All Adult Divisions (18 – 39 year old):
Divisions will be made by the following Belt Levels:
White Belt
Blue Belt
Purple Belt
Brown Belt
Black Belt
– 5 man divisions by weight.
– Round robin
– Win lose or draw system:
Submission = 3 pts, no submission = 1 pt each, submitted = 0 pts.
– 6 minutes rounds
– No points for position or action
– Winner of each div goes into the absolute. If injured or not interested, 2nd place will fill in etc.
Go to the “Rules” tab at the top of the page to read over and prepare for the Submission Ace Championship Rule set.
Absolute division:
– Winner of each weight class entered into the absolute division of their respective Belt.
– 6 minute rounds
- no points for position
– draws decided by 1st points win OT, 2 minute round
– points for position are:
– 2 pts for take down
– 2 pts for sweep (a sweep must start from a form of guard)
– 3 pts for passing the guard.
– 4 pts for mount or back with hooks or body triangle
– All positions must be held for 3 seconds for points.
– If no winner after 2 minute OT, winner will be selected by referee based on technique and intent to finish
– Single elimination
– Final has no time limits!
– Winner takes the belt!!
Expert Nogi Division:
The Expert Nogi Divisions will run exactly like the Color Belt Adult divisions, but without the Gi on.
There is no minimum or maximum time or rank requirement to enter these divisions. This is a Co-Ed division for adults over 18 years old with no maximum age consideration. If you consider yourself an Expert in Nogi Grappling, this division is your chance to test it!
Brackets will be broken up into closest weight with a maximum of 5 people per bracket. It will be run in a round robin, Win/Lose/Draw format exactly the way the Gi divisions are.
Gold medalists from each bracket will have the chance to compete in the Expert Nogi Absolute division for the chance to win the Absolute Expert Nogi Championship Belt! If they choose not to compete in the Absolute division, the option will move to the silver medalist from their bracket and so on until we have a representative from each bracket.
– 6 minute rounds
- no points for position
– draws decided by 1st points win OT, 2 minute round
– points for position are:
– 2 pts for take down
– 2 pts for sweep (a sweep must start from a form of guard)
– 3 pts for passing the guard.
– 4 pts for mount or back with hooks or body triangle
– All positions must be held for 3 seconds for points.
– If no winner after 2 minute OT, winner will be selected by referee based on technique and intent to finish
– Single elimination
– Final has no time limits!
– Winner takes the belt!!
Master’s (40+) division:
In these divisions, Belt Level and Weight will determine brackets. Each division must have at least 3 competitors. We will try to keep the competitors as closely matched as possible.
– If there are enough entrants, and the competitors can be put into weight groups that are not overly discrepant, this division will run on the same rules as the adult divisions.
– If acceptable brackets cannot be made, these competitors will be added back into the general pool for placement.
Go to the “Rules” tab at the top of the page to read over and prepare for the Submission Ace Championship Rule set.
Women’s division:
In these divisions, Belt Level and Weight will determine brackets. There will be two different Categories within the Women’s divisions: White Belt and Color Belt that consists of Blue Belts & Up. Each division must have at least 3 competitors. We will try to keep the competitors as closely matched as possible.
Go to the “Rules” tab at the top of the page to read over and prepare for the Submission Ace Championship Rule set.
Kids/Teens Divisions:
Divisions will consist of no less than 2 and no more than 5 competitors.
They will be round robin so each child will get a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 matches. If there is a 2 person division, the bracket will be run as a best-of-three matches format. This way each child is guaranteed at least 2 matches.
Age Divisions:
4-6 year old:
In these divisions, the Age, Belt Level and Weight will determine brackets.
Each division must have at least 3 competitors. We will try to keep the competitors as closely matched as possible.
The layout of these matches is as follows:
– Submission Only.
– Each match will consist of one 3 minute round
– The competitors will start on their feet
– If a competitor is not comfortable starting standing, there is no penalty for sitting to guard
– round robin
– win lose or draw system:
Submission = 3 pts, no submission = 1 pt each, submitted = 0 pts.
– In the event of a tie in the standings, a tie breaker round will be set on a first points wins, sudden death OT.
– points for position are:
– 2 pts for take down
– 2 pts for sweep (a sweep must start from a form of guard)
– 3 pts for passing the guard.
– 4 pts for mount or back with hooks or body triangle
– all positions must be held for 3 seconds for points.
Allowable techniques: Rear naked chokes, leg triangles (no pulling down on the head), collar chokes that don’t involve bone on throat, armbars, kimuras, americanas.
– Competitors can be disqualified for any form of violent action (i.e.: slamming takedowns, slamming in guard, hitting, scratching, biting etc.)
– If a competitor starts crying during a match, it is considered a verbal forfeit and the match will be over. They are not disqualified from the bracket for it, but will lose the match on the basis of being mentally/emotionally overwhelmed.
7-8 year old:
In these divisions (As before), the age, experience level and weight will determine brackets. Each division must have at least 3 competitors. We will try to keep the competitors as closely matched as possible. Go to the “Rules” tab at the top of the page to read over and prepare for the Submission Ace Championship Rule set.
The layout of these matches is as follows:
– Submission Only.
– Each match will consist of one 3 minute round
– The competitors will start on their feet
– If a competitor is not comfortable starting standing, there is no penalty for sitting to guard
– round robin
– win lose or draw system:
Submission = 3 pts, no submission = 1 pt each, submitted = 0 pts.
– In the event of a tie in the standings, a tie breaker round will be set on a first points wins, sudden death OT.
– points for position are:
– 2 pts for take down
– 2 pts for sweep (a sweep must start from a form of guard)
– 3 pts for passing the guard.
– 4 pts for mount or back with hooks or body triangle
– all positions must be held for 3 seconds for points.
– Competitors can be disqualified for any form of violent action (i.e.: slamming takedowns, slamming in guard, hitting, scratching, biting etc.)
– If a competitor starts crying during a match, it is considered a verbal forfeit and the match will be over. They are not disqualified from the bracket for it, but will lose the match on the basis of being mentally/emotionally overwhelmed.
9-12 year old:
In these divisions (As before), the age, experience level and weight will determine brackets. Each division must have at least 3 competitors. We will try to keep the competitors as closely matched as possible. Go to the “Rules” tab at the top of the page to read over and prepare for the Submission Ace Championship Rule set.
The layout of these matches is as follows:
– Submission Only
– Matches will consist of one 4 minute round
- The competitors will start on their feet
– round robin
– win lose or draw system:
Submission = 3 pts, no submission = 1 pt each, submitted = 0 pts.
– In the event of a tie in the standings, a tie breaker round will be set on a first points wins, sudden death OT.
– points for position are:
– 2 pts for take down
– 2 pts for sweep (a sweep must start from a form of guard)
– 3 pts for passing the guard.
– 4 pts for mount or back with hooks or body triangle
– all positions must be held for 3 seconds for points.
– Competitors can be disqualified for any form of violent action (i.e.: slamming takedowns, slamming in guard, hitting, scratching, biting etc.)
– If a competitor starts crying during a match, it is considered a verbal forfeit and the match will be over. They are not disqualified from the bracket for it, but will lose the match on the basis of being mentally/emotionally overwhelmed.
Teens ages 13-17:
In these divisions (As before), the age, experience level and weight will determine brackets. Each division must have at least 3 competitors. We will try to keep the competitors as closely matched as possible. Go to the “Rules” tab at the top of the page to read over and prepare for the Submission Ace Championship Rule set.
The layout of these matches is as follows:
-Submission Only
– round robin
– win lose or draw system:
Submission = 3 pts, no submission = 1 pt each, submitted = 0 pts.
– In the event of a tie in the standings, a tie breaker round will be set on a first points wins, sudden death OT.
– points for position are:
– 2 pts for take down
– 2 pts for sweep (a sweep must start from a form of guard)
– 3 pts for passing the guard.
– 4 pts for mount or back with hooks or body triangle
– all positions must be held for 3 seconds for points.
Allowed: Armbars, Triangles (pulling the head allowed), Kimuras, Rear Naked Chokes, Guillotines, Omoplatas, Scissor Leg Chokes.
Techniques not allowed for ages 13-17
No slams from the guard, Biceps/calf lock, Foot locks of any kind, Cervical Locks any kind, Frontal Neck cranks, Heel hook, twisters, Scissors takedown, knee bars, groin stretches, reaping, Wrist Locks, smothering of the mouth, squeezing the throat with the hands.
Submission Ace Championship 
Is there a master’s women’s division?
Hello Colleen,
I’m afraid not. We haven’t, historically, had enough competitors who would fit that division compete.
If that changes, we will likely add one.
Ok thanks. Would be interested if there ever was one 🙂
So if there are not enough masters the old guys will have to compete with the young killers??
Hello Scott,
We historically can fill 1-3 Master’s divisions.
If there is no good fit for you in the master’s divisions, you will have the option to enter the Adults divisions, or opt for a refund.
You will be able to see what your options look like more clearly starting on the Monday before the event with the release of the 1st preliminary brackets.
Is the Americana arm lock considered a kimura in the division list of legal submissions? If not, are they legal in the kids ages 13-17 division?
Hello Marc,
Yes. The Americana and Kimura are considered equivalent on the allowable techniques check list. All shoulder locks are allowed at 13-17. In fact, that are also all legal for 9-12 uear olds.