Kids BJJ Submission Rules Comparison

IBJJF (Kids)

IBJJF is generally the most restrictive youth ruleset and prioritises safety through age and belt-based submission restrictions.

Commonly Allowed

✅ Straight Armbar

✅ Kimura

✅ Americana

✅ Rear Naked Choke

✅ Cross Collar Choke

✅ Bow & Arrow Choke

✅ Triangle Choke

✅ Ezekiel Choke

✅ Straight Ankle Lock (available within youth rulesets)

Commonly Prohibited

❌ Heel Hooks

❌ Toe Holds

❌ Kneebars

❌ Calf Slicers

❌ Bicep Slicers

❌ Twisters

❌ Cervical Locks / Neck Cranks

❌ Wrist Locks (for most youth divisions)

❌ Knee Reaping

❌ Any twisting leg lock submission

Parent Takeaway

IBJJF focuses heavily on positional control and traditional submissions while removing most high-risk leg attacks.

NAGA (Kids)

NAGA separates competitors by age and experience level. Some submissions become available as athletes move into more advanced divisions.

Typically Allowed

✅ Armbars

✅ Kimuras

✅ Americanas

✅ Rear Naked Chokes

✅ Guillotines

✅ Triangle Chokes

✅ Cross Collar Chokes

✅ Straight Ankle Locks (depending on division)

Typically Not Allowed for Youth

❌ Heel Hooks

❌ Twisters

❌ Cervical Cranks

❌ Knee Reaping

❌ Most advanced twisting leg locks

❌ Dangerous spinal attacks

Parent Takeaway

NAGA often gives slightly more submission options than IBJJF depending on experience level, while still excluding the highest-risk techniques. 

Grappling Industries (Kids)

Grappling Industries generally follows a youth-friendly submission structure and is popular because competitors often receive multiple matches. 

Commonly Allowed

✅ Armbar

✅ Kimura

✅ Americana

✅ Triangle

✅ Rear Naked Choke

✅ Guillotine

✅ Collar Chokes

✅ Basic shoulder locks

Commonly Prohibited

❌ Heel Hooks

❌ Toe Holds

❌ Kneebars

❌ Twisters

❌ Neck Cranks

❌ Spinal Locks

❌ Knee Reaping

Parent Takeaway

For most kids, Grappling Industries rules feel similar to IBJJF with a strong focus on safe submissions and gaining competition experience. 

ADCC (Youth)

ADCC is the most submission-focused ruleset and generally allows a broader range of submissions than traditional youth gi competitions. However, youth divisions still have restrictions compared with adult advanced divisions.

Commonly Allowed

✅ Armbars

✅ Kimuras

✅ Americanas

✅ Wrist Locks (in some advanced divisions)

✅ Guillotines

✅ Triangles

✅ Rear Naked Chokes

✅ Darce Chokes

✅ Anaconda Chokes

✅ Straight Ankle Locks

Commonly Restricted for Youth

❌ Heel Hooks

❌ Twisters

❌ Dangerous Cervical Cranks

❌ Spinal Locks

❌ Certain advanced leg entanglement attacks

❌ Knee Reaping (youth divisions)

Parent Takeaway

ADCC encourages submission hunting and attacking grappling more than the traditional IBJJF model, making it a favourite among No-Gi competitors. 

Quick Reference Table