The American Cup operates on a single elimination system, which adheres to the official International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation rules. Please visit the following website for more information on the rules.

International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Rules

A competitor can win a match by submission, points, advantage or referee's decision.

Advantage is determined by aggressiveness, submission attempts, takedown attempts and superior positioning.

Illegal Techniques in all divisions

NO heel hooks or twisting knee locks of any kind
NO striking of any kind
NO biting, hair pulling or eye-gauging
NO slamming of any kind
NO cervical neck cranks of any kind

Comprehensive List of Legal and Illegal Techniques by Age and Belt Level

KIDS AGES 04 THROUGH 12:

NO SLAM FROM THE GUARD
NO BICEPS LOCK
NO WRIST LOCK
NO TRIANGLE PULLING THE HEAD
NO FOOT LOCKS OF ANY KIND
NO KNEE lOCK, LEG LOCK
NO CERVICAL lOCK (ANY KIND)
NO FRONTAL NECK CRANK
NO EZEQUIEL
NO CALF LOCK
NO OMOPLATA (SHOULDER LOCK)
NO FRONTAL GUILLOTINE
NO SCISSORS TAKEDOWN
NO HEEL HOOK

FROM THE AGES OF 13 THROUGH 15:

NO SLAM FROM THE GUARD
NO BICEPS LOCK
NO WRIST LOCK
NO TRIANGLE PULLING THE HEAD
NO FOOT LOCK S(ANY KIND)
NO KNEE LOCK, LEG LOCK
NO CERVICAL LOCK(ANY KIND)
NO FRONTAL NECK CRANK
NO EZEKIEL
NO CALF LOCK
NO SCISSORS TAKEDOWN
NO HEEL HOOK

AGES 16 TO 17

NO SLAM FROM THE GUARD
NO LEG LOCKS
NO CERVICAL (only without chokes)
NO BICEPS LOCK
NO CALF LOCK
NO WRIST LOCK
NO MATA LEAO WITH FOOT
NO SCISSORS TAKEDOWN
NO HEEL HOOK

JUNIORS, INCLUDING WHITE AND BLUE BELTS (AGES 16 TO 17) AND ADULT THROUGH SENIOR WHITE BELTS

Straight Ankle Locks are legal in these divisions

NO SLAMMING FROM THE GUARD
NO CERVICAL NECK CRANKS
NO SCISSOR TAKEDOWNS
NO HEEL HOOKS OR OTHER TWISTING KNEE LOCKS
NO BICEPS LOCKS (i.e., BICEP SLICERS)
NO CALF LOCKS (i.e., KNEE SPREADERS)
NO KNEE BARS
NO MATA LEAO WITH FOOT (i.e., FIGURE-FOUR TOE-HOLDS)
NO WRIST LOCKS

Wrist locks are legal in these divisions

NO SLAMMING FROM THE GUARD
NO CERVICAL NECK CRANKS
NO SCISSOR TAKEDOWNS
NO HEEL HOOKS OR OTHER TWISTING KNEE LOCKS
NO BICEPS LOCKS (i.e., BICEP SLICERS)
NO CALF LOCKS (i.e., KNEE SPREADERS)
NO KNEE BARS
NO MATA LEAO WITH FOOT (i.e., FIGURE-FOUR TOE-HOLDS)

ADULT THROUGH SENIOR BROWN AND BLACK BELTS

Knee locks, Biceps Locks, Calf Locks, Knee Bars, and Mata Leao with the Foot are legal in these divisions

NO SLAMMING FROM THE GUARD
NO CERVICAL NECK CRANKS
NO SCISSOR TAKEDOWNS
NO HEEL HOOKS

Please Note

• Weigh-ins will take place on the mat before each competitor's first match. Each competitor gets only one opportunity to weigh-in.
• Any athlete who fails to appear when called to compete will forfeit the match
• Any competitor attempting to escape a submission by going out-of-bounds will be disqualified.
• The promoters of the American Cup will not tolerate any unsportsmanlike-like conduct. Any disrespectful behavior will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the premises of the athlete, with no refund of the registration fee.
• No refunds

Disclaimer: The promoters are not liable for any injury and / or accident involving the competitors. The event is properly insured. Medical staff will be on the premises to provide first aid as needed.