Beat the clock to 16

A kids tournament built for trying, learning, and trying again.

More mat time, fairer matchups, and real rewards. A new format designed so kids can be brave, make mistakes, explore, learn and keep coming back.

When
Nov 15, or Nov 22, 9am

Cost
$40 per competitor

Matches
At least 3 matches. Round robin format.

More prizes
Free pizza party, trophies, and competitor cosmetics.

Never seen a jiu-jitsu tournament?
Here's what to expect.

A friendly, supervised chance for your child to try what they've learned in class. They compete against kids of similar age and experience, and everyone gets at least 3 matches. Nobody goes home after one loss.

  • Doors at 830am

    Arrive with their Gi and warm up in the competitor area.

  • Compete in a small group

    Everyone in the division faces everyone else, with time between matches.

  • Keep trying

    Mistakes are a part of it. Referees keep matches progressing and safe.

  • Celebrate

    Medals for the top three, a belt bar or patch, and a pizza party for all competitors at a later date.

WHY ITS DIFFERENT

Most kids' tournaments copy the adult format. We built something better suited to kids.

Kids grow by trying things, learning from mistakes, and trying again. Here are the problems, and how this format answers each one.

THE USUAL PROBLEM
One mistake and it's over. A takedown and an armbar can end a match in 18 seconds, before a kid has really wrestled.

THE FIX
Points, not sudden death. First to 16 wins, or the higher score at time. More mat time for every child.

THE USUAL PROBLEM
A tap means a loss so kids fight out of chokes instead of tapping, and young kids can end up in tears.

THE FIX
A tap means points and a restart. Submissions only from guard, and penalties for throat pressure and pulling on the back of the head.

THE USUAL PROBLEM
Big experience gaps. A child five months in can face one with two years of training and many wins.

THE FIX
Grouped by age, experience, aptitude, not just belt color. The new format is less punishing if there is an experience gap.

THE USUAL PROBLEM
Narrow skills. When one quick submission from the top wins every time, kids stop developing the rest of their jiu-jitsu.

THE FIX
Submissions only from guard. It rewards deeper skill, and fits real self-defense: a child with a dominant position shouldn't need to choke or armbar.

THE USUAL PROBLEM
Stalling can win matches. Pinning, clinging to a leg, or curling up until time runs out.

THE FIX
No stalling The referee restarts standing after 20 seconds in a dominant position or 30 without real progress. Guard passes and knee on belly score 0.

THE USUAL PROBLEM
Results ride on judgement calls, like when a guard pass is awarded or whether a takedown counts.

THE FIX
Clearer rules. Winning doesn’t hang on one call, which takes pressure off kids and referees alike.

How a match works

We’ve combined some of the best ideas from wrestling, judo and jiu-jitsu and made our own interesting adjustments to incentivize and develop athletes. Kids start standing and try to take the match to the ground. From there they score for better positions and attacks. Matches are 3 or 4 minutes depending on age and experience, and everyone in a division faces everyone else. 1st, 2nd and 3rd are decided by total points.

  • Takedown 2

    Sweeps and Reversals 2

    Mount 3

    Back 3

    Submission (from guard only): 4

    Forcing opponent out of bounds: 1

    Guard pass, Knee on Belly: ZERO

    Change in positional points

    Reversals: Roll from bottom mount, flip from side control, and reverse back control to guard is 2 points, incentivizing and rewarding proper control and escapes to more dominant positions.

    Back points are awarded from hooks, back triangle and half back control.

    Mount points are awarded for all forms of mount including mounted triangle position.

    Point system may adjust in future events

    • When mount, back, or side control is held over 20 seconds.

    • When guard or any other neutral position is held for over 30 seconds without meaningful advancement.

    • When a submission is completed from guard

    • Pressure on throat for over 3 seconds - 1 point

    • Pulling down on back of head excessively -1 point

    • Repeated penalties lead to disqualification

    • If a child can't regain composure after a 30-45 second timeout, they forfeit the match.

Every kid goes home with something.

  • A competitor patch for their belt or Gi and a spot at the free pizza and games party in December 2026.

  • Medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd based on total points across all matches.

  • Trophies for the top 2 competitors who demonstrate the best technical ability in either takedowns or playing guard.

Make it fun. Still challenge the kids. Reward bravery, skill and experimentation.

With over 100 kids in our program, we've seen how much competition rules shape what kids think jiu-jitsu is. Since we stopped letting the traditional format steer our kids program, we compete less often, and our students' skill, retention and satisfaction have gone up. So instead of telling curious kids to wait until they can handle the usual format, we built a tournament for beginners, young children, and kids who need more time to grow into competing. It also prepares them if they later choose to compete under traditional IBJJF rules.

This is a first draft, and rules may change as we gather data and feedback.
Next event there will be new, additional categories such as 3-5 minute positional rounds with resets, where position is decided by coin flip and kids switch top and bottom the next round.

Read the full story: Why I Don't Recommend the IBJJF Format for Kids

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Instagram @KidsBJJGames

Sign your child up
Registration deadline: November 1

Someone will get back with you to finalize payment after you have registered.

FUTURE EVENT

Kids compete in No Gi, in teams of 2.

Matches are 3, 3 minute rounds or one 5 minute round depending on registrations, and a tap or tag means their team mate replaces them in the match.

There will be an announcer and ropes setup to resemble the atmosphere and feel of the WWE, and lots of additional fun details to make this event fun for both competitors and spectators.

Points, format and rules modified the same as our Race the clock to 16' event.

Kids will pick nick names, team name, plan their outfits and compete against other tag teams.

Prizes for best dressed and the teams who receive the most amount of total points receive CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS!

Coming Feb 2027

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