IBJJF Rules Explanations | Transitional Scoring

Understanding the scoring system in IBJJF tournaments is crucial for strategic grappling. Dominant positions such as back control, back mount, and top mount are each worth 4 points. Once established, there is no penalty for stalling, allowing a competitor to maintain the position without the need to attack or move.

Transitional scoring is a key concept where multiple 4-point scores can be accumulated. For example, transitioning from back mount to top mount, if each position is held for at least 3 seconds, results in additional points. This can lead to a significant lead in the scorecard.

It's important to note that certain positions do not qualify for points. For back control, hooks must be placed over the hips, not over the shoulders or arms, to score. Trapping one arm is acceptable, but both arms under the legs will not score points.

When attempting submissions like the head and arm choke from mount, proper positioning is essential. The finish requires abandoning the mount, but care must be taken not to allow the opponent to trap the leg during the transition. The choke is executed using the whole body, not just the arms, and finishing from the side increases effectiveness.

If the goal is to retake the back rather than submit from the mount, one can use head pressure and hand posting to guide the opponent's movement, allowing for a transition to the back where further attacks or point-scoring opportunities can be pursued.