There are some significant differences in ADCC rules compared to other popular tournaments, so here is a primer so you know what to expect when the Road To ADCC kicks off on July 17.

Five major distinctions will be in play for this event: 

1. There are no positive points in the first half of the match - or until the 10:00 mark at The Road To ADCC. 
2. Pulling guard results in a negative point, starting from the very beginning of the round. 
3. Negative points are not factored into the final sum of a player's score until the match ends*.  
4. One can slam out of a submission, but not to escape a position. 
5. There will not be an overtime period should the match go the full twenty minutes - at that point the winner will be determined by points or judges' decision should the score be a tie. 

Example*: A player with three points decides to pull guard is penalized one negative point. Let's say he earns a sweep and ends the match with five positive points. Once the match has ended the penalty point will be added to their score, giving him a total of 4 points.  

How To Score Points in ADCC

• Passing the guard = 3 points
• Knee on stomach = 2 points
• Mount position = 2 points
• Back mount with hooks = 3 points
• Takedown (ends Guard or Half Guard) = 2 points
• Clean Takedown (ends passed the guard) = 4 points
• Sweeps (ends Guard or Half Guard) = 2 points
• Clean Sweep (ends passed the guard) = 4 points

ADCC Penalty Points

• When a fighter voluntarily jumps in the guard or goes from standing position to a non-standing position by any means and remains down for three seconds or more, he will be punished by a minus point.
• When a fighter disengages from contact and starts backing up and avoids engaging again he will be punished by minus point.
• A passive fighter will be warned twice and then will be punished by minus point. The referee will warn the passive player by the words “WARNING PASSIVITY” – after the first minus given there are not going to be any more warnings and the minus points will be given immediately if the fighter continues to be passive.
• If a fighter is very passive during the first half of the regular fights when there are no minuses, the referees will still give him WARNINGs for passivity.

Permitted Techniques 

• All leglocks 
• All armlocks 
• Slamming out of submissions 

Illegal Techniques 

• Neck cranks, including the twister 
• Picking up and slamming an opponent to break the guard 
• No use of T-Shirt and no holding the shorts allowed