RULES 

TAPROOM BJJ — OFFICIAL RULES

TAPROOM BJJ is built to showcase high-level, exciting submission grappling.

We want competitors to get after it, showcase their skills, hunt for the finish, and leave it all on the mats. There are no points to protect and no advantage game to play. Compete with intention, stay active, and look for the submission.

Competitor safety and sportsmanship always come first.

ADULT DIVISION — AGE 18+

  • Match Length: 6 minutes
  • Submission Only: No points are awarded during regulation.
  • Referee Decision: If neither competitor secures a submission during regulation, the winner will be determined by referee decision.
  • Legal Submissions: All submissions are permitted.
  • No Slams: Slamming an opponent is prohibited.
  • Competition Area: All matches take place within a 20 ft × 20 ft mat area.
  • Competitors are expected to actively keep the action within the competition area.
  • This is not ADCC. Do not intentionally play the edge of the mat or use the boundary to escape a submission or disadvantageous position.

YOUTH — BLUE BELT & UP

  • Match Length: 6 minutes
  • Submission Only: No points are awarded during regulation.
  • Referee Decision: If neither competitor secures a submission during regulation, the winner will be determined by referee decision.
  • Straight ankle locks and kneebars are legal.
  • No twisting leg locks or heel hooks.
  • No slams.
  • Competitors must keep the action within the 20 ft × 20 ft competition area.
  • Intentionally using the boundary to escape a submission or position is prohibited.

YOUTH — WHITE / GRAY / YELLOW / ORANGE / GREEN BELTS

  • Match Length: 5 minutes
  • Submission Only: No points are awarded during regulation.
  • Referee Decision: If neither competitor secures a submission during regulation, the winner will be determined by referee decision.
  • No leg locks.
  • No neck cranks.
  • No twisters.
  • No slams.
  • Competitors must keep the action within the 20 ft × 20 ft competition area.
  • Intentionally using the boundary to escape a submission or position is prohibited.

ACTION & STALLING

TAPROOM BJJ is designed to reward competitors who are actively trying to win the match.

  • Competitors are expected to engage, attack, advance position, and pursue submissions.
  • Excessive stalling, disengaging, or intentionally avoiding action is discouraged.
  • Simply holding a position without attempting to advance or attack may be considered passivity.
  • Continually backing away, refusing to engage, or intentionally slowing the match may negatively affect a referee decision.
  • Submission attempts and legitimate finishing threats carry the greatest weight in a referee decision.
  • Competitors who push the pace, create action, and actively pursue the finish will be rewarded over competitors who simply maintain position.

Come to compete. Take chances. Hunt for the finish. Leave it all on the mats.

REFEREE DECISIONS

If regulation ends without a submission, the referee will evaluate the entire match, with consideration given to:

  • Submission attempts and legitimate finishing threats
  • Effective offensive action
  • Positional advancement
  • Control
  • Aggression and initiative
  • Overall pace and willingness to engage

Submission attempts and legitimate finishing threats will receive the greatest consideration.

A competitor should not expect to win a decision simply by holding position for the majority of the match.

OUT-OF-BOUNDS & RESETS

  • Competitors are responsible for making a reasonable effort to remain within the 20 ft × 20 ft competition area.
  • The referee may stop the action when competitors approach or leave the competition area.
  • The referee will determine the appropriate position for the restart.
  • Intentionally fleeing the competition area to escape a submission is prohibited.
  • Repeatedly using the boundary to avoid action may negatively affect a referee decision or result in disqualification.

SAFETY & SPORTSMANSHIP

  • A submission ends immediately upon a physical tap, verbal tap, or referee stoppage.
  • Competitors must immediately release a submission when their opponent taps or the referee stops the match.
  • The referee may stop a match whenever they believe a competitor cannot safely continue.
  • Striking, biting, eye gouging, hair pulling, small-joint manipulation, and intentionally dangerous or unsportsmanlike conduct are strictly prohibited.
  • Competitors must follow referee instructions at all times.
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in immediate disqualification.

THE TAPROOM BJJ STANDARD

We aren’t looking for competitors to play it safe for six minutes.

Showcase your Jiu Jitsu. Push the pace. Attack. Take calculated risks. Chase the submission.

Respect your opponent, respect the referee, and protect each other — but when the match starts, leave it all on the mats.

The referee’s ruling is final, and competitor safety will always take priority.