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In the heat of competition, disagreements over points, advantages, or penalties may arise. Most organizations allow coaches or athletes to file an official protest after the match, but in-match decisions are rarely overturned unless there is a clear rule viola...

Heel hooks, while highly effective, are considered dangerous due to the torque placed on the knee. Some organizations, like ADCC and many no-gi professional events, allow them at all levels. Others, such as IBJJF, only permit them in advanced no-gi divisions f...

The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) governs the world’s largest circuit of gi and no-gi competitions. Their rules emphasize positional control, with points awarded for guard passes, sweeps, mounts, and takedowns. Submission attempts are al...

When an athlete is injured during a match, referees call for medical attention and stop the clock. Depending on the severity, the athlete may be given recovery time, or the match may end in a referee stoppage. If the injury is caused by an illegal move, the op...

Jumping guard—leaping into a guard position from standing—is legal in some organizations but banned in others due to the risk of injury, particularly to the knees. For example, IBJJF allows guard jumps in most divisions but penalizes them in kids’ categories. ...

Knee reaping occurs when an athlete’s leg crosses their opponent’s hip line from the outside, forcing the knee inward in a twisting motion. This is illegal in many gi competitions due to the risk of ligament damage. However, knee line control—a core concept o...

The leg reap ban in gi competition exists primarily to protect knee health. When an outside leg crosses the opponent’s body and applies inward pressure, the torque can cause catastrophic injuries. This makes it one of the most heavily enforced fouls in gi BJJ....

Advantage points can decide matches when scores are tied. Learning how referees award advantages—for near sweeps, near submissions, or strong pass attempts—allows competitors to strategize in tight contests. Athletes can game-plan by chaining aggressive attem...

Most no-gi competitions require athletes to wear rash guards, shorts without pockets, and spats without zippers or hard materials. The IBJJF, for instance, mandates that rash guards reflect the competitor’s rank with colored rank bars. Failing to meet apparel...

The week before a competition is critical for fueling performance while managing weight. Athletes often reduce processed foods and sodium while focusing on lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and hydration to maintain energy and cut water weight if necessary...

Stalling is one of the most common penalties in BJJ competition. Referees look for inactivity, refusal to engage, or holding positions without attempting progression. Penalties can range from warnings to point deductions, and repeated offenses may lead to disq...

In most Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, points are awarded for achieving dominant positions or advancing through an opponent’s guard. Common scores include 2 points for sweeps and takedowns, 3 points for guard passes, and 4 points for securing mount or back ...

After a tournament, recovery is essential to repair the body and reset the mind. Stretching, light movement, and adequate hydration help reduce soreness, while rest and proper nutrition accelerate physical recovery. Equally important is mental recovery—reflec...

First-time competitors often face nerves and uncertainty. Preparation should include conditioning, drilling a focused game plan, and understanding the ruleset of the event. Simulating competition intensity in training can help ease the transition. On the day ...

Mental preparation is just as important as physical training. Visualization, breathing exercises, and positive routines can help manage nerves before stepping on the mat. Many athletes develop a pre-match ritual to ground themselves in focus and confidence. R...

Each major grappling organization has distinct rules. IBJJF emphasizes positional scoring and safety restrictions, while ADCC rewards takedowns and allows a wider range of submissions, including heel hooks. UAEJJF and other circuits have their own variations o...

Slamming is generally prohibited in gi and no-gi competitions due to the danger of serious injury. For example, IBJJF rules forbid slamming to escape submissions or guard positions. Some exceptions exist in certain submission-only or professional grappling ev...

In submission-only events, victory is achieved only by forcing an opponent to tap out or via referee decision if time expires without a finish. These rulesets encourage aggressive attacks and discourage stalling for points. Organizations like EBI popularized ...

When matches end tied on points and advantages, referees may use tie-breaking criteria. This can include aggression, submission attempts, or overall control. Because these judgments are somewhat subjective, athletes should aim to be visibly active and aggress...

Most tournaments use single-elimination brackets, with athletes paired based on weight, rank, and sometimes seeding. Seeding ensures top athletes are spread out across the bracket, preventing early matchups between favorites. Understanding how brackets work h...