The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) runs the most widely recognized gi and no-gi circuit in the world, including European events such as the Geneva International Open. If you plan to compete, knowing the scoring and match format in advance lets you plan your game and avoid costly surprises.

This is an overview for athletes who are new to competition. The official IBJJF rulebook is always the final word, and details change between editions. Read it before you register.

How Scoring Works

Points are awarded for achieving and holding a dominant position for three seconds. The core values in adult divisions are:

2Takedown
2Sweep
2Knee on belly
3Guard pass
4Mount
4Back control (with hooks)

A submission ends the match immediately, whatever the score.

Advantages and Penalties

  • Advantages are awarded for near-misses, such as an almost-completed takedown, sweep or submission attempt.
  • Advantages only matter as a tiebreaker. If points are equal, the athlete with more advantages wins. A single guard pass (3 points) beats any number of advantages.
  • Penalties are given for stalling or rule violations and can lead to disqualification when they accumulate or the violation is serious.

Match Times for Adults (Gi)

White
5 min
Blue
6 min
Purple
7 min
Brown
8 min
Black
10 min

Kids and masters divisions use shorter times, which are listed in the rulebook and on each event page.

Legal and Illegal Techniques

Which techniques are allowed depends on belt, age division and whether you compete in gi or no-gi. Slams, spinal locks, neck cranks and many leg attacks are restricted at lower belts, and heel hook legality in particular varies by belt, age and division and has changed between rulebook editions. Do not rely on a blog post, including this one, for that. Check the current rulebook for your exact division.

Before You Register

  1. Read the current rulebook on ibjjf.com.
  2. Check your uniform. See our uniform rules guide for gi and no-gi requirements.
  3. Look at the event page for division, weight and schedule details. Find Swiss and nearby events in our competition calendar for 2026.
  4. Talk to your coach about which division and weight class suit you.

Thinking about your first tournament? Train with a team that supports competitors at every level. Start your free 7-day trial at HOGA and ask our coaches about competition preparation.