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BJJ illegal moves table

This table shows which submissions are legal at each adult belt. It also lists the moves that nobody may use.

IBJJF adult divisions (age 18 and over), gi and no-gi.
TechniqueWhiteBluePurpleBrownBlack
Common chokesLegalLegalLegalLegalLegal
Armbar, kimura, americana, omoplataLegalLegalLegalLegalLegal
Straight ankle lockLegalLegalLegalLegalLegal
Straight ankle lock, turning toward their free footIllegalIllegalIllegalLegalLegal
Wrist locksIllegalLegalLegalLegalLegal
Kneebars and toe holdsIllegalIllegalIllegalLegalLegal
Bicep and calf slicersIllegalIllegalIllegalLegalLegal
Heel hooksIllegalIllegalIllegalNo-gi onlyNo-gi only
Locks that twist the kneeIllegalIllegalIllegalNo-gi onlyNo-gi only
Knee reapingIllegalIllegalIllegalNo-gi onlyNo-gi only

The common chokes are the rear naked choke, collar chokes, guillotine, triangle, arm triangle and ezekiel. Knee reaping: your leg wraps across the outside of their knee, and your foot crosses the middle of their body.

Masters divisions are for age 30 and over. There, heel hooks and knee reaping stay illegal for brown and black belts in no-gi too.

Extra rules at white belt

  • No squeezing the ribs with your legs from closed guard.
  • No jumping to closed guard on a standing opponent. It gives you a penalty, not a disqualification. Sit down to pull guard instead.

Illegal for everyone

These moves are illegal at every belt, in the gi and in no-gi:

  • Slams and scissor takedowns.
  • Landing someone on their head or neck.
  • Bending fingers backwards.
  • Spinal locks without a choke.

Using an illegal move is usually a severe foul, and you are disqualified at once. A few cases, such as some knee reaping positions, get a penalty instead.

Striking, biting and pulling hair are also not allowed. They disqualify you from the whole event.

Example
A kneebar at blue belt

You are a blue belt. In a fast exchange, you catch a kneebar. You must let it go. A kneebar is illegal below brown belt, and using it is a disqualification.

Read more on the illegal moves by belt and leg lock safety pages.

Try itPick an answer. No sign-in needed.

You are a white belt. Your partner is also a white belt. Which of these may you use?

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.

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