Rules – ABJJA

Rules

ABJJA events adhere to the IBJJF ruleset so athletes, coaches and officials can prepare with a clear and internationally recognised standard. Unless an ABJJA event page states a specific variation, competitors should use the current IBJJF rule book, update guide and official rules resources as the baseline for match conduct, scoring, fouls, legal techniques, uniforms and competition procedures.

Ruleset Reference

IBJJF v6.0

IBJJF Rules Resources

Use the official IBJJF materials below to review the current rules, recent updates, illegal moves and video explanations.

Rule Book

View the official IBJJF Rule Book (v6.0), including the rules book, general competition guidelines and competition format manual.

Download Rule Book

Rules Update Guide

Review the IBJJF Rules Update Guide that accompanies Rule Book v6.0.

Download Update Guide

Technical Fouls & Illegal Moves

Download the IBJJF poster outlining technical fouls and illegal moves for quick reference.

Download Poster

IBJJF Rules Playlist

Watch the IBJJF rules playlist on YouTube. Subtitles are available in Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian.

Watch Playlist

The IBJJF may update its rules and supporting documents from time to time. Athletes should check the linked official resources before each competition and review any event-specific instructions published by ABJJA.

IBJJF Uniform Standards

Uniform Requirements

ABJJA follows the IBJJF uniform standards for GI and No-GI divisions. Athletes should check their uniform before competition and review the official IBJJF material for full details.

GI Material

GIs should be cotton or cotton-like woven fabric, with fabric that is not so thick or hard that it prevents an opponent from gripping. EVA or similar material in the collar is permitted when it follows IBJJF size and rigidity limits.

GI Color & Patches

Permitted GI colors are white, royal blue and black. Tops and pants must match, collars must match the top, and patches must be cotton, properly seamed and placed only in authorized regions.

Belt & GI Measurements

Belts should be 4 to 5 cm wide, wrap twice around the waist, be tied with a double knot, and leave each end hanging 20 to 30 cm. GI checks include sleeve, pant, lapel, collar and sleeve-opening measurements.

Other GI Requirements

GIs must be clean, dry and free from tears or mending. Shirts under the GI top and pants under GI pants are generally prohibited, with specific IBJJF exceptions for female divisions.

No-GI Tops

No-GI shirts and rash guards must be tight elastic material, long enough to cover the torso to the shorts waistband, and use black, white, black and white, rank color, or at least 10 percent rank color.

No-GI Shorts & Pants

No-GI shorts must be safe for opponents, with no open pockets, buttons, exposed drawstrings, zippers, plastic or metal. Shorts should cover at least halfway down the thigh and not extend beyond the knee.

View Uniform Page Watch Gi-Checker Download Manual