IBJJF vs ADCC: rules compared
BJJ and grappling competitions run under different rulesets. The two most common are IBJJF (traditional jiu-jitsu, gi and no-gi) and ADCC (submission grappling, no-gi). Here they are side by side: what is allowed, how long a match lasts, and where the rules agree.
At a glance
| Feature | IBJJF | ADCC |
|---|---|---|
| Core idea | Positional jiu-jitsu. Win by submission or by points. | Submission-first grappling. Points only in the second half. |
| Gi or no-gi | Both, in separate divisions. | No-gi only. |
| Divisions | Belt, age, gender and weight. | Weight class and an open division. No belt divisions. |
| When points count | For the whole match. | Second half only. The first half has penalties only. |
| Leg locks | Restricted by belt. Heel hooks no-gi brown and black only, never in the gi. | All leg locks, including heel hooks, legal for everyone. |
How long a match lasts
In IBJJF the length depends on the belt (adult gi shown below; adult no-gi uses the same lengths). ADCC has no belts, so the length depends on the round. An ADCC match is split in two: no positive points in the first half, points in the second.
| Level | Length |
|---|---|
| White belt | 5 min |
| Blue belt | 6 min |
| Purple belt | 7 min |
| Brown belt | 8 min |
| Black belt | 10 min |
| Juveniles (16 and 17) | 5 min |
| Masters (30+) | 5 or 6 min |
| Level | Length |
|---|---|
| World Championship, early round | 10 min (no points for the first 5) + 5 min overtime |
| World Championship, final and superfight | 20 min (no points for the first 10) + 10 min overtime |
| National championship, early round | 6 min (no points for the first 3) + 3 min overtime |
| National championship, final | 8 min (no points for the first 4) + 4 min overtime |
Points
Either ruleset can be won on points if there is no submission. The biggest difference is timing: IBJJF counts points from the start, ADCC only in the second half.
| Feature | IBJJF | ADCC |
|---|---|---|
| Takedown | 2 | 2 to guard, 4 past the guard |
| Sweep | 2 | 2 to guard, 4 past the guard |
| Guard pass | 3 | 3 |
| Knee on belly | 2 | 2 |
| Mount | 4 | 2 |
| Back control | 4 | 3 |
| When points count | Whole match | Second half only |
In ADCC you usually have to hold a position for about 3 seconds to score it. In the first half ADCC awards only negative points, for example for stalling or pulling guard.
Legal submissions
In no-gi the two rulesets share most legal submissions. The difference is leg locks: ADCC allows them for everyone, IBJJF limits them by belt and by gi.
| Feature | IBJJF | ADCC |
|---|---|---|
| Chokes and arm locks | Legal (gi and no-gi) | Legal |
| Wrist locks | Blue belt and up | Legal |
| Straight ankle lock | All belts | Legal |
| Kneebar and toe hold | Brown and black only | Legal for everyone |
| Heel hooks | No-gi brown and black only, never in the gi | Legal for everyone |
| Knee reaping | No-gi brown and black only, illegal in the gi | Legal |
| Slams (to break a hold) | Illegal | Only to escape a submission |
| Neck cranks and spinal locks | Illegal without a choke | Some are illegal |
IBJJF heel-hook permission does not apply to masters divisions. Grassroots and beginner events often add their own, stricter limits, so always read the event rules.
How a match is decided
| Feature | IBJJF | ADCC |
|---|---|---|
| Primary win | Submission, a tap ends the match | Submission, a tap ends the match |
| If there is no submission | Most points wins | Most points (from the second half) wins |
| If the score is tied | Advantages, then penalties, then referee decision | Overtime, and if still tied, referee decision |
| Passivity | Penalised | Penalised with negative points, especially guard-pulling |
Where the rulesets overlap
The differences stand out, but a lot is shared. At their core they are the same sport.
- The tap always wins. A submission ends the match instantly in both, and the tap is absolute. Safety comes before a win.
- No striking. Both are pure grappling, no punches or kicks.
- The no-gi submissions are mostly the same. Chokes, arm locks, the kimura and the straight ankle lock are legal in both.
- Points decide a match with no submission. A guard pass is 3 points in both, knee on belly is 2 in both, and a takedown or sweep to guard is 2 in both.
- Both punish passivity. Deliberate stalling and running off the mat draw a penalty in each.
- Weight classes and an open division exist in both.
- The same positions matter. Passing, mount and back control are the high-value positions in both, even where the numbers differ.
Keep this in mind
Rulesets are updated every few years, and this is a plain-language summary, not the official rulebook. Always read the current IBJJF or ADCC rules and each event’s own rules before you compete. Many Finnish grassroots competitions use their own, more beginner-friendly limits.