Rules & Regulations

EBI Submission-Only Invitational Rules

If both competitors remain on their feet for 1 minute straight, a horn sounds and they are forced to the mat.

Restart position: Sit-up guard / butterfly guard, with:
- Bottom competitor holding double underhooks.
- Bottom competitor’s head placed on either shoulder of the top competitor (not centered under the chin).

Choosing Top or Bottom

If one competitor is clearly the aggressor while standing, that competitor chooses top or bottom.
If neither is clearly the aggressor, a coin flip decides who chooses.
The “get down” clock resets every time both competitors stand again.

Referee first issues a warning to the stalling competitor and their corner.

If stalling continues:
- The referee stops the action and issues a penalty — 1 minute of escape time is added to that competitor’s overtime score.
- Unlimited penalties may be issued.
Most common stalling scenario: One competitor stays grounded while the other remains standing without attempting to pass.

(1 round minimum, 3 rounds maximum)

If no submission occurs during regulation, the match enters overtime. A coin toss determines who chooses offense or defense first.

Submit your opponent faster than they submit you; or
If no submissions occur by the end of the bottom of Round 3, the competitor with the fastest combined escape time wins.

Each round has two parts—top and bottom:

Each part lasts up to 2 minutes unless a submission or escape happens first.

Offense chooses back control or armbar (spiderweb).

Must have a seatbelt grip centered on the opponent’s chest.
Defensive competitor:
- May only use a pull-up style grip on the arms.
- Must sit upright with correct posture.
- Cannot lean until the referee starts the round.

One arm fully threaded; the other hand posted on the mat.
Competitors oriented perpendicular.
Defensive competitor lies flat with feet planted.
Allowed defensive grips at the start:
- Figure-four (RNC grip)
- Gable grip (palm-to-palm)
No other starting grips permitted.

Offense may switch to any submission directly into a fully locked submission, including:
- Triangle
- Truck
- (Excluding all other leg lock positions)
Switching to mount ends the attack and counts as an escape.

If the top of the round has a submission:

The defender must submit their opponent faster in the bottom of the round or they lose.
Example:
- A submits B in 30 seconds (top of Round 1).
- B must submit A in under 30 seconds in the bottom of the round.

If a submission occurs in the bottom of the round:

An escape is declared when the defender is completely free:

If your arm is controlled across your body, you must clear the elbow line.
Transition to mount means offense no longer has the submission → escape.
Submissions from a defensive position count as an escape, not a scoring submission.

Any act of intentional injury, slamming, or unsportsmanlike conduct.
Failure to comply with safety checks or referee instructions.
The referee has full authority to stop the match at any time for athlete safety or rule enforcement. All referee decisions are final.
If a competitor verbally taps, physically taps, or the referee deems a submission locked beyond safe defense, the match is immediately stopped.

- Weigh-in & Uniform

Weigh-ins: All athletes must weigh in no later than one hour before their first match.
Attire: Rashguard and grappling shorts/spats are mandatory. No loose clothing or pockets allowed. No metal on gear.
Athletes may wear soft plastic or non-metal groin protection (no hard cups or metal parts).
Mouthguards are recommended for safety.

All competitors must show sportsmanship and respect toward opponents and referees.
Referee decisions are final.
Event organizers reserve the right to adjust rules for safety or clarity.