Please make sure to read the following to fully understand the rules and regulations in place at Grappling Industries events.
By registering for and/or attending a Grappling Industries event, you agree to adhere to the following code of conduct:
When registering for a Grappling Industries event, you must abide by the following guidelines:
After an event’s change deadline passes, competitors that remain alone in their registered division will be merged as per the following guidelines:
After an event’s change deadline passes, competitors that remain alone in their registered division will be merged as per the following guidelines:
Grappling Industries will review officiating at events under the following conditions:
All requests for review MUST be made at the Head Table and NOT with the referee.
ONLY submissions and potentially incorrect enforcement of the Allowable Techniques chart will be reviewed. Any situation that involves a competitor “tapping” will be considered a submission for review purposes.
Potentially incorrect point scoring will NOT be reviewed for the purpose of overturning a match result. However, the Head Table and/or the Head Referee may review footage of incorrect point scoring for the purpose of providing referee feedback.
Requests for review MUST be made by the competitor or the competitor’s coach. Requests for review cannot be made by spectators.
Requests for review MUST be made immediately upon conclusion of the match in question and not longer than 10 minutes afterwards. Any requests made after this time window will be declined.
Requests MUST be supported by video evidence or they will be declined. Any prepared videos must be a clip focused on the referee call in question, reviewers will not watch video other than the exact sequence in question.
No rematches will be granted regardless of the review outcome.
All requests MUST be made in a manner that is respectful of event staff and referees. Insults towards or questioning of referee abilities will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate suspension of review privileges.
Competitors are only eligible for one request for review per division.
Results of reviews are at the discretion of the event’s Head Table staff. The result of a review cannot be contested further.
A successful review may result in the changing of a match result to a submission victory/disqualification or another solution deemed appropriate by the Head Table staff.
The Grappling Industries Round Robin format offers competitors multiple matches per division:
DIVISION OF 2 COMPETITORS
In a division of 2, competitors will face off in a ‘Best 2 out of 3’ offering at least 2 matches per competitor and as many as 3 matches per competitor.
DIVISION OF 3 COMPETITORS
In a division of 3, all competitors will face off against each other in a ‘Round Robin’ format, offering 2 matches per competitor.
DIVISION OF 4 COMPETITORS
In a division of 4, all competitors will face off against each other in a ‘Round Robin’ format, offering at least 3 matches per competitor.
DIVISION OF 5 COMPETITORS
In a division of 5, competitors will face off against each other in a ‘Round Robin’ format, offering 4 matches per competitor.
DIVISION OF 6 TO 9 COMPETITORS
In a division of 6 to 9, competitors will be divided into groups and face off in a ‘Round Robin’ format. The top 2 competitors will advance to a Finals match, offering at least 4 matches and as many as 5.
DIVISION OF 10+ COMPETITORS
In a division of 10+, competitors will be divided into groups and face off in a ‘Round Robin’ format. The top 4 competitors will advance to a Semi-Final and Final match to determine medal placements. Divisions of this size offer at least 4 matches and as many as 6.
TIEBREAKERS
In the case of a tie when determining group and division winners, the following algorithm will be used: Most Wins > Most Submissions > Head To Head Match > Most Points Scored > Least Points Scored Against
ABSOLUTES
In the Absolute divisions, competitors will face off in a single-elimination format.
Medals won can earn you individual and team ranking points: 100 points for a Gold, 50 points for a Silver, and 20 points for a Bronze.
Matches won can earn you individual and team ranking points: 10 points for a match won by Submission, 7 points for a match won by Points, and 5 points for a match won by Referee Decision or Disqualification.
Individual ranking points will be tracked across all Grappling Industries events for the current competition year.
1.1) Grappling Industries officials have the right to ask a competitor to change their Gi if they judge it is inappropriate. This situation can happen if:
1.2) Competitors may choose to wear a rash guard which clings to the body under their Gi. Competitors may not wear a t-shirt or loose fitting rash guard under their Gi.
1.3) Competitors may choose to wear Gi and No Gi uniforms of any colour. Uniform tops and bottoms may be of mismatched colours.
1.4) For No Gi divisions, competitors must wear board shorts without pockets or metal and plastic of any kind and they must reach at least halfway down the thigh and at most to the knee. Spats/compression pants can be worn under the shorts.
1.5) Competitors must wear undergarments underneath their uniform.
1.6) Competitors may choose to wear soft pads on their joints. Pads that contain hard material of any kind will not be permitted.
1.7) Competitors may choose to wear recognized religious headgear. Earguards are not an accepted form of headgear regardless of circumstance.
1.8) Competitors may not wear goggles, groin protectors, jewelry, hairpins, or compression socks of any kind.
1.9) Competitors may tape joints in a thin layer of sports tape. Officials reserve the ability to ask a competitor to remove any tape.
1.10) Competitors have the option of wearing a strapless mouthguard.
2.1) Competitor’s fingernails and toenails must be trimmed and filed.
2.2) Long hair must be tied up or braided.
2.3) Competitors will be disqualified if they are wearing hair dye or makeup that stains their opponent’s Gi or the mat surface during a match.
2.4) Competitors presenting signs of illness, skin lesions, or any other skin condition shall be directed to the tournament medical staff and/or Head Table to determine their eligibility to continue competing.
2.5) Applying any lubricant to skin to reduce friction will result in the competitor being disqualified if the substance cannot be immediately wiped off.
3.1) Competitors may check-in and weigh-in anytime up to at least 60 minutes before their scheduled division start time.
3.2) There is NO weight allowance. Competitors must weigh in at or under the weight class limit.
3.3) Competitors who fail to make weight during the designated period will be disqualified and will not be moved up to another weight division. Competitors who are disqualified will not be eligible for a refund. It is the competitor’s responsibility to make the weight class they signed up for, or have changed to a higher weight class by that event’s change deadline.
3.4) All competitors competing in Gi divisions may weigh-in WITHOUT their Gi on.
3.5) A competitor who competes in both a Gi and No Gi division only has to weigh-in ONCE.
3.6) Competitors competing in Absolutes and divisions with no weight limit must still check in at the weigh-in desk.
4.1) The referee will call out of bounds at their discretion based on factors such as competitor safety and the ability to properly pause the action in a replicable position.
4.2) Action occurring in Area A is considered in bounds and is eligible for point scoring.
4.3) Action beginning in Area A and ending in Area B is eligible for point scoring and will be reset in the center of the mat by the referee at the first opportunity for a pause in the action.
4.4) Action beginning in Area A or B that carries over to Area C will immediately be paused and reset in the middle of the mat.
4.5) Any action beginning in Area B or C is not eligible for point scoring.
4.6) If the referee cannot replicate the position when resetting the action in the center of the mat, both competitors will be restarted standing.
5.1) The time limit for every Adult, Master, and Senior match will be 5 minutes.
5.2) The time limit for Kids aged 14-17 will be 4 minutes.
5.3) The time limit for Kids 13 and under will be 3 minutes.
6.1) The referee is the highest authority in a match. The referee’s ruling on the result of each match cannot be contested with the referee. The referee oversees all match scoring and enforcement of rules.
6.2) Grappling Industries matches follow the following scoring system: 4 for the mount, 4 for the back, 3 for a guard pass, 2 for a sweep, 2 for a takedown, 2 for knee on belly, and 2 for a solid submission attempt that was stopped out of bounds.
6.3) Points will be awarded for the mount position when the competitor on top is sitting on the opponent’s torso (whether the opponent is belly up or belly down) and with two knees or one foot and one knee on the ground, facing the opponent and are clear of any trap on the heel. Competitors will receive points for the mount if they have trapped one of the opponent’s arms. Competitors will not receive points for the mount if they have trapped both opponent’s arms.
6.4) Points will be awarded for the back control position when while behind the opponent, the competitor places their heels between the opponent’s thighs without crossing their feet and creates any form of lock on the upper body with their arms. Achieving back body triangle position will not award back control points. Competitors will receive points for back control if they have trapped one of the opponent’s arms. Competitors will not receive points for back control if they have trapped both opponent’s arms.
6.5) Points will be awarded for a guard pass when the competitor completely clears the opponent’s lower body and has pinned the opponent’s shoulders to the mat or the opponent is laying on their side with no further attempt to improve position.
6.6) Points will not be awarded for a guard pass if the bottom competitor establishes the turtle position for at least 3 seconds in response to the guard pass attempt.
6.7) Points will be awarded for a sweep when a competitor initiates an attack from a bottom guard position that results in them assuming the top position. Points will also be awarded if the top competitor assumes the bottom position in pursuit of an attack.
6.8) If a competitor attacks a sweep from guard and the opponent turtles in response to the sweep attempt, 2 points will only be awarded if the sweeper establishes control from behind (no hooks required) and maintains that control for 3 seconds. Points will not be awarded if the sweeper only assumes the front headlock position.
6.9) All sweeps occurring in the 50/50 guard position require the competitor attacking the sweep to come up to a standing position in order to be awarded points for a sweep. The sweeping competitor’s rear knee must be completely off of the mat in order for points to be awarded.
6.10) Points will be awarded for a takedown when a competitor causes the opponent to land in bottom position on their back, side, or seated with an attack from the standing position. In the case of the opponent landing in a turtle position, points will only be awarded if the opponent is on all fours and the top competitor is behind them.
6.11) An established turtle position is not considered a guard for the purpose of scoring sweep points.
6.12) Two points will be awarded for a strong submission attempt that was stopped out of bounds as long as the referee does not deem that the defending competitor was attempting to force the action off of the mat as an escape.
6.13) Points will be awarded for the knee on belly position when a competitor, clear of any guard, places their knee or shin on the opponent’s upper body with their opposite knee fully off the ground, while the opponent is on their back.
6.14) All positions must be held and controlled for 3 seconds in order for it to be considered “established” and for any points to be awarded.
6.15) Competitors who achieve a point scoring position while caught in a submission must clear themselves of the submission attempt in order to be awarded points.
6.16) Competitors who achieve a point scoring position while attacking a submission will still be awarded points if all other criteria of that point scoring position is satisfied.
6.17) Point scoring can only be achieved through positional progression. EXAMPLE: A competitor cannot exit the mount back to side control by their own choice and then score mount points again.
6.18) There is no “Advantage” scoring.
6.19) A match will be deemed over immediately if a competitor taps out, screams, yelps, loses consciousness, cries, loses control of bodily functions, vomits, or verbally gives up during the match.
6.20) A competitor that is rendered unconscious in a match will be removed from their remaining matches at the event.
6.21) The referee may end Kids division matches at their discretion due to potential for risk of injury.
6.22) Referees will bestow penalty points as a consequence for fouls and lack of combativeness/stalling. In the case of a minor foul, the first penalty will result in a warning, a second penalty will result in the opponent being given 2 points, a third penalty will result in disqualification. Major fouls will result in immediate disqualification.
6.23) The referee may declare that a competitor is demonstrating a lack of combativeness/stalling after timing 20 seconds of inactivity/lack of intention to progress position.
6.24) Grounded action will not be stood up as a consequence of a penalty unless it is for lack of combativeness during a double guard exchange.
6.25) At the conclusion of the match’s allotted time period, the competitor with the most points will be awarded the victory. If there is a tie on points, the competitor with the least penalties will be declared the victor. If a tie still remains, the referee will decide the match result via Referee Decision.
6.26) Referee decisions are made at the referee’s discretion, based primarily on threat of submission and positional dominance. While submission threats carry the most weight, a referee may determine that sustained and significant positional dominance has outweighed the severity of the submission threats and is sufficient to decide the match. If neither competitor establishes a clear advantage in these areas, the referee will award the win to the competitor who most actively and aggressively pursued submissions and dominant positions.
7.1) To summon competitors to the match area, the referee will raise arms to shoulder height and call competitors forward.
7.2) To start the match, the referee will perform a single arm chopping motion toward the ground and declare “FIGHT!”
7.3) To pause the match or declare time out, the referee will raise both arms to shoulder height and straighten them in a horizontal chopping motion while declaring “STOP!”.
7.4) To bestow a penalty for a foul or stalling to a competitor, the referee will touch the competitor and raise a closed fist to shoulder height while declaring “PENALTY!”
7.5) To disqualify a competitor, the referee will cross their arms in an X shape and then perform a chopping motion towards the side of the competitor.
7.6) To award 2 points to a competitor, the referee will raise the hand corresponding to the competitor’s side with their pointer and middle finger extended.
7.7) To award 3 points to a competitor, the referee will raise the hand corresponding to the competitor’s side with their pointer, middle, and ring fingers extended.
7.8) To award 4 points to a competitor, the referee will raise the hand corresponding to the competitor’s side with their pointer, middle, ring, and pinkie fingers extended.
7.9) To deduct mistakenly awarded points, the referee will raise an open hand corresponding to the side of the competitor to shoulder height and perform a waving motion.
7.10) To announce the match result, the referee will raise the arm of the winning competitor.
8.1) Pulling to guard without a grip on the opponent results in a penalty and the action being restarted standing.
8.2) Intentionally forcing the action out of bounds while standing or while defending an attack results in a penalty.
8.3) Taking 3 steps backwards away from the opponent’s guard while standing over them/disengaging out of guard results in a penalty.
8.4) Intentionally causing wardrobe malfunctions results in a penalty.
8.5) Gripping inside the opponent’s Gi sleeves or pants, or gripping No Gi attire results in a penalty.
8.6) Disobeying a referee order results in a penalty.
8.7) Unintentionally attempting a knee reap without a submission in Kids and White Belt division results in a penalty.
8.8) Talking to coaches or spectators during the match results in a penalty.
8.9) Exiting the mat prior to the referee declaring the winner results in a penalty.
8.10) Lack of combativeness/stalling will result in a penalty.
8.11) The use of excessive force in otherwise legal techniques—such as collar ties, palming for distance, or foot sweeps—will result in a penalty. If the referee determines that the excessive force caused the action to resemble or result in a strike, the attacking competitor will be immediately disqualified.
9.1) Intentionally forcing the action out of bounds while in a submission in order to get the action stopped and reset results in a disqualification.
9.2) Exhibiting hostile behavior to officials, competitors, coaches, and/or spectators results in a disqualification.
9.3) Striking, biting, pulling hair, applying pressure to genitals or eyes, or placing fingers and toes in the opponent’s mouth results in a disqualification.
9.4) Disobeying the referee’s order to stop while attacking a submission results in a disqualification.
9.5) 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.
9.6) Attempting a technique not allowed at the division’s skill level as per the Allowable Techniques chart results in a disqualification.
9.7) 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.
9.8) A third penalty of any kind results in a disqualification.
