SAMURAI SLAM JIU-JITSU                                           JUNE 4TH                                     CHARLESTON CONVENTION CENTER

COMPETITION RULES

Uniforms:

Gi matches - players must wear a clean and properly sized BJJ uniform for Gi matches..

Shoes must be worn off the mat.  BARE FEET in bathrooms will lead to disqualification.

Age and Skill Categories:

Competitors will be separated into age categories: Boys and Girls, Juvenile, Adult, and Masters

1. Junior Boys and Girls – Ages 4-15
2. Juvenile – Ages 16-17
3. Adult – Ages 18 and up 
4. Masters – Ages 30 and up

Every effort will be made to For Boys and Girls there will be Novice and Advanced divisions. For Juveniles, Adults, and Masters, there will be 5 skill categories:  White, Blue, Purple, Brown, and Black.

Divisions:  

Age and weight divisions will be bracketed to create divisions with 5-8 players.  Modified double elimination will be used to determine the winner in all brackets of 5 or more players.  All competitors will have at least 2 fights in each division!  

In some cases brackets may have 2-4 players.  These divisions will use a round robin or best 2 of 3 style of determination.  All competitors will have at least 2 fights in each division.  In some cases belt levels or weigh categories may be combined at tournament director's discretion in order to provide mutually beneficial brackets.  Always Check your brackets on SmoothComp and report any concerns to the tournament director.  

Even though weights and ages may be combined to provide large brackets and lots of matches, the following guidelines will be adhered to in all but the open weight categories.  If you feel uncomfortable about a matchup, report to the tournament director as soon as possible.

1. age range of 2-3 years for boys and girls 
2. weight range of 10 lbs for boys and girls under 55 lbs 
3. weight range of 15 lbs for boys and girls 55-100 lbs 
4. Weight categories for Juvenile, Adult, and Masters are displayed in Smoothcomp Registration platform.

Match Times:

1. 3 minute matches for Boys and Girls
2. 4 minute matches for Juvenile, Adult, and Masters
3. 3 minute limit for Golden Score (sudden death) in case of a tie score. If no points awarded during Golden Score, referee decides winner based on amount of time spent in offense versus defense.

Scoring:

Modified IBJJF rules will govern this event.  Points awarded in Regulation time.  First point in Golden Score wins.  Submissions will win regardless of points.  Gi and NO-Gi uniform requirements will be relaxed to include all colors and decorations within reason.

Submissions:

Junior Boys and Girls - No chokes and arm-bars in novice divisions!  No leg locks, ankle locks, or techniques that apply twisting or backwards pressure on the spine in any juniors division.  Novice divisions are for juniors new to jiu-jitsu who have never wrestled and have less than 1 year of judo or jiu-jitsu experience.  All other junior divisions will allow chocks and arm bars with safety primary.  That means that if child does not tap and the referee deems the submission technique was done well enough to warrant a tap, the referee may call the submission at his/her discretion (if face color changes, if arm is fully extended in straight arm bars, or if elbow is above shoulder in bend arm bars).  No changes will be made by the referee, only by the tournament director.  The referee will be able to radio the tournament direct in case of an issue.  Please respect all of our wonderful volunteers!

White belt divisions (Juvenile, Adult, and Masters) - chocks and arm-bars only.  No state-level wrestlers or judo black belts in the White belt division.

Blue Belt divisions (Juvenile, Adult, and Masters) - chokes, arm-bars, and straight leg and ankle locks

Advanced divisions - chokes, arm-bars, straight leg and ankle, wrist locks

Prohibited Moves:

No “Slamming” in the guard:  You cannot slam an opponent who has you in guard.

No “Jumping Guard”:  Jumping into a guard position against a standing opponent is NOT allowed, this is different than pulling guard, which is legal.

No twisting leg locks, i.e. heel hooks and knee bars that cause the leg to twist

Neck cranks are not allowed in junior divisions or in white and blue belt divisions. This occurs when you twist or bend the head so far as to put unnecessary pressure on the spine.

No striking (intentional or inadvertent)

No spinal torsion (twisting one half of the body while holding the other half in place)

Pulling Guard:

Competitors will be allowed to pull guard, with no points being awarded for either opponent.

Points can be scored if the action results in one opponent completing a guard sweep that places the opponent on their back, or passing the guard followed by dominant position for 5 seconds.

Disqualification:

Depending on the severity of the foul a penalty can be given or an immediate disqualification.

3 penalties will result in disqualification.  Any unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification.  This can include aggressive speech or actions towards the opponent, referee, or a coach.  All issues should be addressed to the tournament director.