Takedowns:

• Standard takedown: 2 points
• High-amplitude takedown: 3 points
  • This is a takedown above waist level where only the feet touch the ground, and the opponent lands on their back.
• Fast takedown: +2 points
  • If the takedown action starts within 3 seconds of the referee’s whistle and finishes in one continuous action, an extra 2 points are awarded, making it 2 + 2.

IMPORTANT: Pulling guard can result in either negative points or scored points.

• If, after pulling guard, no sweep or reversal occurs, 2 points are awarded to the combatant on top.
• If a guard pull leads to a sweep within 3 seconds, 2 points are awarded for a reversal.
• If pulling guard happens within 3 seconds of the referee’s whistle and no reversal occurs, the top combatant scores 2 + 2.

Reversals:

• Sweep / Reversal: 2 points
  • Any time a combatant moves from bottom to top, a reversal is scored. This includes sweeps from guard or reversing position from under mount, side control, etc.

Positions:

• ​​​​​​​Side mount: 3 points
  • Important: This is scored as side mount, not as passing the guard. Any way a combatant gets there results in 3 points.
  • A takedown landing in side mount scores 2 + 3.
  • A bridge reversal from under side mount to top side mount also scores 2 + 3.
• Mount: 4 points
  • Knees must be touching the ground. The opponent may be on their back, side, or belly.
• Back mount with hooks: 4 points

Important: Feet must not be crossed and must be inside the opponent's thighs.

​​​​​​​Scoring for positional advancements:

• Points are accumulated only when improving position.
• Moving from side mount to mount scores 3 + 4.
• Moving from mount to side mount scores only 4 points.
• Once a combatant scores for a position, they cannot score again from that position or a lesser position until the action resets to guard (full or closed) for at least 3 seconds.
• Half guard does not reset the position—passing from half guard to side mount earns 3 points, but returning to half guard and passing again does not score additional points.

Attack Points:

• 1 point for a close submission attempt lasting a minimum of 3 seconds with a real chance of ending the match.
  • The point is awarded when the opponent escapes the submission attempt.
• 1 point for a high-amplitude takedown without control for 3 seconds.

Restart Positions:

A key difference from other grappling formats is the use of restart positions. If combatants go out of bounds, the referee will order a restart based on the last secured position.

The restart positions are:

• Standing
• Closed guard
• Half guard
• Open guard (if they go out of bounds during open guard or another undefined position like a scramble or turtle guard)
• Side mount
• Full mount
• Back mount

If combatants go out of bounds during a scoring action and there is no danger to either athlete, the referee will allow the action to finish (typically for the 3-second control period) before stopping them. The referee will then award points and determine the restart position based on whether the action was successful.

During a submission attack, if there is no immediate danger and the combatants are about to exit the mat, the referee will allow the submission attempt to continue. Fleeing the area while defending a submission results in disqualification.

Overtime:

If the score is tied and there is no winner based on:
a) Higher-scoring actions, or
b) Fewer cautions,
then the match proceeds to a 1-minute submission-only overtime.

• A coin toss determines which combatant chooses between a back mount restart or an armbar restart.
• The match ends if a submission occurs during this period.
• If the coin toss loser escapes or survives for the full minute, they win.
• Cautions remain in effect—athletes can be disqualified for failing to attack or failing to attempt an escape.

Illegal Actions:

• All leg locks are legal, except heel hooks. Reaping the leg is permitted.
• Neck cranks and spine locks are illegal.
• Spikes and slams are illegal.
  • Hard takedowns, suplexes, etc., are legal, but picking up an opponent from the mat and slamming them is not.
• Any grip on the gi is legal, except uniting the belt to use it for a choke.
• Grabbing fewer than four fingers (small joint manipulation) is not permitted.

Passivity:

Combatants must always work to improve their position or attempt a submission.

• After 15 seconds of inactivity, the referee issues a verbal warning.
• After an additional 15 seconds, a passivity caution is given, awarding 1 point to the opponent.
• 4 passivity cautions result in disqualification.

Important examples of passivity:

• A combatant on top inside closed guard who does not attempt to open the guard is considered passive.
• A combatant on bottom in closed guard who only holds the opponent without attempting a sweep or submission is considered passive.