Sub Spectrum BJJ

Competition
Rules

It is your responsibility to ensure you are fully aware of and compliant with all rules listed below before registering to compete in a Future Stars or Sub Spectrum event.

01

Match Length

  • 4 Minutes — The entire match is scored.
  • 5 Minutes — The entire match is scored.
  • 6 Minutes total.
  • First 3 minutes — No points scored.
  • Last 3 minutes — Points scored.
  • 10 Minutes total.
  • First 5 minutes — No points scored.
  • Last 5 minutes — Points scored.
  • If tied at end of regulation, athletes restart standing in the center of the mat.
  • Untimed sudden death — first point or submission wins.
02

Positive Points

  • Points only awarded during the second half of the match for Adults and Masters. Full match scored for Future Stars.
  • Scoring attacks must be initiated during the point-scoring period to count.
  • If already in a scoring position when the point period begins, no points awarded — advancement must occur during the scoring period.
  • All scoring positions must be held for a minimum of 3 seconds.
Guard Pass3 pts
Mounted Position2 pts
Half-Back Control2 pts
Full Back Control3 pts
Takedown2 pts
Sweep2 pts
Knee on Belly2 pts
Guard Pull Penalty1 pt
Full Takedown (past guard)5 pts
Full Sweep (past guard)5 pts
Pass Directly to Mount/KOB5 pts

Guard Pass

  • Top player must clear all entanglements from bottom player's lower body and pin at least one shoulder blade to the mat.
  • Awarded if bottom player remains on their side and is no longer attempting to escape or turtle.

Mount

  • Top player sitting on bottom player's torso (face up or down), two knees or one knee and one foot on the mat.
  • Reverse mount scores if requirements are satisfied.
  • Top player must be clear of any entanglement on the lower leg.

Back Control

  • Half Back: Chest-to-back contact under at least one elbow AND controls one arm or hip with closed leg connection. Only scores before Full Back in same sequence.
  • Full Back: Chest-to-back contact under at least one elbow AND both hooks or body triangle. Crossed ankles do not score.

Takedowns & Sweeps

  • Takedown: standing attack forces opponent's back, butt, or side to the mat.
  • If opponent turtles, top player must cover hips with one of opponent's knees on mat for 3 seconds.
  • Sweep: bottom player reverses position and maintains top for 3+ seconds.
  • Sweep points not awarded if top player initiates a submission and ends up on bottom.
03

Penalties & Negatives

  • 3 consecutive retreating steps from an opponent's guard.
  • Refusal to engage or progress position.
  • Obvious attempts to play the edge of the mat.
  • Intentionally fleeing the mat to defend a non-submission attack.

Referees may issue a warning before taking a point. Egregious or unnecessary fouls may receive a negative without warning.

  • Gripping the inside of the opponent's Gi sleeves or pants.
  • Gripping an opponent's No-Gi attire.
04

Special Rules

  • Players may pull guard without connection at any time during the match.
  • During the unscored period, no penalty will be assessed for pulling guard.
  • During the scoring period, a guard pull penalty (1 point awarded to the opponent) will be assessed when a standing player voluntarily grounds themselves and remains on the mat for 3 seconds or longer.
  • Slamming from guard or during a submission attempt is illegal.
  • If a competitor lifts their opponent above hip level and holds for 3 seconds, the referee will stop the match and restart with the top player awarded chest-to-chest half guard.
  • Flying attacks (Flying Scissor Takedown, Flying Submissions, Jumping Closed Guard) are illegal when both athletes are standing.
  • Scissor Takedown is legal if the attacker places a hand on the floor first.
  • Jumping submissions or jumping guard on a seated or kneeling opponent are legal.
05

Disqualifications

  • A third negative point of any kind.
  • Aggressive or unnecessary behavior towards referees, staff, competitors, coaches, or fans.
  • Intentionally fleeing the mat to avoid a submission.
  • Striking, biting, spitting, eye gouging, pulling hair, scratching, pinching, fish hooking, small joint manipulation, or applying pressure to an opponent's groin.
  • Small joint manipulation: gripping 3 or fewer fingers / 4 or fewer toes.
  • Intentionally spiking an opponent on their head or neck.
  • Failure to release a submission after the referee's order to stop.
  • Attempting an illegal technique for your skill level.
  • "Greasing."
06

Wardrobe

  • Rashguard or elastic top of any color — applies to Gi and No-Gi.
  • Underwear underneath uniform — applies to Gi and No-Gi.
  • No-Gi: shorts without pockets, zippers, or plastic/metal OR spats. Shorts must not extend below the knee.
  • Shorts over spats (without pockets, zippers, or plastic/metal).
  • Soft pads or braces on joints — no metal, plastic, or velcro.
  • Thin layers of athletic tape on joints.
  • Jewelry, hairpins, shoes, socks, or groin protectors.
  • Competing shirtless.

Gi Specific

  • Belt clearly too long or short.
  • Abundance of patches preventing gripping the Gi.
  • Gi is visibly tattered, torn, wet, or unclean.
07

Techniques Allowed by Skill Level

Attempting an illegal technique for your skill level will result in an immediate disqualification. Filter by category or search to find a specific technique.

Category
Technique Category Future Stars Beginner Intermediate Advanced Notes
No techniques match your filters.
Technique
FS Beg Int Adv Notes
Technique name is pinned — swipe right for details
No techniques match your filters.
✓ Allowed
✕ Not Allowed
! Conditional / See Notes