BJJ Competition Rules: IBJJF, ADCC & More
☰Contents
A complete guide to BJJ competition rules covering IBJJF, ADCC, FloGrappling events, submission-only formats, and the key differences between major rulesets.
Competition White Belt+
Understanding BJJ competition rules is essential for anyone who trains with competition in mind. Different organizations use vastly different rulesets, and misunderstanding the rules can cost you matches that you should have won.
IBJJF Rules Overview
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) uses the most widely-recognized ruleset in gi BJJ competition.
Point System
- Takedown: 2 points (must control for 3 seconds)
- Sweep: 2 points (must control for 3 seconds)
- Knee on belly: 2 points (must control for 3 seconds)
- Guard pass: 3 points (must control for 3 seconds)
- Mount: 4 points (must control for 3 seconds)
- Back control (with hooks): 4 points (must control for 3 seconds)
Advantages
Advantages are awarded for near-submissions and near-scoring positions. They serve as tiebreakers when scores are equal.
Illegal Techniques by Belt Level
- White/Blue: No reaping, no heel hooks, no knee locks, no cervical locks
- Purple: Straight knee locks allowed, still no heel hooks or reaping
- Brown/Black: Heel hooks allowed in no-gi, all inside heel hooks allowed
ADCC Rules
ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) is the premier no-gi submission wrestling competition. The ruleset is very different from IBJJF.
ADCC Point System
- No points in the first half of the match (time varies by division)
- Negative points for pulling guard in the second half
- Guard pass: 2 points
- Takedown: 2 points
- Knee on belly: 2 points
- Mount/Back: 3 points
ADCC Technique Legality
- All leg locks allowed including heel hooks and reaping
- No points for takedown followed immediately by guard pull
- Overtime: first submission or first 5 points wins
Submission-Only Formats
Submission-only (SO) events have grown massively in popularity due to their exciting nature.
Common SO Rules
- No point system — win only by submission
- Overtime: usually starts from a specific position (referee's position)
- Many SO events allow all leg locks including heel hooks
- EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) overtime: attacker starts from back take or leg lock
FloGrappling Rules
FloGrappling hosts many high-profile events with varying rulesets. Events like Who's Number One (WNO) and FloGrappling's Grand Prix use a combination of submission hunting with points available.
Stalling and Passivity Rules
Most rulesets penalize stalling — the referee will warn the staller and may award the opponent an advantage or point.
- IBJJF: Medical clock for bleeding, warnings then DQ for stalling
- ADCC: Referee cautions, then penalties for passivity
- SO: Usually no stalling rules — must try to submit or advance
Competition Categories
BJJ tournaments categorize competitors by age, belt, and weight:
- Adult: Under 29 years old
- Master 1+: 30 years and older, with sub-divisions
- Weight classes: Vary by organization (IBJJF has 9 male weight classes)
- Absolute: Open weight division, no weight limit
Match Preparation by Ruleset
- IBJJF: Train guard pulls, improve guard game, understand points timing
- ADCC: Train wrestling and takedowns (guard pull penalized in 2nd half)
- Submission-only: Train from bad positions, deep in submissions, overtime scenarios
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