RULES & LEVELS
Grapple & Strike Levels
UPDATES IN YELLOW
Level 5 - Light contact - no submissions, limited head shots optional (aimed at children)
Rounds 1 x 3 min round
Level 4 - Light contact - limited submission, limited head shots optional (aimed at teenagers)
Rounds 2 x 2 min rounds
Level 3 - Full contact - no head shots
Rounds 1 x 4 min round - Finals (prelims) - 2 x 3 min rounds - Fight Nights 2 x 3 min rounds - League Final & Titles - 2 x 4 min rounds
Level 2 - As level 3 with head shots standing only - no knees to the head - no elbows
Non Title Fights 2 x 4 min rounds - Title Fights 2 x 5 min rounds
Level 1 - As level 3 with head shots to the head both standing and on the ground - no knees to the head - no elbows - only punching to the head on the ground, hooking punches on the ground only, no straight line punching on the ground to the head
Non Title Fights 2 x 4 min rounds - Title Fights 2 x 5 min rounds
At the Grapple & Strike we recommend that fighters progress through the levels and step up when they are ready to do so. We also offer advanced categories for those who might wish to stay at a certain level. Once a fighter steps up to the next level the slate is wiped clean and they start again. Unless prior arrangements have been made fighters can not go backwards once they have stepped up. Although we do our best to match fighters as evenly as possible based on past and present experience, those fighters who choose to go up with lack of experience in lower levels may be offered a match with a fighter who has experience in the lower levels.
RULES
For level 4 & 5 please contact us for rules
Equipment & Entries
The following equipment is required to compete in the Grapple & Strike.
1. Up to date & valid insurance.
2. Gum shield.
3. Dipped foam shin & instep guards or Thai shin & insteps. (level 2 & 1 optional / Level 3 required in league / optional at fight nights)
4. Groin guard.
5. Knee pads. (level 3 league required / level 3, 2 & 1 fight nights optional)
6. Recognised gloves – Go & Gets, Rogue, Harbinger, Century, Viper, etc.
7. Level 3 league - If you have had three or more level 1 Grapple & Strike bouts you can not enter.
8. Level 3 league - If you have had any professional rules fights, what ever style you can not enter.
9. Level 3 league - If you have had three or more level 2 Grapple & Strike or semi professional bouts you can not enter.
10. No professional athlete's are allowed to enter the Grapple & Strike unless prior arrangements have been made.
Dress
1. No t-shirts or vests.
2. Bare top, fight tops or gi's allowed.
3. Any standard MMA gear will be allowed.
4. Fighters should look clean & tidy.
5. No foot wear allowed other than the insteps on shin & insteps and ankle straps. (No wrestling boots or martial arts shoes)
Time Limits & Scoring
1. Time above.
2. Matches are won by making your opponent submit, TKO, (level 2 & 1 KO)
3. There is a one minute time limit on the ground. After one minute the ground fight must be active, if the fight become inactive fighters will be brought back up to standing.
4. Level 3 league - Fights that go the full four minutes will be given as a draw.
5. Level 3 league - Each fighter will receive two fights.
6. Level 3 league - Fights will score for the league – three points for a win, two points for a draw, one point for entering.
7. Level 3 league - There will be three rounds before the National Championship.
8. Fight night & big show events all fights that go the distance will have judges decisions.
End of year National Championship Finals (Level 3 League)
1. The top four fighters in the league will be chosen to compete in a tournament for the amateur grapple & strike title.
2. In the event of only three being in the finals the highest scoring competitor in the league will advance straight to the final match.
3. Prelim & semi final matches will be 2 x 3 minute rounds, & final matches will be 2 x 4 minute rounds with judges decision.
4. A panel of judges will judge drawn fights.
5. In the case of a draw an extra two minutes will be fought again with judges decision.
6. Although team mates do not fight each other during the round events, they are still competing against each other. No team is allowed to have more than one fighter in any one weight division in the finals, if more than one is in the top four, the one with the highest points will go through. If fighters have equal points then it will be decided on how many events entered then wins, quickest win - then losses. If all is equal from team mates it's then up to the fighters and team coach to decide who will represent their team in the finals, if all is equal between competitors prelim bout maybe added to the finals.
Striking allowed
1. Kicking to legs inside & outside above knee only while standing & body.
2. Punching to both legs & body.
3. Kneeing to legs inside & outside & body.
4. Standing fighter may turning kick at downed opponent legs outside only.
5. Standing fighter may strike with the hands to legs & body only of a downed opponent.
6. Grounded opponent may use the heel kick to opponent’s legs and sides from the guard.
7. Grounded fighter may strike to the standing opponent with either hand or foot.
8. Level 1 - to strike to the head of a downed opponent you must be on the same level.
9. Level 2/1 - a downed opponent may strike to a standing opponents head on different levels.
10. Level 1 - only hooking type punches with the fist are allowed to the head on the floor.
Striking not allowed
1. Level 3 - No striking to the head / level 2 - no head shots on the ground / level 1 - no straight line punches to the head on the ground.
2. No knees to the head.
3. No elbows, hair-pulling, biting, eye gouging, head-butting, ear pulling or fish hooking.
4. No holding of gloves or other safety equipment of your opponent - you may grab your own.
5. No throat strikes of any kind, including grabbing the trachea or clavicle.
6. No
clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.7. No kicking to the kidney with the heel.
8. No groins shots or direct striking to the joints or spine.
9. No straight line kicking from standing fighter to grounded opponent.
10. No kicking allowed when both fighters are grounded.
11. Level 1,2 - No kicking to the head with wrestling boots on.
Grappling & submission allowed
1. All Jujutsu, Judo & Wrestling type takedowns & throws.
2. All major submissions except those listed below.
3. Fingers on hand wrist lock.
Grappling & submission not allowed
1. No throw or takedown that results in opponent landing on their heads or neck e.g. Suplexs.
2. No minor joint locks, e.g. fingers & toes, palm on hand wrist locks.
3. Limited use of the neck crank - to be explained on the day.
4. No heal hooks or any technique that puts a twisting motion on the knee, ankle or leg.
5. No throwing opponent out of the area.
Area Warnings
1. 3 warnings will be given for deliberately leaving the area - 4th occasion will result in disqualification
2. Deliberately leaving the area when in danger of being tapped out will result in disqualification
Incorrect referee's decision
In the case where a referee makes a mistake in their decision the result will stand, however if the fighter has used an illegal technique the opponent or opponents coach may object to the decision on the day only. This will be noted and once the video has been viewed by the chief referee, if he agrees the match will be then declared a no contest.
Weights
Weights
2. When weighing in, you must ensure that your weight comes within the correct weight category e.g. if you are fighting light weight, 65-70.9kg.
3. In the event of a fighter not making weight at the weigh in, a 1kg difference will be allowed with the permission of your opponent, unless a free weight bout has been agreed before the event. If a fighter is beyond the 1kg he/she must cut that weight before the match.
4. If it is a title bout and you cannot make weight this will be announced as a free weight bout and not as a title bout. In some cases of untitled bouts competitors may agree to fight opponents in different weights. These bouts will be classes as free weight.
5. You must make weight for the amateur league.
Entry fees & sign in times (Level 3 League)
1. Cost to enter a Grapple & Strike League event is £16, spectators £7.
2. Payment & entry forms for competitors must be made in advance.
3. Lack of entries may result in categories being changed.
4. Fighters should sign in at 10am. The event will start at 11am, once the draw is done late entries will have to go on the reserve list.
5. Any payments made can not be refunded.
6. ALL SPECTATORS, COACHES, CORNER MEN MUST PAY TO ENTER UNLESS PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. INSTRUCTORS BRINGING A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WILL BE GIVEN SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH TICKET SALES. TEL 01495 216606