Gi Divisions: Competitors must wear a clean BJJ Gi and rashguard. For men, wearing a rashguard is optional.

No-Gi Divisions: Competitors must wear a clean rashguard and grappling shorts with no pockets or zippers, with or without spats. For men, wearing a rashguard or T-shirt is optional.

Clothing with inappropriate language or imagery is not allowed.

Finger and toenails must be trimmed short. Long hair must be securely tied up.

Footwear must be worn up to the match area and in all common areas. Bare feet only on competition mats and warm-up mats.

If an athlete is found to have skin lesions during inspection, they will be directed to the medical area. Athletes must present a medical certificate stating the lesion is not contagious and poses no risk to other competitors.

A professional medical team is available on-site at all AVA events. The medical team has the final authority to decide whether an athlete is fit to compete.

WEIGH-IN PROCEDURES

Competitors can weigh in on event day or the day before, without the Gi. A 1 kg allowance is applied to all divisions to account for home scale differences.

If a competitor does not make weight, they get one more attempt before their division starts. If they still do not make weight, they are disqualified.

For parents and coaches: children’s weight can change quickly due to growth. Monitor their weight daily for two weeks before the event to make sure they are in the right weight class.

SAFE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

AVA is committed to athlete safety and discourages unsafe weight cutting. Athletes are responsible for managing their weight safely. Coaches should guide athletes in healthy practices. If event staff or medical personnel think an athlete is dangerously dehydrated, they can step in.

Recommended practices:

Plan ahead: Monitor weight well before competition. Avoid last-minute cuts.

Stay hydrated: Maintain consistent hydration throughout training and preparation.

Cut gradually: If weight loss is needed, do it over weeks, not days.

Eat well: Follow a diet that supports training, recovery, and overall health.

Weight cut limits:

Weigh-in within 3 hours of competition: Maximum 1% body weight reduction.

Weigh-in 8+ hours before competition: Maximum 2% body weight reduction.

Weigh-in the day before competition: Maximum 3% body weight reduction.

Prohibited practices:

Severe dehydration through excessive sweating, sauna use, or diuretics.

Extreme caloric restriction leading to energy depletion.

IV rehydration after weigh-in.

Deliberate fluid restriction before weigh-in.

These guidelines ensure that AVA Submission Grappling maintains a safe, fair, and professional competition environment while promoting responsible weight management practices.

Competitors

Competitors must demonstrate respect and sportsmanship, treating opponents, referees, and event officials with dignity at all times.

Inappropriate gestures or behavior directed at anyone, including opponents, coaches, parents, or officials, are strictly prohibited.

Competitors are required to wear clean, appropriate attire specific to their division (Gi or NoGi).

Clothing with offensive language or imagery is not allowed.

Maintaining composure and emotional control is essential. While passion is encouraged, aggressive behavior is unacceptable.

Regardless of match outcomes, competitors should acknowledge their opponents’ efforts with professionalism and humility.

Referees’ decisions must be respected. Any appeals should be directed to officials respectfully and will be addressed accordingly.

Verbal remarks toward referees during matches are prohibited.

Violating the code of conduct may result in disqualification, loss of awards, or further disciplinary actions, including potential bans from future AVA events.

Parents and Spectators

Parents play a supportive role and are expected to encourage effort and a positive attitude in young competitors.

Displays of disrespect or inappropriate gestures toward anyone at the event are unacceptable.

Attire with offensive language or imagery is not permitted.

Parents and spectators must respect the opponents, their families, and their coaches, focusing on the skills demonstrated rather than personal criticism.

Cheering should be positive and avoid behavior that disrupts or interferes with the competition.

Demonstrating fairness and respect by acknowledging both competitors is essential for fostering a positive environment.

Verbal remarks toward referees during matches are prohibited.

Concerns or questions should be communicated directly with tournament organizers or officials in an appropriate manner.

Violations of this code may result in removal from the venue and possible bans from future AVA events.

Coaches

Coaches must model respect and sportsmanship, emphasizing these values to their students and peers.

Any form of inappropriate gesture or behavior toward opponents, coaches, parents, or officials is not allowed.

Coaches are expected to wear appropriate attire free of offensive language or imagery.

A thorough understanding of tournament rules is required, and coaches must ensure their students are equally informed to maintain a safe and fair environment.

Coaches should encourage camaraderie by supporting and acknowledging the efforts of all athletes, including those of opposing teams.

Sportsmanship should guide all actions and interactions. Unsportsmanlike conduct or aggression will not be tolerated.

Verbal remarks toward referees during matches are prohibited.

All concerns should be addressed to tournament organizers or officials in a respectful and professional manner.

Failure to adhere to the code of conduct may result in removal from the venue or additional disciplinary actions, including exclusion from future AVA events.

Can be appealed – wrong ruleset applied for the division, incorrect overtime starting position, outcome recorded incorrectly, or an illegal technique that should have ended the match.

Cannot be appealed – whether a tap occurred, stalling calls, whether an escape was clean, or any judgment the referee makes in the moment.

Who may appeal – the athlete, their parent or guardian, or their one registered coach.

When – on the spot or when discovered.

Process – The referee states the call once and cites the rule. If the appeal continues, it goes to the Head Referee, who rules on the spot. If it continues further, it goes to the Event Director, whose decision is final.

Error correction – If a rule was misapplied and this is identified after the result is recorded, the Event Director may correct it.

Abuse – Continuing to argue a judgment call after it has been escalated and resolved is a conduct penalty on the contesting party, who may be asked to leave immediately.

Athletes with significant experience in other grappling sports are not permitted to compete as white belts. This includes , judo black belts, freestyle or Greco-Roman wrestlers, and both professional and amateur MMA fighters.

Athletes must register and compete based on their biological sex as determined at birth. Violations may result in suspension or a ban from all AVA events.