IBJJF Rule Changes 2027

These changes take effect on January 1, 2027.

struck = removed · highlighted = new

1

Jumping guard becomes a severe foul (6.2.3 M)

Fouls & illegal moves

What changes: jumping for closed guard on a standing opponent – including any attack initiated by jumping guard, such as Flying Triangles and Flying Armbars – is a severe foul, with summary disqualification from the match at the moment of the infraction (7.1).

Before (Rules Book v6.1)

6.2.2 W) When, in the under-15-year-old-division (for all belts) and in all white belt age groups, an athlete jumps for closed guard on a standing opponent, including any and all attacks initiated by jumping guard, such as but not limited to Flying Triangles and Flying Armbars. When such moves occur, the referee will stand both athletes up again. Note: Should one athlete be defending an attempted takedown or sweep and jump guard, the punishment shall include 2 points being awarded to the opponent.

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

6.2.3 M) When, in the under-15-year-old-division (for all belts) and in all white belt age groups, an athlete jumps for closed guard on a standing opponent, including any and all attacks initiated by jumping guard, such as but not limited to Flying Triangles and Flying Armbars.

Applies to: divisions up to 15 years old (all belts) and white belts of all age groups.

▶ Example video
2

Straight foot lock: turning in the direction of the foot not being attacked is now allowed for blue and purple belts

Fouls & illegal moves

What changes: this turn is no longer illegal for blue and purple belts (Adult to Master 8). Brown and black belts were already allowed to do it. Important: athletes who cannot apply the straight foot lock still cannot apply it at all, with or without the turn.

Before (Rules Book v6.1)

6.2.3 M) Illegal Moves table, item 16: “In straight foot lock, turning in the direction of foot not under attack.”
(illegal up to blue and purple belts, Adult to Master 8)

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

6.2.3 N) Illegal Moves table, item 12: “In straight foot lock, turning in the direction of foot not under attack.”

Applies to: blue and purple belts Adult to Master 8.

▶ Example video
3

Straight foot lock becomes illegal for juveniles and white belts (table, item 3)

Fouls & illegal moves

What changes: the straight foot lock becomes illegal for juveniles (16 & 17 years old, all belts) and white belts (Adult to Master 8).

Before (Rules Book v6.1)

6.2.3 M) Illegal Moves table, item 3: “Straight foot lock”
(illegal only in the 4 to 12 and 13 to 15 year-old divisions)

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

6.2.3 N) Illegal Moves table, item 8: “Straight foot lock”.

Applies to: juveniles 16 & 17 (all belts) and white belts Adult to Master 8.

4

Takedown when the opponent pulls closed guard and stays suspended (4.1.12)

Scoring

What changes: the athlete must cause the opponent to land on their back, sideways or seated to be awarded the takedown points – the 3-second limit is removed. The main 4.1.12 rule (stabilize the top position for 3 seconds) still applies.

Before (Rules Book v6.1)

4.1.12 When an athlete has a grip on the opponent’s pants and the opponent pulls guard, the athlete with the grip on the pants shall be awarded two points for the takedown if he/she stabilizes the top position on the ground for 3 (three) seconds. Note: If the opponent pulls closed guard and remains suspended in the air, the athlete will have to put the opponent’s back on the ground within 3 (three) seconds and stabilize the top position for 3 (three) seconds to be awarded with Takedown points.

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

4.1.12 When an athlete has a grip on the opponent’s pants and the opponent pulls guard, the athlete with the grip on the pants shall be awarded two points for the takedown if he/she stabilizes the top position on the ground for 3 (three) seconds. Note: If the opponent pulls closed guard and remains suspended in the air, the athlete will have to cause the opponent to land on his/her back, sideways or seated to be awarded the takedown points.

Applies to: all athletes.

▶ Example video
5

Double guard pull (6.2.1 C)

Lack of combativeness

What changes: if at the end of the 20 seconds neither athlete has reached the top position or scored, the referee stops the match, penalizes both athletes and restarts standing – even if a submission is in hold or a point-scoring move is imminent.

Before (Rules Book v6.1)

6.2.1 C) When both athletes pull guard at the same time, the referee will start a 20 second countdown. If at end of this 20 second countdown, even if the athletes are moving, one of the athletes does not reach the top position, does not have a submission in hold,or is not imminently completing a point scoring move, the referee will stop the fight and give a penalty to both athletes. In this situation, the referee will restart the combat in standing position.

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

6.2.1 C) When both athletes pull guard at the same time (double guard pull), the referee will start a 20 second countdown. If at the end of this 20 second countdown neither athlete has reached the top position or scored, the referee will stop the fight, give a penalty to both athletes and restart the combat in standing position. The fight will be stopped regardless of whether a submission is in hold or a point scoring move is imminent.

Applies to: all athletes.

▶ Example video
6

Lapel or belt grip with leg wrapped (6.2.1 G)

Lack of combativeness New rule

What changes: if an athlete grips the opponent’s lapel or belt and wraps their own leg in a controlling position, they have 20 seconds to progress; if not, they receive a lack of combativeness penalty (7.3.1), regardless of intention.

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

6.2.1 G) If an athlete grips the lapel or the belt of their opponent and wraps their own leg in a controlling position, the athlete will have 20 (twenty) seconds to pursue positional progression before receiving a penalty for lack of combativeness, as described in rule 6.2.1. An athlete will receive a penalty, as described in rule 7.3.1, if positional progression has not been achieved after 20 (twenty) seconds, regardless of intention.

Applies to: all athletes.

▶ Example video
7

DISCIPLINARY DISQUALIFICATION

Disciplinary New rule

What changes: New disciplinary penalties added – new wording (Rules Book 2027):

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

6.1.7 The IBJJF may convert a severe foul into a disciplinary disqualification when the athlete commits it intentionally or by knowingly assuming the risk of injuring the opponent, including through the use of disproportionate force. The conversion provided for in this article is at the exclusive discretion of the IBJJF and must be formally requested by the event’s Referee Coordinator. 6.1.8 Performing any action, technique, or conduct during the match with the intention of injuring the opponent, or knowingly assuming the risk of injuring them, even if the action is not listed as a severe foul. The disciplinary disqualification provided for in this item is at the exclusive discretion of the IBJJF and must be formally requested by the event’s Referee Coordinator.
8

New referee gesture: calm down

Referee gestures New rule

What changes: the “calm down” gesture will be added to the referee gestures in the Rules Book.

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

Referee gestures (Article 1) – MATCH CIRCUMSTANCES: Request for the athlete(s) to calm down. GESTURE: Hands raised in front of the body with palms facing forward, then arms lowered and extended with palms facing down. VERBAL COMMAND: –

Applies to: all athletes.

Gesture: calm down
Gesture: calm down
9

Match interrupted with a submission hold in place (1.3.7)

Scoring New rule

What changes: when the match is interrupted while a submission hold is in place, for reasons not attributable to either athlete, and no specific procedure is addressed in the Rules Book, the match restarts with both athletes standing in the center of the combat area and the athlete performing the submission hold receives 2 (two) points.

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

1.3.7 […] • When the match is interrupted while a submission hold is in place, for reasons not attributable to either athlete, and no specific procedure is addressed in this Rules Book, the referee shall restart the match with both athletes standing in the center of the combat area and signal for 2 (two) points to be added to the score of the athlete performing the submission hold.

Applies to: all athletes.

10

Progression concept applied to guard passing

Progression concept Progression concept – does not change the Rules Book

Progression concept – does not change the Rules Book

Sweep (already applied)

The progression concept is already applied in sweeps.

▶ Example video: progression in a sweep

Guard pass (now also applied)

The progression concept already used in sweeps is now also applied to guard passing.

▶ Example video: progression in guard passing
11

No-Gi attire: white belt, shirt colors by rank and shorts length (8.1.16)

Uniform

What changes: in No-Gi, the 10% rank-color rule now applies only to colored belts (grey through brown), with the rank clearly visible from the front or the back. White belts need a predominantly white shirt (more than 50%), with black as the only secondary color; black belts need a predominantly black shirt, with white as the only secondary color. Shorts must not go past the knee, and the hem may be no more than 15 cm above the middle of the knee; in kids divisions, shorts must cover at least halfway down the thigh.

Before (Rules Book v6.1)

8.1.16 • Shirts and Rash Guards: Both genders must wear a shirt of elastic material (skin tight) long enough to cover the torso all the way to the waistband of the shorts, colored black, white, or black and white, and with at least 10% of the rank color (belt) to which the athlete belongs. Shirts 100% the color of the athlete’s rank (belt) are also permitted. Note: For black belts a small red area will be tolerated, but must not de-characterize the athlete’s rank color. • Shorts (men and women): long enough to cover at least halfway down the thigh (no more than 15 cm from the knee), and no longer than the knee.

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

8.1.16 • Shirts and Rash Guards: Both genders must wear a shirt of elastic material (skin tight) long enough to cover the torso all the way to the waistband of the shorts, colored black, white, or black and white, and, for colored belts (grey, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple and brown), with at least 10% of the rank color (belt) to which the athlete belongs. The rank color must be placed so that the athlete’s rank (belt) can be clearly identified whether the athlete is seen from the front or from the back. Shirts 100% the color of the athlete’s rank (belt) are also permitted. White belts: predominantly white (more than 50% of the surface); the only secondary color allowed is black. Black belts: predominantly black (more than 50% of the surface); the only secondary color allowed is white. Note: For black belts a small red area will be tolerated, but must not de-characterize the athlete’s rank color. • Shorts (men and women): must not be longer than the knee, and the bottom of the shorts must be no more than 15 cm above the middle of the knee. For kids divisions, the shorts must cover at least halfway down the thigh.

Applies to: No-Gi athletes; the new white-belt rule applies to white belts in all age divisions.

2027 No-Gi uniform guide

White belt

Shirt predominantly white (>50%); black is the only secondary colour.

Coloured belts

Grey to brown: black/white shirt with at least 10% belt colour, visible front and back; or 100% belt colour.

Black belt

Predominantly black (>50%); white is the only secondary colour + a small red area.

Click here: No-Gi uniform guide (text and photos)

12

New Master 8 division (66 and older); Master 7 becomes 61 to 65 (1.3)

Age divisions

What changes: a new Master 8 division (66 and older) is created, with 4-minute matches; Master 7 becomes 61 to 65. Master 8 is also added to the illegal moves table (6.2.3 N: “Adult to Master 8”) and to the tie-break lists (3.3.2).

Before (Rules Book v6.1)

1.3 Match time table – last row: MASTER 7 (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 61 – 05 minutes

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

1.3 Match time table: MASTER 7 (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 61 – 05 minutes MASTER 8 (Current Year) – (Birth Year) ≥ 66 – 04 minutes

Applies to: athletes 61 and older (Master 7 and Master 8).

13

No-Gi attire: compression pants allowed under the shorts – men (8.1.16)

Uniform

What changes: in men's No-Gi, compression pants (spats) and/or compression shorts are now allowed under the shorts, in black, white, black and white, and/or the belt color.

Before (Rules Book v6.1)

8.1.16 • Shorts for men: Also permitted are compression shorts made of elastic material (skin tight) worn beneath the shorts, in the colors black, white, black and white, and/or the color of the rank (belt) to which the athlete belongs.

New wording (Rules Book 2027)

8.1.16 • Shorts for men: Also permitted are compression pants (skin-tight spats) and/or compression shorts made of elastic material (skin tight), worn beneath the shorts, in the colors black, white, black and white, and/or the color of the rank (belt) to which the athlete belongs.

Applies to: male No-Gi athletes.

▦

Illegal Moves Table (6.2.3 N) – 2027

ILLEGAL (Severe Foul) in that column's category · tap a move name to see its photo

4 to 12 years 13 to 15 years 16 and 17 years (all belts) and white belt (Adult to Master 8) Adult to Master 8 (blue and purple) Adult to Master 8 (brown and black) except Adult No-Gi Adults (brown and black) No-Gi # Prohibited move
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

2027 Rule Book numbering and order. (*) Images are examples and do not cover every variation. (**) Although it is a prohibited technique, the athlete will not be penalized. View full table (image)

Reference: IBJJF Rules Book v6.1 (JUN 2024). In case of doubt, the official Rules Book text prevails.