BJJ points table
This page lists every scoring action in a BJJ match and what it is worth. It also shows what does not score.
The points table
| Action | Points | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Takedown | 2 | From standing, you put the other person on the ground and stay on top. |
| Sweep | 2 | From guard or half guard, you come up on top. |
| Knee on belly | 2 | Your knee or shin is on their belly, chest or ribs. Your other knee is off the mat. |
| Guard pass | 3 | You get past their legs and hold side control or north-south. |
| Mount | 4 | You sit on their torso, facing their head, clear of their legs. |
| Back control | 4 | You are behind them with both hooks in (heels inside their thighs) and your feet not crossed. |
Knee on BellyKnee on belly scores 2: one knee on the belly, the other knee off the mat.
Back ControlBack control scores 4: both heels are inside their thighs, and the feet do not cross.
The 3-second rule
Every position must be held for 3 seconds before it scores. Land the position, settle your weight, then count to three.
A position scores once. It does not score again while you stay in it. To score more, move to a new position.
You pass the guard and hold side control for 3 seconds. You get 3 points. You move to knee on belly and hold it: 2 more. Then you slide to mount and hold it: 4 more. Your score is 9.
You can also pass the guard straight into mount in one move. Then you get both points: 3 for the pass and 4 for mount. That is 7 points.
What does not score
- Side control by itself (you lie across their chest, past their legs): only the pass into it scores.
- Pulling guard: you sit down and pull the other person into your guard.
- A reversal: you come up on top from under mount or side control.
- A takedown from the knees: a takedown must start from standing.
- Top half guard: one of your legs is still trapped between theirs.
Loading 3D view
Side control by itself does not score; only the guard pass into it scores 3. Side Control in the library ›
Details the referee checks
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| Mount with one of their arms under your leg | 4 points |
| Mount with both of their arms under your legs | Advantage only |
| Back control with your feet crossed | Advantage only |
| Back control without passing first | 4 points for the back, no pass |
Read more on the points and scoring page.
You are under mount. You bridge, roll your opponent over and land on top in their guard. How many points do you 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.