Our in-house tournament for white and blue belts is BACK – and this time we’re doing a FULL WEEKEND, and getting the kids involved!
This is happening in two weeks, with the kids competing on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 10:30 a.m. (rules meeting) and 11 a.m. (first match)! The adults will compete on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 10:30 a.m. (rules meeting) and 11 a.m. (first match). It’s going to be really fun.
Regular classes are officially canceled those days (although if folks want those classes to stay on, I’m open to it for sure). Spectators are welcome at the tournament, including friends and family. These are always exciting, positive, and productive events.
The purpose: To provide a competitive experience that gets people practice under a common competitive ruleset. Competition is valuable, and there are not a ton of opportunities to compete, so this is a chance for folks to get their feet wet internally.
The Quintet: We’re bringing back the Quintet bracket! This was a super-fun format last time. We have two teams that I know are interested at least, but there’s to to add more. If you have questions, please message me – there’s still time to get you in. Also, let me know you’d like to be a Quintet backup when you fill out the form.
Sign up here for the kids event
Sign up here for the adult event
The rules: For the non-Quintet matches, both gi and no-gi divisions will follow IBJJF rules. These are the rules used at the most popular tournament in Washington, the Revolution. There’s a move legality chart here.
If you want more detail: Here are the complete IBJJF rules. We also go over rulesets at the pre-event rules meeting!
For the Quintet matches, we will follow Quintet rules, but no heel hooks or reaping the knee will be allowed. Ankle locks, toe holds and knee bars will be allowed. Bicep slicers are allowed too I guess. Jumping guard is not allowed at any level.
The weight classes: We will not do weigh-ins. For both adults AND kids, we will group people in pods that are closest in walking around weight. When you sign up, give us your best estimate of what you walk around at first thing in the morning. We don’t want people cutting weight for this. We want you natural, healthy, hydrated and acai-free if you dig me.
The matches: Everyone will be guaranteed at least a few matches. Whether this means we do a double-elimination bracket or a round robin depends on signups and interest. But you’ll get matches!
The times: All matches will be 5 minutes, and so will all Quintet rounds. Is this because I don’t want to figure out how to change the timer settings? Mind your own business.
The other details: This is only open to Bellingham BJJ students ranked white or blue belt, and perhaps some of our friends at other schools to fill out the divisions. There is no cost to participate. Black and brown belts will referee all the matches. We’re encouraging people to take it seriously but also have a great time. Yes, there will be snacks there.
If you’re competing and have an instructor that you’d like to coach you, ask that instructor!
What’s QUINTET?: Competitors will get a break in between the gi and nogi divisions, so we will feature an exciting nogi team match.
The teams will select one grappler to start.
They will engage in a submission only grappling round: They will be 7 minute rounds, to submission, or “To The Pain,” whichever comes first.
If someone taps, they are eliminated, and their team picks a new person to jump in. If the time expires with no submission, BOTH grapplers are eliminated. Strategy!
The team that has the last grappler(s) standing wins.
That’s the basics. Spectators are welcome. I expect we’ll go until about noon.
We’ll probably do cool prizes. We did last time. It’s gonna be great! Invite your friends! Come on out!
SCHEDULE (most likely)
Quintet
Gi Matches
Quintet
Nogi Matches
Quintet
This is gonna be fun. Thanks for being part of it!
Also, if you’re not a white or blue belt, or you won this tournament last time, let me know if you’d want me to match you on a Quintet team for an intermission spectacle.