1 Authority during matches.

1.1 The referee has complete authority during live matches.

1.2 Only the referee may start or stop a match.

1.3 The final ruling in matches is determined solely by the referee.

2 Hygiene.

2.1 All competitors must maintain proper hygiene.

2.2 Proper hygiene includes trimmed fingernails and toenails, and long hair must be tied up.

2.3 No athlete may compete with any infectious skin diseases or open wounds.

2.4 No oils or lubricants may be used by competitors.

2.5 No jewelry or piercings may be worn by competitors during matches.

2.6 No bodily fluids may exit a competitor during a match.

2.7 The medical staff may disqualify a competitor due to improper hygiene.

3 Requirements for competition.

3.1 All competitors must register for events in advance.

3.2 Professional MMA competitors, Olympic or collegiate wrestlers, and black belts in grappling arts such as Judo or Sambo, cannot register in white belt divisions.

3.3 All competitors must be within their weight requirements at the time their divisions begin.

3.4 All competitors must have a properly fitting gi at the time their divisions begin.

3.5 The referee may disqualify a competitor if they do not meet the requirements of their division.

4 Match decisions.

4.1 No matches shall end in a draw.

4.2 Matches can be won by:

Submission

Points

Referee decision

Forfeiture

Disqualification

Athlete injury

4.3 Win by submission.

4.3.1 A submission is defined as when a competitor visibly taps with a hand or foot repeatedly, verbally requests the match to stop, or cries out in pain during a match.

4.3.2 In Youth Divisions the referee may stop a match prior to submission if they feel the risk of injury is too high.

4.3.3 If a competitor submits due to an illegal technique, the competitor that applied the illegal technique shall be disqualified.

4.4 Win by points.

4.4.1 If the match time ends with no submission then the competitor with the most points shall be declared the victor.

4.4.2 The point system is as follows:

2 points – Takedown, sweep from guard, or knee on belly.

3 points – Guard pass.

4 points – Mount, back mount, or back control with leg hooks.

4.4.3 The competitor must establish position changes for a minimum of three seconds to earn points.

4.4.4 These position changes can be stacked for cumulative points but the final position must be held for the required time.

4.4.5 If a match runs out of time and points are tied, the referee will direct a one minute sudden death round. If points are tied after the sudden death round, then the victor shall be decided by referee decision.

4.5 Win by referee decision.

4.5.1 If points are tied after the sudden death round, the referee will decide the victor.

4.5.2 The referee decision shall be based on penalties, dominant positioning, and submission attempts.

4.6 Win by forfeiture.

4.6.1 Any competitor may forfeit any match at any time. If this is the case then their opponent shall be declared the victor.

4.7 Win by disqualification.

4.7.1 A competitor may be disqualified for not meeting division guidelines, hygienic guidelines, or due to penalties or fouls.

4.7.2 If a competitor is disqualified for any reason then their opponent shall be declared the victor.

4.8 Win by athlete injury.

4.8.1 If a competitor cannot compete or continue to compete in a match due to an injury not involving any illegal techniques, then their opponent shall be declared the victor.

4.8.2 If a competitor cannot finish a match due to injury resulting from an illegal technique, then the injured competitor shall be declared the victor.

5 Legal and illegal techniques.

Circle of Iron BJJ

Grapplethon Charity Events

These are open grappling events meant to raise money for charity. There are no divisions or trophies, just open mats. Roll for a cause!

If you would like to host a Grapplethon event please contact us.