Understanding the ADCC Ruleset Compared to Other BJJ Competitions

by Bobby Freda April 25, 2024

The Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Submission Fighting World Championship is one of the most prestigious no-gi grappling tournaments in the world. Its ruleset is unique and distinguishes it from other Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competitions, creating a distinct competitive environment that challenges competitors in different ways.

This article delves into the ADCC ruleset, highlighting its key features and contrasting them with the rules of other prominent BJJ competitions.

ADCC Ruleset: Key Features

Match Duration: ADCC matches have different time limits based on the competition stage. For example, preliminary rounds typically last 10 minutes, while finals are 20 minutes long. This duration influences competitors' strategies, especially in terms of pacing and endurance.

Points System: Unique to ADCC, no points are awarded in the first half of the match (first 5 minutes in preliminaries and 10 minutes in finals). Only submissions are incentivized during this period. In the second half, points come into play for various positions and maneuvers, encouraging competitors to engage more dynamically.

Scoring Details: The ADCC awards points for positions like takedowns (2 points), knee on belly (2 points), guard passing (3 points), and back control with hooks (4 points). Notably, no points are given for achieving mount, a departure from traditional BJJ scoring.

Negative Points: Stalling or passivity can lead to negative points, pushing competitors to maintain an aggressive pace. This aspect is crucial in ADCC matches, influencing fighters to engage actively.

Leg Locks: ADCC allows a wider range of leg locks than traditional gi BJJ competitions, including heel hooks, which are typically prohibited in gi competitions. This inclusion significantly impacts competitors' training and strategies.

Comparison with Other BJJ Competitions

Gi vs. No-Gi: Traditional BJJ competitions often feature both gi and no-gi divisions, whereas ADCC is exclusively no-gi. The absence of the gi changes the dynamics of grips and submissions, making the competition more focused on wrestling and leg locks.

IBJJF Rules: The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) is one of the leading BJJ organizations with a well-established rule set. Unlike ADCC, IBJJF competitions have a continuous points system from the start, and matches are shorter. Also, IBJJF has stricter guidelines on leg submissions, particularly in the gi divisions.

Submission-Only Formats: Some BJJ competitions adopt a submission-only format, where matches are won solely by submissions without the use of points. This format contrasts with ADCC, which combines a no-point period with a scoring system, balancing submission hunting with positional control.

Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) Rules: EBI, another popular no-gi submission grappling competition, uses a submission-only format during regulation time, followed by a distinctive overtime system based on escape time if there are no submissions. This is a stark contrast to ADCC's approach, which emphasizes the ability to secure or escape submissions under pressure.

Strategic Implications

The ADCC ruleset encourages a balanced approach between aggressive submission attempts and strategic point scoring. Competitors need to be adept in both wrestling and submissions, with a particular emphasis on leg lock proficiency. The absence of points in the initial phase of matches promotes a more dynamic and submission-focused style, distinguishing ADCC from other BJJ competitions where point strategies can sometimes dominate.

ADCC's distinctive ruleset provides a unique challenge in the grappling world, blending various aspects of wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and submission grappling. Understanding these rules is crucial for competitors and adds an exciting layer of strategy and skill that sets ADCC apart from other BJJ tournaments.

---

---

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

---

Also in Articles