Intermediate
Quick IBJJF rules walkthrough
Coach's take: Precise, demonstrated, and covers the edge cases that actually decide matches -- excellent.
3.9
Competition points and rules
Brazilian jiu-jitsu / Popular
How points, advantages and penalties work in a BJJ match.
What coaches agree on
- Positions score on a rising scale the more control you gain — a takedown or sweep is worth 2 points, passing the guard is worth 3, and reaching mount or back control is worth 4, with knee-on-belly worth 2.
- A position must be stabilized before it counts, commonly for 3 seconds — hold it that long and the points are awarded; anything shorter earns at most an advantage.
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- Advantages are given for a move that's almost there but not quite complete — a position held just short of the time needed, or a submission your opponent barely escapes — and they only decide the match when the points are tied.
Common mistakes
- Relying on scrambles and reversals for points is a mistake — escaping a bad spot like side control, mount, or north-south without your guard involved doesn't score; only a sweep that starts from your own guard does.
- Reaching for a technique that's illegal for your belt level or ruleset — slamming to escape, small-joint locks, neck cranks, or heel hooks and kneebars below brown belt — draws a penalty or outright disqualification, not just a stoppage.
Advanced
The Secret To Never Losing Guard Passing Points (ADCC Ref Explains)
Coach's take: This is the stuff that actually costs people matches -- how you can do everything right and still score nothing if you let him turtle wrong.
3.9
Beginner
This is HOW you rack up points for jiu jitsu - COMPETITION GUIDE
Coach's take: Precise definitions plus a live running score - and a real rules quirk.
3.9
Beginner
Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals | The Point System for Competition
Coach's take: The negative examples are the best part -- showing what almost scores but doesn't is more useful than just listing the point values.
3.8
Beginner
Jiu Jitsu - Sports/competition rules & scoring system brief explanation.
Coach's take: Covers the real edge cases that actually confuse people, not just the basics.
3.8
Beginner
The Rules of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) - EXPLAINED!
Coach's take: Accurate, complete, and it flags the positions that DON'T score -- that trips up more beginners than the ones that do.
3.7
Beginner
New Jersey Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Competitions - Point System
Coach's take: Covers the details that actually trip up first-time competitors — genuinely useful.
3.6
Beginner
BJJ Comp Rules - Summary
Coach's take: Clean, accurate rundown — I'd hand this to any first-time competitor.
3.6
Beginner
JIU JITSU Rules Explained : Basic Rules and Regulations of Jiu-Jitsu
Coach's take: Great belt-by-belt legal-submissions breakdown -- just know this is one org's rulebook, not gospel everywhere.
3.6
Intermediate
IBJJF comp rules and tips!
Coach's take: Delivery's rough, but the rules detail — especially out-of-bounds and reversals — is genuinely useful.
3.5
Beginner
Stephen Hall explains BJJ tournament rules for Mount
Coach's take: Clears up a scoring detail most competitors actually get wrong.
3.5
Beginner
Jiujitsu Tournament Rules
Coach's take: Accurate points breakdown and conduct rules — exactly what a first-time competitor needs to know.
3.3
Beginner
BJJ Intro 2.2 - Explaining The Point System for Competition
Coach's take: Good first pass at the point system — you'll want more detail eventually.
3.2
Advanced
ADCC Rules and Strategies 1
Coach's take: Real match footage showing the submission-threat rule in action — this is how you actually teach a rule.
3.2
Intermediate
SJJIF RULES & REGULATIONS VIDEO wmv
Coach's take: Sharp on the edge cases if you're competing SJJIF, but check your own federation's rulebook -- this one's dated and org-specific.
2.8
Beginner
BJJ Competition Guide for First Timers
Coach's take: Great overview to calm the nerves -- you'll still want the exact point breakdown elsewhere.
2.7
Beginner
KIDS RULES // check out the rules for our kids BJJ round robin competitions.
Coach's take: Clear and well-meaning, but narrow - one event's rules, no scoring.
2.4
Intermediate
This Week in BJJ Episode 56 - 2014 IBJJF Rules Update
Coach's take: Worth a listen for the advantage-point insight, but don't expect a scoring chart.
1.7
Advanced
The Meta in BJJ Competitions isn't a Technique or Position
Coach's take: One sharp insight about scoring buried in a longer video about weight cutting.
1.6
Intermediate
How to Get 15 Points in BJJ Competition
Coach's take: Correct numbers, but no explanation of the rules behind them.
1.6