Plenty of IBJJF matches never reach a submission. They're decided on points, advantages and penalties, sometimes by a single sweep or one stalling call. If you know exactly how the referee scores, you can build a game plan around it.
Everything here comes from the official IBJJF Rule Book (version 6.1, 2024). For anything close, read the current rule book.
Points at a glance
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| Takedown | 2 |
| Sweep | 2 |
| Knee on belly | 2 |
| Guard pass | 3 |
| Mount | 4 |
| Back control (back mount) | 4 |
The 3-second rule
Points are only given when you stabilise the position for 3 seconds. Reaching it isn't enough. If you pass the guard but they recover before the count ends, you may get an advantage instead (more on those below).
When you move through several scoring positions in one continuous sequence, the referee counts 3 seconds at the end and gives you all of them. The rule book's own example: a guard pass followed by mount adds up to 7 points (3 + 4).
Two other rules matter in close matches. If you reach a scoring position while you're caught in a submission, you only score once you've escaped and held the position for 3 seconds. And if you give up a position on purpose just to score it again, you don't get the points twice.
Takedowns and guard pulling
- A takedown scores when you start with both feet on the ground and put them on their back, side or seat, and hold top position for 3 seconds.
- If they land on all fours or belly down, you score once you control their back with at least one of their knees on the mat for 3 seconds.
- If you start a takedown after they've started pulling guard, no takedown points. If you started it first, you can score.
- If you have a grip on their pants when they pull guard and you stabilise on top for 3 seconds, you score the takedown.
- When both athletes pull guard at the same time, the first to come up on top gets an advantage.
Advantages
An advantage is the referee's way of recording something that nearly scored. You get one when:
- You reach a scoring position but can't hold it for the full 3 seconds.
- You attack a submission and your opponent is in real danger of tapping (the referee judges how close it was).
Advantages only count if points are level. They're a tiebreaker, not a score. The referee can also give an advantage after time runs out, before announcing the result.
Penalties
Most penalties (serious fouls, including stalling) add up through the match, and different fouls count towards the same total:
- 1st penalty: marked on the scoreboard.
- 2nd penalty: your opponent gets an advantage.
- 3rd penalty: your opponent gets 2 points.
- 4th penalty: disqualification.
Severe fouls, like using a technique that's illegal for your division, skip the sequence and disqualify you straight away. Under-15 divisions use a longer sequence.
Stalling (lack of combativeness)
Stalling means clearly not trying to progress. The referee counts 20 seconds before calling it. A few specific rules come up often:
- If both athletes pull guard at the same time, the referee counts 20 seconds. If nobody gets on top, has a submission on or is about to score, both get a penalty and you restart standing.
- In 50/50 with a lapel or belt grip, you have 20 seconds to make progress before a stalling penalty.
- Defending from under mount, back control, side control or north-south isn't stalling.
- Holding mount or back control isn't stalling, as long as you're really in the position.
When it's a tie
The order is points, then advantages, then fewer penalties. If all three are level, the referee decides who attacked more and came closest to scoring or submitting.
How long is an IBJJF match?
| Division | Match time |
|---|---|
| Juvenile (16–17) | 5 minutes |
| Adult white belt | 5 minutes |
| Adult blue belt | 6 minutes |
| Adult purple belt | 7 minutes |
| Adult brown belt | 8 minutes |
| Adult black belt | 10 minutes |
| Master 1, white and blue | 5 minutes |
| Master 1, purple, brown and black | 6 minutes |
| Master 2 to Master 7 | 5 minutes |
What this means for your game plan
- A sweep is worth the same as a takedown. If you're a guard player, your first score is usually a sweep. Make sure you finish on top and hold it for 3 seconds.
- Pass to a position, then pause. Points need 3 seconds of control. Chaining the pass straight into mount scores both, as long as the control is continuous.
- Real attacks win close matches. Advantages for submission attempts only come when the opponent is in real danger, so commit to the finish.
- Avoid easy penalties. Double guard pulls with nothing happening, and stalling in 50/50 with a lapel grip, are common ways to give away an advantage.
For building that plan step by step, read how to build a BJJ game plan.
Questions
How many points is a guard pass in IBJJF?
3 points, once you hold side control or north-south for 3 seconds after getting past the legs.
How many points is mount and back control?
4 points each. A guard pass straight into mount scores 3 + 4 = 7 points if the control is continuous.
Does pulling guard lose points in IBJJF?
No. Pulling guard is not penalised under IBJJF rules (white belts can't jump to closed guard, though). If your opponent already has a grip on your pants when you pull and stabilises on top for 3 seconds, they score a takedown.
How is a tied IBJJF match decided?
Points first, then advantages, then fewest penalties. If everything is level, the referee decides, based on who attacked more and came closest to scoring or submitting.
How long is an IBJJF match?
For adults: 5 minutes at white belt, 6 at blue, 7 at purple, 8 at brown and 10 at black. Master 1 is 5 minutes for white and blue and 6 for purple, brown and black; Master 2 and older are 5 minutes.