BJJ advantages and penalties
Advantages and penalties decide many close matches. This page shows how they work and which fouls end a match at once.
What an advantage is
An advantage is a mark for almost scoring. For example, you nearly finish a sweep, or you leave a position before 3 seconds.
You also get an advantage for a submission that nearly works. The referee decides if it was really close.
Advantages do not add to the score. They count only when the points are equal at the end.
How a tie is broken
- More points wins.
- If points are equal, more advantages wins.
- If advantages are also equal, fewer penalties wins.
- If everything is equal, the referee decides.
The time runs out at 2 points each. You have one advantage. Your opponent has none. You win.
How penalties climb
A penalty is a mark against you for a foul. Each new penalty costs you more.
| Penalty | What happens |
|---|---|
| First | The penalty is marked on the scoreboard |
| Second | Your opponent gets an advantage |
| Third | Your opponent gets 2 points |
| Fourth | You are disqualified |
Common fouls that give a penalty
- Stalling: you stop trying to improve your position or attack.
- Fingers inside the sleeve or trouser leg of the gi. Grip the cloth from the outside.
- Jumping to closed guard at white belt: you jump and lock your legs around a standing opponent. The match restarts standing.
Severe fouls
Some fouls skip the penalty steps. They are an immediate disqualification:
- A slam: you lift the other person and drive them into the mat.
- Most illegal techniques for your belt. See the illegal moves table.
- Leaving the mat on purpose to escape a submission.
Biting, striking and pulling hair are behaviour fouls. They disqualify you from the whole event, not only the match.
The referee gives you a second penalty for stalling. What does your opponent get?
Train it on the Path
The How a match works unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
The Path goes in order: start free from lesson one and you reach How a match works on the way. With Rolla Plus you can jump straight here.