Grappling Industries Rules: Complete Guide
Grappling Industries (GI) is a North American tournament organization known for its round-robin format and accessible, well-organized competitions. GI events run both gi and no-gi divisions across multiple skill levels, making them a popular choice for athletes from white belt beginners to advanced competitors.
Rule data verified 2026-06-27. Source: grapplingindustries.com
Round-Robin Format: What Makes GI Different
Unlike most BJJ tournaments that use a single-elimination bracket, Grappling Industries runs a round-robin format. Each athlete competes against every other athlete in their pool. This means:
- You compete multiple times even if you lose a match
- More mat time for every competitor
- A final ranking based on wins, points scored, and other tiebreakers
This makes GI tournaments particularly attractive for newer competitors who want more experience without being eliminated after one match.
Grappling Industries Scoring System
GI uses standard BJJ-style scoring with positions requiring 3 seconds of established control:
| Position | Points |
|---|---|
| Takedown | 2 |
| Sweep | 2 |
| Knee on Belly | 2 |
| Out-of-Bounds Submission (unique) | 2 |
| Guard Pass | 3 |
| Mount | 4 |
| Back Control | 4 |
Notable GI-specific rule: Out-of-Bounds Submission (2 pts) — if a strong submission attempt is stopped because it went out of bounds (and the defender was NOT intentionally fleeing), the attacking athlete is awarded 2 points. This is unique to Grappling Industries among major federations.
Takedown (2 pts): Bringing opponent from standing to back/side/seated. If they turtle, only score if you take the back.
Sweep (2 pts): Coming on top from bottom guard. In 50/50, the sweeper must stand with their rear knee fully off the mat.
Knee on Belly (2 pts): Clean from guard; knee/shin on opponent's torso; other knee fully off mat; opponent on back.
Guard Pass (3 pts): Passing the legs entirely and pinning shoulders, or when opponent fails to recover position.
Mount (4 pts): Seated on torso with two knees or one foot + one knee down. Trapping one arm is allowed; trapping both arms removes the mount score.
Back Control (4 pts): Heels between thighs (not crossed) + upper-body control. Body triangle does NOT score in GI.
Grappling Industries Penalty System
GI uses a clear three-step minor foul progression and immediate DQ for major fouls:
Minor foul (3 steps):
- Warning
- +2 points to opponent
- Disqualification
Stalling: 20 seconds of inactivity or no intent to progress → minor foul progression.
Excessive force: Applying excessive force on a legal technique → minor foul. If it turns into a strike → instant DQ.
Leg reaping (for Under 18 and White/Beginner only): knee reap without submission → warning + release. Repeat or with submission → instant DQ (major foul).
Major foul (instant DQ): Illegal technique for the skill level, striking, biting, hair pulling, pressure to groin/eyes, ignoring referee's "stop."
GI Tiebreak
If scores are tied at the end of regulation:
- Most points scored
- Fewest penalties
- Referee decision: submission threat > positional dominance > aggressiveness
Grappling Industries Skill Levels
GI uses experience/skill-based divisions:
- Under 18: Youth competitors
- Beginner: No prior competition experience or limited training
- Intermediate: Some competition experience
- Advanced: Experienced competitors
Technique restrictions vary by skill level — the higher the level, the more techniques are permitted.
See the Full GI Rules
Use the Grappling Industries rules reference on this site to see the complete technique, scoring, and penalty breakdown for each GI division.