Log in Start free

Learn off the mat.

Practical guides for jiu-jitsu athletes: the rules at your belt, getting ready for a comp, building a game plan and learning from footage. Rules are checked against the official rule books.

Rules · 7 min readIBJJF illegal techniques by belt: what's legal at white, blue, purple, brown and blackHeel hooks, kneebars, wrist locks, reaping, slams: what the IBJJF rule book allows at your belt, gi and no-gi, with the Masters exception most people miss.

Competition · 6 min readBJJ weight classes: IBJJF gi, IBJJF no-gi and ADCC Open, in kg and lbsEvery IBJJF gi, IBJJF no-gi and ADCC Open weight class for men and women, in kilograms and pounds, plus how weigh-ins work and how to pick your division.14 October 2026
Rules · 7 min readIBJJF points, advantages and penalties explainedHow IBJJF scoring works: 2 points for takedowns and sweeps, 3 for a guard pass, 4 for mount and back, plus advantages, penalties, stalling and match times by belt.14 October 2026
Competition · 8 min readYour first BJJ competition: a 4-week prep checklistA week-by-week plan for your first jiu-jitsu tournament: registering, picking a division, building a simple game plan, making weight safely and what to pack.14 October 2026
Game plans · 7 min readHow to build a BJJ game plan (with Plan A, B and C)A game plan is a few connected routes from the start of the match to a finish. How to build yours around what you already do well, and what to do when Plan A fails.14 October 2026
Training · 7 min readHow to review your BJJ match footage (and what to look for)Filming is easy; learning from it is the hard part. How to film your rolls, what to watch for in the first viewing, and how to turn a match into three things to drill.14 October 2026
Training · 6 min readHow to actually learn from BJJ instructionalsMost instructionals are watched once and forgotten. A simple method to pick the right one, take one detail at a time to the mat and make it stick.14 October 2026
Training · 6 min readHow to get better at BJJ off the mat: 8 habits that compoundYou only spend a few hours a week on the mat. Eight habits for the rest of the week that make every class count, from a training journal to asking better questions.14 October 2026

Looking for your weight class? Try the free BJJ weight class finder.

Your next round starts here.

Matwise is an AI jiu-jitsu coach: answers built from real instructionals, video reviews of your rolls, game plans and comp prep. 7 days free, no card needed.

Start your free week See how Matwise works