What to Know About BJJ Competition Rules

Rules are the backbone of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competitions. These guidelines are in place because fighters and spectators alike want safe, fair, and thrilling matches. Of course, rules are necessary to uphold the sport’s integrity and protect the fighters in our communities. At the North American Grappling Association, we have rules for our own Gi and No-Gi tournaments. It’s essential for fighters registering to compete to understand the nuances before stepping onto the mat. This article will focus primarily on the NAGA rulebook. 

Referees in competitions are empowered to stop a match at any moment if they perceive a rule violation, whether it’s an illegal move, sandbagging, or interference from coaches or spectators. If you don’t follow the rules during a match, you can expect to be disqualified. We expect professional behavior from everyone in attendance at NAGA events, just as any federation would expect at a BJJ event the world over. 

The global BJJ community is focused on fostering an environment of respect and sportsmanship. To that end, this article will explore the crucial aspects of the competition rules, from permissible techniques to prohibited actions, scoring criteria, divisions, weight classes, and time limits, including the distinct rules for Gi and No-Gi competitions.

How to Win a BJJ Match

NAGA referees spend a great deal of time learning the No Gi and Gi rules. The #1 reason why coaches and competitors argue calls made by a referees is because they don’t know the rules. A NAGA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu match in a NAGA competition can be won in four ways:

• By Submission when one competitor taps out verbally, either by saying “stop,” or “tap.” Referees can also halt a match and award victory to the competitor applying the submission if they decide a submission cannot be escaped, and an injury appears imminent.
• By Accumulation of Points based on the successful execution of specific techniques and achieving dominant positions. 
• By Referee Decision in a match that does not end in a submission, disqualification, or clear point victory within the allotted time. The referee’s decision will be awarded to the competitor who displayed superior technique, control, and aggression during the match. 
• By Opponent Disqualification for using illegal techniques, unsportsmanlike conduct, dangerous moves, stalling, uniform violations, or interference from a coach. 

Permissible and Prohibited BJJ Techniques in Tournaments

No Gi – Legal and Illegal Techniques

Gi – Legal and Illegal Techniques

Scoring Points in BJJ Tournaments

Sandbagging is not allowed in BJJ competitions. If a fighter is caught fighting down a skill level, the referee will stop the match and move the competitor to an appropriate skill level. At registration, NAGA checks records from past grappling events to try and stop sandbagging before a competitor hits the mat. NAGA reserves the right to remove a competitor from the results post-tournament if it is deemed they were sandbagging.

Divisions, Weight Classes, and Time Limits

Some competitions have slight variations in which techniques certain age groups or belt levels can use, but the rules of BJJ competitions are generally the same. There are the same legal and illegal moves, scoring system, and conduct regardless of weight class.

Weight classes level the playing field by matching competitors against others of similar physical size and weight. This fairness is crucial in a sport where leverage, weight distribution, and physical control play significant roles in how effectively someone can fight. They also reduce the risk of injuries since larger weight discrepancies can lead to more forceful impacts and greater strain during grappling exchanges. 

In NAGA competitions, we have divisions for all ages, weights, and skills. Competitors can only compete in one skill level and one weight class.

Age Categories

• Children (13 years of age and under)
• Teens (14-17 years of age)
• Adult (18-29 years of age)
• Master (30-39 years of age)
• Director (40-49 years of age)
• Executive (50 years of age and older)

Within each category, there are different weight classes. Here is a list of the NAGA weight classes from lightest to heaviest:

• Flyweight
• Bantamweight
• Featherweight
• Lightweight
• Welterweight
• Middleweight
• Light-Heavyweight
• Cruiserweight
• Heavyweight
• Super-Heavyweight
• Ultra-Heavyweight

Adults are also grouped into competition categories based on experience. These are as follows:

Adult No-Gi Skill Levels (18 years and older)

• Novice – 6 months & under of grappling experience
• Beginner – 6 months to 2 years of grappling experience
• Intermediate – 2 to 5 years of grappling experience (blue belts must compete in at least Intermediate)
• Expert – 5 years & over of grappling experience (purple, brown, black belts must compete at Expert)

Adult Gi Skill Levels (18 years and older)

• White
• Blue
• Purple
• Brown
• Black

The time limits for gi and no-gi matches are included in the tables below: 

No-Gi Time Limits

Gi Time Limits

The Importance of Rules in BJJ Tournaments

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments are meticulously designed to ensure fair and exciting competition. Our paramount goal at NAGA is SAFETY. Referees have the authority to halt a match whenever they sense an imminent injury or a fighter is disqualified. We always expect professional behavior from everyone in attendance at our events and strive to create a competitive yet secure environment where BJJ enthusiasts can showcase their skills and passion for the sport.