1.0 Competitor’s fingernails and toenails must be trimmed and filed.

1.1 Long hair must be tied up or braide.

1.2 Competitors showing signs of illness, skin lesions, or any other skin condition may be referred to medical staff or event officials to determine whether they are allowed to continue competing.

1.3 Applying any lubricant to the skin to reduce friction may result in disqualification if it cannot be immediately removed.

1.4 Competitors may check in and weigh in anytime up to at least 60 minutes before their scheduled division start time.

1.5 There is no weight allowance. Competitors must weigh in at or under the weight class limit.

1.6 Competitors who fail to make weight during the designated period will be disqualified and will not be moved to another weight division.

1.7 Competitors competing in divisions with no weight limit must still check in at the weigh-in desk.

1.8 Competitors must wear shorts without pockets or hard materials, with a length from at least mid-thigh to no lower than the knee. Spats or compression pants may be worn under the shorts.

1.9 Competitors must wear a fitted rash guard. Loose shirts or competing shirtless are not allowed.

1.10 Competitors must wear appropriate undergarments underneath their uniform.

1.11 Soft joint supports may be worn, but equipment with hard material is not permitted.

1.12 Jewelry, hairpins, and similar hard or unsafe accessories are not permitted during competition.

1.13 Joints may be taped with a thin layer of sports tape, and officials may require tape to be removed if needed.

1.14 Competitors may wear a strapless mouthguard.

1.15 The referee may call out of bounds at their discretion based on safety and whether the action can be properly reset.

1.16 Action that begins in the main competition area is considered in bounds and is eligible for scoring.

1.17 Action that begins in bounds and moves outside the main area may still be scored and will be reset at the referee’s first opportunity.

1.18 Action that goes too far out of bounds will be stopped and reset in the center of the mat.

1.19 Action that begins out of bounds is not eligible for scoring.

1.20 If the referee cannot safely or fairly recreate the position, both competitors will restart standing.

1.21 The time limit for white belt competitors will be 3 minutes.

1.22 The time limit for Blue belt competitors will be 4 minutes.

1.23 The referee is the highest authority during the match and is responsible for scoring and enforcing the rules.

1.24 Matches use the following scoring system: 4 points for mount, 4 points for back control, 3 points for a guard pass, 2 points for a sweep, 2 points for a takedown, 2 points for knee on belly, and 2 points for a strong submission attempt stopped out of bounds.

1.25 Mount scores 4 points.

1.26 Back control scores 4 points.

1.27 A guard pass scores 3 points.

1.28 A sweep from bottom to top scores 2 points.

1.29 A takedown from standing that puts the opponent on bottom scores 2 points.

1.30 Knee on belly scores 2 points.

1.31 Positions must be controlled for 3 seconds to be considered established and to receive points.

1.32 A competitor must be clear of a submission before receiving points for a scoring position.

1.33 Points can still be awarded when improving position during a submission attack, as long as the scoring criteria are met.

1.34 Points are only awarded through positional progression and cannot be scored again by repeating the same position without true advancement.

1.35 There are no advantage points.

1.36 A match ends immediately if a competitor taps, verbally submits, loses consciousness, or is unable to continue.

1.37 A competitor rendered unconscious during a match will be removed from their remaining matches at the event.

1.38 The referee may stop matches at their discretion for safety reasons.

1.39 Penalties may be given for fouls or stalling. Repeated penalties can result in opponent points or disqualification, while major fouls may result in immediate disqualification.

1.40 The referee may call stalling after a period of inactivity or lack of progression.

1.41 At the end of the match, the competitor with the most points wins.

1.42 If the score is tied, the competitor with fewer penalties wins.

1.43 If the match is still tied, the referee decides the winner based on submission threats, positional dominance, and overall activity.

1.44 The referee will call both competitors to the match area and start the match.

1.45 The referee may stop the match at any time to pause or reset the action.

1.46 The referee may issue penalties for fouls or stalling.

1.47 The referee may disqualify a competitor for serious rule violations.

1.48 The referee awards points during the match based on scoring actions.

1.49 The referee may correct points if they were awarded incorrectly.

1.50 At the end of the match, the referee declares the winner.

1.51 Pulling guard without a grip on the opponent may result in a penalty and a reset to standing.

1.52 Intentionally forcing the action out of bounds may result in a penalty.

1.53 Repeated disengaging or backing away from the action may result in a penalty.

1.54 Disobeying a referee’s instruction may result in a penalty.

1.55 Illegal gripping of the opponent’s clothing or equipment may result in a penalty.

1.56 In restricted divisions, illegal leg entanglement actions may result in a penalty.

1.57 Talking to coaches or spectators during the match may result in a penalty.

1.58 Leaving the mat before the referee declares the winner may result in a penalty.

1.59 Lack of combativeness or stalling may result in a penalty.

1.60 Excessive force in otherwise legal techniques may result in a penalty or disqualification.

1.61 Intentionally forcing the action out of bounds while in a submission in order to get the action stopped and reset results in a disqualification.

1.62 Exhibiting hostile behavior to officials, competitors, coaches, and/or spectators results in a disqualification.

1.63 Striking, biting, pulling hair, applying pressure to genitals or eyes, or placing fingers and toes in the opponent’s mouth results in a disqualification.

1.64 Disobeying the referee’s order to stop while attacking a submission results in a disqualification.

1.65 If a competitor’s uniform is damaged in any way during the match and they are unable to immediately exchange it, they will be disqualified.

1.66 Attempting a technique not allowed at the division’s skill level as per the Allowable Techniques chart results in a disqualification.

1.67 Attempting to force the opponent to attack with a technique not allowed at the division’s skill level as per the Allowable Techniques chart results in a disqualification.

1.68 A third penalty of any kind results in a disqualification.

LEGAL TECHNIQUES