Rules 

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES, SAFETY & COMPETITOR CONDUCT

TGSO is a submission-only grappling competition built around aggressive, technical, and exciting grappling. Competitors are expected to pursue the finish while maintaining control and respecting the safety of their opponent.

Legal grappling techniques performed with proper control are encouraged. Actions intended primarily to injure an opponent, create an unnecessary risk of serious injury, or violate the spirit of fair competition are prohibited.

Depending on the severity and intent of a violation, penalties may include a verbal warning, match penalty, disqualification, removal from the event, suspension, or permanent ban from TGSO competition.

 

1. SLAMMING & DANGEROUS TAKEDOWNS

Takedowns must be performed as legitimate grappling techniques and with reasonable regard for competitor safety.

The following are prohibited:

• Intentionally lifting and dropping an opponent to escape a submission.

• Intentionally driving or spiking an opponent onto their head or neck.

• Deliberately throwing an opponent in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk of head, neck, or spinal injury.

• Using a slam as a means of escaping a submission.

• Executing a takedown with the clear intention of causing injury rather than completing a legitimate grappling technique.

A hard or forceful takedown is not automatically considered a slam. The referee will consider the technique, control, intent, and manner in which the opponent lands.

A deliberate spike, head-first impact, or other intentionally dangerous action may result in immediate disqualification.

 

2. FINGERS, TOES & SMALL-JOINT MANIPULATION

Competitors may not intentionally isolate, bend, twist, or attack an individual finger or toe.

When controlling or manipulating the fingers or toes, competitors must control three or more digits together.

The following are prohibited:

• Attacking a single finger or toe.

• Intentionally bending or twisting fewer than three fingers or toes.

• Applying a submission specifically intended to injure an individual finger or toe joint.

Incidental contact with individual fingers or toes during normal hand fighting, grip breaking, or grappling exchanges is not automatically considered a violation.

 

3. SCISSOR TAKEDOWNS

Scissor-style takedowns are prohibited for all divisions below Brown Belt.

For Brown and Black Belt divisions only, a scissor-style takedown may be permitted when the required hand-on-the-mat position is established and the technique is performed with appropriate control.

The referee has final authority during the match to determine whether the technique was legal and safely executed.

A reckless or intentionally dangerous scissor takedown may result in immediate disqualification regardless of division.

 

PROHIBITED TECHNIQUES

4. STRIKING

TGSO is a grappling competition. Intentional striking is strictly prohibited.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Punches.

• Kicks.

• Elbows.

• Knees.

• Headbutts.

• Shoulder strikes.

• Slaps.

• Intentional strikes using any other part of the body.

Competitors may not repeatedly drive a knee, elbow, shoulder, head, or other body part into an opponent for the primary purpose of causing unnecessary pain or injury.

Incidental contact occurring naturally during legitimate grappling exchanges is not automatically considered striking.

 

5. THROAT & AIRWAY ATTACKS

Legal choking techniques are permitted according to the rules of the competitor’s division. Direct attacks against the windpipe or airway outside of a legitimate grappling submission are prohibited.

Competitors may not:

• Grab, crush, or intentionally manipulate the windpipe.

• Use the fingers or thumb to directly squeeze or attack the throat.

• Apply intentional thumb pressure directly into the throat.

• Intentionally obstruct an opponent’s airway through a method that is not a legal submission technique.

Pressure to the neck or surrounding area resulting naturally from a legal choke or grappling technique is not automatically considered a violation.

 

6. EYES, NOSE & FACE

Competitors may not intentionally attack an opponent’s eyes or deliberately use facial pressure for the primary purpose of causing injury.

The following are prohibited:

• Directing fingers into the eyes.

• Gouging or pressing the eyes with the fingers, thumb, palm, chin, or other body part.

• Intentionally forcing pressure directly across the nose in a manner unrelated to a legitimate grappling technique.

Normal facial contact or pressure that occurs as part of a legitimate grappling position, control, escape, or submission is not automatically considered a violation.

 

7. BITING & FISH HOOKING

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Biting.

• Intentionally placing fingers inside an opponent’s mouth.

• Fish hooking the mouth, nose, or any other body opening.

 

COMPETITOR CONDUCT

8. PERSONAL CONDUCT

TGSO competitors are expected to show respect toward opponents, referees, coaches, staff, spectators, and the venue.

The following are prohibited:

• Pulling an opponent’s hair.

• Pinching, twisting, or intentionally grabbing loose skin.

• Intentionally placing fingers or toes into any body opening.

• Spitting on another person or the competition surface.

• Threatening, abusive, or intimidating behavior.

• Intentionally throwing or forcing an opponent outside the competition area in a dangerous manner.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct.

• Intentionally interfering with another match, competitor, referee, or event operation.

Serious misconduct may result in immediate disqualification and/or removal from the event.

 

9. MATCH INTERFERENCE

A competitor may not intentionally attack or engage an opponent:

• Before the referee officially begins the match.

• After the referee has stopped the match.

• After official match time has expired.

• While the opponent is being evaluated or assisted by a referee, medical professional, or tournament official.

Intentional attacks occurring outside active competition may result in immediate disqualification and additional disciplinary action.

 

10. LANGUAGE & SPORTSMANSHIP

TGSO expects professional behavior from competitors, coaches, staff, and spectators.

Excessive profanity directed at another person, threatening language, harassment, discriminatory abuse, intimidation, or other seriously disruptive conduct will not be tolerated.

Depending on severity, violations may result in:

• A warning.

• Match disqualification.

• Removal from the event.

• Suspension from future TGSO events.

• Permanent removal from TGSO events in serious cases.

 

HYGIENE & EQUIPMENT

11. HYGIENE

Every competitor must arrive at the competition area:

• Clean and free from offensive odors.

• Wearing clean competition clothing.

• With fingernails and toenails properly trimmed.

• Free from visible conditions that could create an unreasonable health or safety risk to another competitor.

TGSO officials may prevent a competitor from competing until a correctable issue has been resolved.

 

12. REQUIRED & PERMITTED EQUIPMENT

Competitors must comply with the equipment requirements of their division.

Permitted equipment may include:

• Mouthguards.

• Appropriate competition shorts.

• Rashguards.

• Approved compression gear.

• Protective braces that do not create a safety hazard.

• Ear protection required for a documented medical reason, subject to approval by the Head Referee.

The following are prohibited when they create a safety hazard:

• Exposed zippers.

• Pockets that can catch fingers or toes.

• Exposed metal.

• Hard or sharp components.

• Jewelry.

• Equipment capable of cutting, scratching, or otherwise injuring an opponent.

Braces must not contain exposed metal, hard edges, or other components that could reasonably create a safety risk.

TGSO officials have final authority regarding whether equipment may be worn during competition.

 

13. TAPE

Athletic tape may be used for reasonable support or protection.

Tournament officials may require tape to be removed or modified when its use:

• Creates an unfair advantage.

• Creates a safety concern.

• Prevents normal inspection of the hands, wrists, ankles, or feet.

• Functions as equipment beyond ordinary athletic support.

 

STALLING & PASSIVITY

14. ACTIVE GRAPPLING REQUIREMENT

TGSO is built around submission-focused competition.

Competitors are expected to actively work toward improving position, escaping, passing, sweeping, attacking submissions, creating meaningful offense, or otherwise advancing the match.

Stalling or passivity may include:

• Intentionally avoiding engagement.

• Repeatedly disengaging without attempting to create offense.

• Holding a position without making a reasonable attempt to improve, attack, or finish.

• Refusing to participate in an active grappling exchange.

• Deliberately slowing the match solely to consume time.

• Repeatedly backing away or retreating from legitimate engagement.

• Using the boundaries of the competition area to avoid grappling.

A competitor demonstrating excessive passivity or stalling may receive a warning.

Continued or deliberate stalling may result in additional penalties, up to and including disqualification.

TGSO Philosophy: Hunt the finish — not the clock.

 

COMPETITION AREA & MEDICAL RULES

15. INTENTIONALLY LEAVING THE COMPETITION AREA

A competitor may not intentionally leave the designated competition area to escape:

• A submission.

• A takedown.

• A controlling position.

• An active grappling exchange.

When a competitor deliberately exits the competition area to prevent an opponent from completing a legal technique, the referee may:

• Reset the competitors in the center in the same or an appropriate position.

• Issue a warning or penalty.

• Disqualify the competitor when the violation is deliberate, repeated, or severe.

The referee has authority to determine the appropriate action based on the circumstances of the match.

 

16. BLOOD & INJURY PROTOCOL

If bleeding or an injury requiring evaluation occurs, the referee will stop the match and allow the appropriate medical or event personnel to assess the competitor.

For bleeding, the competitor may be given up to three minutes to control the bleeding and properly clean and cover the affected area.

If the bleeding cannot be adequately controlled, or if medical personnel determine that continuing would create an unreasonable safety risk, the competitor will not be permitted to continue.

The final decision regarding whether an athlete is medically able to continue belongs to the appropriate TGSO medical official or designated event official.

 

17. BODILY FLUIDS

Intentional release of bodily fluids onto an opponent, referee, staff member, or competition surface is prohibited and may result in immediate disqualification.

Accidental illness or a legitimate medical incident will be handled at the discretion of TGSO officials and medical personnel.

 

18. COMMUNICABLE CONDITIONS

Competitors may not compete with a contagious condition that could reasonably be transmitted through grappling contact.

This includes visible or suspected contagious skin infections and other conditions identified as a transmission risk by qualified medical personnel.

TGSO reserves the right to remove a competitor from competition and/or require appropriate medical clearance before allowing the athlete to compete.

 

UNIFORM & HAIR

19. CLOTHING GRIPS

Competitors may only use clothing grips when permitted by the rules of their specific division.

In No-Gi divisions, competitors may not intentionally grab an opponent’s:

• Shorts.

• Rashguard.

• Shirt.

• Compression clothing.

• Other clothing or equipment

for the purpose of establishing or maintaining a grappling grip.

Incidental contact with clothing during an otherwise legal technique is not automatically considered a violation.

 

20. HAIR

Competitors may not intentionally grab, pull, twist, or manipulate an opponent’s hair.

Accidental contact with hair during a legitimate grappling exchange is not automatically considered a violation.

Competitors with long hair are strongly encouraged to secure it in a manner appropriate for competition.

 

COACHES, SPECTATORS & OFFICIALS

21. COACHES & SPECTATORS

Only authorized competitors, coaches, referees, medical staff, tournament staff, and other approved personnel may enter designated competition areas.

Coaches and spectators may not:

• Enter the competition area without authorization.

• Interfere with an active match.

• Touch a competitor during competition.

• Approach or confront a referee during an active match.

• Threaten, intimidate, or harass officials.

• Intentionally distract competitors or referees.

• Interfere with tournament operations.

Violations may result in removal from the competition area or event.

Serious interference by a coach or corner may also result in disciplinary consequences for the associated competitor when appropriate.

 

22. COMMUNICATING WITH REFEREES & MATCH REVIEWS

Competitors and coaches may not argue with, threaten, harass, or attempt to improperly influence a referee while a match is active.

Questions or concerns regarding a ruling must be addressed through the appropriate TGSO process after the match.

The referee has authority over the active match and may issue warnings, penalties, or disqualifications for disruptive or disrespectful behavior.

Head Referee Review

Only the TGSO Head Referee has authority to overturn a match result based on an officiating error.

A competitor or coach requesting review must provide their own clear video evidence showing the alleged error. TGSO is not responsible for locating or providing video footage on behalf of the competitor.

Submission of video does not guarantee that a ruling will be overturned. The Head Referee will review the available evidence and determine whether a clear officiating error occurred.

The Head Referee’s decision following review is final.

 

23. ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY FOR THREATS & VIOLENCE

Threatening, intimidating, attempting to physically confront, or physically attacking a competitor, referee, coach, staff member, spectator, or other attendee is strictly prohibited.

Serious threats or physical violence may result in:

• Immediate disqualification.

• Immediate removal from the venue.

• Suspension from future TGSO events.

• Permanent ban from TGSO events in serious cases.

TGSO may also involve venue security or appropriate authorities when necessary to protect participants and attendees.

 

ENFORCEMENT & REFEREE AUTHORITY

Not every rules violation requires the same penalty.

When determining the appropriate response, TGSO officials may consider:

• The severity of the violation.

• Whether the action was intentional.

• Whether the action created a significant risk of injury.

• Whether the competitor gained an unfair advantage.

• Whether the competitor has already received a warning.

• Whether the conduct demonstrates disregard for opponent safety or referee instructions.

Minor or accidental violations may result in a warning, reset, or other appropriate correction.

Repeated, intentional, reckless, or dangerous violations may result in immediate disqualification, even when no previous warning has been issued.

The referee’s primary responsibility is athlete safety and fair competition.

Decisions made by the referee during an active match stand unless reviewed and overturned by the TGSO Head Referee under the match-review procedure above.

 

TGSO CORE PRINCIPLE

COMPETE HARD. COMPETE SMART. STAY TRUE TO YOUR GAME.

TGSO encourages aggressive, technical, high-intensity grappling and competitors who are willing to take risks in pursuit of the finish.

Win through skill, control, strategy, pressure, and submission — not through actions intended to injure your opponent.

Advance. Attack. Escape. Create action. Hunt the submission.

Don’t stall. Don’t run out the clock. Compete.

STAY TRUE TO YOUR GAME.