General Rules
All referee decisions are 100% final. MMAC Grappling referees are paid professionals with extensive training. They to be treated with utmost respect and should be afforded a threat- and pressure-free environment in which to work. Referees are vital to ensuring the safety of all competitors and attendees. If you have a complaint about a referee, you should address it formally by contacting MMAC Grappling through one of our online contact forms after the event. Attacking, threatening, harassing, disrespecting, or interfering with a referee is grounds for disqualification and removal from the tournament by our security team. Participants who are disqualified, or attendees who are asked to leave will not be refunded.
MMAC Grappling staff members or affiliates, which includes but is not limited to score keepers, time keepers, table workers, registration staff members, and check-in or weigh-in staff members must be treated in a respectful manor. Threatening, harassing, disrespecting, or interfering with an MMAC Grappling employee or volunteer is grounds for disqualification and removal from the tournament by our security team. Participants who are disqualified or attendees who are asked to leave will not be refunded.
Please be mindful and respectful of other attendees and participants as you watch tournament events or maneuver through the grounds and crowd.
Cell phones, cameras, and other recording devices are permitted and are the responsibility of the owner.
MMAC Grappling is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged belongings. This includes anywhere on the premises where an MMAC Grappling event is being held, including the designated parking areas.
LIABILITY WAIVER
Participant Guidelines
Gi Participant Uniform Requirements
• Gi tournament participants must wear a clean and properly fitting Gi/kimono top and bottom with a belt.
• Gi tournament participants may wear a rashguard or another similar tight-fitting shirt under their Gi. No loose-fitting clothing of any kind will be permitted.
• Gi’s are not inspected or measured prior to the grappling tournament for accuracy in length; however, expectations remain that the competitor’s Gi will be well maintained and well fitting (sleeves to the ankles and wrists).
MMAC Grappling Tournament officials reserve the right to have a participant change their Gi if it is obviously too short or too long. A Gi may also be requested to be changed if it has not been well-maintained (i.e. badly frayed, stained, torn, or noticeably smells) or is covered in patches that could interfere with the grip of an opponent.
• Weigh-ins will be conducted WITHOUT the Gi on.
No Gi Participant Uniform Requirements
All No Gi division participants should arrive wearing tight fitting clothing and mouthpiece. Male participants of all ages should also wear a cup.
Shorts and shirts should be made of an elastic fabric or one that clings to the body; no loose-fitting clothing will be permitted.
Shorts should be at least mid-thigh (halfway down the thigh) in length but no longer than the knee. Shorts should be without pockets (may be sewn shut) and not have any plastic or metal attachments, including but not limited to zippers, pulls, or pocket closures.
Spats may be worn under shorts.
Shirts should be short-sleeved and cling to the body. Participants cannot compete shirtless or in loose clothing.
Experience Levels
Due to the belt ranking systems for children and teens varying from school to school, the kids and teens divisions skill levels are determined strictly by length of time training.
| Skill Level | Kids, Teens, & Adult No-Gi Divisions | Adult Gi Divisions |
|---|---|---|
| Novice | 6 Months or Less | White Belt |
| Beginner | 6 to 12 Months | Blue Belt |
| Intermediate | 1 to 3 years | Purple Belt |
| Advanced | 3 or More Years | Brown and Black Belt |
Experience is calculated based on the following structures
Submission Grappling: Time and experience for officially trained Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, or other competitive submission grappling will be calculated in real time—one month of training is equivalent to one month of experience.
Wrestling: Time and experience for high school, collegiate, or other non-submissive wrestling will be calculated at half-time equivalency, meaning two months of training will equal one month of experience.
Arrival Time
MMAC Grappling reserves the right to begin division match early if all or most participants have already checked in.
We ask participants to arrive an hour or more prior to their division start time. This allows plenty of time to check-in, weigh-in, stretch, and be prepared to start should a division match begin early.
Weigh-Ins
Participants should check-in and weigh-in at least one hour prior to their scheduled division start time.
• Early Weigh-In: Certain events may pick an earlier date (usually the day before the scheduled event) to perform early weigh-ins. Participants are highly encouraged to attend an early weigh-in when possible.
• Registration can also be completed during this time.
Note: it is the participant’s responsibility to be at their desired weight. During Registration, weight will be checked and that is the weight class you will be entered in.
• Weigh-ins are conducted WITHOUT Gi uniforms on.
• If competing in both Gi and No-Gi divisions, participants only have to weigh in once.
Hygiene
• Participants are required to maintain proper hygiene habits leading up to and through the event.
o Finger and toenails should be trimmed short; long hair should be tied up.
o General body cleanliness is expected, including clean, washed clothes and lack of body odor.
• Competitors cannot participate if they are ill or have a rash, skin lesion, or contagious condition including but not limited to ringworm, staff, fungal infections, viral infections, and active cold sores.
o Athletes presenting any illness or condition during weigh-ins, check ins, and throughout the event will be directed to the medical staff for clearance to compete. Please know the medical staff will not diagnose, treat, cure, or perform any medical treatment; they will solely clear a participant to take part in the grappling tournament.
o If you are not cleared for competing in the tournament, you will be disqualified. Disqualified participants will not be refunded.
When on the mat, participants should have bare feet or socks. Absolutely no wrestling shoes of any type are permitted. Do not step off of the mats with bare feet. Do not enter the bathrooms without shoes on.
Additional Requirements
When on the mat, participants should have bare feet or Socks. Absolutely no wrestling shoes, and no other foot gear is permitted. Do not step off of the mats without shoes on. Do not enter the bathrooms without shoes on.
Participants may wear protective head gear. No non-protective gear is permitted, including but not limited to sweat bands, hats/caps, or elastic bands.
Braces, wraps, or other joint protectors are permitted, unless they interfere with an opponent’s ability to grip, or have hard plastic or metal parts.
Competition Guidelines
Registration
All MMAC Grappling events will be available online for pre-registration for weeks prior to the event. Pre-Registration closes the day before the event or the day before early weigh-ins if available for the grappling tournament.
Pre-registration does not fully register competitors for an event; it serves to purchase your spot within the tournament. For security and accuracy, we do not collect competitor information during the online registration process. Please only input the BUYER’S name and contact information, and select the quantity of division registrations or spectator passes you need. Print or show your emailed registration on your smartphone at the tournament’s registration desk to finalize the registration process.
It is important for participants to pay attention to the times and dates of the grappling tournament they are interested in. It is the participant’s responsibility to arrive at the correct location and on time. Being late or missing a grappling tournament due to getting lost or misreading dates or times will not constitute a refund.
General Rules
FINISHING A TAKEDOWN OR A SUBMISSION OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THE MATS, OR AFTER THE REFEREE HAS CALLED FOR THE COMPETITORS TO STOP THE MATCH, MAY RESULT IN FULL DISQUALIFICATION.
DO NOT CROSS THE OUTER BOUNDARIES OF THE MATS INTO THE SPECTATOR AREAS, TABLES, RINGSIDE BARRICADES or COACHING MATS. YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED!
If the competitors near the edge of the mats or their designated boundaries, the referee retains the right to pause the match and have participants move to the center ring before resuming the match. The referee will decide which position is appropriate to re-start the match based on when the competitors reached the boundary.
Takedowns finished off-mat, or out of bounds, will not score any points and will be cause for point penalty or disqualification.
The referee also holds the right to stop a match at any time if, using their experience and knowledge, determine a competitor to be in danger in any way, shape, or form in order to maintain the safety of all participants.
If a participant is injured, the referee will pause the match and determine the participants capability to continue. If the injury is bleeding, the participant will be afforded 3 minutes to stop the bleeding and resume the match. If the participant is unable to continue (or stop the bleeding), the match will be decided by the referee. The referee may decide the winner of the match based on forfeiture, disqualification, points, or which competitor was winning and/or who caused the injury. A forfeiture or disqualification is not grounds for a refund.
o If fault is assessed to the injury, the responsible competitor will be disqualified.
Match Duration
The time limits for all grappling tournaments, including finals and Round Robin Tournaments are as follows
Overtime will only be implemented in Open Absolutes, unless otherwise announced. Overtime will be for a period of half of the time limit for the particular division (see above) and will adhere to the same rules.
Ties are possible, and in most divisions no overtime is granted for a tie, unless otherwise announced or during Open Absolutes. A referee decision will be made in the event of a tie.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR MATCH IN THE HANDS OF THE REFEREE.
Scoring
Wins can be accomplished through causing your opponent to tap out, through the accumulation of points, or referee decision.
Tap Out, or Tapping Out, is the surrender or submission of one opponent to the other. Tapping Out can be done with any part of the body (usually seen as a hand tap on the ground or against the opponent’s body) as well as through verbal communication.
o Verbal communication can be by your own will or involuntary. Verbal communications that constitute a Tap Out include but are not limited to the following.
crying
Screams
Yelp
Wince
Groan
A referee may interpret a sound as communication of Tapping Out if, at their discretion and experience, the sign indicates distress and inability to continue or counter an attack in order to maintain the safety of all MMAC Grappling competitors and prevent injury.
Grappling Point Scoring
Points are awarded to each competitor as follows.
In order to be awarded the points, competitors must hold and control the position for a 3 second count.
No points are awarded for takedowns or submissions out-of-bounds. FINISHING A TAKEDOWN OR A SUBMISSION OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF THE MATS, OR AFTER THE REFEREE HAS CALLED FOR THE COMPETITORS TO STOP THE MATCH, MAY RESULT IN FULL DISQUALIFICATION.
Advantage Scoring System
Used only in cases of ties where a winner must be determined.
The referee signals with their arm in a horizontal motion for
Penalties and Disqualification
To ensure the safety of all competitors, select maneuvers are not permitted and may result in a point penalty and/or a disqualification from events. To keep the competition moving, select maneuvers are not allowed and will result in a point penalty and/or disqualification.
Disqualified participants are not eligible for a refund.
DISQUALIFICATIONS ARE (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) THE FOLLOWING
IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFIERS
Slamming
Spiking opponent
Flying scissor sweeps
Attacking the windpipe
Intentional drop or throw of opponent onto their head or neck
Blatant disregard for safety of opponent or tournament rules; disrespect to referee or tournament staff (e.g. score or time keeper); disrespect to coaches or attendees; severe poor sportsmanship
The following maneuvers are not allowed and will result in the below consequences. Each division also has an addition list of restricted maneuvers. Please be sure to review the below list as well as the additional restrictions placed on the division you will be taking part in.
Stalling
Disengaging from contact
Backing out of guard without first engaging
Grabbing clothing in No-Gi divisions*
Fleeing the ring or intentional backing into out of bounds to avoid take down or submission
Strikes to the body/face; intentionally affecting eyes or sight
Leg lock infractions
Neck crank infractions
Consequences for violation of any of the above:
All disciplinary calls are up to the referee’s discretion.
Additional Division Maneuver Restrictions
| RESTRICTED MANUVERS | Kids (All) | Teens (All) | ADULT NOV/BEGIN | ADULT INTERMED | ADULT ADVANCED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg Locks of any kind | X | X | |||
| Knee Locks | X | Advanced only | X | ||
| Ankle Lock | X | Advanced Only | X | ||
| Heel Hooks | X | X | X | X | |
| Toe Holds | X | X | X | ||
| Neck Cranks | X | Advanced Only | X | ||
| Crushes/Wedges | X | Advanced Only | X | ||
| Wrist Locks | X | Advanced only | X | ||
| Striking of Any Kind | X | X | X | X | X |
| Eye Gouging | X | X | X | X | X |
| Fish Hooking | X | X | X | X | X |
| Manipulation of Ears or Nose | X | X | X | X | X |
| Small Joint Manipulation | X | X | X | X | X |
| Thumbing | X | X | X | X | X |
| Scratching or Biting | X | X | X | X | X |
| Attacking Groin | X | X | X | X | X |
| Slamming or Spiking | X | X | X | X | X |
| Spitting or Licking | X | X | X | X | X |
| Hair Pulling | X | X | X | X | X |
| Head Butting | X | X | X | X | X |
| Grabbing (non-Gi) Clothing | X | X | X | X | X |
| Applying Slippery Substance | X | X | X | X | X |
Prizes
• Monetary awards, medals, and trophies may vary from event to event and can vary from division to division depending on the type of event.
• Select prizes (usually monetary or prizes outside of a medal or trophy) may require the receiving participant to be over the age of 18 in order to claim it.
• Details of prizes will be made available on our Events page and during the event.