Submission legality by belt

Restricted or illegal under IBJJF

These submissions are limited by belt, age, or format, or banned outright. Open each one for the exact rule.

Legal at every IBJJF belt

The fundamentals of the submission game: legal from white belt up in adult IBJJF divisions.

Rule explainers

• ADCC legal submissions beginners should knowOfficial ADCC championship rules allow any choke except closing the windpipe with the hand, any arm or wrist lock, and any leg lock — plus the can opener and twister. Beginners should learn the legal difference from IBJJF, train safety first, and still confirm the event packet.
• Are bicep slicers and neck cranks legal?Bicep slicers are brown and black only in IBJJF. Can openers and twisters are IBJJF illegal spinal or neck cranks. ADCC championship rules allow any arm lock, the can opener, and the twister, while banning some two-shoulder neck cranks.
• Are heel hooks legal at white belt?IBJJF white belts cannot use heel hooks in gi or no-gi; Illegal Moves table allows them only for adult brown and black no-gi.
• What submissions are illegal for kids and juveniles in IBJJF?IBJJF marks illegal submissions by age column (4–12, 13–15, juvenile 16–17), not by adult white-belt legality, and applying a hold marked illegal for that column is a severe foul under Article 6.
• What is the difference between IBJJF and ADCC rules?IBJJF rules emphasize positional points, advantages, and belt-based illegal-move columns. ADCC championship rules emphasize submission hunting, wrestling, and a different scoring rhythm. Leg lock and spine-lock legality can differ sharply between the two official rulebooks.
• Are calf slicers legal in IBJJF?Calf slicers are illegal for white through purple in IBJJF. The official Illegal Moves table allows them for adult brown and black. ADCC championship rules allow any leg lock.
• Are knee bars legal in IBJJF?In IBJJF, the knee bar is illegal for white, blue, and purple belts (gi and no-gi) and legal only for adult brown and black, per the Technical Fouls & Illegal Moves table.
• Is the twister legal in IBJJF?The twister is illegal in IBJJF. The official Illegal Moves table bans spinal locks without a choke in every division. ADCC championship rules list the twister as allowed, while banning neck cranks that trap both shoulders with downward pressure.
• Are toe holds legal in IBJJF?Toe holds are illegal for white through purple in IBJJF. The official Illegal Moves table allows them for adult brown and black. ADCC championship rules allow any leg lock.
• Are wrist locks legal in IBJJF?Wrist locks are illegal for IBJJF white belts. The official Illegal Moves table allows them from adult blue belt up. ADCC championship rules allow any wrist lock.
• Understanding IBJJF points without the confusionThe IBJJF Rule Book awards 2 points for takedown, sweep, and knee on belly; 3 for a guard pass; and 4 for mount and back control after a 3-second stabilize. Advantages and penalties fill the gaps when positions are incomplete.
• What submissions are illegal at white belt (IBJJF)?IBJJF white belts should avoid heel hooks, toe holds, wrist locks, compression locks, knee bars, and neck or spinal cranks. Use the official Illegal Moves table as the source, then confirm the event rulebook.