Competition Rulesets Guide
Understand how scoring, submissions, and match flow differ across the major BJJ competition rulesets. Whether you're competing for the first time or watching a superfight, this guide breaks down what you need to know.
IBJJF Rules
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation runs the most widely used ruleset in gi competition. Most local and regional tournaments follow IBJJF-style scoring.
ADCC Rules
The Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championship is the most prestigious no-gi grappling event, featuring a unique two-phase scoring system.
Submission Only Rules
Submission-only rulesets remove points entirely. The only way to win is by tapping your opponent. Multiple formats exist across different organizations.
NAGA Rules
The North American Grappling Association runs one of the largest and most beginner-friendly tournament circuits in the US, with experience-based divisions.
AJP / UAEJJF Rules
The Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (formerly UAEJJF) runs the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam tour and the World Professional Championship, the second-largest international gi circuit.
SJJIF Rules
The Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation focuses on international standardization and inclusion in multi-sport events, offering an alternative competitive pathway to IBJJF.
Understanding BJJ Rulesets
BJJ competitions don't all play by the same rules. The ruleset determines how matches are scored, how long they last, which techniques are legal, and what happens if nobody submits. Some rulesets reward positional control with points, others are submission-only, and a few use hybrid systems.
For competitors, understanding the ruleset you're entering is essential for game-planning. For fans, knowing the rules makes watching matches far more engaging.
Below you'll find detailed breakdowns of the six most common rulesets in competitive BJJ. Each guide covers scoring, time limits, legal techniques, and what makes that ruleset unique.
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