OFFICIAL RULESET

KIN follows the official JJIF Newaza ruleset, with the exception of the scoring system, which is based on the ADCC ruleset.

Any KIN-specific modifications to scoring, overtime and safety regulations are clearly outlined below and take precedence where applicable.

All athletes are responsible for understanding the competition rules, scoring system and legal techniques applicable to their division.

FORMAT & POLICIES

Competition Format

KIN features Beginner and Advanced No-Gi divisions.

Competitors progress through their respective weight divisions, with division champions earning their place in the final stages of the championship.

The Male and Female Advanced Absolute divisions are reserved for qualified Advanced division champions and selected wildcard athletes.

Registration Guidelines

Athletes are responsible for registering in the correct weight and experience division.

KIN reserves the right to move or disqualify athletes who intentionally register below their appropriate experience level.

Athletes with significant competitive experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, wrestling, judo or MMA may be required to compete in the Advanced division.

 

Code of Conduct

Professional and respectful conduct is expected from athletes, coaches and spectators.

Threatening behaviour, intentional striking, harassment, unsportsmanlike conduct or abuse directed towards competitors, referees or event staff may result in removal or disqualification.

Referee instructions must be followed at all times.

COMPETITOR OBLIGATIONS

Uniform

KIN is a No-Gi competition.

Athletes may wear rashguards of any colour, with either short or long sleeves.

Shorts or compression shorts of any colour are permitted, provided they are clean and free of zippers.

Clothing containing exposed metal, zippers or other potentially dangerous components is not permitted.

Jewellery and other hard accessories must be removed before entering the mat.

Hygiene

Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed.

Athletes must wear clean competition clothing.

Athletes displaying contagious skin conditions, open wounds or other conditions that may present a risk to competitors can be prevented from competing.

Weigh-Ins

Athletes must weigh in at or below their registered weight division limit during the official weigh-in session held the day before the competition.

There is no weight allowance. Athletes who fail to make weight will be disqualified from their registered division.

All athletes must successfully complete the official weigh-in to be eligible to compete the following day.

COMPETITION GUIDELINES

Match Duration

Beginner Weight division: 5 minutes
Advanced Weight division: 6 minutes

Advanced Absolute: 7 minutes
Finals Weight Division/Absolute: 10 minutes

Scoring

KIN follows the official ADCC scoring system. No advantage points are awarded.

  • Takedown: 2 points

  • Clean Takedown: 4 points

  • Sweep: 2 points

  • Clean Sweep: 4 points

  • Knee-on-Belly: 2 points

  • Guard Pass: 3 points

  • Mount: 2 points

  • Back Control (Hooks or Body Triangle): 3 points

Points are awarded after 3 seconds of established control. In accordance with ADCC rules, the first half of each match has no positive scoring. Negative points and penalties apply as specified in the official ADCC rules.

Stalling

KIN applies a 10-second stalling rule. When an athlete fails to engage, pursue positional progression or actively work towards a submission, the referee will begin a visible 10-second count. If the athlete does not initiate meaningful action before the count expires, a stalling penalty will be issued and the opponent will receive 1 point.

Repeated stalling may result in additional penalty points and, in cases of persistent or deliberate stalling, disqualification.

Guard Pulls

An athlete may pull guard without first establishing a grip. However, similar to UFC BJJ, the athlete must establish a meaningful grip or connection with the opponent within 3 seconds of pulling guard.

If no grip or connection is established within 3 seconds, the athlete who pulled guard will receive a penalty. Repeated violations may result in additional penalties.

Match Result

A match can be won by:

  • Submission

  • Points

  • Disqualification

  • Referee Decision

When regulation time expires, the athlete with the highest score wins. If the score is tied, the match enters overtime:

Qualifying Rounds: 3 minutes

Weight Division Finals: 4 minutes

Absolute Finals: 5 minutes (KIN-specific adjustment)

If the match remains tied after overtime, the winner is determined by referee decision based on the athletes' performance and dominance.

KIN follows ADCC rules, with a modified overtime duration for Absolute Finals.

Back Take with Bodylock

KIN awards 4 points for a successful back take with secured bodylock control, even without traditional hooks or a body triangle. The position must be maintained for at least 3 seconds.

This is a KIN-specific modification to the official ADCC scoring system.

LEGAL TECHNIQUES

Beginner

Permitted Techniques

  • Straight ankle locks

  • Wrist locks

  • Armbars and shoulder locks

  • Chokes and strangles (ADCC legal variations)

  • Half Nelson (without prohibited neck pressure)

Prohibited Techniques

  • Heel hooks, toe holds and kneebars

  • Estima Lock and Aoki Lock

  • Knee reaping

  • Full Nelson and neck cranks

  • Spinal locks and twisters

  • Bicep and calf slicers

  • Other submissions prohibited under ADCC Beginner rules

KIN SAFETY MODIFICATIONS — ALL DIVISIONS

Slams and scissor takedowns (Kani Basami) are strictly prohibited in all KIN divisions.

Controlled takedowns and throws are permitted, provided athletes do not intentionally spike opponents onto their head or neck.

Advanced

The Advanced division follows the ADCC submission ruleset, allowing a full range of leg locks and upper-body submissions.

Permitted Techniques

  • Straight ankle locks

  • Kneebars

  • Toe holds

  • Inside and outside heel hooks

  • Aoki locks and Estima locks

  • Knee reaping

  • Upper-body submissions, chokes, strangles and wrist locks

All techniques remain subject to ADCC safety regulations.

KIN SAFETY MODIFICATIONS — ALL DIVISIONS

Slams and scissor takedowns (Kani Basami) are strictly prohibited in all KIN divisions.

Controlled takedowns and throws are permitted, provided athletes do not intentionally spike opponents onto their head or neck.

FOULS & PENALTIES

Minor Fouls

Minor fouls may result in a referee warning, negative points or disqualification, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.

Examples include:

  • Stalling or deliberately avoiding engagement

  • Intentionally leaving the competition area to avoid action

  • Disobeying referee instructions

  • Grabbing the opponent's clothing to gain an unfair advantage

  • Deliberately delaying a restart

  • Minor unsportsmanlike conduct

Penalties are applied in accordance with ADCC rules. Repeated violations may lead to further negative points or disqualification.

Major Fouls

Major fouls may result in immediate disqualification, depending on the severity of the violation.

Examples include:

  • Striking, biting or eye gouging

  • Hair pulling or attacking the groin

  • Deliberately manipulating individual fingers or toes

  • Intentionally applying illegal submissions

  • Continuing a submission after the referee has stopped the match

  • Deliberately fleeing the competition area to escape a submission

  • Aggressive or threatening behaviour towards referees, staff or opponents

KIN SAFETY MODIFICATIONS — ALL DIVISIONS

The following are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate disqualification:

  • Slamming an opponent

  • Scissor takedowns (Kani Basami)

  • Intentionally spiking an opponent onto their head or neck

All submissions must comply with the rules of the athlete's registered division. Referees have the authority to disqualify athletes for serious safety violations or misconduct.

REFEREE & OFFICIATING

Referee Authority

Referees are responsible for enforcing ADCC rules and KIN-specific modifications throughout each match.

Athletes and coaches must follow referee instructions immediately. Failure to comply may result in penalties or disqualification.

Referee decisions made during a match must be respected by all participants.

Safety

The referee may stop a match at any time if an athlete is unable to safely continue or is at risk of serious injury.

A match ends immediately following a physical tap, verbal submission or referee stoppage.

Athlete safety takes priority, and all referee stoppage decisions must be respected.