What is Allowed and Prohibited in Jiu-Jitsu Competitions

Jiu-jitsu, a martial art focused on grappling techniques and submissions, is governed by specific rules to ensure safety and fairness in competitions. This article explores what actions are strictly prohibited in jiu-jitsu matches, as well as the regulations that govern the practice of the sport, especially in tournament settings.

Prohibited Techniques in Jiu-Jitsu Competitions

Firstly, certain brutal and dangerous techniques are explicitly forbidden in jiu-jitsu competitions. These include:

Rape Chokes and Mounting

Techniques that closely resemble rape chokes or involve mounting someone and strangling with both hands are not allowed. Such techniques can cause severe physical harm and psychological trauma.

Eyes Gouging

Driving the chin into another person's eye socket (eyes gouging) is a particularly dangerous move that can lead to permanent eye damage. This technique is strictly prohibited in jiu-jitsu tournaments.

Attacks on the Groin or Genital Area

Targeting the groin or other sensitive areas with techniques such as wet willies (a move where the attacker places a finger in the opponent's mouth and rips back) or gouging the ear are also banned. These extremely dangerous moves can cause serious pain and injury, and are proscribed to maintain safe competition.

Leg and Neck Locks

Leg locks, including hellhooks, cervical locks, and spine locks, are also prohibited. Some tournaments may allow certain types of leg locks (like knee bars, calf slicers, and toe holds) depending on the belt level of the competitors. However, heel hooks are generally banned in gi competitions.

Striking Prohibited in Jiu-Jitsu Competitions

While jiu-jitsu is primarily a grappling art, it is not entirely devoid of striking techniques. The following actions are prohibited in jiu-jitsu competition:

Striking and Verbal Provocation

Striking an opponent is not allowed. Additionally, verbal provocation such as cursing or protesting against a referee's decision is also prohibited. Referees play a crucial role in maintaining order and ensuring fair play.

Equipment and Competition Rules

Wearing a Gi with short sleeves or pants, and using any hand or feet accessories are not permitted during competition. Competitors are also required to release their grip when their opponent signals with a tap, and the fight must be stopped by the referee upon such a signal.

Behavioral Violations

Leg entanglements from the outside, slamming opponents, and attacks on fingers (like standing scissor sweeps, biceps and calf slicers) are forbidden. These actions can lead to serious injuries and are strictly regulated to protect the safety of all participants.

Tournament-Specific Rules and Regulations

Rules can vary depending on the specific tournament and whether the competition is gi or no-gi. Even within the same competition, there can be differences in rules based on the belt levels of the competitors. For example:

Gi and No-Gi Differences

- In gi, white belts are only allowed to perform straight ankle locks. Brown and black belts in gi can use toe holds, knee bars, and calf slicers, but must not turn towards the knee to avoid knee reaping, which is prohibited.

- In no-gi, the rules for Brown and Black belts were changed in 2021. They can now perform leg reap techniques and inside and outside heel hooks. However, these techniques are not allowed in Masters divisions and for lower belt levels.

Training Etiquette

There are also different expectations during training versus competition. For instance, lower belts are expected to move out of the way for higher belts during training sessions to facilitate proper technical work. This applies to both gi and no-gi environments.

Conclusion

To ensure a safe and fair competition, jiu-jitsu participants must be well-versed in the specific rules of their chosen tournament. It is advisable to discuss the rule sets with your instructors and understand the appropriate techniques and behaviors. Familiarizing yourself with these guidelines will help you enhance your skills while ensuring that you operate within the boundaries of the sport.