Official FCFS Rules (Shortened Version)participation-regulations

Official FCFS Rules (Shortened Version)

Updated: 08.10.2026

Permitted Actions in FCFS
Athletes' Uniform
Refereeing Team
Procedure and Conduct of Regulation Time
Throws
Ground Fighting
Chokes and Submission Locks
Pins and Control
Actions Near the Mat Boundary
Scoring Techniques and Throws
Golden Score
Early Victory
Warnings and Penalties
Withdrawal of an Athlete from the Bout
Disqualification
Recognising Submission and Stopping the Bout (Children Under 7 and the Base Division)
Referee Gestures

1. Permitted Actions in FCFS

The following technical actions are permitted in FCFS bouts: throws, pins, chokes and submission locks, defence and counterattacks.

1.1. Chokes

In the Base division, only chokes using clothing (the jacket) and chokes in which the opponent's arm remains inside the grip (arm-in choke) are permitted.

Chokes performed with the arms without using the opponent's clothing (for example: rear naked choke, guillotine choke) are permitted only in the Pro division.

1.2. Submission Locks

In the Base division, arm locks are permitted only with pressure on the elbow joint (armbar / straight arm lock), without pressure on the shoulder joint.

In the Pro division, shoulder locks are additionally permitted (for example: kimura, americana, omoplata).

In the Base division, leg locks are permitted only with pressure on the Achilles tendon (Achilles lock / straight ankle lock).

In the Pro division, knee locks applying direct pressure to the joint without inward or outward twisting of the knee are additionally permitted (for example: kneebar, calf slicer).

When applying Achilles tendon locks, the ashi garami position is permitted only if it does not place dangerous pressure on the knee joint. Pressure must be directed exclusively at the Achilles tendon. Knee reaping is prohibited: crossing the opponent's body centreline with a leg and creating an inward twist of the knee joint.

1.3. Restrictions in Standing Positions

In the Base division, jumping entries into submissions are prohibited (for example: flying armbar, flying triangle choke). Such attacks are permitted only in the Pro division, provided the technique takes the opponent to the ground. The technique may continue after the takedown.

Submission locks and chokes may not be applied while both athletes are standing. The defending athlete must be on the ground for the technique to be applied.

The scissor throw (Kani-basami) and any throws creating an immediate risk of the opponent landing on the head or neck, or of uncontrolled pressure on the knee joint, are prohibited.

An attack must be performed with control over the opponent. Control means performing a throw in which the attacker retains control of the opponent's body and direction of the fall until landing.

An attack performed without control, or causing a dangerous fall onto the head or neck or dangerous pressure on the knee joint, may result in a penalty, warning or disqualification.

When performing overhead throws (Sumi-gaeshi), as well as shoulder throws and fireman's carries from the knees (Seoi-nage, Kata-guruma), the attacker must ensure that the opponent lands safely. Such throws must not be performed in a way that causes the opponent to land on the head or neck or prevents a safe roll.

2. Athletes' Uniform

2.1. Jacket

A standard sambo, judo or BJJ jacket of any colour, with a belt, is permitted.

The athlete called first must wear a red identification belt or band supplied by the organisers over their own belt.

2.2. Belt

A standard belt matching the jacket colour, or a belt indicating the athlete's level in FCFS or another martial art, is permitted.

2.3. Footwear

Athletes compete barefoot. Soft footwear (for example, sambo wrestling shoes) made of leather or a similar material, covering the foot and ankle, without a rigid sole or metal parts, is also permitted.

2.4. Shorts and Trousers

Loose-fitting combat or wrestling shorts that do not restrict movement are permitted, without pockets, metal parts, zips, rigid fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners or other protruding details.

Trousers intended for martial arts (for example: BJJ, judo, sambo) that do not restrict movement and have no pockets, metal parts, zips, rigid fasteners or other protruding details are permitted.

Gripping trousers is permitted. Gripping shorts is prohibited.

2.5. Rashguard

A close-fitting compression rashguard with long or short sleeves is permitted. It must have no pockets, zips or other protruding elements. Competing without a rashguard under the jacket is permitted.

2.6. Leggings

Close-fitting compression leggings are permitted. They must have no pockets, zips or other protruding elements that could be gripped.

Competing in shorts without leggings is permitted.

2.7. Additional Requirements

Equipment components capable of injuring the opponent (zips, hard pads, metal parts, etc.) are prohibited.

The athlete's uniform must be clean, serviceable and free from damage that could affect the safety of the bout.

Before the bout, the athlete must remove all jewellery (rings, earrings, chains, bracelets, watches, etc.).

3. Refereeing Team

Each FCFS bout is officiated by one referee. The chief referee is responsible for conducting the competition.

4. Procedure and Conduct of Regulation Time

The athletes are called to the competition area. The first athlete called puts on the red identification belt (band) and takes the position indicated by the referee. The second athlete takes the opposite position.

Before the bout, the athletes come to the centre of the area, shake hands and, on the referee's instruction, take a step back. The bout begins on the referee's command “Fight”.

The command “Stop” stops the bout. Unless these Rules provide otherwise, after “Stop” the bout resumes from standing on the referee's command “Fight”.

The command “Time” indicates the end of regulation time.

The bout uses effective fighting time: the clock starts on the referee's command “Fight”, and time during which the bout is stopped does not count towards regulation time.

Only technical actions and violations occurring before time expires on the scoreboard (or handheld stopwatch) are assessed. Technical actions and violations after the referee's command “Stop” or “Time” are not counted.

After announcing the result, the referee raises the winner's hand. The athletes then shake hands and leave the competition area.

5. Throws

A throw is scored according to the defending athlete's body position at the completion of the landing resulting from the throw, regardless of earlier contact with the mat by individual body parts, unless these Rules provide otherwise.

No points are awarded for an unsuccessful throw in which the attacker falls, unless there was a counterattack.

A counterthrow is a technical action in which an athlete intercepts an opponent's attack, changes its direction or stops it completely, and performs their own throw.

If the defender did not change the fall and fell together with the attacker, the throw is credited to the attacker.

Throws initiated from standing, with both athletes standing, are scored regardless of whether the attacker remains standing or goes to the ground after the throw. Landing the opponent on the back earns 4 points, on the side 2 points, and on the pelvis or abdomen 1 point.

If the attacker drops to one or both knees during a throw without stopping the movement or restructuring the attack, the throw is considered to have been performed from standing, provided the action is continuous and dynamic. If dropping to the knees is followed by a pause, a break in the continuity of the attack, or a change (restructuring) of the grip, the throw is considered to have been performed from the ground.

A throw performed by a standing athlete against a grounded opponent earns 2 points if the opponent lands on the back or side and is subsequently controlled for 5 seconds.

If such a throw lands the opponent on the pelvis or abdomen, it is not scored.

A sweep performed by a grounded athlete against a standing opponent earns 2 points, provided that after the sweep the attacker establishes and maintains control of the opponent on the back, side or pelvis for at least 5 seconds.

If both athletes are on the ground, turnovers, positional changes and other technical actions, including those classified as sweeps in other martial arts, are not scored.

A transition into a submission lock is scored as a throw only if accompanied by a throwing action that causes the opponent to lose support and fall onto the mat.

6. Ground Fighting

6.1. Transition to the Ground

Transition to the ground is permitted only after an active attacking action performed from standing. Such actions include an attempted or completed throw, and a counterattacking action that brings both athletes to the ground.

In the Pro division, submission lock and choke attacks from standing (for example: flying armbar, flying triangle choke, rolling armbar, flying kneebar) are permitted, provided the technique takes the opponent to the ground.

Submission locks and chokes may not be applied while both athletes are standing. The defending athlete must be on the ground for a submission lock or choke to be applied.

A passive transition to the ground without an attacking action (deliberately sitting down to pull guard, or pulling the opponent to the ground without attempting a throw) is prohibited and penalised as passivity.

6.2. Ground Fighting Time

The ground fighting clock starts once both athletes have transitioned to the ground.

Ground fighting time is 30 seconds in the Base division and 1 minute in the Pro division.

The clock restarts with each subsequent transition of both athletes to the ground.

If the referee has already started a pin, submission lock or choke count when ground fighting time expires, that count continues until the prescribed 5-second period is completed. If the opponent signals submission during this time, the submission is recognised in accordance with these Rules. Once the count ends, the referee commands “Stop” and the athletes return to standing.

If a submission lock or choke was recognised before the end of regulation time (the command “Time” or the gong), the count continues until the prescribed 5-second period is completed. If the opponent signals submission during this time, the submission is recognised in accordance with these Rules.

6.3. Conduct of Ground Fighting

Ground fighting continues until the allotted time expires or the referee commands “Stop”, unless these Rules provide otherwise.

Throughout ground fighting time, athletes must fight actively: attack, defend, transition between techniques or attempt to improve their position.

6.4. Grounds for Ending Ground Fighting

Ground fighting ends in the following cases:

an athlete's submission is recognised;
both athletes have moved to standing;
both athletes have left the working area;
both athletes are in a static position without active attempts to attack or defend;
the allotted ground fighting time has expired.

If the athletes remain static, the referee commands “Stop” and returns them to standing.

6.5. Initiating Submission Locks and Chokes

Submission locks and chokes may be initiated only when the defending athlete is on the ground. The attacker may be either grounded or standing.

A submission lock begins when the attacker secures the opponent's limb and creates a real threat of finishing the technique. The referee recognises the start of a submission lock with the command “Submission”, after which the count begins.

A choke begins when the attacker secures the opponent's neck and creates a threat, visible to the referee, of restricting or completely cutting off blood supply to the brain or airflow to the lungs, with the aim of forcing submission or loss of consciousness. Simulating a choke is not grounds for starting a count.

6.6. Scoring Submission Locks and Chokes

A submission lock or choke earns 1 point if, after the referee's command “Submission”, it continuously poses a real threat of completion for 5 seconds, regardless of whether the technique is maintained for longer.

If the submission lock or choke poses no real threat of completion, the referee does not start the count.

6.7. Counting Procedure

Once the count begins, the referee counts aloud: “One”, “Two”, “Three”, “Four”, “Five”.

At the end of the 5-second count, the referee commands “One Point”, awards the athlete 1 point and stops counting.

If the dangerous position remains after the point is awarded, the referee continues to indicate it by holding a clenched fist.

6.8. Awarding Further Points

No additional points are awarded for continuously maintaining the same submission lock or choke, regardless of how long it is held.

To earn another point, the athlete must transition to a different submission lock or choke that creates a new threat of completion. Once the new technique is recognised, the referee starts a new count.

The exception is the situation provided for in clause 6.10 of these Rules.

There is no limit on the number of different submission locks and chokes that can score points during a single ground fighting period.

6.9. Stopping and Restarting the Count

If the threat of completion disappears before the 5-second count ends, the referee stops counting.

If the threat reappears, the count restarts with “One”.

6.10. The Defending Athlete Rising to Standing

If, after the count has started but no earlier than 3 seconds into it, the defending athlete rises to standing to escape a submission lock or choke, and the referee has continued to recognise the dangerous position without stopping the count, the athlete applying the technique receives 1 point.

If the defending athlete rises to standing before 3 seconds have elapsed from the start of the count, no points are awarded.

If the defending athlete rises to standing after the full 5-second count has ended and the referee has continued to indicate the dangerous position with a clenched fist, the athlete applying the technique receives an additional 1 point for the opponent's escape to standing from a dangerous position.

6.11. Applying Techniques During a Transition to Standing

A leg lock must be stopped immediately when the defending athlete moves to standing and assumes a stable position.

An arm lock must be stopped as soon as the attacker fully moves to standing (both feet on the mat and the body completely off the mat).

A choke must be stopped as soon as the defending athlete moves to standing.

6.12. Submission Signal During a Submission Lock

A submission lock is considered completed if the defending athlete signals submission.

The following are submission signals:

a clear cry;
repeated tapping on the mat with a hand or foot;
repeated tapping on one's own body;
repeated tapping on the opponent's body.

Any cry by an athlete subjected to a submission lock is considered a submission signal.

In the Base division, a submission lock is also considered completed if the referee observes full extension of the elbow joint creating an obvious threat of injury.

6.13. Submission Signal During a Choke

The following are submission signals during a choke:

any clear cry;
a rasping sound;
repeated tapping on the mat with a hand or foot;
repeated tapping on one's own body;
repeated tapping on the opponent's body.

6.14. Stoppage at an Athlete's Request

A request to stop the bout by an athlete subjected to a submission lock or choke is treated as a submission signal unless it is caused by the opponent violating these Rules.

6.15. Recognising Submission

The referee recognises submission with the command “Stop, Submission Done”.

The bout stops immediately once submission is recognised.

An athlete receives 6 points for forcing the opponent to submit with a submission lock or choke.

After announcing the result, the referee awards the points and returns the athletes to standing.

6.16. Submission After the Count Ends

If submission occurs after the full 5-second count has ended, the maximum score of 6 points is likewise awarded for that submission lock or choke.

Additional points previously awarded for that technique are not retained.

6.17. Leaving the Working Area

If an athlete deliberately leaves the working area together with the opponent to escape a submission lock or choke, while the referee is still counting or indicating the dangerous position with a clenched fist, the athlete applying the technique receives 1 point.

6.18. Both Athletes Leaving the Working Area

If both athletes leave the working area as a result of active mutual ground fighting, no points are awarded.

The referee commands “Stop”, after which the athletes return to standing.

7. Chokes and Submission Locks

7.1. Permitted Categories of Chokes

All types of chokes are permitted within their respective divisions (with and without clothing, using arms and legs); the full list of permitted actions is provided in the official FCFS rules.

7.2. Prohibited Chokes and Submission Locks

Chokes in which the main pressure is on the opponent's chin or lower jaw instead of the neck;
Chokes involving twisting, excessive bending, hyperextension or other dangerous pressure on the cervical spine;
Chokes using the belt;
Chokes performed by directly squeezing the opponent's neck with the fingers or hand;
Compressing the opponent's neck, chest or torso with crossed legs by straightening them, creating dangerous pressure on the neck, ribs or spine;
Jerking or excessively aggressive chokes performed with sudden movements that create a risk of neck or spinal injury;
Submission locks on fingers, toes and wrists;
Twisting locks on the foot and ankle joint (for example: Heel Hook, Toe Hold, Heel Lock, Twisting Foot Lock);
Knee locks applying lateral or rotational pressure outside the joint's natural plane of movement;
Submission pressure on the spine, including neck crank, twister and similar techniques, and any actions causing dangerous twisting or hyperextension of the spine.

8. Pins and Control

8.1. Starting the Pin Count

The pin count starts on the referee's command “Hold” when the attacker presses their torso firmly against the opponent's torso (or the opponent's arms pressed against the torso) and holds the opponent on the shoulder blades.

The referee extends an arm palm down and counts with arm movements: “One”, “Two”, “Three”, “Four”, “Five”. On “Five — One Point”, the attacker receives 1 point.

A pin interrupted before the 5-second count ends is not scored.

8.2. Control Positions

Mount and Back Control are scored regardless of whether the opponent is on the shoulder blades and how closely the attacker's torso presses against the opponent's torso.

The count starts on the referee's command “Hold” once the relevant position is established.

Mount is established when the attacker is on top, controls the opponent and has both knees on the mat on either side of the opponent's torso.

Back Control is established when the attacker controls the opponent's back with two leg hooks or leg control in a body triangle.

8.3. Scoring Pins and Control Positions

A pin, Mount and Back Control earn 1 point for maintaining the relevant position continuously for 5 seconds.

There is no limit on the number of pins and control positions that may be scored during a bout.

The same pin or control position is scored only once for each transition of the athletes to the ground.

8.4. Ending a Pin

A pin or control position is considered interrupted if:

the held athlete moves onto the chest, abdomen or buttocks (but not the lower back), with an angle exceeding 90° between the back at shoulder-blade level and the mat;
the hold becomes insufficiently tight to control the opponent's torso effectively and restrict movement;
either the attacker or defender transitions to a submission lock or choke;
both athletes leave the working area;
the held athlete establishes Guard, Half Guard, a leg entanglement, or wraps both legs around the holding athlete's leg, regardless of the depth or strength of the grip.

8.5. Submission During a Pin

If the held athlete signals submission during a pin or control position, the submission is recognised in accordance with these Rules.

A request to stop the bout by an athlete being pinned is treated as a submission signal unless caused by the opponent violating these Rules.

8.6. A Pin at the End of Time

If a pin or control position was recognised before the end of regulation time (the command “Time” or the gong), and also before ground fighting time expires, the count continues until the prescribed 5-second period is completed.

If the held athlete signals submission during this time, the submission is recognised in accordance with these Rules.

9. Actions Near the Mat Boundary

Athletes must not deliberately leave the competition area without the referee's permission.

With the referee's permission, an athlete may leave the competition area to bring their equipment into compliance with these Rules.

An “out of bounds” position is recognised if:

while standing, both athletes have stepped with both feet outside the working area;
on the ground, both athletes are outside the working area;
on the ground, an athlete is in contact with the surface outside the mat's safety area.

The referee determines whether a position is “out of bounds”. In disputed cases, the chief referee makes the final decision.

After the referee commands “Stop”, the athletes return to the centre of the competition area and resume the bout from standing.

A throw (counterthrow) initiated within the working area and completed outside it but within the safety area is scored provided the defending athlete's entire torso is within the safety area after landing.

A throw (counterthrow) completed outside the safety area is not scored if any part of the defending athlete's torso lies beyond it.

A throw initiated after an “out of bounds” position has been recognised is not scored.

Pins, submission locks and chokes may be initiated, continued and scored as long as at least part of one athlete's body is within the working area and the other athlete's body is entirely within the mat's safety area.

10. Scoring Techniques and Throws

Technical actions are assessed by the referee in accordance with these Rules.

The maximum score for a single technical action is 6 points.

6 Points

(straight arm raised, open palm)

Awarded for the opponent's submission resulting from:

a submission lock;
a choke;
a pin.

When 6 points are awarded for the opponent's submission, points previously awarded for that submission lock, choke or pin are cancelled. The total score for the technical action is 6 points.

4 Points

(bent arm raised, four fingers)

Awarded for a throw performed with both athletes standing, if the opponent lands on the back or in a bridge position.

2 Points

(bent arm raised, two fingers)

Awarded for:

a throw performed with both athletes standing, if the opponent lands on the side or in a half-bridge position;
a sweep performed by a grounded athlete that takes a standing opponent to the ground, with the opponent remaining under the attacker's control for at least 5 seconds;
a throw performed by a standing athlete against a grounded opponent, if the opponent lands on the back or side and remains under the attacker's control for at least 5 seconds.

Control means holding the opponent on the back, side or pelvis while maintaining contact with the mat surface.

1 Point

(bent arm raised, thumb)

Awarded for:

a throw performed with both athletes standing, if the opponent lands on the pelvis or abdomen;
the first official penalty given to an athlete (1 point is awarded to the opponent);
a pin lasting at least 5 seconds;
maintaining Mount for at least 5 seconds;
maintaining Back Control for at least 5 seconds;
securing a submission lock or choke that creates a real threat of completion and is maintained continuously for 5 seconds;
the opponent's escape to standing from a dangerous submission lock or choke in the circumstances provided for by these Rules;
the opponent's deliberate exit from the working area to escape a submission lock or choke in the circumstances provided for by these Rules.

11. Golden Score

If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, an additional period (“Golden Score”) lasting 2 minutes is awarded.

During this additional period, the bout continues until the first successful technical action worth 1 point or more, or until an official penalty is given to an athlete.

If there are no scoring technical actions or official penalties during additional time, the referee decides the winner.

12. Early Victory

Early victory is awarded in the following cases:

an athlete is the first to reach 12 points, regardless of the score difference;
the opponent is withdrawn from the bout;
the opponent is disqualified.

13. Warnings and Penalties

13.1. Warning

For a minor violation of these Rules, the referee may issue only an oral warning.

A warning does not affect the score and is not entered in the official bout record.

If the athlete continues to violate the Rules or fails to correct the violation after a warning, the referee issues an official penalty.

13.2. Official Penalties and Their Consequences

When determining a disciplinary measure, the referee considers the nature and danger of the violation, the athlete's intent, repetition of the violation and its effect on the bout.

Official penalties are announced by the referee and entered in the official bout record.

Penalties apply only during the current bout.

Consequences of penalties:

first penalty — the opponent receives 1 point;
second penalty — the opponent receives 2 points;
third penalty — the athlete is disqualified and the opponent is awarded early victory.

An official penalty may be given for the following violations:

Passive fighting:

avoiding grips;
refusing to attack;
deliberately wasting time;
pretending to fight;
a false attack (going to the ground without a genuine attempt to attack and without causing the opponent to lose balance).

Mat boundary violations:

repeatedly and deliberately leaving the working area;
deliberately pushing the opponent out of the working area without attempting a throw.

Equipment violations:

deliberately breaching uniform requirements;
rolling up sleeves;
untying the belt;
untying shoelaces;
removing wrestling shoes without the referee's permission.

Violations of bout procedure:

arguing with the referee or chief referee;
unsporting conduct;
failure to follow the referee's commands.

Prohibited grips:

deliberately gripping shorts;
deliberately gripping the inside of wrestling shoes or the lacing;
deliberately gripping the opponent's fingers or toes.

Prohibited technical actions that do not create an immediate threat of serious injury:

Knee Reaping;
Heel Hook, Toe Hold, Twisting Foot Lock and other prohibited submission locks;
prohibited pressure on the spine or neck (Neck Crank, Twister and similar techniques);
submission locks on fingers, toes and wrists;
applying a submission lock or choke while the defending athlete is standing;
continuing a submission lock or choke after the referee's command “Stop”;
performing Kani Basami;
performing a technique prohibited for the athlete's division or age category.

13.3. Late Arrival for a Bout

The time count starts with the athlete's first official call.

The following sanctions apply for late arrival:

30 seconds — first penalty;
90 seconds — second penalty;
120 seconds — disqualification.

14. Withdrawal of an Athlete from the Bout

An athlete is withdrawn from the bout by decision of the chief referee based on a doctor's assessment if injury, illness, vomiting or other medical reasons prevent continued participation.

An athlete is also withdrawn if the maximum permitted time for medical assistance (2 minutes) is exceeded.

Once the decision is made, the bout ends immediately and the opponent is awarded early victory.

15. Disqualification

The referee may immediately stop the bout and disqualify an athlete without prior penalties if a violation is gross or creates an immediate threat of serious injury.

Grounds for disqualification include:

Slam — deliberately dropping the opponent onto the mat to escape a submission lock or choke;
deliberately throwing the opponent onto the head, neck or back of the head;
performing Seoi-nage, Sumi-gaeshi, Kata-guruma and similar throws in a way that causes the opponent to land on the head or neck and prevents a safe roll;
deliberately striking with the hands, feet, elbows or head;
deliberate biting, scratching or other injurious actions;
injuring the opponent through a prohibited technical action if that injury prevents the opponent from continuing the bout;
pressure on the eyes, covering the nose or mouth, Fish Hooking, throat grips placing direct pressure on the trachea or larynx, pressure or strikes to the groin;
aggressive, obscene, insulting or provocative actions towards the opponent, referee, chief referee, other competition officials or spectators;
deliberately performing any prohibited technical action that creates an immediate threat of serious injury.

The referee makes the final decision on the disciplinary sanction.

Upon disqualification, the bout ends immediately and the disqualified athlete's opponent is awarded early victory.

16. Recognising Submission and Stopping the Bout (Children Under 7 and the Base Division)

Submission is recognised when an athlete gives a clear submission signal: repeated tapping with a hand or foot on the opponent or mat, or a clear vocal signal.

The referee must immediately stop the bout and recognise a technical submission if a permitted submission lock or choke reaches a position in which further application creates an immediate risk of injury.

Such situations include, in particular:

full extension of the elbow joint during a permitted arm lock;
loss of active defence during a choke;
signs of loss of consciousness or inability to continue defending safely.

If a permitted technique is applied in a way that places dangerous pressure on a joint, the neck or spine, but the violation is neither gross nor deliberate, the referee commands “Stop”, stops the technique and resumes the bout from standing without a disciplinary sanction.

If the action is gross, deliberate or clearly dangerous, including excessive force or use of a prohibited technical action, the referee immediately commands “Stop” and applies a disciplinary sanction in accordance with these Rules.

17. Referee Gestures

All referee gestures are described in detail in the full version of the official FCFS rules.

All rules

Official FCFS Rules (Shortened Version)