Rules & Format
Rules
Dream tournaments follow IBJJF rules.
Exceptions: We do not use any “advantage” point systems, and our match lengths, divisions, and overtime rules may be different.
Format
Gi tournament
Double elimination (two matches guaranteed)
Match lengths
Age 4-7: 2 minutes
Age 8-12: 3 minutes
Age 13-15: 4 minutes
Overtime
If there is no submission and the points are tied, competitors enter a 1 minute overtime round. The winner is determined by the first to score a point or submit their opponent during the 1 minute.
If there is no score or submission, a referee will decide the winner based on their attempts to win during the match and overtime.
Divisions
Belt levels
We have divisions for White - Green belts. All belt divisions are by primary belt color.
White belt = white belts only
Grey belt = grey/white, solid grey, grey black
Yellow belt = yellow/white, solid yellow, yellow/black
Orange belt = orange/white, solid orange, orange/black
Green belt = green/white, solid green, green/black
If your belt does not match one of these options, please email us at dreambjj@gmail.com to discuss which belt level you should sign up for.
Age divisions
Our tournaments are for kids between the ages of 4-15.
Brackets may include competitors within one age (younger or older) of each other.
Grouping athletes together
Competitors are grouped by gender, belt, weight class, and what age they’ll be on event day.
Weight Divisions & Guidelines
Weight divisions
The numbers below indicate the MAXIMUM a child may weigh in that division. Weights listed below and weigh ins are WITHOUT the gi.
Up to 40.9lbs
Up to 45.9lbs
Up to 52.9lbs
Up to 60.9lbs
Up to 70.9lbs
Up to 80.9lbs
Up to 90.9lbs
Up to 100.9lbs
Up to 110.9lbs
Up to 120.9lbs
Up to 130.9lbs
Up to 140.9lbs
Up to 150.9lbs
Up to 165.9lbs
Up to 180.9lbs
181lbs & Up
Weight allowance
There is zero weight allowance.
For example, if the division is Up to 80.9lbs, then a competitor weighing in at 81.0lbs would miss weight and be moved to a new division.
What does a competitor need to wear to weigh in?
All weigh ins are without the gi.
However, competitors must weigh in wearing some sort or shirt or tank top, and bottoms appropriate for public places. Competitors cannot weigh in shirtless or wearing only underwear or sports bras. This will be strictly enforced.
If your child might miss weight with normal clothes, we suggest he or she be moved up weight so that there is less stress involved about weighing in.
Weight cutting
Weight cutting is extremely discouraged for children, even if it’s just a few ounces. Children should not skip breakfast, dehydrate themselves, check their weight obsessively, have restrictions placed on their normal diet, or other drastic weight cutting methods.
If we witness any unsafe weight cutting practices, the competitor may be immediately DQed to protect them from further weight cutting.
As competitive as a tournament can be, Dream tries to foster a low-pressure, fun environment for kids to perform during our events. We want kids to love jiu jitsu and continue training to improve themselves as growing individuals.
Penalties for missing weight
We do not disqualify competitors who miss weight. Instead, we will do our best to find a fair bracket for them, but a match can no longer be guaranteed.
Competitors who miss weight will forfeit any possible team points if they place in any other division.
Because it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure they signed their child up for the correct division, we will not grant credits or refunds if your child misses weight and is unable to find a match.
Moving down in weight
We’re happy to make all corrections before the registration correction deadline, including moving a child down in weight.
Competitors are not moved down in weight on the day of the competition even if they are under the weight limit for the lower division.
Weigh ins time
Competitors may weigh in as soon as doors open at 8:15am regardless of what time he or she is competing.
All competitors must be weighed in at least one hour before their division is scheduled to start.
How were the weight classes determined?
Every weight class is designed to place kids together with no more than a 13% difference in weight between the lightest and heaviest competitor.