AIGA Rules Guide: Amateur International Grappling Association

AIGA (Amateur International Grappling Association) is an international grappling body that organizes competitions under a distinctive hybrid scoring system. What sets AIGA apart from other federations is the scoreless period — a segment at the start of each match where most position points don't count.

Rule data source: AIGA Rules and Main Provisions for Conducting Grappling Competitions, Revision 9.0 (January 2025). Note: Source URL verification is pending — always confirm with the official AIGA website at aiga.world.

The AIGA Scoreless Period

At the start of each AIGA match, there is a scoreless period during which only two things generate points:

1. Takedowns (2 points) — these count during the scoreless period
2. Negative/penalty points — earned through stalling, fleeing, or reaping violations

All other position points (sweeps, guard passes, mount, back control) are locked until the scoreless period ends. Once it ends, full scoring opens for the remainder of the match.

This structure is designed to force standing engagement at the start — athletes must fight for takedowns rather than immediately pulling guard.

AIGA Scoring System (After Scoreless Period)

The following positions become available after the scoreless period ends. All positions require ≥3 seconds of stable control:

Takedown-Clean (4 pts): Takedown followed immediately by passing the opponent's guard, with ≥3 seconds of control and ~75% of the back on the mat. Only after the scoreless period.

Sweep-Clean (4 pts): Sweep followed immediately by passing guard, with ≥3 seconds and ~75% of back on mat. Only after scoreless period.

AIGA Penalty System

AIGA uses a negative point system for cumulative penalties:

• Stalling: First penalty: "Action" warning + 20-second countdown; subsequent penalties: direct -1 point each; 5th penalty: disqualification
• Fleeing the mat: Warning, then -1 point; escalates cumulatively. Intentionally leaving during a submission = instant disqualification.
• Reaping (in restricted groups): Positional knee reaping -1 point; cumulative.
• Illegal technique: Instant disqualification.
• Disciplinary violations: Eye gouging, throat pressure, intentional strikes, slippery substances, insults, fixed fights → instant disqualification.

AIGA Tiebreak

If tied at the end of regulation, a single overtime period is held (length equal to the scoreless portion of the main match). If overtime is also tied, referee decision: the athlete who more frequently threatened a submission or scoring position during the combined time wins.

There is no advantage system in AIGA.

AIGA Divisions

AIGA uses experience-based divisions (not belt-based):

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Technical restrictions vary by division — beginners face more restrictions on leg attacks and other dangerous submissions.

See AIGA Rules in the Reference

Use the AIGA rules reference on this site to see the complete technique permissions, scoring, and penalties for each AIGA division.