Negative Points System
ADCC uses a negative points system for penalties. Unlike positive points (which are only scored in the second half of regulation), negative points are counted throughout the entire match — including the no-points first half.
When a minus point is given, the referee will halt the action to inform the athlete and their coach of the penalty.
Penalty Table
| Infraction | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Pulling guard voluntarily | -1 point |
| Disengaging and backing away | -1 point |
| Passivity | 2 warnings, then -1 point |
| Fleeing the mat | -1 point |
| Fleeing a submission by leaving the mat | -1 point |
| Bad language or bad behavior (fighter or coach) | -1 point |
| Not obeying referee commands | -1 point |
| Intentional striking or kicking | Immediate DQ |
| Initiating an illegal technique | Immediate DQ |
| Fixed fight (both teammates) | Both fighters DQ’d |
Pulling Guard
When a fighter voluntarily jumps to guard or goes from standing to a non-standing position by any means and remains down for 3 seconds or more, they receive a minus point.
Key scenarios around guard pulling and takedowns:
- If you shoot for a takedown and pull guard in less than 3 seconds, you receive a minus point.
- If you shoot for a takedown and go to turtle position in less than 3 seconds (breaking the attack), you receive a minus point.
- If you shoot for a takedown and genuinely attempt to finish it for more than 3 seconds before pulling guard, you will not be penalized.
Passivity
A passive fighter will be warned twice by the referee using the words “WARNING PASSIVITY”. After two warnings, the next instance of passivity results in a -1 point penalty. After the first minus is given, there are no more warnings — additional passivity is penalized with minus points immediately.
Passivity during the no-points first half: Even though positive points are not counted in the first half, the referee will still issue passivity warnings. If a fighter is very passive during the first half, the warning carries over and they will be punished with a negative point when the second half starts.
Standing Position Penalties
If both fighters are standing and one puts a knee (or both knees) on the mat for more than 3 seconds, they receive a minus point.
Disengaging and Fleeing
- If a fighter disengages from contact, starts backing up, and avoids re-engaging, they receive a minus point.
- If a fighter constantly flees the mat, they receive a minus point.
- If a fighter tries to escape a submission by leaving the mat more than once, they receive a minus point.
Sweeping While Attacking
If you go for a submission from mount, side control, or inside someone’s guard and end up going from top to bottom, your opponent will not be awarded sweep points since you initiated the attack.
However, if your opponent initiates a sweep while you are on top and in the middle of attempting a submission, and they escape the submission and hold you down for 3 seconds, they will receive sweep points because they initiated the motion.
Turtle Position and Takedowns
If an opponent takes you down and you end up in turtle position for more than 3 seconds, no takedown points are awarded.
Out of Bounds
If you go out of bounds, do not stop. Only the referee can stop the match. The fight will resume in the same position at the center of the mat.
Injuries
If a fighter is unintentionally poked in the eye or hit in the groin and starts bleeding, they are given 2 minutes to recover. If they cannot continue, they lose the fight.