Rules Overview

UTAH GRAPPLING GAMES uses a special scoring system based on positional control (see the scoring page for details).

CHAMPION SUBMISSION CHALLENGE has no scoring system; there are NO-TIME-LIMITS & NO-POINTS. The match will end when one person submists or is disqualified, except in the kids divisions, which will use the UGG scoring rules.

NO SLAMMING from guard in any division (slamming from guard means picking up your opponent off his back and slamming him back to the ground, if a player jumps guard his opponent may throw him to the ground). Throwing is not considered slamming.

NO TWISTING LEG LOCKS (heel hooks, toe holds etc.) in any JUNIOR, NOVICE, BEGINNER OR WHITE-BELT divisions.

SUBMISSION: All holds must be applied as to induce submission, not to break the joint, or otherwise cause lasting injury. That said it is the competitors responsibility to tap before damage occurs.

NO SMALL JOINT MANIPULATION (meaning finger and toe locks etc.). No grabbing individual fingers, all four fingers must be grabbed to peal. Pealing the thumb is okay, but not twisting it or grabbing and holding it.

NO GRABBING OR RIPPING FLESH including ears, nose, lips, eyes, pinching etc. Placing fingers in the throat, groin, eyes, nose etc. is forbidden.

NO EYE GOUGHING of any kind, including using fingers, elbows or the chin.

NO GRABBING CLOTHING IN THE NO-GI DIVISION

NO USING BELT TO CHOKE OR ENTANGLE

NO INTENTIONALLY THROWING an opponent on the HEAD, NECK OR FACE. Every effort must be made to plant the opponent on his side, back, front or legs. Deliberately trying to throw an opponent on their head may result in disqualification.

NO STRIKING of any kind

NO JEWLRY may be worn.

NO STALLING: A player who appears to be deliberately moving out of bounds to avoid submission, take down or any other disadvantage may be warned or even disqualified.

OUT OF BOUNDS: If the players accidentally go out of bounds or move to close to another player, the referee will return them to the center of the mat in a position as close as possible to their exiting position.  If their exiting position was ambiguous, they will be returned to standing.

ATTEMPTING TO INJURE: A player who appears, in the opinion of the referee, to be attempting to injure his opponent will be warned or disqualified, according to the severity of the infraction. Un-sportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.

SPORTSMANSHIP: This is a friendly competition; each contestant is expected to treat all other contestants in a respectful manner. Un-sportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated; warnings and disqualifications will be given at the referee's discretion and will not be argued.  No technique with the intent to cause lasting injury will be allowed.

OTHER: Incidents not covered here will be left to the discretion of the referee and/or event managers.

NO INTENTIONAL NECK CRANKS or other Spinal Locks in any junior divisions (the guillotine choke or other chokes that have minimal unintentional cranking will be permitted at the referee’s discretion, depending on age and experience)

NO LEG LOCKS in the junior division, EXCEPT A STRAIGH ANKLE LOCK for teens only

NO-GI Division: rash guard (or t-shirt) and fight shorts

No bare torsos, tank tops, or Sleeve-less shirts

No sports bras, Speedos or anything similar.

Wrestling shoes will be permitted in the no-gi division but not the gi division (unless special needs exist)

Clothing with holes, cuts, or tears will not be permitted.

Finger and toenails must be trimmed.

Apparel cannot have zippers, straps, buckles, or anything else that may cause injury. 

Personal cleanliness is mandatory.

WEIGH-IN: All competitors must wear shorts to weigh-in, NO STRIPPING DOWN.