The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is one of the leading governing bodies, hosting several Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions worldwide.
To ensure the safety and fairness of these bouts, the IBJJF has a stringent set of rules that restrict illegal and legal submission techniques, in addition to their specific weight divisions and gi/no-gi uniform standards.
Continue reading and examine more legal and illegal submission techniques for IBJJF competitions.
IBJJF Legal and Illegal Submissions for Brown and Black Belts
The IBJJF allows several advanced submissions and moves for brown and black belt competitors.
Here is the complete list of the IBJJF submissions allowed and banned for brown and black belt competitors.
| Submission Technique | Allowance in IBJJF GI/No-Gi Brown and Black Belts Adult Divisions |
|---|---|
| Submissions that stretch legs apart | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| chokes with spinal lock | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| straight foot lock | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Ezekiel choke | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Frontal guillotine choke | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Omoplata | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Triangle with dead pulling | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Arm triangle | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Lock inside the closed guard while the legs are compressing the kidneys or ribs | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Wrist lock | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Single-leg takedown while | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Biceps slicer | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Calf slicer | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Kneebar | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Toe hold | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Heel hook | illegal in Gi, but legal in No-Gi |
| Locks twisting the knees | illegal in Gi, but legal in No-Gi |
| Knee reaping | illegal in Gi, but legal in No-Gi |
| Slam | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Spinal lock without choke | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Scissor takedown | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Bending fingers | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Suplex takedown | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
IBJJF Legal and Illegal Submissions for Blue and Purple Belts
The following table shows the legal and illegal submissions for blue and purple belts.
| Submission Technique | Allowance in IBJJF GI/No-Gi Blue and Purple Belts Adult Divisions |
|---|---|
| Submissions that stretch legs apart | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| chokes with spinal lock | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| straight foot lock | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Ezekiel choke | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Frontal guillotine choke | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Omoplata | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Triangle with dead pulling | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Arm triangle | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Lock inside the closed guard while the legs are compressing the kidneys or ribs | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Wrist lock | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Single-leg takedown while | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Biceps slicer | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Calf slicer | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Kneebar | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Toe hold | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Heel hook | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Locks twisting the knees | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Knee reaping | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Slam | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Spinal lock without choke | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Scissor takedown | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Bending fingers | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Suplex takedown | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
IBJJF Legal and Illegal Submissions for Juvenile and White Belts
The following table highlights legal and illegal submissions for juveniles and white belts.
| Submission Technique | Allowance in IBJJF GI/No-Gi Juvenile and Adult White Belts Divisions |
|---|---|
| Submissions that stretch legs apart | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| chokes with spinal lock | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| straight foot lock | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Ezekiel choke | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Frontal guillotine choke | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Omoplata | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Triangle with dead pulling | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Arm triangle | legal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Lock inside the closed guard while the legs are compressing the kidneys or ribs | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Wrist lock | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Single-leg takedown while | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Biceps slicer | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Calf slicer | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Kneebar | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Toe hold | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Heel hook | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Locks twisting the knees | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Knee reaping | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Slam | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Spinal lock without choke | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Scissor takedown | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Bending fingers | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
| Suplex takedown | illegal in Gi and No-Gi |
IBJJF Illegal Moves for All Belts Divisions
The IBJJF prohibits several moves and submission techniques in its gi and no-gi competitions for all belts and age divisions. These moves can harm and injure the opponent.
It would be best if you avoided the following banned techniques in IBJJF tournaments to avoid getting penalized or disqualified.
Jumping Guard
To escape a takedown, some Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors execute a leaping closed guard at the opening of an IBJJF tournament match.
This rapid action, however, may inflict significant harm to the opposing fighter, especially for BJJ newbies.
Consequently, the IBJJF has prohibited using the jumping guard in its events for all belt divisions.
Slamming
Some competitors may like hoisting someone up and hurling them back to earth like a meteor. This is known as slamming, a crushing motion not permitted in IBJJF tournaments.
A slam move, for example, may occur if a top gets trapped on an armbar while standing. Many fighters bash their opponent in this posture to interrupt the submission attempt.
Slamming your opponent is uncool and may severely damage the neck, head, and back. As a result, it is outlawed in several jiu-jitsu competitions.
Spinal Lock Without a Choke
Spinal locks are prohibited in all BJJ jiu-jitsu competitions, including IBJJF competitions.
A spinal lock is a multi-joint lock targeting the spinal column. It is achieved by stretching the spine beyond its normal mobility range, which may result in severe damage.
As a result, the spinal lock move may result in your disqualification from the IBJJF event.
Striking Techniques
Striking is not authorized in all IBJJF Brazilian jiu-jitsu events. Consequently, hitting or kicking your opponent is considered a foul and will disqualify you from the IBJJF competition.
Scissor Takedown
The scissor takedown is an old grappling move. It’s used in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, executed by scissoring the opponent’s legs to take him down to the mat.
Scissors takedowns may injure opponents’ knees and result in severe knee damage. Therefore, this maneuver is prohibited in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions, including IBJJF events.
Finger Grabbing
Grabbing an opponent’s fingers during an IBJJF competition is prohibited. However, a contestant (usually a white belt) may grasp his opponent’s finger when escaping a submit.
IBJJF rules prohibit gripping and twisting the opponent’s fingers, as this might result in a sprained or broken finger.
Suplex Takedowns
The suplex is one of the illegal techniques that may result in instant disqualification in IBJJF Gi and No-Gi events.
A BJJ contender cannot use any suplex, including scooping up your opponent and smashing them to the ground.
Suplex takedowns may cause serious back injuries that can result in paralysis. As a result, the IBJJF and other BJJ organizations have prohibited suplex takedowns from their contests.
So, If you don’t want to be disqualified, never use the suplex takedown in BJJ competitions.
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Conclusion
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) has established rules governing legal and illegal submissions and uniform requirements for its Gi and No-Gi tournaments.
These rules are essential to safeguard the safety of BJJ participants, level up the competition level, and other benefits.
Aside from that, as we showed above, the IBJJF’s illegal and illegal submission techniques differ according to the contestants’ belt level and divisions.
Moreover, even if you’re not competing, you must educate yourself about these regulations and always respect your training partners’ safety. Finally, always refer to the IBJJF handbook for any modifications or changes to these regulations.
Related: Learn everything there is to know about the World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship, from the complexities of each weight division to the rules that govern each fight. Click here to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Calf Slicers Legal in IBJJF?
IBJJF brown and black belt competitors are allowed to use calf slicer techniques. However, white, blue, and purple belts are not allowed to perform them.
Are Heel Hooks Legal in IBJJF?
IBJJF brown and black belt competitors can perform heel hook techniques only in no-gi tournaments. However, all other colored belt divisions cannot use heel hook submissions.
Are Bicep Slicers Legal in IBJJF?
Brown and black belt competitors can use biceps slicers in gi and no-gi IBJJF tournaments. However, divisions of all other colored belts, white to purple, are not allowed to use biceps slicer submissions.
Are Knee Bars Legal in IBJJF?
Brown and black belt competitors can use knee bars in gi and no-gi IBJJF tournaments. However, all other colored belt divisions, from white to purple, cannot employ kneebar submissions.
Can White Belts Use a Flying Armbar in IBJJF?
Under IBJJF regulations, white belts are not permitted to jump closed guard. Therefore, flying triangles and armbars are banned in IBJJF tournaments.
Can You Twist Fingers in IBJJF?
Grabbing and twisting an opponent’s fingers is prohibited in IBJJF tournaments of all ages and belt levels. Twisting fingers can result in a sprained or broken finger, which can cause you to miss work and be unable to earn a living.
Are Wrist Locks Legal in IBJJF?
Blue belts and upper belt divisions can use wristlocks in IBJJF gi and no-gi contests. However, Children, teenagers, and white belts are not permitted to employ wristlocks.
Related: To succeed, you need to know the IBJJF belt requirements and graduation system. This will help you set realistic goals and work your way up the ranks of this grappling art. Click here to learn more!
