BJJ legal techniques by ruleset
30 techniques in 5 rulesets. Each cell shows the first (youngest or least experienced) division where the technique is legal.
Rules change. Check the official rulebook for your event before competing. This site is not affiliated with IBJJF, ADCC, NAGA or Grappling Industries.
- IBJJF27 techniques, 6 divisions
- ADCC15 techniques, 10 divisions
- NAGA no-gi12 techniques, 4 divisions
- NAGA gi12 techniques, 6 divisions
- Grappling Industries14 techniques, 4 divisions
Where each technique becomes legal
| Technique | IBJJF | ADCC | NAGA no-gi | NAGA gi | Grappling Industries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submissions stretching the legs apart | From: Ages 13 to 15 | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Choke with spinal lock | From: Ages 16 to 17 (all belts) and adult/master white belts | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Straight foot lock | From: Ages 16 to 17 (all belts) and adult/master white belts | From: Teens 15 to 17, advanced | From: Adult novice and beginner (white belt) | From: Teens 14 to 17 | From: White belt |
| Ezekiel choke (forearm choke using the sleeve) | From: Ages 16 to 17 (all belts) and adult/master white belts | From: Teens 13 to 14, beginner and intermediate | not listed | not listed | From: White belt |
| Frontal guillotine choke | From: Ages 16 to 17 (all belts) and adult/master white belts | From: Teens 13 to 14, beginner and intermediate | not listed | not listed | From: White belt |
| Omoplata | From: Ages 16 to 17 (all belts) and adult/master white belts | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Triangle pulling the head | From: Ages 16 to 17 (all belts) and adult/master white belts | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Arm triangle | From: Ages 16 to 17 (all belts) and adult/master white belts | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Compressing the kidneys or ribs with the legs in closed guard | From: Adult and master blue and purple belts | not listed | not listed | From: Blue belt | From: White belt |
| Wrist lock | From: Adult and master blue and purple belts | From: Adults, beginner and intermediate | From: Adult novice and beginner (white belt) | From: Blue belt | From: White belt |
| Single leg takedown with the head outside | From: Adult and master blue and purple belts | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Bicep slicer | From: Adult and master brown and black belts, except adult no-gi | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Calf slicer | From: Adult and master brown and black belts, except adult no-gi | From: Adults, beginner and intermediate | From: Adult novice and beginner (white belt) | From: Brown and black belt | From: Blue belt, and purple belt in the gi |
| Knee bar | From: Adult and master brown and black belts, except adult no-gi | From: Adults, beginner and intermediate | From: Teens 14 to 17 | From: Brown and black belt | From: Blue belt, and purple belt in the gi |
| Toe hold | From: Adult and master brown and black belts, except adult no-gi | From: Adults, beginner and intermediate | From: Adult novice and beginner (white belt) | From: Brown and black belt | From: Blue belt, and purple belt in the gi |
| Straight foot lock turning toward the foot not under attack | From: Adult and master brown and black belts, except adult no-gi | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Heel hook | From: Adult brown and black belts, no-gi | From: Adults, beginner and intermediate | From: Adult intermediate and expert (blue belt and up) | Illegal | Depends |
| Locks twisting the knees | From: Adult brown and black belts, no-gi | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Knee reaping | From: Adult brown and black belts, no-gi | From: Adults, beginner and intermediate | From: Adult novice and beginner (white belt) | Depends | From: Blue belt, and purple belt in the gi |
| Toe hold with outward pressure on the foot | From: Adult brown and black belts, no-gi | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Slam | Illegal | Depends | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal |
| Spinal lock without a choke (neck cranks, twisters, can openers) | Illegal | Depends | From: Adult novice and beginner (white belt) | Illegal | From: Purple belt in no-gi, brown and black belt |
| Scissor takedown (kani basami) | Illegal | From: Adults, advanced | Depends | Illegal | Depends |
| Bending the fingers backward | Illegal | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Throwing the opponent onto their head by the belt while defending a head-outside single leg | Illegal | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Suplex landing the opponent on the head or neck | Illegal | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Jumping to closed guard | From: Adult and master blue and purple belts | From: Adults, beginner and intermediate | From: Adult novice and beginner (white belt) | From: Blue belt | From: Blue belt, and purple belt in the gi |
| Suplex (not onto the head) | not listed | From: Adults, beginner and intermediate | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Spiking the opponent on the head | not listed | Illegal | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| Twister and spinal locks | not listed | not listed | From: Adult novice and beginner (white belt) | not listed | not listed |
Data from bjj-data by Grapple Flows (grappleflows.com), licensed CC BY 4.0; reformatted into tables on this page.
Data: bjj-data (Grapple Flows) (CC BY 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.