Sport Grappling

Federation       

Governed by Born To Win Athlete Development Pathway, Inc.

(SGF)

Sanctioning Authority for Grappling Under Born To Win Combat Sport Competition

The Sport Grappling Federation (SGF) is the official sanctioning authority for all grappling events and divisions held under the Born To Win Combat Sport Competition
Created to align with Born To Win’s mission of safety, technical progression, and athlete development, SGF establishes the standards, rules, and operational structure for grappling competition across all ages and skill levels.

SGF was built to provide a safe, educational, and structured grappling pathway that empowers athletes to grow confidently on the mats. Its rules emphasize technique over force, control over chaos, and long-term development over short-term advantage. Every match takes place on mats/tatamis only, ensuring an environment that supports safety and proper grappling practice.

As the sanctioning authority, SGF is responsible for:

  • Creating and maintaining the official grappling rule set

  • Certifying officials, referees, and event staff

  • Overseeing athlete safety and match conduct

  • Approving events and ensuring compliance with standards

  • Supporting gyms, coaches, and athletes through a clear developmental structure

SGF’s formats—both the 2-Round Match Format for teens and adults and the Single Match Format for youth and beginner competitors — are designed to promote skill development, fair competition, and positive learning experiences.

SGF operates under the governance of the Born To Win Athlete Development Pathway, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunity, building community through martial arts, and supporting long-term athlete education and protection. Through this alignment, SGF represents not only a competitive platform but also a meaningful developmental pathway for young athletes, families, and martial arts communities.

The Sport Grappling Federation adds a vital dimension to Born To Win’s multi-discipline ecosystem—strengthening our commitment to providing safe, inclusive, and high-quality combat sport experiences across boxing, Muay Thai, karate, forms, and now grappling.

Welcome to the SGF: Sport Grappling Federation—The Sanctioning Authority for Technical, Safe, and Development-Focused Grappling.

RULES:

SGF – Sport Grappling Federation

Official Grappling Match Rule Set

Born To Win Combat Sport Competition

    • 2 rounds total

    • 2 minutes per round

    • 30–45 seconds rest between rounds

    • If each athlete wins one round (1–1), a final 2-minute tiebreaker round determines the winner

    All matches are held on mats/tatamis. No rings or cages are used.

2. Judging Criteria (Round-by-Round Scoring)

Judges award each round based on:

    • Takedowns and top control

    • Guard passing and positional progression

    • Dominant positions (mount, back control, side control)

    • Quality submission attempts (deep attempts prioritized)

    • Initiating grappling exchanges

    • Pushing the pace

    • Attempting to finish

    • Escaping dominant positions

    • Defending submissions

    • Sweeps, reversals, guard recovery

There are no tied rounds. Each round must have a winner.

    • Arm locks: straight armlock, Americana, Kimura

    • Chokes: rear-naked choke, guillotine, triangle, arm triangle, bow-and-arrow, Ezekiel

    • Straight ankle locks (when division allows)

    • Takedowns and controlled throws

    • Sweeps, reversals, positional advancement

    • Standard positional controls: guard, half guard, mount, side control, back control, knee-on-belly

    • Submission (verbal or tap)

    • Judges’ decision (round-by-round scoring)

    • Referee stoppage for safety, injury, illegal techniques, or inability to defend

    • No twisting leg locks (heel hooks, toe holds, knee reaping, kneebars for beginners)

    • No slams of any kind

    • No neck cranks

    • No small-joint manipulation (fingers/toes)

    • No striking

    • No unsportsmanlike conduct Violations may lead to warnings, penalties, or disqualification.

    • May stop the match at any time for safety

    • May issue warnings or disqualifications for repeated fouls

    • May restart athletes in standing or a neutral position

    • All referee decisions are final

  • Match Length

    • Under 12 years old: 3-minute match

    • Ages 12 and up: 4-minute match

    Legal Techniques

    • All standard positional controls

    • Straight armlock, Americana, Kimura

    • Chokes as appropriate for age division (RNC, guillotine, triangle, arm-triangle, Ezekiel, bow-and-arrow, etc.)

    • Straight ankle locks only if age group permits

    • Controlled takedowns and throws

    Illegal Techniques

    • No twisting submissions (heel hooks, toe holds, reaping, kneebars for beginners)

    • No neck cranks

    • No slams

    • No small-joint manipulation

    • No striking

    • No intent to injure or unsportsmanlike behavior

    Winner Determination

    • Submission ends the match immediately

    If no submission occurs, referee selects the winner based on:

    • Effective grappling

    • Dominant positions

    • Submission attempts

    • Aggression & activity level

    • Competitors must follow referee instructions at all times

    • Coaches may not interfere with the match

    • Mouthguards recommended

    • Rash guard and grappling shorts required (gi optional in gi divisions)

    • Referee has full authority on rule interpretation

5 on 5 survival Grappling

  1. Team Division

    • Each team must consist of 5 grapplers.

    • All team members must be officially registered before the start of the event.

    • Order for teams must be locked in at weigh ins.

    • The total combined weight of all 5 team members cannot exceed 950 lbs.

    • Weigh-ins will be conducted as a team unit.

    • Teams exceeding the limit will have 10 minutes to substitute or adjust the roster. Failure to comply results in disqualification.

2. Skill Divisions

    • Only white belts and blue belts are eligible for Division 1.

    • No purple, brown, or black belts may compete in this division.

    • Only purple belts, brown belts, and black belts may compete in Division 2.

    • No white or blue belts may compete in this division.

    • Belt rank must be verified by instructor affiliation or competition history.

    • Any intentional misrepresentation of rank results in full team disqualification.

3. Match Format

    • One grappler from each team starts the match.

    • If a grappler wins by submission only, they remain on the mat to face the next member of the opposing team after one minute break.

    • The losing grappler is eliminated.

    • This continues until all members of one team have been eliminated.

    • Adults (All Divisions): 8-minute rounds if opponents are within 40lbs of each other.

    • If both competitors are separated by more than 40 lbs, the round is reduced to 4 minutes to encourage engagement.

    • If no submission occurs within the time limit, the match is declared a draw.

    • In a draw, both competitors are eliminated and new competitors from each team enter.

4. Legal & Illegal Techniques

    • Joint locks on the upper body

    • Straight ankle locks

    • Chokes and strangles

    • Wrist locks (Division 2 only)

    • No twisting leg locks (e.g., heel hooks, toe holds).

    • No knee-reaping.

    • No spinal locks or neck cranks.

    • No slams.

    • No jumping guard.

    • Heel hooks and toe holds are allowed.

    • Knee-reaping is allowed.

    • No slams.

    • No cervical cranks/spinal manipulation.

5. Uniform Requirements

    • Rash guard or grappling top required (short or long sleeve).

    • Grappling shorts or spats; no pockets, zippers, or metal.

    • No gi tops or pants allowed.

    • Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed.

6. Ways to win

    • Submission

    • Referee stoppage (injury, inability to continue, or rule violation)

    • Opponent disqualification

      Team victory occurs when:

    • All grapplers from the opposing team have been submitted or eliminated.

    • If both teams eliminate all 5 members simultaneously (all draws), final result will be team with the fastest total submission time wins.

7. Penalties & Fouls

    • Stalling

    • Grabbing clothing

    • Unsportsmanlike conduct

    • Warnings will be issued. 3 warnings = disqualification for that grappler.

    • Illegal submissions

    • Intentional injury

    • Striking of any kind

    • Leaving the competition area to avoid grappling

    These result in immediate disqualification.

If a competitor is disqualified, they are counted as “eliminated.”

    • Each team must designate a Team Captain.

    • The captain provides the running order of competitors.

    • Running order must be finalized before the match and cannot be changed mid-match.

    • If both teams retain at least 1 grappler after the final round and total submission times are equal, the match goes to 1 overtime round.

    • Each team selects one grappler, who competes in a 3-minute sudden-victory round.

    • First submission wins.

    • If no submission occurs, the referee panel decides based on aggression, control, and submission attempts.

    • Referee decisions are final.

    • Competitors must immediately stop when the referee intervenes.

    • Respect between competitors, coaches, and staff is mandatory.

    • Medical staff may stop a match for safety concerns at any time.