MATCH TIME LIMITS

Kids matches are 3 minutes, and Adults matches are 4 minutes.

BRACKET FORMAT

• 2 athlete brackets: Best of Three
• 3-7 athlete brackets: Round Robin (4 match maximum per athlete)
• 8+ athlete brackets: Round Robin (best of 2 pools, best grapplers from each pool compete in a single-elimination play-off format to decide first, second and third. )
• Absolute bracket: Single Elimination

HOW MATCHES ARE SCORED

The Stealth format prioritises submission attempts over positional control.

For each genuine submission threat a competitor makes, they will be awarded 1 point.

A genuine submission threat is defined as a locked in submission that the opponent is forced to defend.

If there is no submission, the athlete with the most points at the end of the match will be declared the winner by points.

If at the end of the match the points are tied, the match will be declared a draw.

BRACKET POINTS

Athletes earn points from each match towards their bracket - when the bracket is finished, the top 3 scoring athletes will be awarded gold, silver and bronze respectively.

The bracket scoring heavily favours the submission, which is what our circuit prioritises.

• Submission Win - 5 Points
• Points Win - 2 Points
• DQ/Walkover Win - 1 Point
• Draw - 1 point each

Note: Best of Three brackets are the only exception to this - whoever wins 2 matches will win the bracket. Unfortunately there is no way to configure bracket points for Best of Three brackets.

If there are multiple athletes with the same number of points, Smoothcomp will determine the placings by the following tiebreaker criteria, in this order:

1. Result if the competitors went head to head, E.g. Athlete A and B both have 10 points (2 submission wins), but Athlete A submitted Athlete B in their match, so Athlete A ranks higher.
2. Fastest submission
3. Shortest total time in won matches

BRACKET SEEDING

Because of the round robin format, teammates might end up being matched against one another. We've configured Smoothcomp to avoid this when possible, but depending on the number of competitors or teammates in a division, there might be no way to prevent it. 

The absolute division will be bracketed automatically via Smoothcomp as will the regular weight divisions, however if the top 1 and 2 seeds (determined by the Event Manager) are seeded on the same side of the bracket, they will be placed on opposite sides.

No requests to redraw the bracket in order to avoid fighting teammates or to provide you with a better chance of winning will be accepted.

Closeouts are not permitted (rigging a match with a teammate). If a closeout occurs, the referee will call a double DQ. 

STALLING

If the referee determines an athlete is disengaging and not attempting to improve their position, the referee will give them one warning.

If the athlete stalls a second time, the athlete will be given a negative point. There is no limit to the number of negative points that can be given for stalling.

RESETS

If the action goes out of bounds and the athletes were in a scramble, they will be reset in the middle of the mat from standing.

If the action goes out of bounds and the athletes were in a stable position, they will be reset in that same position (to the best of the referee's ability)

If the action goes out of bounds and the athletes were in a submission, they will be reset in the same position (to the best of the referee's ability), with the following restrictions:

• No bites on heel hooks are to be given
• If athlete was in an armbar, he may start with a 10 finger or palm to palm defensive grip

The above rule applies when an athlete goes out of bounds as a result of defending the submission. If they purposely move off of the mat while in a submission with the sole purpose of getting a reset (e.g. walking off the mat while in a triangle), then they are to be considered submitted and lose the match.

Kids:
Beginner - White belt
Intermediate - Grey belt
Advanced - Yellow/orange belt
Expert - Green/blue belt

6 - 7 years old 
8 - 9 years old
10 - 11 years old
12 - 13 years old
14 - 15 years old
16 - 17 years old

Under 20kg
Under 25kg
Under 29kg
Under 34kg
Under 39kg
Under 44kg
Under 49kg
Under 55kg
Under 61kg
Under 67kg
Under 72kg
Under 79kg
Under 86kg
Under 94kg
Over 94kg

Men:
Beginner - White belt
Intermediate - Blue belt
Advanced - Purple, brown and black belt

Adult (18+)
Masters 1 (30+)
Masters 2 (35+)
Masters (40+)

Under 70 kg
Under 78 kg
Under 86 kg
Under 94 kg 
Under 102 kg
Over 102 kg

Women:
Beginner - White belt
Intermediate - Blue belt
Advanced - Purple, brown and black belt

Adult (18+)
Masters 1 (30+)
Masters 2 (35+)
Masters (40+)

Under 54 kg
Under 61 kg
Under 68 kg
Under 75 kg
Over 75 kg

Absolute (Men No-Gi Only):
Adult

Open Weight (you must have already registered in your weight division) 

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

Weigh-ins will be open all day, and you may weigh-in anytime before your first match - we HIGHLY advise you get there with plenty of time (at least an hour), as match times do change in real time due to fast finishes.

You will only have to weigh in once regardless of whether you do gi, no-gi, or both, and you may weigh in wearing your no-gi gear.

There will be a 0.5kg tolerance to allow for scale discrepancies.

If you fail to make weight on the first time, you will be given the chance to lose the weight and weigh in again once more before weigh-in is finished.

If you still cannot make the weight, you will be disqualified and no refund will be given. Please stay on top of your weight! We send out an email the week of the competition reminding you this - no excuses will be accepted on the day.

Uniform (Gi):

The gis will not be checked or measured before the tournament, but we may ask you to change if: the gi is obviously too big or small, shows visible tears, is wet or dirty, or emanates unpleasant odours. You may wear a rash guard under your gi.

Uniform (No-Gi):

For no-gi men divisions, you must wear board shorts without pockets or with pockets entirely stitched shut, and reaching at least halfway down the thigh and at most to the knee. Attached metal or plastic of any kind that may hurt your opponent is not allowed. Spats may be worn under the shorts. Athletes must wear a rash guard, a shirt of elastic fabric (clings to body) or may compete shirtless. This rash guard or shirt does not need to meet any color requirements. Athletes cannot compete wearing a loose shirt of any kind.

For no-gi women divisions, you must wear board shorts or lycra elastic pants, without pockets or with pockets entirely stitched shut, and reaching at least halfway down the thigh and at most to the knee. Attached metal or plastic of any kind that may hurt the opponent is not allowed. You must wear a rashguard or a shirt of elastic fabric (clings to body). This rash guard or shirt does not need to meet any colour requirements. You cannot compete wearing a loose shirt of any kind.

Hygiene:

Finger and toe nails must be trimmed and short.

Long hair must be tied up so as not to cause opponents any discomfort.

Hair dye or makeup that can potentially stain athletes' clothing or the mat surface is not permitted.

Athletes presenting skin lesions or any other skin condition shall be directed to the tournament medical staff. Under any circumstances, the medical staff has the final say on whether to allow an athlete to compete or not.

Use of any foot gear, head gear, hair pins, jewellery, cups (genital protectors) or any other protector fashioned of hard material that may cause harm to an opponent or the athlete him/herself is forbidden. Also forbidden is the use of head wear – be it bandages, hoods or an elastic cap.

If you or your child are still alone in a division by the time registrations close, we will attempt to find a suitable merge option for them according to the below policy.

By registering for our competitions, you agree to be merged in accordance with this policy - no credits or refunds will be given if you decide not to fight after a merge in accordance with this policy.

Kids:

We will merge up to one level in either age or weight (not skill).

For kids aged 6 to 9, we will consider merging boys and girls together.

For kids aged 16 to 17, we will consider merging into corresponding adult divisions:

White/grey belt - Adult Beginner
Yellow/orange/green belt - Adult Intermediate

Adults:

We will merge you up one weight class.

Master's 1 divisions will be merged with the corresponding Master's 2 division, or with the corresponding Adults division.

Master's 2 divisions will be merged with the corresponding Master's 3 division.

If an athlete is still alone in a division after the groupings email is sent:

When registrations close, we make any required merges, and send an email out - if an athlete is still alone in a division, this means we were unable to find them a suitable merge, and we will process a credit.

Merge Requests:

If you can see a division you'd like the athlete to be merged into (up, NOT down), please reply to that email ASAP with the exact division details (one that already has competitors in it).

Please keep it super simple and just put the athlete's name in the email, the division they are currently in, the division you would like them moved to, and a very brief reason.

Please do not request for them to be moved into a division lower than their weight, making them heavier than the whole division. And please don't request for them to be moved in with lower belts.

Additionally, if your merge request will result in athletes being left alone in a division, we will not proceed with it.

Emails such as, 'My child does not have a match; can you please find a match' or requesting to move into an empty division won't be considered.

Once a credit has been processed, it will be visible under your Smoothcomp account as a coupon code. Simply apply the coupon at the checkout next time you compete.

If we are unable to provide you matches 2 competitions in a row, please email us (include the coupon code so we can cancel it) and we will gladly refund your money.

If you wish to withdraw before registrations close, you are eligible for a full credit (valid for any of our future competitions) - You can do this yourself on Smoothcomp by browsing to your account and clicking 'Cancel' on the registration).

If you wish to withdraw between registrations closing and the start of the tournament, we may offer a credit depending on the circumstances - Friday morning is the absolute latest we will consider this.

Please email us at info@stealthgrappling.com to arrange this. If you are alone in a division by the time registrations close, we will attempt to find a suitable merge option according to our Merge Policy.

By registering for our competitions, you agree to be merged in accordance with this policy - no credits will be given if you decide not to fight after a merge in accordance with this policy.

If you are in a two-athlete bracket and your opponent doesn't show up, please speak to the Event Manager ASAP so that we can attempt to find another division for you to compete in.

Alternatively, we will provide a full credit - please email us after the competition to arrange this.