Mindful Samurai Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu for Self-Defense
What Is Mindful Samurai Jiu-Jitsu?
Mindful Samurai Jiu-Jitsu is a safety-first, self-defense-oriented competition format for kids.
For Current Families
It’s intended to give current students and parents a competition experience that feels safer, simpler, and easier to say yes to.
For Potential New Families
We also hope it helps Jiu-Jitsu feel more approachable for families considering it for the first time.
For Local Academies
We are seeking your feedback and are grateful for your help and partnership in shaping this rule set.
"If they can touch your face when you're grappling, you're doing it wrong."
-Helio Gracie
Main Ideas
Defenders seek control, not damage.
Defenders must protect their head and face.
Self-Defense usually happens on hard ground, like concrete.
The 'Why' Behind The Rules
Matches Are Always 3 Minutes
Gives a better opportunity to showcase skills.
Older Kids: Catch, Don't Submit
The goal is control. We want kids to be able to control an aggressor without doing major damage.
Proportional Response
Proportional response is a core self-defense principle: use only the force reasonably necessary to stay safe.
Only Approved Catches
Eliminating surprise Catches makes matches safer.
Position Before Submission
Establishing a dominant position first is good self-defense.
Younger Kids: Extended Dominant Position Only
Kids younger than 8 aren't ready to decide when an armbar or choke is appropriate when off the mat.
Top Position Points
Getting on top is always a good self-defense move. It's also simpler for the students and audience to understand.
Rule Details
THE CATCH
A Catch is also known as a Submission Position.
The two approved Catches are Armbar Control and Rear Naked Choke Control.
The armbar and rear choke are two of the most powerful and commonly executed submissions in all of jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts, and translate very well for self-defense.
See more Catch details at bottom of page.
PROPORTIONAL RESPONSE
Students may generally not force a tap. They may not lift their hips for an armbar or squeeze for a choke except in proportional response to an escape attempt.
HEAD DEFENSE CHECK
From Mount, the top person may carefully place a hand on the face or forehead to provoke head-defense.
They may not force their hand into position.
Tip: You'll likely never get these points, but when the other person is forced to defend it, you'll have a better chance of getting the armbar.
POINTS DECIDE THE WINNER
After a Catch or Extended Dominant Position, the action is reset from the feet
GAINING TOP POSITION
Points are awarded any time a student gains top position from a bottom or neutral position.
This includes from Standing (takedown), Guard Bottom (sweep), Half-Guard Bottom, Side-Control Bottom, Mount Bottom etc.
You don't have to clear the guard to get top position points.
Achieving Seated Back Control (with or without hooks) whether from standing or from any other position, doesn't count as a Top Position.
Note on Pulling Guard:
Pulling guard on the street is generally not good self-defense. It also looks silly when two athletes are competing to see who can sit down first.
If a student pulls guard, sits down, or gives up top position from standing in any shape or form, the other student earns 2 points for gaining top position.
Because They're Not Great Ideas on Hard Surfaces:
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No jumping guard.
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No flying submissions.
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No jumping onto Back Control.
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No holding onto Guard when someone stands up.
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No holding onto Back Control when someone stands up.
Keeping It Clean & Safe:
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No pressure on the throat.
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Headlocks are okay, including front headlocks as long as there's no pressure applied to the throat.
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No rough face pressure.
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No Submissions — Catches only
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No points awarded for a forced tap.
Normal Rules We Are Keeping:
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No slamming.
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No striking.
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No neck or back cranks.
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If the action stalls the referee can restart the match from the feet.
What About Knee-on-Belly?
We're trying to keep the rule-set super simple, especially for our first test of it. So there's no Knee-on-Belly points.
Why Only 2 Points For Passing Guard?
Again, trying to keep it simple. Everything is 2 points except Dominant Positions (4 points) and Catches (8 points).
Catch Details
WHEN THE TAP COUNTS
If a student taps while their opponent is securing a legal Catch, the Catch counts, as long as the opponent was using controlled pressure and not cranking.
ARMBAR CONTROL - DETAILS:
- Must be achieved from Mount or Back Control
- Arm Position:
-must be isolated and extended
-not be held by the other person's other hand
-elbow of the attacked arm must be above the thigh/crotch.
-the arm may be bent.
- Recipients' back must be on the mat (no belly-down armbars)
REAR NAKED CHOKE CONTROL - DETAILS:
- Must be achieved from Back Mount or Back Control.
- Attacking arm must be under the chin.
- Elbow of the attacking arm must be directly under the chin.
What do you think?
Whether you represent a local academy, are a Jiu-Jitsu instructor, student, or a student's parent or guardian:
We are seeking community feedback and are grateful for your help and partnership in shaping this rule set.
Email us: gabe@mindfulmartialarts.org