Referees use standardized hand gestures and Portuguese verbal commands to communicate with athletes, table officials, and spectators during a match (Article 1.4). Understanding these signals is essential for competitors, coaches, and spectators alike.

Match Flow Signals

Summon Athletes to Match Area

Referee signal to summon athletes - arms raised to shoulder height, bent at 90 degrees

  • Gesture: Arms raised to shoulder height and bent at 90-degree angle with palms of hands facing inwards, motioning by extending arms and returning to initial position
  • Verbal command: None

Start of Match

Referee signal to start the match - arm extended forward then lowered toward the ground

  • Gesture: Arm extended forward and then lowered to point vertically toward the ground
  • Verbal command: COMBATE! (com-ba-tchee)

Interruption of the Fight, Stopwatch and Time Out

Referee signal for interruption - arms open and raised at shoulder height

  • Gesture: Arms open and raised at shoulder height
  • Verbal command: PAROU! (pa-row)

Scoring Signals

2 Points — Takedown, Sweep, Knee on Belly

Referee signal for 2 points - pointer and middle fingers extended

Referee signal for 2 points close-up - pointer and middle fingers extended

  • Gesture: Hand of arm corresponding with athlete to be awarded points raised with pointer and middle fingers extended
  • Verbal command: None

3 Points — Guard Pass

Referee signal for 3 points - pointer, middle, and ring fingers extended

Referee signal for 3 points close-up - three fingers extended

  • Gesture: Hand of arm corresponding with athlete to be awarded points raised with pointer, middle, and ring fingers extended
  • Verbal command: None

4 Points — Mount and Back Control

Referee signal for 4 points - four fingers extended

Referee signal for 4 points close-up - four fingers extended

  • Gesture: Hand of arm corresponding with athlete to be awarded points raised with pointer, middle, ring, and pinkie fingers extended
  • Verbal command: None

Advantage

Referee signal for advantage - arm extended parallel to mat, palm facing downwards

  • Gesture: Arm corresponding with athlete to be awarded advantage extending parallel to mat with hand open and palm facing downwards
  • Verbal command: None

Point Deduction

Referee signal for point deduction - arm at shoulder height with palm open

Referee signal for point deduction close-up - open palm at shoulder height

  • Gesture: Arm corresponding with athlete to be deducted points at shoulder height with palm open
  • Verbal command: None

Penalty Signals

Penalty for Stalling or Serious Foul (standing)

Referee signal for penalty while standing - pointing to athlete's chest

Referee signal for penalty while standing - clenched fist raised to shoulder height

  • Gesture: Arm corresponding to the penalized athlete points to the center of his chest followed by raising a clenched fist to shoulder height
  • Verbal command: LUTE! (lu-tchee) — at the same time point to the chest when there is a lack of combativeness situation; or FALTA! (fal-tah) — at the same time point to the chest when there is a serious foul

Penalty for Stalling or Serious Foul (ground / unclear identification)

When it is not possible for the referee to clearly point at the athlete to be punished (e.g., athletes are on the ground):

Referee signal for penalty on the ground - touching athlete's shoulder

Referee signal for penalty on the ground - clenched fist raised

  • Gesture: The referee should lightly touch one of the shoulders of the athlete to be punished, followed by raising a clenched fist to shoulder height
  • Verbal command: LUTE! (lu-tchee) — at the same time touching the shoulder when there is a lack of combativeness situation; or FALTA! (fal-tah) — at the same time touching the shoulder when there is a serious foul situation

Disqualification

Referee signal for disqualification - forearms crossed over head with fists clenched

  • Gesture: Arms over head with forearms crossed and fists clenched, followed by arm corresponding with disqualified athlete pointing to athlete’s belt
  • Verbal command: None

Positional and Administrative Signals

Match Result Announcement

Referee signal for match result - winning athlete's arm raised

  • Gesture: Arm of winning athlete raised while facing judges’ table and the arm of losing athlete held downwards
  • Verbal command: None

Direct Athlete to Re-adjust Gi

Referee signal to re-adjust gi - arms crossed downwards at waist height

  • Gesture: Arms crossed downwards at waist height, extending arm to indicate athlete’s belt
  • Verbal command: None

Instruct Athlete to Remain Within Match Area

Referee signal to remain in area - open palms making circular motion

  • Gesture: After pointing to the athlete with arms extended towards his/her waist, hand at shoulder height with open palms making a circular motion
  • Verbal command: None

Instruct Athlete to Stand Up

Referee signal to stand up - extended arm indicating athlete

Referee signal to stand up - arm raised to shoulder height

  • Gesture: Indicate with extended arm the athlete who must stand up, followed by raising arm to shoulder height
  • Verbal command: None

Instruct Athlete to Return to Ground

Referee signal to return to ground - arm extended to shoulder height

Referee signal to return to ground - arm pointing diagonally toward ground

  • Gesture: Arm corresponding with athlete extended to shoulder height, followed by arm pointing diagonally across body toward ground
  • Verbal command: None

Fingers Inside Garment Warning

When an athlete grabs the opponent’s sleeves or pant legs with one or more fingers placed inside the garment:

Referee signal for fingers inside garment - hand placed on opposite arm

Referee signal for fingers inside garment - holding the wristband

  • Gesture: One hand placed on top of the opposite arm, holding the wristband
  • Verbal command: None

Video Replay Correction

When a change in point, advantage, or penalty count has been communicated to the central referee by the referee(s) with access to video replay:

Referee signal for video replay - touching the ear with fingertips

  • Gesture: Touch the ear with the fingertips twice, pausing between touches
  • Verbal command: None

Referee Arm Identification

The referee’s arms correspond to specific athletes on the scoreboard:

  • Right arm (distinguished by a green and yellow armband): Points and signals for the athlete on the referee’s right, recorded on the green and yellow section of the scoreboard
  • Left arm (no armband): Points and signals for the athlete on the referee’s left, recorded on the uncolored section of the scoreboard

Note: Points awarded to the athlete on the referee’s right shall be signaled using the referee’s right arm, which is distinguished from the left arm by a green and yellow armband. (Article 1.3.3)

Source: IBJJF Rules Book, June 2024 edition, Article 1.4.