AJP Grappling Rules

AJP Judging Criteria/Scoring

Competition regulations to be used: 2024 Unified Rules of ADXC

The 10 point must system is defined as follows:

Scoring:All bouts will be evaluated and scored by three judges. The 10-Point Must System will be the standard system of scoring a bout. Under the 10-Point Must Scoring System, 10 points must be awarded to the winner of the round and nine points or less must be awarded to the loser, except for an even round, which is scored (10-10).Effective Grappling shall be considered the first priority of round assessments. Effective Aggressiveness is a ‘Plan B’ and should not be considered unless the judge does not see ANY advantage in the Effective Grappling realm. Fighting Area Control (‘Plan C’) should only be needed when ALL other criteria are 100% even for both competitors. This will be an extremely rare occurrence.PRIORITIZED CRITERIA:Effective Grappling“Legal techniques that have immediate or cumulative impact with the potential to contribute towards the end of the match with the IMMEDIATE weighing in more heavily than the cumulative impact. Successful execution of takedowns, submission attempts, reversals and the achievement of advantageous positions that produce immediate or cumulative impact with the potential to contribute to the end of the match, with the IMMEDIATE weighing more heavily than the cumulative impact.” It shall be noted that a successful takedown is not merely a changing of position, but the establishment of an attack from the use of the takedown. Top and bottom position fighters are assessed more on the impactful/effective result of their actions, more so than their position. This criterion will be the deciding factor in a high majority of decisions when scoring a round. The next two criteria must be treated as a backup and used ONLY when Effective Grappling is 100% equal for the round.Effective Aggressiveness“Aggressively making attempts to finish the fight. The key term is ‘effective’. Chasing after an opponent with no effective result or impact should not render in the judges’ assessments.” Effective Aggressiveness is only to be assessed if Effective Grappling is 100% equal for both competitors.Fighting Area Control“Fighting area control is assessed by determining who is dictating the pace, place and position of the match.” Fighting Area Control” shall only be assessed if Effective Grappling and Effective Aggressiveness is 100% equal for both competitors. This will be assessed very rarely.ROUND SCORING: 10–10 RoundA 10 – 10 round in ADXC is when both fighters have competed for whatever duration of time in the round and there is no difference or advantage between either fighter. A 10 – 10 round in ADXC should be extremely rare and is not a score to be used as an excuse by a judge that cannot assess the differences in the round. A 10 – 10 round in ADXC is a necessity to have for the judge’s possible score, mainly due to scoring incomplete rounds. It is possible to have a round where both fighters engage for 3 minutes and at the end of the 3-minute time period the output, impact, effectiveness and overall competition between the two fighters is exactly the same. It is possible, but highly unlikely. If there is any discernible difference between the two fighters during the round the judge shall not give the score of 10 – 10. Again, this score will be extremely rare.10–9 RoundA 10 – 9 Round in ADXC is where one combatant wins the round by a close margin. A 10 – 9 round in ADXC is the most common score a judge assesses during the night. If, during the round, the judge sees a fighter applies the better techniques, or utilize effective grappling during the competition, even if by just one technique over their opponent, the judge shall give the winning fighter a score of 10 while assessing the losing fighter a score of 9 or less. It is imperative that judges understand that a score of 9 is not an automatic numerical score given to the losing fighter of the round. The judge must consider: Was the fighter engaged in offensive actions during the round? Did the losing fighter compete with an attitude of attempting to win the fight, or just to survive the offensive actions of their opponent? A score of 10 – 9 can reflect an extremely close round or a round of marginal domination and/or impact.10–8 Round

A 10 – 8 Round in ADXC is where one fighter wins the round by a large margin. A 10 – 8 round in ADXC is not the most common score a judge will render, but it is absolutely essential to the evolution of the sport and the fairness to the fighters that judges understand and effectively utilize the score of 10 – 8. A score of 10 – 8 does not require a fighter to dominate their opponent for 3 minutes of a round. The score of 10 – 8 is utilized by the judge when the judge sees verifiable actions on the part of either fighter. Judges shall ALWAYS give a score of 10 – 8 when the judge has established that one fighter has dominated the action of the round, had duration of the domination and also impacted their opponent with either effective strikes or effective grappling maneuvers that have diminished the abilities of their opponent. Judges must CONSIDER giving the score of 10 – 8 when a fighter shows dominance in the round even though no impactful scoring against the opponent was achieved.

ADXC is an offensive based sport. No scoring is given for defensive maneuvers.

Using smart, tactically sound defensive maneuvers allows the fighter to stay in the fight and to be competitive.

Dominance of a round can be seen in grappling when the losing fighter continually attempts to defend, with no counters or reaction taken when openings present themselves.

Dominance in the grappling phase can be seen by fighters taking DOMINANT POSITIONS in the fight and utilizing those positions to attempt fight ending submissions or attacks. If a fighter has little to no offensive output during a 3 minute round, it should be normal for the judge to consider awarding the losing fighter 8 points instead of 9. Judges must CONSIDER giving the score of 10 – 8 when a fighter IMPACTS their opponent significantly in a round even though they do not dominate the action. Effectiveness in grappling which leads to a diminishing of a fighter’s energy, confidence, abilities and spirit.

All of these come as a direct result of negative impact. When a fighter is hurt with strikes, showing a lack of control or ability, these can be defining moments in the fight. If a judge sees that a fighter has been significantly damaged in the round the judge should CONSIDER the score of 10 – 8.

10–7 RoundA 10 – 7 Round in ADXC is when a fighter completely overwhelms their opponent in Effective Grappling and stoppage is warranted. A 10 – 7 round in ADXC is a score that judges will rarely give. It takes both overwhelming DOMINANCE of a round, but also significant IMPACT that, at times, cause the judge to consider that the fight could be stopped. Judges shall look for multiple IMPACTFUL blows or knockdowns that diminish the fighter, and/or grappling maneuvers that place the fighter in dominant situations with impact being inflicted that visibly diminishes the fighter’s ability to compete.Impact –A judge shall assess if a fighter impacts their opponent significantly in the round, even though they may not have dominated the action. Impact shall also be assessed when a fighter’s actions, using grappling, lead to a diminishing of their opponents’ energy, confidence, abilities and spirit. All of these come as a direct result of impact. When a fighter is impacted with technique, by lack of control and/or ability, this can create defining moments in the round and shall be assessed with great value.Dominance –

As ADXC is an offensive based sport, dominance of a round can be seen in grappling when the losing fighter is forced to continually defend, with no counters or reaction taken when openings

present themselves. Dominance in the grappling phase can be seen by fighters taking dominant positions in the fight and utilizing those positions to attempt fight-ending submissions or attacks. Merely holding a dominant position(s) shall not be a primary factor in assessing dominance. What the fighter does with those positions is what must be assessed.

In the absence of dominance in the grappling phase, as set forth in paragraph 3 of the promulgated rules, to be considered dominate, there must be a singularly or in combination, some types of submission attempts or an overwhelming pace which is measured by improved or aggressive positional changes that cause the losing fighter to consistently be in a defensive or reactive mode

DurationDuration is defined by the time spent by one fighter effectively attacking, controlling and impacting their opponent; while the opponent offers little to no offensive output. A judge shall assess duration by recognizing the relative time in a round when one fighter takes and maintains full control of the effective offense. This can be assessed both standing and grounded.Fouls (with explanations where warranted):

1. Strikes of any kind and/or grabbing the trachea: No strikes are allowed. A fighter may not gouge their fingers or thumb into their opponent’s neck or trachea in an attempt to submit their opponent.

2. Butting with the head: The head may not be used as a striking instrument in any fashion. Any use of the head as a striking instrument whether head to head, head to body or otherwise is illegal.

3. Eye gouging of any kind: Eye gouging by means of fingers, chin, or elbow, strikes or punches is illegal.

4. Biting or spitting at an opponent: Biting in any form is illegal. A fighter must recognize that a referee may not be able to physically observe some actions, and must make the referee aware if they are being bitten during an exhibition of unarmed combat.

5. Fish Hooking: Any attempt by a fighter to use their fingers in a manner that attacks their opponent’s mouth, nose or ears, stretching the skin to that area will be considered “Fish hooking”. Fish hooking generally is the placing of fingers into the mouth of your opponent and pulling your hands in opposing directions while holding onto the skin of your opponent.

6. Hair pulling: Pulling of the hair in any fashion is an illegal action. A fighter may not grab a hold of their opponent’s hair to control their opponent in any way. If a fighter has long hair, they may not use their hair as a tool for holding or choking in any fashion

7. Spiking the opponent to the canvas onto the head or neck (pile-driving): A pile driver is considered to be any throw where you control your opponent’s body placing their feet towards the sky with their head straight down and then forcibly drive your opponents head into the canvas or flooring material. It should be noted when a fighter is placed into a submission hold by their opponent, if that fighter is capable of elevating their opponent they may bring that opponent down in any fashion they desire because they are not in control of their opponent’s body. The fighter who is attempting the submission can either adjust their position or let go of their hold before being slammed to the canvas.

8. Fingers outstretched toward an opponent’s face/eyes: In the standing position, a fighter that moves their arm(s) toward their opponent with an open hand, fingers pointing at the opponent’s face/eyes, will be a foul. Referees are to prevent this dangerous behavior by communicating clearly to fighters. Fighters are directed to close their fists or point their fingers straight up in the air when reaching toward their opponent.

9. Groin attacks of any kind: Any attack to the groin area including, striking, grabbing, pinching or twisting is illegal. It should be clear that groin attacks are the same for men and women.

10. Stomping of a grounded fighter: Stomping is considered any type of striking action with the feet where the fighter lifts their leg up bending their leg at the knee and initiating a striking action with the bottom of their foot or heel.

11. Holding opponent’s shorts or rashguards: A fighter may not control their opponent’s movement by holding onto their opponent’s shorts or rashguards. It is legal to hold onto your own shorts

12. Holding or grabbing the fence with fingers or toes: A fighter may put their hands or feet on the fence and push off of it at any time. A fighter may place their hands or feet onto the Fight Area and have their fingers or toes go through the fencing material at any time. When a fighter’s fingers or toes go through the Fight Area and grab hold of the fence and start to control either their body position or their opponent’s body position it now becomes an ILLEGAL action. If a fighter is caught holding the Fight Area material the referee shall issue a one-point deduction from the offending fighter’s scorecard if the foul caused a substantial effect in the fight. If a fighter grabs hold of the Fight Area and because of the infraction, the fouling fighter ends up in a superior position due to the foul, the fighters should be re-started by the referee, standing in a neutral position after determining if a point deduction is appropriate

13. Small joint manipulation: Fighters must grab the majority of fingers or toes for use as defense or manipulation. Fingers and toes are small joints. Wrists, ankles, knees, shoulders and elbows are all large joints.

14. Throwing an opponent out of the fighting area: A fighter shall not throw their opponent out of the ring or Fight Area.

15. Intentionally placing a finger into any orifice, or into any cut or laceration of your opponent: A fighter may not place their fingers into an open laceration in an attempt to enlarge the cut. A fighter may not place their fingers into an opponent’s, nose, ears, mouth, or any body cavity

16. Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh: Any attack that targets the fighter’s skin by clawing at the skin or attempting to pull or twist the skin to apply pain is illegal.

17. Timidity (avoiding contact, or consistently dropping the mouthpiece, or faking an injury: Timidity is defined as any fighter who purposely avoids contact with their opponent, or runs away from the action of the fight. Timidity can also be called by the referee for any attempt by a fighter to receive time by falsely claiming a foul, injury, or purposely dropping or spitting out their mouthpiece or other action designed to stall or delay the action of the fight18. Use of abusive language in the fighting area. The use of abusive language is not allowed during ADXC competition. It is the sole responsibility of the referee to determine when language crosses over the line to abusive. It should be clear that fighters can talk during a match. The mere use of auditory language is not a violation of this rule. Examples of abusive language would be racially motivated or derogatory language.

19. Flagrant disregard of the referee’s instructions: A fighter MUST follow the instructions of the referee at all times. Any deviation or noncompliance may result in points being deducted from the fighter’s scorecard, or the fighter being disqualified from the match.

20. Unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to the opponent. Every athlete competing in the sport of ADXC is expected to represent the sport in a positive light emphasizing sportsmanship and humility. Any athlete that disrespects the rules of the sport or attempts to inflict unnecessary harm on a competitor who has been either taken out of the competition by the referee or has tapped out of the competition shall be viewed as being unsportsmanlike.21. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded at the end of the period of unarmed combat. The end of a round is signified by the sound of the bell and the call of time by the referee. Once the referee has made the call of time, any offensive actions initiated by the fighter shall be considered after the bell and illegal22. Attacking an opponent on or during the break: A fighter shall not engage their opponent in any fashion during a time-out or break of action in competition23. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee. Once the referee has called for a stop of the action to protect a fighter who has been incapacitated or is unable to continue to compete in the fight, fighters shall cease all offensive actions against their opponent.24. Interference from a fighter’s corner or seconds: Interference is defined as any action or activity aimed at disrupting the fight or causing an unfair advantage to be given to one combatant. Corners are not allowed to distract the referee or influence the actions of the referee in any fashion.

Scoring the foul to be performed by the Scorekeeper Fouls may result in a point being deducted by the official scorekeeper from the offending ADXC fighter’s score. The scorekeeper, not the judges, will be responsible for calculating the true score after factoring in the point deduction.

Only a referee can assess a foul. If the referee does not call the foul, judges shall not make that assessment on their own and cannot factor such into their scoring calculations.

Foul Procedures

If a foul is committed, the referee shall:

1. call time;

2. check the fouled fighter’s condition and safety; and

3. assess the foul to the offending contestant, deduct points, and notify each corner’s seconds, judges and the official scorekeeper.

If a bottom contestant commits a foul, unless the top contestant is injured, the fight shall continue, so as not to jeopardize the top contestant’s superior positioning at the time.

1. The referee shall verbally notify the bottom contestant of the foul.

2. When the round is over, the referee shall assess the foul and notify both corners’ seconds, the judges and the official scorekeeper.

3. The referee may terminate a bout based on the severity of a foul. For such a flagrant foul, a contestant shall lose by disqualification.

Time Considerations for FoulsA fighter who has been struck with a low blow is allowed up to five minutes to recover from the foul as long as in the ringside doctor’s opinion the fighter may possibly continue on in the contest. If the fighter states that they can continue on before the five minutes of time have expired, the referee shall as soon as practical restart the fight. If the fighter goes over the five minute time allotment the fight cannot be restarted and the contest must come to an end with the outcome determined by the round and time in which the fight was stopped.Fighter who is not fouled by low blow but another foul

If a contest or exhibition of ADXC is stopped because of an accidental foul, the referee shall determine whether the unarmed combatant who has been fouled can continue or not. If the unarmed combatant’s chance of winning has not been seriously jeopardized as a result of the foul and if the foul did not involve a concussive impact to the head of the unarmed combatant who has been fouled, the referee may order the contest or exhibition continued after a recuperative interval of not more than five minutes. Immediately after separating the unarmed combatants, the referee shall inform the Commission’s representative of their determination that the foul was accidental.

If a fighter is fouled by a blow that the referee deems illegal, the referee should stop the action and call for time. The referee may take the injured fighter to the ringside doctor and have the ringside doctor examine the fighter as to their ability to continue on in the contest. The ringside doctor has up to five minutes to make their determination. If the ringside doctor determines that the fighter can continue in the contest, the referee shall as soon as practical restart the fight.

However, unlike the low blow foul rule, the fighter does not have up to five minutes of time to use at their discretion.

For a foul other than a low blow, the fouled fighter is not guaranteed five minutes of recovery time. If deemed not fit to continue by the referee or ringside physician, the referee must immediately call a halt to the bout. If the fighter is deemed not fit to continue by the referee or ringside physician but some of the five minute foul time is still remaining, the fighter cannot avail himself of the remaining time.

If the referee stops the contest and employs the use of the ringside doctor, the ringside physician’s examinations shall not exceed five minutes. If five minutes is exceeded, the fight cannot be re-started and the contest must end.

Scoring of incomplete roundsThere should be scoring of an incomplete round. If the referee penalizes either contestant, then the appropriate points shall be deducted when the scorekeeper calculates the final score for the partial round.Tap out I. Submission by Tap Out:When a contestant physically uses their hand to indicate that they no longer wish to continue; or ii. Verbal tap out: When a contestant verbally announces to the referee that they do not wish to continue or makes audible sounds such as screams indicating pain or discomfortFIGHTING AREA ( Ring / Fight Area)All ADXC contests will take place in either a Fight Area, Cage or a Ring that has been approved by the Commission. The Fight Area, Cage or Ring will meet the requirements set forth by each Commission and also be subject to inspection prior to each event by a Commission representative such as a referee.

CagesThe fighting area canvas shall be no smaller than 18 feet by 18 feet and no larger than 32 feet by 32 feet. The fighting area canvas shall be padded in a manner as approved by the Commission, with at least one inch layer of foam padding.

Padding shall extend beyond the fighting area and over the edge of the platform. No vinyl or other plastic rubberized covering shall be permitted.

The fighting area canvas shall not be more than four feet above the floor of the building and shall have suitable steps or ramp for use by the participants. Posts shall be made of metal not more than six inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the fighting area canvas and shall be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commission. The fighting area canvas area shall be enclosed by a fence made of such material as will not allow a fighter to fall out or break through it onto the floor or spectators, including, but not limited to, vinyl coated chain link fencing. All metal parts shall be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commission and shall not be abrasive to the contestants. The fence shall provide two separate entries onto the fighting area canvas.

RULE MEETINGS ( General Guidelines )

In ADXC, group rule meetings will be commonplace in the reviewing of rules, fouls and other considerations.

It is recommended that individual meetings between the bout supervising referee and each competitor in the contest be conducted backstage in the locker room or another appropriate location. Many times contestants will ask questions of the official

when the rules are covered individually in private, when they would have been hesitant to ask the same question in front of their competitor. This also allows the referee to observe any peculiar idiosyncrasies of the fighter, such as an odd speech pattern, nervous tics, or different eye colors.

This does not supersede the ability of the ADXC Commission to have a general rules meeting about the requirements and also discuss items such as a fighter’s time to report, the location, interaction with the inspectors, available liquids and foods, taping requirements and so on, with all the fighters gathered en masse.

It is recommended that the unwritten custom of the one pound allowance for non-title bouts be continued, but only if provided for in the written bout contract or by regulation.

Commissions may also approve catchweight bouts, subject to their review and discretion. For example, the Commission may still decide to allow the contest if it feels that the contest would still be fair, safe and competitive if a set catch weight is set in advance at 73 kilos, for example.

In addition, if one athlete weighs in at 125 kilos while the opponent weighs in at 122, the Commission may still decide to allow the contest if it feels that the contest would still be fair and competitive. This would be despite the fact that the two athletes weighed in at differing weight classes.

Commissions should establish and make known to promoters the maximum allowable weight differences for contestants for each weight class.

Use of Vaseline and other similar substancesAbsolutely “no” body grease, gels, balms, lotions oils, or other substances may be applied to the hair, face or body. This includes the use of excessive amounts of water “dumped” on a contestant to make them slippery. However, Vaseline may be applied solely to the facial area at Fight Area side or ringside in the presence of an inspector, referee, or a person designated by the commission. Any contestant applying anything other than Vaseline in an approved fashion at the appropriate time could be penalized a point or subject to loss by disqualification.Double Knockout SituationsThe referee shall stop a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat at any stage if the referee determines that both unarmed combatants are in such a condition that to continue might subject the unarmed combatants to serious injury. If a contest or exhibition is stopped pursuant to this subsection, the decision shall be deemed to be a technical draw.Fighter AppearanceIt is recommended that a Commission inspector or referee bring a clipper and a file to each event and check the fingernail length of all contestants.Championship Tournament Policies

• ADXC will promote single elimination, grand prix style tournaments featuring fighters in a specified weight division. Fighters will be contracted for tournament bouts with provisions that include ADXC’s official tournament policies.

• ADXC may specify “alternates”, or recognize bouts contested outside of the tournament brackets as official tournament “reserve matches” in order to define fighters other than the originally intended tournament participants who may be granted an opportunity to enter the tournament if circumstances necessitate it.

• Each tournament bout will be contested according to the rules approved by the presiding athletic commission or the ABC Unified Rules of ADXC.

• If a tournament bout other than the final ends in a “No-Contest” then the official bout result will be a “No-Contest”. o If the bout involves the champion, the champion will advance as having successfully defended their title, unless the Survivor Rule is applied. o If the bout does not involve the current champion, the three officials who were assigned to judge the bout will each cast a ballot in favor of the fighter who, “based on their performance in the portion of the bout that was contested” most deserves to advance in the tournament. The fighter who receives the majority of judges votes will advance unless that opportunity is withdrawn for due cause and the Survivor Rules is applied, or a tournament reserve match fighter or alternate is selected to advance in their place, or ADXC’s in its sole discretion elects to schedule a rematch.

• If a three-round tournament bout is scored a “draw”, the fighters will contest a fourth, “sudden victory” round to determine the winner, who will then advance in the tournament. If for any reason the sudden victory round fails to resolve the draw, the rules for addressing a draw in a five-round bout found immediately below will be applied.

• If a five-round tournament bout other than the final is scored a “draw”, the official result of that bout will be a “draw”. The following parameters will determine which fighter advances in the tournament. o If the bout involves the current champion for that weight division, that fighter, the champion, will have successfully defended their title and will advance in the tournament. o If the bout does not involve the current champion for that weight division, the three judges who scored the bout will each cast one additional ballot in favor of the fighter who in their opinion most deserves to advance in the tournament based on their performance in the “bout as a whole”. The fighter that the three judges select by majority vote based on this criterion will advance in the tournament.

• If a five-round tournament FINAL bout ends in a “No-Contest” or “No-Decision” the official result of that bout will be a “No-Contest” or “No-Decision”. The defending champion will retain their title but the tournament final will be considered unresolved and the tournament Champion, undetermined. ADXC reserves the right to determine if and/or when a rematch might be scheduled.

• If a five-round tournament FINAL bout is scored a “draw”, the official result of that bout will be a “draw”. By merit of the draw, the defending champion will have retained their title and be deemed the tournament winner and Champion.

• ADXC reserves the right and authority to resolve any circumstances pertaining to the tournament not specifically or entirely addressed in this document.