know the rules if you're going to play the game

As per the IBJJF, the rules are meant to be referenced for a "good fight". I outline some exception cases (although sometimes I think the entire ruleset is a collection of exception cases). 😂

This is a set of notes from an IBBJF rules seminar that was held at Caio Terra Academy.

• Double guard pull:

  • In the case where there is a double guard pull, if the referee does not check his watch, that means one competitor pulled before the other. If the referee is checking his watch, that means both competitors, in his/her view, pulled at the same time. In any case, it is to the benefit of whichever competitor who wants to win to get up and get on top. If they were the one who pulled guard first, then then would get on top. If they weren't the one who pulled guard, they would get points.

• Attacker and defender in an submission out of bounds situation:

  • If the attacker goes out of bounds while trying to complete a submission and fails to do so, they get 1 advantage point and they get reset in the middle.
  • If the attacker flees out of bounds while trying to complete a submission, then they get a penalty point.
  • If the defender successfully defends a submission but goes out of bounds to do so, the attacker gets 2 points and they get reset in the middle.
  • If the defender flees from a submission out of bounds, it is a DQ.
  • In the case that the attacker is attacking and instead comes to rest in a dominant position, then the attacker and defender would be reset to the center of the mat in the same position.
  • Good referees will never interrupt moving bodies to reset a position. If they do, they will never reset in a submission. The attacker would instead get 2 points and they would reset to standing.
  • Stalling calls last 20 seconds.

• A pass is 3 points, mount, back mount, and back are 4 points:

  • If you pass the guard, get to mount, they turn to the back, you get your hooks, they turn to their stomach, you release your hooks, and then they turn back into mount, it's 3 for the guard pass, 4 for the mount, 4 for the back take, 4 for the back mount, and then 4 for the mount again.

• A pass is getting past an opponent's legs, except in the case of turtle:

  • If an opponent turtles, even if you get past their legs, they are turtled.

• Sweeps only happen from guard:

  • If an opponent reverses a side control position, it wasn't from guard, 0 points awarded.

• Takedowns only happen from standing:

  • If you shoot and get smashed but don't let grips go, then it's still "from standing" and if you take them down, 2 points.
  • If you shoot and get smashed but let grips go, and shoot again from knees, it's "from knees" and if you take them down, 0 points. It's not a takedown if it's from the knees.
  • If you're in top side and I come up and get a single leg, it's not a "standing position" because it wasn't from guard. If you pull guard or I take your down, no points.

• Leg reaping:

  • If you make your opponent's knees point in the direction of the reap, that is reaping.
  • If your foot is past the line of the hip but the opponent's knee is technically not reaped, it's basically the referee's call. It is safer to just not fuck around in that position.
  • If you get to the saddle, only the secondary leg is open to be attacked. Leg laces are not allowed.

• Advantage examples:

  • If the competitors are in the half guard position and the top competitor has upper body control for 3 seconds, if the guy below them recovers, it's 1 advantage for the top guy. This does not apply for deep half, cut through, or lazy butterfly half. It applies for 3/4 mount and an active butterfly half with upper body control.
  • If the competitors are in the back position and the offensive competitor has one hook in for 3 seconds, if the defender gets out of the back positions, it's 1 advantage for the offensive competitor.

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