Rules

Please make sure to read the following to fully understand the rules and regulations in place at Montana Grappling Open events.

 

DIVISIONS AND WEIGHTCLASSES

 

GI and No-Gi Experience Levels Kids/Youth/Junior/Teens

 

No Sub Division (White Belts 4-7 Years Old)

Beginner (White Belt 4-17 Years Old)

Novice (Grey Belt) +24 months experience

Intermediate (Yellow Belt) +36 months experience

Advanced (Orange Belt +) +4 years or more experience

 

AGE & WEIGHT CLASSES:

KIDS 4/5 years --> -46 lbs, +46 lbs.

KIDS 6/7 years --> -48 lbs, -56 lbs, -67 lbs, +67 lbs

KIDS 8/9 years --> -54 lbs, -64 lbs, -74 lbs, -84 lbs, +92 lbs

KIDS 10/11 years --> -76 lbs, -86 lbs, -99 lbs, -115 lbs, +115 lbs

KIDS 12/13 years --> -90 lbs, -107 lbs, -120 lbs, +120 lbs

KIDS 14/15 years --> -110 lbs, -125, -140 +140 lbs

JUNIORS 16/17 YEARS --> -140. -156 lbs, +156 lbs

 

Adult/Masters Men/Women GI and NOGI Divisions

​

White Belt - Beginner / Under 16 months experience - Any Grappling Art

 

White Belt Wrestler - Novice / (White Belt, Any High School Wrestling, JUDO Belt, Or Amateur MMA Athletes) - 24 to 36 months experience - Any Grappling Art

 

Blue Belt - Intermediate / (Wresters 4+ Years, Judo Brown+, Amateur MMA +3 Wins, Pro MMA -2 Wins) - 36-48 months experience - Any Grappling Art

​

Purple Belt and Above - Advanced, Wrestlers 4+ Years, Judo Brown+, Pro MMA +3 Wins) 48 months or more experience - Any Grappling Art

 

Mushin Division - Mushin (“empty mind” – no ego, calm control) Adult divisions with additional rules for safety.

 

Weight Classes.  Weigh-in WITH No-Gi uniform or Gi on.

 

Men

-140 lb. | -155 lb. | -170 lb. | -185 lb. | -200 lb. | -215 lb. | +215 lb.

 

Women

-115 lb. | -135 lb | -150 lb. | -165 lb. | +165 lb.

 

POLICIES, FORMAT, AND RANKINGS

Registration Guidelines

When registering for a Montana Grappling Open event, you must abide by the following guidelines:

 

• Competitors and those responsible for registering them must review all published event information including but not limited to the waiver, deadlines, schedule, and the official rules and policies. In the case of Kids competitors, those responsible for registering them must review all of the same information.

• Competitors must be registered under their legal name and may not register under a nickname or pseudonym.

• Competitors must register using their legally recognized birth date which must be able to be supported by government issued-identification if requested. Competitors who register using an incorrect birth with the intention of competing at an age division they do not qualify for will have their registrations cancelled and a refund will not be issued.

• Competitors must register based on the exact age they will be on event day.

  • Masters competitors may choose to compete at Adult.

  • Seniors competitors may choose to compete at Masters and Adult.

• Kids competitors aged 15 and older may be moved to Adult upon request.

  • Kids ranked White and Grey Belt can be moved to Adult White Belt

  • Kids ranked Yellow Belt and above can only be moved to Adult Blue Belt.

  • Absolute divisions are restricted to competitors 18 and older.

• Competitors of all ages may only register for 1 Gi and 1 No Gi weight division. Adults, Masters, and Seniors may additionally register for 1 Gi Absolute and 1 No Gi Absolute. Competitors who create multiple accounts in order to register for multiple divisions will have their registrations cancelled and no refund will be made available.

• Kids competitors must be registered by and signed for by their parent or legal guardian.

• Competitors must register for the belt level they are ranked in the Gi (unless required to compete at a higher level by the Sandbagging Policy). Competitors may freely register for a higher skill level than they are ranked in No Gi.

• Competitors with extensive experience in other grappling based sports such as Judo Black Belts, collegiate and international level wrestlers, experienced Catch Wrestlers, Luta Livre Blue Belts and above, and Professional MMA Fighters must register at Blue Belt/Intermediate or higher unless exempted by GMontana Grappling Open due to extenuating circumstances (ex. lower tier collegiate wrestler proven to have limited experience).

• All brackets at Montana Grappling Open events are completely randomized. Competitors who register for the same division as a teammate must be prepared to be matched up against them. Brackets will not be modified to avoid teammates competing against one another.

• Changes to competitor team or affiliation cannot be made on event day or once an event has concluded.

Kids/Teens Merger Guidelines

After an event’s change deadline passes, competitors that remain alone in their registered division will be merged as per the following guidelines:

• Competitors will be merged as per the following order of priority if there are matches available in the division:

  • Up one weight division (Ex. -65lbs up to -75lbs)

  • Up one age division, but at the same weight and skill level (Ex. Gi Kids / Grey / 6 – 7 years / -65 lbs up to Gi Kids / Grey / 8 – 9 years / -65 lbs)

  • Up one skill level

• Competitors will only ever be moved upwards in one category and will never be moved up in 2 or more unless it is by parent or coach request.

• Competitors cannot be merged downwards in age, weight, or skill level unless they are eligible for the lower category.

  • A competitor registered for a higher weight class (Ex. -95lbs) cannot be merged down to a lower weight class (Ex. -85lbs) unless they are able to make the weight.

  • A competitor registered for a higher skill level (Ex. Yellow/Orange) cannot be merged down to a lower skill level (Ex. Grey).

  • A competitor cannot be moved down to an age division they are too old for. (Ex. a 14 year old competitor cannot be moved down to the 12 – 13 years old division).

• Competitors who are at least 15 years old on event day can be merged to Adult divisions on request.

• Adult Absolute divisions are not available to competitors under 18 years old.

• Males and Females cannot be combined into a mixed division if genders are split by default for that age division.

• Competitors being merged from a Kids division to a Teens or Adult division will have their Kids skill division converted to the appropriate equivalent.

Adult/Masters/Seniors Merger Guidelines

After an event’s change deadline passes, competitors that remain alone in their registered division will be merged as per the following guidelines:

 

• Competitors will be merged up one weight division (Ex. -155lbs up to -170lbs).

• If no competitors are available at the higher weight class, Masters and Seniors may be merged down in age division.

• Competitors may not be merged upwards in skill level for Gi.

• Competitors may be merged up in skill level for No Gi on request.

• Competitors will only ever be moved upwards in one category and will never be moved up in 2 or more unless requested.

• Competitors may request to be merged into an Absolute division.

• Competitors under 30 years old cannot be merged into Masters.

• Competitors under 40 years old cannot be merged into Seniors.

• Males and Females cannot be combined into a mixed division.

Code of Conduct

By registering for and/or attending a Montana Grappling Open event, you agree to adhere to the following code of conduct:

• It is required that all competitors wear footwear off the mat. Failure to do so will lead to disqualification.

• Threats and/or actions of violence of any kind will result in removal from the event and a potential ban from future Montana Grappling Open events.

• Harassment or other poor conduct toward competitors, referees, and event staff whether in person or online prior to/after the event will not be tolerated in any form and may result in removal from the event and/or future events.

• Offensive language including but not limited to racist, and sexist remarks may result in removal from the event and may result in a ban from future Montana Grappling Open events.

• Harassment, acts of intimidation, and stalking of any opponent by a competitor in our events whether digitally or physically will result in removal from the event.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct by a competitor may result in disqualification from the event.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct by a coach or parent may result in the competitor they are coaching or supporting being disqualified from the event and revoking of coaching and spectating privileges.

• Montana Grappling Open strictly prohibits competitors from competing while under the influence of any illegal drugs, or any other substance that may impair their judgment or physical abilities during the competition.

• Only competitors actively called to a mat, on-deck competitors, and one coach per competitor are permitted within the barricaded area. Once a competitor completes their match, both the competitor and their coach must promptly exit the barricaded area unless the competitor is scheduled for the next match. Spectators are strictly prohibited from entering the barricaded area at any time. Any individual—whether a competitor, coach, or spectator—who refuses to leave the barricaded area when instructed will be required to leave the event.

 

Sandbagging Policy

 

To protect the integrity of our events, Montana Grappling Open strictly prohibits sandbagging—competing at a skill level below your actual rank.

Examples of sandbagging include:

 

• Adults competing below their actual belt in Gi or skill level in No Gi.

• Kids registered below their proper rank or skill level.

• Experienced wrestlers, Judo black belts, Luta Livre blue belts and up, experienced catch wrestlers, or amateur/professional MMA fighters intentionally competing in Beginner/White Belt divisions.

Competitors unsure of their appropriate skill level or who hold rank in other grappling disciplines (e.g., Japanese Jujitsu) must contact Montana Grappling Open prior to the event to ensure they are appropriately registered.

 

Consequences:

• Any competitor found to be sandbagging whether intentional or not will be moved up to the appropriate division if prior to event day or immediately disqualified if on event day.

• Further consequences:

  • Adults: Possible suspension or ban from future events.

  • Kids: Addressed with an educational approach involving coaches and parents. Repeated or severe cases will lead to suspension.

How to report:

• Before the event: Email Montana Grappling Open.

• On event day: Report to the Head Table.

Officiating Review

Montana Grappling Open will review officiating at events under the following conditions:

All requests for review MUST be made at the Head Table and NOT with the referee.

 

• ONLY submissions and potentially incorrect enforcement of the Allowable Techniques chart will be reviewed. Any situation that involves a competitor “tapping” will be considered a submission for review purposes.

 

• Potentially incorrect point scoring will NOT be reviewed for the purpose of overturning a match result. However, the Head Table and/or the Head Referee may review footage of incorrect point scoring for the purpose of providing referee feedback.

 

• Requests for review MUST be made by the competitor or the competitor’s coach. Requests for review cannot be made by spectators.

 

• Requests for review MUST be made immediately upon conclusion of the match in question and not longer than 10 minutes afterwards. Any requests made after this time window will be declined.

 

• Requests MUST be supported by video evidence or they will be declined. Any prepared videos must be a clip focused on the referee call in question, reviewers will not watch video other than the exact sequence in question.

 

• No rematches will be granted regardless of the review outcome.

 

• All requests MUST be made in a manner that is respectful of event staff and referees. Insults towards or questioning of referee abilities will not be tolerated and will result in an immediate suspension of review privileges.

 

• Competitors are only eligible for one request for review per division.

 

• Results of reviews are at the discretion of the event’s Head Table staff. The result of a review cannot be contested further.

 

• A successful review may result in the changing of a match result to a submission victory/disqualification or another solution deemed appropriate by the Head Table staff.

Montana Grappling Open Round Robin Scoring System

 

Montana Grappling opens runs in a pool format: competitors will face every athlete in his/her pool. There are no points awarded within a match. Points are only awarded based on the outcome of a match: 3 points for a win (submission), 1 point for a draw (1 point goes to each competitor), and 0 for a loss. At the end of the competition, the “per match average points” are tallied for each competitor and entered into the season table. The top 5 place finishers at each Qualifier event will qualify for the season Championship event.

No-Contest (NC) Policy

 

An athlete must compete in more than 50 percent of his or her matches for a Per Match Average (PMA) to be calculated and count for placement in a division.

For example, if an athlete is in a pool of 5 competitors, is supposed to compete in 4 matches for the day, wins his first 2 matches, but gets injured to the point where he can’t compete in his last 2 matches, he is disqualified from placing. His day’s performance will be calculated as follows:

Match 1: 3 Points

Match 2: 3 Points

Match 3: NC

Match 4: NC

PMA: 6/2=3

 

However, the athlete is disqualified for not competing in over 50 percent of his matches.

Same situation, but the athlete wins his first 3 matches, then is injured to the point where he can’t compete in his last match, his day’s performance will be calculated as follows:

Match 1: 3 Points

Match 2: 3 Points

Match 3: 3 Points

Match 4: NC

PMA: 9/3=3

 

If an athlete chooses not to compete, that is not a No-Contest (NC). That is a forfeit and is recorded as a zero (0). A No-Contest (NC) is only recorded when an athlete is physically unable to continue competition.

 

 

The Round Robin format offers competitors multiple matches per division:

DIVISION OF 2 COMPETITORS

In a division of 2, competitors will face off in a ‘Best 2 out of 3’ offering at least 2 matches per competitor and as many as 3 matches per competitor.

 

DIVISION OF 3 COMPETITORS

In a division of 3, all competitors will face off against each other in a ‘Round Robin’ format, offering 2 matches per competitor.

 

DIVISION OF 4 COMPETITORS

In a division of 4, all competitors will face off against each other in a ‘Round Robin’ format, offering at least 3 matches per competitor.

 

DIVISION OF 5 COMPETITORS

In a division of 5, competitors will face off against each other in a ‘Round Robin’ format, offering 4 matches per competitor.

 

DIVISION OF 6 TO 9 COMPETITORS

In a division of 6 to 9, competitors will be divided into groups and face off in a ‘Round Robin’ format. The top 2 competitors will advance to a Finals match, offering at least 4 matches and as many as 5.

 

DIVISION OF 10+ COMPETITORS

In a division of 10+, competitors will be divided into groups and face off in a ‘Round Robin’ format. The top 4 competitors will advance to a Semi-Final and Final match to determine medal placements. Divisions of this size offer at least 4 matches and as many as 6.

 

TIEBREAKERS

In the case of a tie when determining group and division winners, the following algorithm will be used: Most Wins > Most Submissions > Head To Head Match > Most Points Scored > Least Points Scored Against

Rankings

Medals won can earn you individual and team ranking points: 100 points for a Gold, 50 points for a Silver, and 20 points for a Bronze.

 

Matches won can earn you individual and team ranking points: 10 points for a match won by Submission, 7 points for a match won by Points, and 5 points for a match won by Referee Decision or Disqualification.

 

Individual ranking points will be tracked across all Montana Grappling Open events for the current competition year.

 

COMPETITOR OBLIGATIONS

1 - Uniform

1.1) Gis and belts will not be formally checked or measured before the tournament, but Montana Grappling Open officials have the right to ask a competitor to change their Gi if they judge it is inappropriate.

This situation can happen if:

• The Gi or belt is obviously too short or too long.

• There are patches on the Gi preventing the opponent from properly gripping it.

• The Gi shows visible tears, is wet or dirty, or emanates unpleasant odors.

 

1.2) Competitors may choose to wear a rash guard which clings to the body under their Gi. Competitors may not wear a t-shirt or loose fitting rash guard under their Gi.

 

1.3) Competitors may choose to wear Gi and No Gi uniforms of any colour. Uniform tops and bottoms may be of mismatched colours.

 

1.4) For No Gi divisions, competitors must wear board shorts without pockets or metal and plastic of any kind and they must reach at least halfway down the thigh and at most to the knee. Spats/compression pants can be worn under the shorts.

• Women may choose to wear spats or compression pants instead of shorts.

• Competitors must wear a rash guard of any color and sleeve length, provided the sleeves do not extend past the wrist. Competitors cannot compete shirtless or wearing a loose shirt of any kind.

 

1.5) Competitors must wear undergarments underneath their uniform.

 

1.6) Competitors may choose to wear soft pads on their joints. Pads that contain hard material of any kind will not be permitted.

 

1.7) Competitors may choose to wear headgear only if it is for religious reasons.

 

1.8) Competitors may not wear groin protectors, jewelry, hairpins, or compression socks of any kind.

 

1.9) Competitors may tape joints in a thin layer of sports tape. Referees reserve the ability to ask a competitor to remove any tape if they deem it to be an unfair advantage.

2 - Hygiene

2.1) Competitor’s fingernails and toenails must be trimmed and short.

 

2.2) Long hair must be tied up or braided.

 

2.3) Competitors will be disqualified if they are wearing hair dye or makeup that stains their opponent’s Gi or the mat surface during a match.

 

2.4) Competitors presenting signs of illness, skin lesions, or any other skin condition shall be directed to the tournament medical staff and/or Head Table to determine their eligibility to continue competing.

 

2.5) Applying any lubricant to skin to reduce friction will result in the competitor being disqualified if the substance cannot be immediately wiped off.

3 - Weigh-Ins

3.1) Competitors may check-in and weigh-in anytime up to at least 60 minutes before their scheduled division start time.

 

3.2) There will be a 1.0LB allowance for all adult divisions and a 2.0LB allowance for all under 18 divisions. Any increment over this amount will be considered a failure to make weight.

 

3.3) Competitors who fail to make weight during the designated period will be disqualified and will not be moved up to another weight division. Competitors who are disqualified will not be eligible for a refund. It is the competitor’s responsibility to make the weight class they signed up for, or have changed to a higher weight class by that event’s change deadline.

 

3.4) All competitors competing in Gi divisions may weigh-in WITHOUT their Gi on.

 

3.5) A competitor who competes in both a Gi and No Gi division only has to weigh-in ONCE.

 

3.6) Competitors competing in Absolutes and divisions with no weight limit must still check in at the weigh-in desk .

 

3.7) Competitors may weigh in at any weight under the weight class limit.

 

COMPETITION GUIDELINES

4 - Match Area

4.1) The referee will call out of bounds at their discretion based on factors such as competitor safety and the ability to properly pause the action in a replicable position.

 

4.2) Action occurring in Area A is considered in bounds and is eligible for point scoring.

 

4.3) Action beginning in Area A and ending in Area B is eligible for point scoring and will be reset in the center of the mat by the referee at the first opportunity for a pause in the action.

 

4.4) Action beginning in Area A or B that carries over to Area C will immediately be paused and reset in the middle of the mat.

 

4.5) Any action beginning in Area B or C is not eligible for point scoring.

 

4.6) If the referee cannot replicate the position when resetting the action in the center of the mat, both competitors will be restarted standing.

5 - Match Duration

5.1) The time limit for every Adult, Master, and Senior match will be 4 minutes.

5.2) The time limit for Kids and Teens aged 14-17 will be 4 minutes.

5.3) The time limit for Kids 13 and under will be 3 minutes.

7 - Referee Commands

FOULS

8 - Minor Fouls

8.1) Pulling to guard without a grip on the opponent results in a penalty and the action being restarted standing.

 

8.2) Intentionally forcing the action out of bounds while standing or while defending an attack results in a penalty.

 

8.3) Taking 3 steps backwards away from the opponent’s guard while standing over them/disengaging out of guard results in a penalty.

 

8.4) Intentionally causing wardrobe malfunctions results in a penalty.

 

8.5) Gripping inside the opponent’s Gi sleeves or pants, or gripping No Gi attire results in a penalty.

 

8.6) Disobeying a referee order results in a penalty.

 

8.7) Unintentionally attempting a knee reap without a submission in Kids and White Belt division results in a penalty.

 

8.8) Talking to coaches or spectators during the match results in a penalty.

 

8.9) Exiting the mat prior to the referee declaring the winner results in a penalty.

 

8.10) Lack of combativeness/stalling will result in a penalty.

 

8.11) The use of excessive force in otherwise legal techniques—such as collar ties, palming for distance, or foot sweeps—will result in a penalty. If the referee determines that the excessive force caused the action to resemble or result in a strike, the attacking competitor will be immediately disqualified.

9 - Major Fouls

9.1) Intentionally forcing the action out of bounds while in a submission in order to get the action stopped and reset results in a disqualification.

 

9.2) Exhibiting hostile behavior to officials, competitors, coaches, and/or spectators results in a disqualification.

 

9.3) Striking, biting, pulling hair, applying pressure to genitals or eyes, or placing fingers and toes in the opponent’s mouth results in a disqualification.

 

9.4) Disobeying the referee’s order to stop while attacking a submission results in a disqualification.

 

9.5) If a competitor’s uniform is damaged in any way during the match and they are unable to immediately exchange it, they will be disqualified.

 

9.6) Attempting a technique not allowed at the division’s skill level as per the Allowable Techniques chart results in a disqualification.

 

9.7) Attempting to force the opponent to attack with a technique not allowed at the division’s skill level as per the Allowable Techniques chart results in a disqualification.

 

9.8) A third penalty of any kind results in a disqualification.

 

9.9) Intentionally causing an opponent to land on their head or neck as a part of a takedown results in a disqualification.