IBJJF Points System Explained: How Scoring Works in BJJ Competitions

Understanding the IBJJF Points System

The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation uses a points-based scoring system that rewards positional dominance and control. Understanding how points work is essential for competitive success in BJJ tournaments. For the full overview of all IBJJF competition rules, including penalties and illegal techniques, see our complete rules guide.

This guide breaks down every aspect of IBJJF scoring: point values, advantages, penalties, referee signals, and strategic considerations for maximizing your score.

The Point Values

Quick Reference Table

Action	Points	Requirement
Takedown	2	Take opponent down, establish control
Sweep	2	Reverse from guard to top, hold 3 seconds
Knee on Belly	2	Establish and maintain position 3 seconds
Guard Pass	3	Pass guard, establish side control 3 seconds
Mount	4	Achieve mount, hold 3 seconds
Back Control	4	Take back with hooks/body triangle, hold 3 seconds

Detailed Scoring Breakdown

Takedown (2 Points)

What Counts:

• Foot sweep taking opponent down
• Single or double leg takedown
• Throw or trip to the ground
• Any technique bringing standing opponent to ground

Requirements:

• Must land in controlling position
• Opponent's back or side touches mat
• Top player establishes control
• 3-second stabilization

What Doesn't Count:

• Pulling guard (no points to either)
• Opponent falls without clear technique
• Top player doesn't establish control
• Landing in opponent's guard without passing

Sweep (2 Points)

What Counts:

• Reversing from bottom guard to top
• Coming up from half guard to top
• Any reversal from inferior to superior position

Requirements:

• Must start in guard or half guard
• End in stable top position
• 3-second control required
• Clear reversal of position

What Doesn't Count:

• Technical stand-up to feet (escape, no points)
• Scrambles without clear sweep
• Opponent pulling you into mount
• Coming up without establishing top control

Knee on Belly (2 Points)

What Counts:

• Knee placed on opponent's stomach/chest
• From side control position
• Clear control established

Requirements:

• Knee (not shin) on belly
• Other leg posted for base
• 3-second hold
• Control of opponent evident

Returning to Knee on Belly: If opponent escapes and you immediately retake knee on belly, you score again. There's no limit to how many times you can score from this position.

Guard Pass (3 Points)

Passing the guard is one of the highest-value skills in competition. If you want to sharpen your passing game, check out our guard passing fundamentals guide.

What Counts:

• Getting past opponent's legs
• Establishing side control
• Bypassing any guard variation

Requirements:

• Clear both legs
• Establish lateral or north-south control
• Hold for 3 seconds
• Opponent's guard cleared

What Doesn't Count:

• Landing directly in mount (score mount points instead)
• Landing directly on back (score back points instead)
• Half-passes where leg is still trapped

Mount (4 Points)

What Counts:

• Sitting on opponent's torso
• Knees on both sides of opponent
• High mount or low mount
• Technical mount (one leg extended)

Requirements:

• Both legs past opponent's guard
• Seated position on opponent
• 3-second stabilization
• Clear top control

Mount Variations:

• Standard mount
• S-mount
• High mount
• Low mount
• Technical mount (grapevine position)

All count for 4 points if held 3 seconds.

Back Control (4 Points)

What Counts:

• Taking opponent's back
• Having both hooks in
• OR one hook plus body triangle
• Clear back control established

Requirements:

• Chest to opponent's back
• Hooks (feet hooked inside thighs) OR body triangle
• 3-second hold
• Controlling position

Back Control Variations:

• Seat belt + hooks
• Body triangle
• Rear mount

The 3-Second Rule

Why 3 Seconds?

The stabilization requirement ensures:

• Actual control, not just passing through
• Reward for positional dominance
• Prevention of scramble-only points
• Clear scoring for referees

How Referees Count

• Referee mentally counts to three
• Hand signal indicates points awarded
• Scoreboard updated after signal
• Verbal confirmation sometimes given

Continuous Action

If you transition between scoring positions:

• Each position counts separately
• Must hold each for 3 seconds
• Can score multiple point combinations
• Example: Pass (3) to Mount (4) = 7 points if both held

Advantages

What Are Advantages?

Advantages are secondary scoring criteria used to break ties:

Awarded For:

• Almost sweeping (opponent touches mat but recovers)
• Almost passing guard (close but not completed)
• Near submissions (opponent escapes tight position)
• Almost taking back
• Almost achieving mount

Advantage Value

• Points always beat advantages
• 10 advantages don't beat 1 point
• Only matter if points are tied
• Can influence referee decisions

When Advantages Matter

End of Match Scenarios:

Points	Advantages	Winner
4-2	0-5	4 points (points beat advantages)
2-2	3-1	3 advantages (advantages break tie)
2-2	2-2	Referee decision

Penalties

Warning to Advantage Progression

Minor infractions follow a progression:

1. First Offense: Verbal warning
2. Second Offense: Advantage to opponent
3. Third Offense: Points to opponent
4. Continued Offense: Disqualification

Common Penalties

Stalling:

• Not attacking from any position
• Running from engagement
• Backing to edge of mat
• Holding closed guard without attacking

Illegal Grips:

• Inside pants or sleeves
• Fingers inside Gi openings (except collar)
• Gripping for control without attack

Guard Pull Penalty:

• If both competitors pull guard simultaneously
• Both receive penalty
• One must come up within 20 seconds

Referee Signals

Point Signals

Referees use hand signals to indicate scoring:

• 2 Points: Two fingers raised toward scoring athlete
• 3 Points: Three fingers raised
• 4 Points: Four fingers raised
• Advantage: Closed fist toward advantaged athlete
• Penalty: Finger point to penalized athlete

Other Important Signals

• Match Start: Forward hand motion
• Match Stop: Raised arm/whistle
• Reset Position: Hands brought together
• Submission Win: Arm raised toward winner

Strategic Scoring Considerations

High-Percentage Points

Most Common Scoring Patterns:

1. Guard pass to side control (3 points)
2. Side control to mount (4 points)
3. Sweep from guard (2 points)
4. Back take from turtle (4 points)

Point Fighting Strategy

When Ahead:

• Maintain position
• Don't take unnecessary risks
• Keep opponent from scoring
• Let clock work for you

When Behind:

• Must be aggressive
• Take calculated risks
• Go for sweeps and submissions
• Create scrambles

Submission vs Points

Consider:

• Submission always wins immediately
• Failed submissions can give up position
• Sometimes securing points is safer
• Balance risk and reward

Match Duration Impact

Short Matches (5 minutes)

• Every point crucial
• Time pressure significant
• Quick scorers have advantage
• Late comebacks difficult

Make sure you understand IBJJF weight classes and match durations so you know exactly how much time you have.

Longer Matches (8-10 minutes)

• More time for strategy
• Can recover from early deficit
• Conditioning matters more
• Position battles intensify

Scoreboard Awareness

During Your Match

• Glance at scoreboard when safe
• Know the score before final minutes
• Adjust strategy based on score
• Don't obsess over watching

Scoreboard Information

Typical display shows:

• Athlete names
• Points for each
• Advantages for each
• Penalty indicators
• Time remaining

Common Scoring Scenarios

Scenario 1: Guard Player

You pull guard, sweep, and mount:

• Guard pull: 0 points
• Sweep: 2 points
• Mount: 4 points
• Total: 6 points

Scenario 2: Guard Passer

You take down, pass, take back:

• Takedown: 2 points
• Guard pass: 3 points
• Back control: 4 points
• Total: 9 points

Scenario 3: Back-and-Forth

Multiple reversals:

• Opponent sweeps you: 2 points
• You pass guard: 3 points
• Opponent sweeps again: 2 points
• You take mount: 4 points
• Score: 7-4 in your favor

Official Sources

• IBJJF Books & Videos - Official scoring rules and point values

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If this is your first time competing, our first IBJJF tournament guide walks you through registration, weigh-ins, and competition day logistics.

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