ADCC permits a wide range of submissions. The following techniques are all legal:

  • Any choke — All chokes are allowed except for using the hand to directly close the windpipe.
  • Any arm bar, shoulder lock, or wrist lock
  • Any leg lock or ankle lock — Including heel hooks, toe holds, kneebars, and calf slicers. Unlike IBJJF, there are no belt-level restrictions on leg locks.
  • Can opener — Allowed as a technique (classified as a neck crank).
  • Twister — Allowed as a submission.

Unlike IBJJF rules, which restrict many leg attacks and neck cranks by belt level, ADCC allows virtually all joint locks and chokes from the start. This is one of the most significant rule differences between the two organizations.

Illegal Techniques

The following actions are forbidden in ADCC competition. Initiating any of these techniques may result in a penalty or immediate disqualification.

Slamming Rules

  • Slamming is only allowed when you are locked in a submission. If your opponent releases the submission while you are in the process of slamming, you must immediately let go of the slam.
  • Outside of escaping a locked submission, slamming is illegal.

Neck and Spine

  • No full nelson (locking hands behind the opponent’s neck and pushing down).
  • No crucifix neck crank.
  • No spiking your opponent on their head while attempting a takedown.
  • No spiking your opponent’s head when they are on your back.
  • You cannot roll forward while someone is on your back (risk of spiking).
  • No crossface guillotine twisting the chin (cranking the chin sideways with a guillotine grip).

Strikes and Physical Fouls

  • No striking of any kind.
  • No punching.
  • No kicking.
  • No biting.
  • No eye gouging or fish hooking.
  • No grabbing the ears.
  • No hair pulling.
  • No thumbing.
  • No scratching or pinching.

Small Joint Manipulation

  • No holding fewer than 4 fingers together.
  • No holding fewer than 5 toes together.

Groin and Face

  • No squeezing or putting pressure on the groin area.
  • No hands, knees, or elbows on the face.

Other

  • No slippery substances allowed on body or clothing.
  • No holding the opponent’s t-shirt or shorts (grab the body, not the clothing).

Immediate disqualification: If a fighter intentionally initiates any of the illegal techniques listed above, they will be disqualified immediately. Accidental infractions are handled through the penalty (negative points) system at the referee’s discretion.