Believe BJJ: KIDS GI and NoGi TOURNAMENT
Rules:
RENDERING DECISIONS
Match outcomes will be determined using the following methods:
Submission
Stoppage
Disqualification
Loss of Consciousness
Scoring
Referee Decision
Random Pick
SUBMISSION
A match is declared over by submission in any of the following cases:
The athlete taps the opponent, mat, or themselves twice in a visible and deliberate manner.
The athlete taps the mat twice with their foot, due to having their arms immobilized.
The athlete verbally signals their intent to stop the match.
The athlete screams or audibly expresses pain while trapped in a submission hold.
STOPPAGE
A match may be stopped and awarded to the opponent in the following scenarios:
One athlete reports cramping.
The referee determines that a hold could cause serious injury.
The medical doctor rules that an athlete is unable to continue due to a legal technique by the opponent.
An athlete experiences bleeding that cannot be controlled after two medical interventions per injury.
An athlete vomits or loses control of bodily functions (e.g., urination or bowel incontinence).
DISQUALIFICATION
A match is lost by disqualification when an athlete performs illegal moves or violates the rules.
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
An athlete is considered defeated if they lose consciousness due to a legal submission or an accidental, non-illegal incident.
Note: Athletes who lose consciousness from head trauma are prohibited from continuing in the same tournament and must seek medical evaluation.
SCORING
If the match reaches the time limit or is halted due to injury to both athletes, the winner is determined by points:
Points System:
4 Points — Mount, Back Mount, Back Control
3 Points — Guard Pass
2 Points — Takedown, Sweep, Knee on Belly
Tie-Breaking Criteria:
Most Advantage Points
Fewer Penalty Points
POINT SCORING GUIDELINES
Points are awarded only when the athlete maintains a scoring position for 3 seconds.
If a legal submission causes the opponent to exit the competition area during defense, 2 points are awarded to the attacker.
If an athlete voluntarily gives up a position already scored in order to regain it and score again, no additional points will be awarded.
Points are only granted for scoring positions achieved outside of submission threats. The athlete must escape the submission and then stabilize the position for 3 seconds.
If a submission interrupts a 3-second count for points, no points are awarded, but advantage points may be given.
Multiple scoring positions chained together are eligible for cumulative points, provided control is maintained throughout and the final position is held for 3 seconds.
Example: Guard pass (3 points) into mount (4 points) = 7 cumulative points
If both athletes pull guard simultaneously, the one who first achieves top position earns 1 advantage point.
If the top position is achieved directly into side control, no points or advantage are awarded for a guard pass.
REFEREE DECISION
If the match ends in a tie with equal points, advantages, and penalties, the referee (or referee panel) will determine the winner based on:
Offensive initiative throughout the match
Attempts to score through positions or submissions
RANDOM PICK
If both athletes are injured in a final match with a tied score and neither can continue, the winner will be determined by a random draw.
Age Divisions
DivisionAge Determined By
Mighty-Mite I Age 4 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 4)
Mighty-Mite II Age 5 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 5)
Mighty-Mite III Age 6 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 6)
Pee-Wee I Age 7 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 7)
Pee-Wee II Age 8 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 8)
Pee-Wee III Age 9 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 9)
Junior I Age 10 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 10)
Junior II Age 11 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 11)
Junior III Age 12 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 12)
Teen I Age 13 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 13)
Teen II Age 14 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 14)
Teen III Age 15 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 15)
Juvenile I Age 16 → (Current Year – Birth Year = 16)
Belt Divisions
We simplify belt division to guarantee matches for the competitors.
White Belt - White belts only.
Grey: Grey/White, Solid Grey, Grey-Black
Yellow: Yellow/White, Solid Yellow, Yellow/Black
Orange: Orange/White, Solid Orange, Orange/Black
Green: Green/White, Solid Green, Green/Black
If there are not enough competitors of the same division, the competitor could be placed in a belt
division no greater than 1 rank difference of their own.
Weight Classes
Mighty-Mite (Ages 4–6)
Light Feather: ~42 lbs
Feather: ~49 lbs
Light: ~55 lbs
Middle: ~62 lbs
Medium Heavy: ~69 lbs
Heavy: ~75 lbs
Super Heavy: ~82 lbs
Ultra Heavy: >82 lbs
Pee-Wee (Ages 7–9)
Light Feather: ~60 lbs
Feather: ~67 lbs
Light: ~73 lbs
Middle: ~80 lbs
Medium Heavy: ~87 lbs
Heavy: ~93 lbs
Super Heavy: ~100 lbs
Ultra Heavy: >100 lbs
Junior (Ages 10–12)
Rooster: ~71 lbs
Light Feather: ~80 lbs
Feather: ~89 lbs
Light: ~98 lbs
Middle: ~106 lbs
Medium Heavy: ~116 lbs
Heavy: ~125 lbs
Super Heavy: ~133 lbs
Ultra Heavy: >133 lbs
Teen (Ages 13–15)
Rooster: ~98 lbs
Light Feather: ~106 lbs
Feather: ~116 lbs
Light: ~125 lbs
Middle: ~133 lbs
Medium Heavy: ~144 lbs
Heavy: ~152 lbs
Super Heavy: ~161 lbs
Ultra Heavy: >161 lbs
Match Duration by Division
Division Match Time
Mighty-Mite I–III (Ages 4–6) 2 minutes
Pee-Wee I–III (Ages 7–9) 3 minutes
Junior I–III (Ages 10–12) 4 minutes
Teen I–III (Ages 13–15) 4 minutes
Juvenile I–II (Ages 16–17) 5 minutes
ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES
The following techniques are prohibited based on the age and rank of the competitors. Performing any of these actions will result in penalties or disqualification.
Ages 4–12: Prohibited Techniques
Any submission that involves stretching the legs apart
Chokes combined with spinal locks
Straight foot locks
Forearm choke using sleeves (Ezekiel choke)
Front guillotine choke
Omoplata
Triangle choke involving pulling the opponent’s head
Arm triangle choke
Compression locks applied from closed guard, targeting kidneys or ribs
Wrist locks
Single-leg takedown with the attacker’s head positioned outside the opponent’s body
Bicep slicer
Calf slicer
Kneebar
Toe hold
Heel hook
Any lock that twists the knee
Knee reaping
During a straight foot lock, rotating toward the non-attacked foot
In a toe hold, applying outward pressure on the foot
Slamming the opponent
Spinal locks not combined with a choke
Scissor takedowns
Bending the opponent’s fingers backward
Defending a single-leg takedown by grabbing the belt and slamming the opponent onto their head when their head is outside your body
Suplex takedowns where the opponent lands on their head or neck
Ages 13–15: Prohibited Techniques
Chokes with spinal lock
Straight foot locks
Forearm choke using sleeves (Ezekiel choke)
Front guillotine choke
Omoplata
Triangle choke involving pulling the opponent’s head
Arm triangle choke
Compression locks from closed guard, targeting kidneys or ribs
Wrist locks
Single-leg takedown with the attacker’s head positioned outside the opponent’s body
Bicep slicer
Calf slicer
Kneebar
Toe hold
Heel hook
Any lock that twists the knee
Knee reaping
During a straight foot lock, rotating toward the non-attacked foot
In a toe hold, applying outward pressure on the foot
Slamming the opponent
Spinal locks without chokes
Scissor takedowns
Bending the opponent’s fingers backward
Defending a single-leg takedown by grabbing the belt and slamming the opponent onto their head when their head is outside your body
Suplex takedowns where the opponent lands on their head or neck
1. Gi / Uniform Requirements
Only white, royal blue, or black Gis are permitted.
Gis must be one solid color. Mixed-color jackets and pants, or jackets with different colored collars, are not allowed.
Gis must be clean, odor-free, and free of tears or mending.
Gi inspection is mandatory. Athletes may be required to change their Gi if it does not meet standards.
Gi inspection will take place during weigh-in.
After weigh-in and Gi inspection, uniforms may not be changed. Doing so will result in disqualification.
2. No-Gi / Uniform Requirements
Rash guards for kids must be:
Tight-fitting
No rank color required
Shorts :
2.3 Shorts must be:
Board shorts: Without pockets, No buttons, zippers, exposed drawstrings, plastic or metal
Length must cover at least halfway down the thigh and stop above the knee
Compression shorts or leggings are permitted underneath board shorts.
3. Hygiene Requirements
Fingernails and toenails must be clean, trimmed, and short.
Long hair must be tied up to avoid discomfort to opponents.
Footwear is required until entering the match area and in all permitted zones.
4. General Rules
The following are prohibited:
Footwear
Headgear
Hair pins
Jewelry
Genital protectors (cups)
Any hard materials that may injure an athlete or opponent
Sports goggles or eye protection
Braces or protectors that increase body volume and hinder grips are not allowed.
Undergarments are mandatory for all athletes (Gi and No-Gi). Only brief-style underwear is permitted. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
