Refereeing

1.1 Authority of Referee

1.1.1

The referee is the highest authority in a match.

1.1.2

The referee ruling on the result of each match is incontestable.

1.1.3

The ruling on the result of a match may only be changed under the following circumstances:

If the score on the board has been misread;
If the athlete declared winner submitted his/her opponent using an illegal hold previously unnoticed by the referee.
If the athlete has been disqualified erroneously for using a legitimate hold. In this case, if the match was interrupted and the athlete disqualified prior to the athlete under attack tapping out, the match shall be restarted at the center of the match area and the attacking athlete shall be awarded two points. In the event that the athlete under attack should tap out prior to the interruption and disqualification, the athlete performing the hold shall be declared the winner.

Obs: Subjective interpretations of the referee on the awarding of points, advantages or penalties will are final and not subject to change.

To overturn the outcome of a match, the following conditions should be observed:

The referee can consult the event’s director of refereeing, but the final decision as to whether to overturn or not overturn a result is the referee’s to make;
The director of refereeing should consult the event’s center table regarding how the bracket has progressed and may only authorize the overturning of a result if the bracket has not progressed to the next stage.

1.2 Refereeing Format

1.2.1

The organizers of the tournament may opt to appoint three referees for a single match whenever they deem it necessary.

In this case, two corner referees shall be seated in chairs placed at opposing corners of the match area.
The corner referees bear the same powers as the central referee – and all or any points, advantage points or penalty points awarded must be confirmed by at least two of the three referees.
Should there be a consensus between the corner referees and the central referee, the corner referees shall remain seated in the chairs at the corners of the match area.
Should there be a conflict of opinion with the central referee, the corner referees should stand up and signal for points, advantage points or penalty points to be awarded or subtracted, using gestures predefined in this rule book.
Should there be a discrepancy between all three referees on points to be awarded for the same move, the intermediary decision shall count.

Ex: When one referee awards a guard pass, the second awards an advantage point and the third asks that points be subtracted, the advantage point shall be recorded on the scoreboard.

If the referee decides to disqualify an athlete due to the athlete’s accumulation of four penalties (serious foul or lack of combativeness), the referee will make the serious penalty gesture before stopping the fight. If at least one of the side referees repeats the gesture, the referee’s decision is confirmed and he or she is authorized to stop the fight.
If the referee decides disqualify an athlete due to the athlete committing a severe foul, he will make the gesture before stopping the fight. If at least one of the side referees repeats the gesture, the referee’s decision is confirmed and he or she is authorized to stop the fight.
When a match ends with a draw in points, advantages and penalties, the central referee will place the two athletes in their starting position (one to his left and one to his right). The referee will take two steps back and make a gesture for the side referees to stand up. After the side referees are standing, the central referee will take a step forward with his right leg. After he or she does so, all three referees raise either their right or left arm in the air. This will signify the athlete each referee believes to be the winner. The central referee will then declare the winner chosen by a majority of the referees.

1.2.2

When deemed necessary, the IBJJF will use two additional referees with access to video replay for the correction of awarded points, advantages or penalties on the scoreboard.

The correction of any points, advantages or penalties originally awarded by the central referee will only happen in the event of agreement between the two additional referees with access to the video replay.
After the two referee’s with access to the video replay, have reached an agreement on how to correctly adjust the current score, they will communicate the decision via the radio system.
The central and side referees cannot contest the decision reached by the two referee’s with access to the video replay.

1.3 Referee Duties

1.3.1

It is a referee’s duty to summon the athletes into the match area to initiate the match.

1.3.2

It is a referee’s duty to do a final check to be sure requirements – such as attire, hygiene, etc. – are being met. Should an athlete not meet any of the requirements, it is the referee’s duty to determine whether the requirement can be met within a determined amount of time.

1.3.3

It is a referee’s duty to position the athletes in the match area prior to the match.

Points awarded to the athlete on the referee’s right shall be signaled using the referee’s right arm, which is distinguished from the left arm by a green and yellow armband, indicating the points should be marked on the green and yellow section of the scoreboard.
Points awarded the athlete on the referee’s left shall be signaled using the referee’s left arm, which does not bear an armband, and the points will be marked on the uncolored section of the scoreboard.

1.3.4

It is a referee’s duty to position the athletes according to the color of their gis.

Should both athletes be wearing gis of the same color, the first athlete summoned shall be positioned on the referee’s right and be provided a green and yellow belt for identification, to be worn in addition to the belt already fastened around his/her waist.
If one athlete is wearing a white Gi and the other is wearing a royal blue gi, the athlete in royal blue shall be positioned on the referee’s right.
If one athlete is wearing a black Gi and the other athlete is wearing a royal blue gi, the athlete in royal blue shall be positioned on the referee’s right.
If one athlete is wearing a black Gi and the other athlete is wearing a white gi, the athlete in black shall be positioned on the referee’s right.

1.3.5

It is a referee’s duty to call a start to the match.

1.3.6

It is a referee’s duty to intervene in a match when he/she deems it necessary.

Obs: When the referee stops the fight for any reason, the athletes must maintain their current position to the best of their ability.

1.3.7

It is a referee’s duty to make sure the athletes fulfill their obligation to compete within the combat area.

When 2/3 of the athletes’ bodies are outside the combat area in a stabilized position on the ground, the referee should stop the match and, noting the position of each athlete, restart the match at the center of the match area with the athletes in positions identical to those they were in at the moment of stoppage.
While standing, one of the athletes steps into the safety area (unless a takedown attempt has already been initiated), or when 2/3 of the athletes’ bodies are outside the combat area during not-yet-stabilized ground fighting, the referee shall interrupt the match and stand both athletes up in the center of the combat area.
When an athlete has a submission hold in place in the outlying safety area, the referee should not interrupt the match.
When an athlete has a submission hold in place and the opponent defends by moving to outside the outlying safety area, the referee should stop the match and restart the match at the center of the match area with the athletes standing. In this case, when the referee deems it clearly apparent the athlete under attack initiated the movement that led to exiting the match area, he/she shall signal for 2 (two) points to be added to the score of the athlete performing the submission hold, as described in item 3.1.1.
When one athlete takes his opponent to the outlying safety area while trying to stabilize a scoring position, the referee shall wait, whenever possible, for an athlete to stabilize the position for 3 seconds before stopping the fight. If this happens, the referee will give the points and then restart the fight in the center of the combat area.
Points or advantages will be assessed for counting up until the safety area and any movements performed outside the safety area will not be eligible for counting.
When the fight exits the combat area due to the movement of an athlete attacking a submission in hold, the referee will not mark two points after stopping the fight. Instead, the referee may give an advantage depending on the proximity of the submission, while respecting the rules of advantages (Article 5th).

1.3.8

It is a duty of referees overseeing under-12-years-old-division matches to protect the athlete’s spinal column by positioning themselves behind the child when lifted off the ground by the opponent, as in the case of a triangle or closed guard.

1.3.9

It is a referee’s duty to signal every or any penalty, advantage or point scored by each athlete.

1.3.10

It is up to the referee to punish and disqualify athletes.

When the situation envisaged in item 6.2.2 (V – When an athlete performs an unintentional movement that puts their opponent in a penalizable position) arises and neither athlete has a submission in hold, the referee should stop the fight and replace the athletes in regular position. The referee will then restart the fight, punishing the infractor.
Whenever the situation depicted in picture 11 of item 6.2.3 (Single-leg with head on the outside) arises, by attempt to takedown or any other move coming from the ground, with the athletes on they knees or with a sweep motion, the referee shall act in the following way:
For juveniles and younger divisions and white belts, the referee will stop the fight and restart the match with both athletes standing. No penalties will be given to either athlete.
For the other divisions the referee shall not interfere with the match.

1.3.11

It is a referee’s duty to summon medical staff to the match area.

1.3.12

It is a referee’s duty to call an end to the match upon reaching regulation time.

1.3.13

It is a referee’s duty to announce the result of the match.

1.3.14

It is a referee’s duty to raise the arm of the winner of the match and only that of the winner, even in the event of two athletes from the same academy coming to an agreement designating the match result.

1.4 Referee Gestures and Verbal Commands

1.4.1

Referees shall use an array of gestures and verbal commands to communicate with the athletes and table officials during the match. Hereunder the gestures and verbal commands are listed according to match circumstances:

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Summon athletes to match area. GESTURE: Arms raised to shoulder height and bent at 90-degree angle with palms of hands facing inwards, motioning by extending arms and returning to initial position. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Start of match. GESTURE: Arm extended forward and then lowered to point vertically toward the ground. VERBAL COMMAND: COMBATE! (com-ba-tchee).

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Interruption of the fight, stopwatch and time out. GESTURE: Arms open and raised at shoulder height. VERBAL COMMAND: PAROU! (pa-row).

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Penalty for lack of combativeness (stalling) or serious foul. GESTURE: Arm corresponding to the penalized athlete points to the center of his chest followed by raising a clenched fist to shoulder height. VERBAL COMMAND: LUTE! (lu-tchee) – at the same time point to the chest when there is a lack of combativeness situation. or FALTA! (fal-tah) – at the same time point to the chest when there is a serious foul.

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Penalty for lack of combativeness (stalling) or serious foul when it is not possible for the referee to clearly point at the athlete to be punished. GESTURE: The referee should lightly touch one of the shoulders of the athlete to be punished followed by raising a clenched fist to shoulder height. VERBAL COMMAND: LUTE! (lu-tchee) – at the same time touching the shoulder when there is a lack of combativeness situation. or FALTA! (fal-tah) – at the same time touching the shoulder when there is a serious foul situation.

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Disqualification. GESTURE: Arms over head with forearms crossed and fists clenched, followed by arm corresponding with disqualified athlete pointing to athlete’s belt. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Advantage. GESTURE: Arm corresponding with athlete to be awarded advantage point extending parallel to mat with hand open and palm facing downwards. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: 2 (two) points: takedown, sweep, and knee on belly. GESTURE: Hand of arm corresponding with athlete to be awarded points raised and pointer and middle fingers extended. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: 3 (three) points: guard pass. GESTURE: Hand of arm corresponding with athlete to be awarded points raised and pointer, middle, and ring fingers extended. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: 4 (four) points: Mount and back control. GESTURE: Hand of arm corresponding with athlete to be awarded points raised and pointer, middle, ring, and pinkie fingers extended. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Point deduction. GESTURE: Arm corresponding with athlete to be deducted points at shoulder height with palm open. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Announcement of match result. GESTURE: Arm of winning athlete raised while facing judges’ table and the arm of losing athlete held downwards. VERBAL COMMAND:

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Direct athlete to re-adjust gi. GESTURE: Arms crossed downwards at waist height, extending arm to indicate athlete’s belt. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Instruct athlete to remain within match area. GESTURE: After pointing to the athlete with arms extended towards his/her waist, hand at shoulder height with open palms making a circular motion. VERBAL COMMAND: –

MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Instruct athlete to stand up. GESTURE: Indicate with extended arm the athlete who must stand up, followed by raising arm to shoulder height. VERBAL COMMAND: –

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Refereeing

1.1 Authority of Referee

1.1.1

The referee is the highest authority in a match.

1.1.2

The referee ruling on the result of each match is incontestable.

1.1.3

The ruling on the result of a match may only be changed under the following circumstances:

If the score on the board has been misread;
If the athlete declared winner submitted his/her opponent using an illegal hold previously unnoticed by the referee.
If the athlete has been disqualified erroneously for using a legitimate hold. In this case, if the match was interrupted and the athlete disqualified prior to the athlete under attack tapping out, the match shall be restarted at the center of the match area and the attacking athlete shall be awarded two points. In the event that the athlete under attack should tap out prior to the interruption and disqualification, the athlete performing the hold shall be declared the winner.

Obs: Subjective interpretations of the referee on the awarding of points, advantages or penalties will are final and not subject to change.

To overturn the outcome of a match, the following conditions should be observed:

The referee can consult the event’s director of refereeing, but the final decision as to whether to overturn or not overturn a result is the referee’s to make;
The director of refereeing should consult the event’s center table regarding how the bracket has progressed and may only authorize the overturning of a result if the bracket has not progressed to the next stage.

1.2 Refereeing Format

1.2.1

The organizers of the tournament may opt to appoint three referees for a single match whenever they deem it necessary.

In this case, two corner referees shall be seated in chairs placed at opposing corners of the match area.
The corner referees bear the same powers as the central referee – and all or any points, advantage points or penalty points awarded must be confirmed by at least two of the three referees.
Should there be a consensus between the corner referees and the central referee, the corner referees shall remain seated in the chairs at the corners of the match area.
Should there be a conflict of opinion with the central referee, the corner referees should stand up and signal for points, advantage points or penalty points to be awarded or subtracted, using gestures predefined in this rule book.
Should there be a discrepancy between all three referees on points to be awarded for the same move, the intermediary decision shall count.

Ex: When one referee awards a guard pass, the second awards an advantage point and the third asks that points be subtracted, the advantage point shall be recorded on the scoreboard.

If the referee decides to disqualify an athlete due to the athlete’s accumulation of four penalties (serious foul or lack of combativeness), the referee will make the serious penalty gesture before stopping the fight. If at least one of the side referees repeats the gesture, the referee’s decision is confirmed and he or she is authorized to stop the fight.
If the referee decides disqualify an athlete due to the athlete committing a severe foul, he will make the gesture before stopping the fight. If at least one of the side referees repeats the gesture, the referee’s decision is confirmed and he or she is authorized to stop the fight.
When a match ends with a draw in points, advantages and penalties, the central referee will place the two athletes in their starting position (one to his left and one to his right). The referee will take two steps back and make a gesture for the side referees to stand up. After the side referees are standing, the central referee will take a step forward with his right leg. After he or she does so, all three referees raise either their right or left arm in the air. This will signify the athlete each referee believes to be the winner. The central referee will then declare the winner chosen by a majority of the referees.

1.2.2

When deemed necessary, the IBJJF will use two additional referees with access to video replay for the correction of awarded points, advantages or penalties on the scoreboard.

The correction of any points, advantages or penalties originally awarded by the central referee will only happen in the event of agreement between the two additional referees with access to the video replay.
After the two referee’s with access to the video replay, have reached an agreement on how to correctly adjust the current score, they will communicate the decision via the radio system.
The central and side referees cannot contest the decision reached by the two referee’s with access to the video replay.

1.3 Referee Duties

1.3.1

It is a referee’s duty to summon the athletes into the match area to initiate the match.

1.3.2

1.3.3

It is a referee’s duty to position the athletes in the match area prior to the match.

Points awarded to the athlete on the referee’s right shall be signaled using the referee’s right arm, which is distinguished from the left arm by a green and yellow armband, indicating the points should be marked on the green and yellow section of the scoreboard.
Points awarded the athlete on the referee’s left shall be signaled using the referee’s left arm, which does not bear an armband, and the points will be marked on the uncolored section of the scoreboard.

1.3.4

It is a referee’s duty to position the athletes according to the color of their gis.

Should both athletes be wearing gis of the same color, the first athlete summoned shall be positioned on the referee’s right and be provided a green and yellow belt for identification, to be worn in addition to the belt already fastened around his/her waist.
If one athlete is wearing a white Gi and the other is wearing a royal blue gi, the athlete in royal blue shall be positioned on the referee’s right.
If one athlete is wearing a black Gi and the other athlete is wearing a royal blue gi, the athlete in royal blue shall be positioned on the referee’s right.
If one athlete is wearing a black Gi and the other athlete is wearing a white gi, the athlete in black shall be positioned on the referee’s right.

1.3.5

It is a referee’s duty to call a start to the match.

1.3.6

It is a referee’s duty to intervene in a match when he/she deems it necessary.

Obs: When the referee stops the fight for any reason, the athletes must maintain their current position to the best of their ability.

1.3.7

It is a referee’s duty to make sure the athletes fulfill their obligation to compete within the combat area.

When 2/3 of the athletes’ bodies are outside the combat area in a stabilized position on the ground, the referee should stop the match and, noting the position of each athlete, restart the match at the center of the match area with the athletes in positions identical to those they were in at the moment of stoppage.
While standing, one of the athletes steps into the safety area (unless a takedown attempt has already been initiated), or when 2/3 of the athletes’ bodies are outside the combat area during not-yet-stabilized ground fighting, the referee shall interrupt the match and stand both athletes up in the center of the combat area.
When an athlete has a submission hold in place in the outlying safety area, the referee should not interrupt the match.
When an athlete has a submission hold in place and the opponent defends by moving to outside the outlying safety area, the referee should stop the match and restart the match at the center of the match area with the athletes standing. In this case, when the referee deems it clearly apparent the athlete under attack initiated the movement that led to exiting the match area, he/she shall signal for 2 (two) points to be added to the score of the athlete performing the submission hold, as described in item 3.1.1.
When one athlete takes his opponent to the outlying safety area while trying to stabilize a scoring position, the referee shall wait, whenever possible, for an athlete to stabilize the position for 3 seconds before stopping the fight. If this happens, the referee will give the points and then restart the fight in the center of the combat area.
Points or advantages will be assessed for counting up until the safety area and any movements performed outside the safety area will not be eligible for counting.
When the fight exits the combat area due to the movement of an athlete attacking a submission in hold, the referee will not mark two points after stopping the fight. Instead, the referee may give an advantage depending on the proximity of the submission, while respecting the rules of advantages (Article 5th).

1.3.8

1.3.9

It is a referee’s duty to signal every or any penalty, advantage or point scored by each athlete.

1.3.10

It is up to the referee to punish and disqualify athletes.

When the situation envisaged in item 6.2.2 (V – When an athlete performs an unintentional movement that puts their opponent in a penalizable position) arises and neither athlete has a submission in hold, the referee should stop the fight and replace the athletes in regular position. The referee will then restart the fight, punishing the infractor.
Whenever the situation depicted in picture 11 of item 6.2.3 (Single-leg with head on the outside) arises, by attempt to takedown or any other move coming from the ground, with the athletes on they knees or with a sweep motion, the referee shall act in the following way:
For juveniles and younger divisions and white belts, the referee will stop the fight and restart the match with both athletes standing. No penalties will be given to either athlete.
For the other divisions the referee shall not interfere with the match.