Allowed submissions & match times
Plan your competition day with the rules, divisions, and event information below.
Choose your division below to see its time limit and permitted techniques. These rules cover standard Proving Grounds divisions. Elite no-gi and Ground Control use their designated rulesets.
All non-adult divisions: Pulling the head during a triangle choke is prohibited. Ezekiels and bread/paper cutters share the same classification. The general rules, including jumping-guard restrictions, also apply.
Kids (9 and under) · 3 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
Not allowed in this division
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
Youth (10–12) · 4 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
Not allowed in this division
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
Juniors (13–17) · 5 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
Not allowed in this division
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
Gi white belt · 5 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
Not allowed in this division
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
Gi blue belt · 6 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
Not allowed in this division
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
Gi purple belt · 7 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
Not allowed in this division
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
Gi brown belt · TBD — confirm with the organizer
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
Gi black belt · TBD — confirm with the organizer
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
No-gi novice / beginner · 4 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
Not allowed in this division
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
No-gi intermediate · 5 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
Not allowed in this division
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
No-gi advanced · 6 minutes
Allowed
- Stretching legs apart (electric chair)
- Armbars
- Omoplata / kimura / americana
- Rear naked choke / triangle choke
- Guillotine / arm triangle choke
- Ezekiel choke
- Straight ankle (foot) lock
- Wrist lock
- Straight kneebar
- Figure-four toe hold
- Bicep cutter
- Calf cutter
The prohibited techniques listed below apply as well.
Prohibited across standard divisions
- Can opener to open closed guard or to submit
- Scissor takedown
- Heel hook
- Neck crank
- Twister body lock / spinal twist
- Spinal or cervical lock
- Slam takedown
- Slam from guard
- Rib / kidney compression from closed guard
- Crossing the outside foot to the inside across the hip
- In a straight ankle lock, turning toward the foot not under attack
Open original rules chart (PDF)
Format inspiration: Liberty Events and Promotions (LEAP).