Official Scoring Points Matrix
Points are awarded by the central referee only after a competitor stabilizes a position for a minimum of 3 continuous seconds.
Takedown, Sweep or Knee on Belly
- • Takedown: Taking opponent to mat with stabilization.
- • Sweep: Transitioning from bottom guard to top position.
- • Knee on Belly: Knee placed on opponent's torso with other foot planted.
Guard Pass
- • Clearing opponent's open, closed, or half guard.
- • Establishing side control, north-south, or knee ride for 3 seconds without being recaptured.
Mount & Back Control
- • Full Mount / Back Mount: Knees on the ground, sitting on chest/back.
- • Back Control with Hooks: Heels hooked on inner thighs (body triangle awards 0 pts).
Advantages (Vantagens)
Awarded for near-submissions where the defensive athlete is in real danger of tapping, or near-scoring movements (takedown, sweep, or pass) that are maintained for 2 seconds before recovery. Advantages break ties when points are equal.
Penalty Escalation (Falta)
Stalling or uniform adjustment delay results in sequential penalties:
1st: Verbal Warning • 2nd: Advantage to opponent • 3rd: 2 Points to opponent • 4th: Immediate Disqualification (DQ).
Prohibited Submissions & Techniques Matrix
The safety of athletes is paramount. Using a technique prohibited in your belt or age division results in an immediate disqualification from the match and tournament.
| Technique / Action | Kids (4–15) | White Belt | Blue & Purple | Brown & Black | Penalty / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armbar, Triangle, Kimura, Americana, Chokes | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Core legal submission arsenal across all divisions. |
| Straight Ankle Lock (Turning towards outside) | Illegal | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Foot must not cross hip midline (no reaping). |
| Wristlock (Mão de Vaca) | Illegal | Illegal | Allowed | Allowed | Permitted Adult Blue Belt and above. |
| Kneebar (Hyperextension of Knee Joint) | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Allowed | Restricted to Brown and Black belts only. |
| Toe Hold (Figure-Four Footlock) | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Allowed | Restricted to Brown and Black belts only. |
| Bicep Slicer & Calf Slicer | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Allowed | Restricted to Brown and Black belts only. |
| Heel Hook (Any Direction) in Gi Divisions | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Strictly DQ in ALL Gi matches. (Allowed No-Gi Brown/Black) |
| Knee Reaping (Crossing leg across knee line) in Gi | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Immediate Disqualification. |
| Slam / Bate-Estaca from Guard or Submission | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Strictly DQ across ALL divisions. |
| Scissor Takedown (Kani Basami) without mat hand | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Strictly DQ across ALL divisions. |
| Cervical Lock / Can Opener / Twister (No Choke) | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Strictly DQ across ALL divisions. |
Uniform & Official Gi Inspection Tool Dimensions
Every athlete must pass through the official Gi Inspector (Fiscal de Kimono) prior to entering the mat staging area. Non-compliant uniforms must be replaced within 5 minutes or face forfeiture.
Collar & Lapel Specifications
- • Max Collar Thickness: 1.3 cm
- • Max Collar Width: 5.0 cm
- • Material: Woven cotton or cotton-blend with foam or rubber core. Plastic stiffeners forbidden.
Sleeve & Pants Clearance
- • Min Sleeve Opening: 7.0 cm (Official Gi Checker tool must slide through easily).
- • Sleeve Length: Max 5.0 cm from the wrist joint when arms are extended forward.
- • Pants Length: Max 5.0 cm above the ankle bone.
Color & Rashguard Rules
- • Permitted Gi Colors: Pure White, Royal Blue, Pitch Black. Mismatched jacket and pants prohibited.
- • Female Grapplers: Rashguard or elastic sports top mandatory under Gi.
- • Male Grapplers: No shirts or rashguards allowed under Gi.
No-Gi Championship Uniform Standards
Rashguard: Skin-tight, elastic fabric extending past the beltline. Must feature at least 10% of the color corresponding to the athlete's current belt rank (White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black), or solid black with visible rank accents.
Shorts: Board shorts without metallic zippers, external drawstrings, pockets, or plastic buttons. Must reach at least mid-thigh. Compression tights permitted beneath shorts.
Official Weight Divisions & Weigh-In Protocol
Athletes weigh in with competition uniform on (Gi, belt, or No-Gi rash guard and board shorts) immediately before their first match. Official digital scales are calibrated with an automatic +500 grams (0.5 kg) allowance.
| Division Name | Adult Male Gi (Max) | Adult Male No-Gi (Max) | Adult Female Gi (Max) | Adult Female No-Gi (Max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster (Galo) | 57.50 kg (127.0 lbs) | 55.50 kg (122.5 lbs) | 48.50 kg (107.0 lbs) | 46.50 kg (102.5 lbs) |
| Light Feather (Pluma) | 64.00 kg (141.5 lbs) | 61.50 kg (136.0 lbs) | 53.50 kg (118.0 lbs) | 51.50 kg (113.5 lbs) |
| Feather (Pena) | 70.00 kg (154.5 lbs) | 67.50 kg (149.0 lbs) | 58.50 kg (129.0 lbs) | 56.50 kg (124.5 lbs) |
| Light (Leve) | 76.00 kg (168.0 lbs) | 73.50 kg (162.0 lbs) | 64.00 kg (141.5 lbs) | 61.50 kg (136.0 lbs) |
| Middle (Médio) | 82.30 kg (181.5 lbs) | 79.50 kg (175.5 lbs) | 69.00 kg (152.5 lbs) | 66.50 kg (147.0 lbs) |
| Medium Heavy (Meio-Pesado) | 88.30 kg (195.0 lbs) | 85.50 kg (188.5 lbs) | 74.00 kg (163.5 lbs) | 71.50 kg (158.0 lbs) |
| Heavy (Pesado) | 94.30 kg (208.0 lbs) | 91.50 kg (202.0 lbs) | 79.30 kg (175.0 lbs) | 76.50 kg (169.0 lbs) |
| Super Heavy (Super-Pesado) | 100.50 kg (222.0 lbs) | 97.50 kg (215.0 lbs) | — | — |
| Ultra Heavy (Pesadíssimo) | > 100.50 kg | > 97.50 kg | > 79.30 kg | > 76.50 kg |
Athletes only step onto the scale once. There is no second attempt and no allowance to strip or change Gis once called. Competitors failing to make the division maximum will be instantly disqualified without refund or re-bracket.
My First Championship Guide
First time stepping onto the competition mat? Follow this step-by-step roadmap to navigate registration deadlines, checkday modifications, bullpen staging, and podium protocol with complete confidence.
Check Registration & Belt
Confirm your active MJJF membership card. Verify that your registered belt rank and academy match your professor's records.
Checkday Bracket Review
Check the published competitor list on Checkday. If you are alone in your bracket, use the online form to merge divisions or accept a walkover.
Uniform & Cleanliness
Gis must be washed, completely dry, and free of rips. Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed short. Long hair must be tied with elastic bands.
Bullpen Call & Staging
Arrive at least 60 minutes before your scheduled match. Listen for your name at the warmup bullpen entrance and bring your government photo ID.
Scale & Mat Escort
Step on the scale with uniform on. Upon passing, a tournament runner will escort you directly to your assigned mat station.
Podium Etiquette
Medal winners must wear their official uniform (clean Gi or No-Gi rashguard) on the podium. Flags and academy banners must adhere to Safe Sport guidelines.
Zero Tolerance Anti-Doping
The Mindanao Jiu Jitsu Federation strictly prohibits the use of performance-enhancing drugs, anabolic steroids, and banned stimulants pursuant to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Random testing may be conducted at major championship opens. Positive findings result in immediate title forfeiture and a minimum 2-year suspension.
Youth Safeguarding Protocol
All staff, referees, and credentialed coaches interacting with juvenile athletes (ages 4–17) must pass mandatory background verification and pledge adherence to the MJJF Safe Sport Code. Physical abuse, verbal harassment, and inappropriate conduct will be met with immediate expulsion and reporting to Philippine law enforcement.