

  Counts if

  • The controlled athlete’s shoulders are above the attacker’s knees.
  • Control is continuous for at least 3 seconds.

  Includes

  • Hooks
  • Body triangle
  • Crossed legs
  • The controlled athlete with both arms under the attacker’s legs

• 2points

  Takedowns from the knees

  Bring your opponent down from kneeling or mixed positions and stay on top for 3 seconds.

  Counts if

  • The athlete finishes on top with stable control for at least 3 seconds.

  Includes

  • One athlete standing, the other on one or both knees
  • Both athletes on their knees

• 2points

  Locked submission, escaped

  A fully locked, dangerous submission that the opponent escapes earns 2 points instead of an advantage.

  Counts if

  • The referee judges the submission fully applied, locked and dangerous.
  • The defender has to react to escape, and does.

  Includes

  • For example a tight triangle choke or armbar

  It rewards real finishing attempts: a submission locked tight enough to need a technical escape is worth more than an advantage.

Advantages

Incomplete guard passes, sweeps, mount or back-control attempts, knee-on-belly positions and unfinished takedowns that show clear dominance still earn one advantage, as before.

Penalties

Referees give penalties in this order.

1. Penalty 1Marked. Nothing to the opponent.
2. Penalty 2One advantage to the opponent.
3. Penalty 32 points to the opponent.
4. Penalty 4Disqualification.

If both athletes reach a third penalty for stalling, the match restarts standing.

Restricted techniques

Which restricted techniques each group may use. Each group may use everything allowed for the groups above it, plus what is listed.

1. 4 to 12 years

   None of the restricted techniques.

2. 13 to 15 years

   • Submissions that stretch the legs apart

3. 16 and 17 years (every belt), and adult and master white belts

   • Choke with spinal lock
   • Straight foot lock
   • Forearm choke using the sleeve (Ezequiel)
   • Front guillotine choke
   • Omoplata
   • Triangle, pulling the head
   • Arm triangle

4. Adult and master blue belts

   • Wrist lock
   • Single leg takedown with the attacker’s head outside the opponent’s body

5. Adult and master purple belts (Gi and No-Gi), and brown and black belts in Gi

   • Bicep slicer
   • Calf slicer
   • Knee bar
   • Toe hold
   • In a straight foot lock, turning toward the foot not under attackbrown and black belts only, not purple

6. Adult brown and black belts in No-Gi

   • Heel hook
   • Locks that twist the knee
   • Knee reaping
   • Outward pressure on the foot in a toe hold

Fair play

White belts with a black belt in judo or another grappling art, wrestling experience or any MMA bout compete at blue belt. It keeps matches fair.