Rules
We use the EBI ruleset: no points, no advantages, only submissions. Adults compete in 4-minute rounds, kids in 3-minute rounds. If there's no submission, the match goes to overtime. Kids overtime uses full mount, adults use back control or top armbar.
Divisions
Brackets are built by age, weight and experience once registration closes, so everyone gets a fair match. Typical breakdown below. Confirm the current split for each event on Smoothcomp.
Kids and teens
| Division | Age | Weight (kg) | Match length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids 1 | 6–7 | -30 / +30 | 3 min + 1 min OT |
| Kids 2 | 8–9 | -34 / +34 | 3 min + 1 min OT |
| Kids 3 | 10–11 | -38 / +38 | 3 min + 1 min OT |
| Kids 4 | 12–13 | -42 / +42 | 3 min + 1 min OT |
| Kids 5 | 14–15 | -50 / +50 | 3 min + 1 min OT |
| Teens 1 | 16–17 | -60 / +60 | 4 min + 1 min OT |
Juveniles follow white belt adult rules and timing, and may also enter Absolute if they want the extra challenge.
Adults
| Belt | Weight classes (kg) | Match length |
|---|---|---|
| White | -66 / -77 / -88 / -99 / +99 | 4 min + 1 min OT |
| Blue | -66 / -77 / -88 / -99 / +99 | 4 min + 1 min OT |
| Purple | -66 / -77 / -88 / -99 / +99 | 4 min + 1 min OT |
| Brown | -66 / -77 / -88 / -99 / +99 | 4 min + 1 min OT |
| Black | -66 / -77 / -88 / -99 / +99 | 4 min + 1 min OT |
Masters (30+)
Masters (30+) run the same belt, weight and timing structure as Adults.
Open weight
No weight limit. Any belt, any size.
What happens if nobody taps
4-minute rounds, submission only. If regulation ends with no tap, it's one overtime round each in back mount or the spiderweb. Still tied after that? We rerun overtime under the same rules until there's a winner.
Fighter A starts on top
Referee's call: back mount with hooks in, or the spiderweb (armbar with the attacker on top). Fighter B's clock starts the moment it locks in. An escape or a submission stops the clock, and that time is what Fighter A has to beat once the roles swap.
Roles swap
Fighter B takes the top position and Fighter A's escape is timed. The fastest escape or submission wins.
Still tied?
We rerun overtime under the same rules until there's a winner.
Kids divisions: overtime is in full mount instead, for safety.
Rules by age group
Kids
- If a division doesn't have enough competitors, kids and teens may be merged into the next weight class, or an age group up to 2 years older.
- Not comfortable with the adjusted matchup? You can withdraw your child and get a free registration for the next event.
- 3-minute rounds, submission only. No submission in regulation means one overtime round each, in full mount control (for safety). Fastest sub or escape wins. Full or half guard, side control, and knee-on-belly all count as an escape for the bottom player. The top player can take the back as long as control of the bottom player is never lost.
Juveniles
- Juveniles follow the same rules and timing as white belt adults.
- May also enter Absolute if they want to challenge themselves further.
Adults
- Tournament style: only the winner advances, with a third-place fight for bronze.
- 2 in a bracket: one match decides it.
- 3 in a bracket: comeback bracket, with a shortcut for the bye winner.
- 4+ in a bracket: single elimination. Losers of the semifinals fight for bronze.
- Weigh-ins must be done at least 1 hour before your fight (2 hours recommended).
- Missed weight? Forfeit the match and follow the diet next event.
- Long-sleeve rashguards and spats are allowed, but you must weigh in wearing them if you plan to compete in them.
- 4-minute rounds, submission only. No submission in regulation means one overtime round each, starting in back mount or the spiderweb (armbar with the attacker on top). Still tied after that? We rerun overtime under the same rules until there's a winner.
- Absolute division: the heavier athlete must pursue the action during regulation time. The lighter athlete won't be penalised for disengaging, but the heavier athlete can be penalised for failing to initiate or chase the fight.
Five ways to get your hand raised
- Submission, an overtime submission, escaping faster than your opponent, or a disqualification in your favour.
- For kids, the referee stops the fight before full extension on any submission, for safety.
- Your opponent gives up, by tapping or verbally ("tap", "I give up", "mate").
- The referee steps in if they feel a competitor can't defend themselves, or that their safety is at risk.
- Your opponent is disqualified for breaking a forbidden rule.
What's legal, what's not
Kids: upper-body attacks only. No guillotines, anacondas, darces, or wrist locks. No spine-risk submissions.
Legal
- Any choke (except closing the windpipe with a hand)
- Arm bar, shoulder lock, or wrist lock (wrist lock not for white belt)
- Any ankle lock
- Kneebar: blue belt and above
- Twister: blue belt and above
- Pulling guard
- Flying armbars and flying triangles (no jumping guard)
Illegal
- Slamming
- Jumping guard
- Kani basami / flying scissors sweep (even with a hand post)
- Wrist locks: white belt
- Reaping in gi (reaping in no-gi is okay if the foot is free to turn)
- Heel hooks
- Bicep and calf slicers
- Kneebar: white belt
- Can opener
- Twister: white belt
- Neck cranks trapping both shoulders with downward pressure
- Full Nelson
- Spiking your opponent on their head during a takedown
- Spiking your opponent's head while they're on your back
- Rolling forward while someone has your back
- Any striking, punching, or kicking
- Eye gouging or fish hooking
- Grabbing ears or hair
- Holding fewer than 4 fingers or 5 toes
- Thumbing, scratching, or pinching
- Biting
- Squeezing or pressuring the groin
- Slippery substances on body or clothing
- Crossface guillotine twisting the chin
- Holding the T-shirt or shorts (no-gi)
Using any illegal technique results in immediate disqualification. No second chances.
If the edition is in a ring
- These rules only apply when an edition is held in a ring rather than an open mat.
- The mat area is 6 × 6 metres inside the ring. The ropes are in play, but you can't push your opponent out of the ring.
- Pushing your opponent out of the ring is an illegal technique and results in disqualification.