Leading the way

VANGUARD GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIP hosts a single-elimination team grappling tournament using VANGUARD RULES.

VANGUARD RULES

Each team consists of 4 athletes.

All matches are 1-on-1 single-elimination with the winner staying on to immediately match the next athlete from the opposing team.

When an athlete is eliminated, any of the remaining athletes from their team may replace them. The order of athletes is not set and will be decided by the teams as the matches progresses.

When the last member of a team is eliminated, that team loses and the opposing team is declared the winner.

In the event that all members from both teams are eliminated, the match goes to a tie-break to decide the winner.

Time limit

Regulation rounds are 7 minutes.

Tie-break rounds are 30 seconds.

Elimination methods

Athletes can be eliminated by submission.

Athletes can be eliminated by disqualification by the central referee using the yellow and red card system (below).

In the event neither athlete is eliminated by the end of the allotted time, both athletes are eliminated.

Then a new athlete from each team will take their place and a new match will begin.

Any of the remaining athletes may replace the eliminated athlete from their team.

Yellow card offences

Yellow card offences are at the discretion of the central referee.

Two yellow cards will result in a red card (immediate disqualification).

Yellow card manoeuvres include:

• gripping an opponent’s uniform

• stalling

• fleeing or timidity

• red card offences deemed by the central referee to be accidental or less extreme

Stalling will not be called from dominant positions e.g: side control, north south, mount or back.

Red card offences

Red card offences are at the discretion of the central referee.

One red card will result in immediate disqualification from the rest of the match.

Red card (illegal) manoeuvres include:

• slamming

• takedowns or throws landing opponent’s head or neck on the mat

• flying takedowns/sweeps targeting the legs (e.g. kani basami)

• small joint manipulation (gripping or bending fingers)

• biting

• hair pulling

• eye gouging

• strikes of any kind (hand, foot, knee, elbow, head)

• rude or offensive behaviour towards officials, staff, spectators or athletes at any time (including but not limited to language, gestures, apparel choice or body art)

Any manoeuvres (transitions, submissions and takedowns) not explicitly mentioned in the lists above are consider legal.

Two yellow cards will result in a red card (immediate disqualification).

Uniform

No-gi only

No-gi attire must be well-fitting.

A rash guard must be worn.

Rash guards do not need to meet any specific colour requirements.

For men - shorts must be worn. Wearing tights/spats underneath is optional.

For women - either shorts or tights/spats must be worn, or both.

Shorts must fall between mid thigh and knee length - no shorter or longer.

Organisers reserve the right to ask athletes to change their no-gi attire if:

• it is torn

• it is dirty

• it is wet

• it has an unpleasant odour

• it is significantly discoloured

• it has any inappropriate artwork or language

• the shorts are too long or short

• the shorts have pockets

• the shorts have metal or plastic studs/eyelets/zippers

• the rash guard is loose fitting (whereby holding one’s opponent is made difficult)

The use of joint protectors (i.e. knee sleeves, elbow sleeves) and strapping tape is permitted, so long as they do not impede an opponent’s ability to grip the uniform or significantly limit the joint’s range of motion (making submissions harder to apply).

The use of head gear, footwear, cups (genital protectors), jewellery, hair pins/clips/clasps, or any other unspecified attire is not permitted.

Weigh-in protocol

The weight limit is the combined total weight of all team members.

Individuals within each team can vary in weight class, as long as total team weight is below the limits outlined below.

• 340kgs for men (i.e. 85kgs x 4)

• 260kgs for women (i.e. 65kgs x 4)

All team members must be present for the weigh in together.

Teams will be given two official chances to weigh in.

If the first attempt fails, then a second attempt is allowed prior to the first match.

Athletes may weigh in wearing any apparel, but underwear is required to be worn.

In the event that a team does not make weight, they may elect to compete as a 3 person team, provided that the total weight of the team is below the weight limit.

Tie-break protocol

If one team has more submissions than the other, the team with more submissions will be declared the winner.

For example, if Team A has 2 submission wins and Team B has 1 submission win and 1 disqualification win, Team A will be declared the winner.

If the teams have the same number of submissions, teams will take part in a guard pass shootout.

Guard pass shootout

In a guard pass shootout each team will choose a single team member to be the teams designated guard player. Each member of the opposing team will then have a 30 second round, starting from the double under guard pass position, to score a successful attack against the guard player.

Rounds will alternate as teams take turns trying to score a successful attack against the opposing teams guard player while they try to defend.

Whichever team wins the most rounds in the guard pass shootout wins the match. If the scores are tied after every team member has completed a round, the shootout will continue in the same order of athletes until one team takes the lead, winning the match.

A successful attack for the guard passer is:

• completing a guard pass

• forcing turtle

• taking the back

A successful defence for the guard player is:

• submitting the guard passer

• sweeping the guard passer

• recovering to standing

• avoiding the guard passer’s attacks successfully for 30 seconds

Hygiene

Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed short.

Long hair must be tied back or braided (with a soft closure like a hair band).

Any athlete wearing cosmetics (i.e. makeup or hair dye) that may mark/stain the competition area will not be permitted to compete.

Any athlete with skin lesions or open wounds will be inspected by the tournament medical staff or referee. Medical staff have the final say on whether the athlete is permitted to compete.