North American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation

The North American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (NABJJF) is a growing tournament organization that hosts BJJ competitions primarily on the West Coast of the United States. Founded to provide quality competition opportunities outside the IBJJF circuit, NABJJF has established itself as a reputable organization with well-run events and competitive brackets.

NABJJF follows an IBJJF-style ruleset with belt-based divisions, making it a natural fit for academies already familiar with IBJJF competition formats. The organization offers both gi and no-gi divisions for youth and adult competitors. Events are typically held in California, with expanding coverage into other Western states. NABJJF has earned a reputation for consistent event quality, professional refereeing, and accessible pricing — making it a popular choice for West Coast academies looking for regular competition opportunities.

NABJJF follows rules closely modeled on the IBJJF standard, which makes it easy for competitors experienced with IBJJF rules to transition:

Match Structure: - Matches begin on the feet - Points are awarded for positional dominance held for 3 seconds - Advantages break ties when point scores are equal - Matches can end by submission, points, advantages, or referee decision

Stalling & Penalties: - Competitors must actively work toward a position or submission - Stalling warnings escalate through a defined penalty system - Repeated infractions result in advantages or points awarded to the opponent - Severe rule violations can result in disqualification

Submission Restrictions by Belt: - White belt: No leg locks, no wrist locks, no guillotines from guard - Blue/Purple belt: Straight ankle locks permitted, no heel hooks - Brown/Black belt: Expanded submission list (excluding heel hooks in gi)

Match lengths increase with belt level, from 4-5 minutes at white belt to 8-10 minutes at black belt.

NABJJF uses the standard IBJJF-style point system:

Advantages are awarded for: - Near-successful submission attempts - Almost-completed sweeps or guard passes - Positional threats that force a defensive reaction

Penalty Escalation: 1. First offense: Verbal warning 2. Second offense: Advantage to opponent 3. Third offense: 2 points to opponent 4. Fourth offense: Disqualification

This system is virtually identical to IBJJF, so competitors training for IBJJF events can use NABJJF tournaments as preparation without needing to learn a different ruleset. See our BJJ scoring guide for a full comparison across organizations.

NABJJF organizes divisions by belt rank, age, and weight — the same framework used by IBJJF:

Belt Divisions (Gi): - White Belt - Blue Belt - Purple Belt - Brown Belt - Black Belt

No-Gi Divisions: - Beginner (White belt equivalent) - Intermediate (Blue/Purple belt equivalent) - Advanced (Brown/Black belt equivalent)

Age Categories: - Youth (subdivided by age group) - Adult (18-29) - Master 1 (30-35) - Master 2 (36-40) - Master 3 (41-45) - Master 4 (46-50) - Master 5+ (51+)

Weight Classes: NABJJF uses standard weight divisions consistent with IBJJF classes, measured in kilograms. Weigh-ins are conducted on competition day, typically in the morning before divisions begin. Competitors must weigh in wearing their gi for gi divisions (gi adds approximately 1.5-2 kg to body weight).

NABJJF provides structured youth divisions following the BJJ belt system for children and teenagers:

Youth Belt Ranks: - White Belt - Grey Belt (with white, solid grey, and black variants) - Yellow Belt (with white, solid yellow, and black variants) - Orange Belt - Green Belt

Youth Age Groups: - Pee Wee: Ages 4-6 - Mighty Mite: Ages 7-8 - Junior: Ages 9-10 - Teen: Ages 11-12 - Juvenile: Ages 13-15 - Youth: Ages 16-17

Youth Safety Rules: - Shorter match times (3-5 minutes depending on age) - Restricted submissions — no leg locks or spine locks for younger divisions - Age-appropriate rules that expand as competitors get older - Referees trained to prioritize safety while allowing competitive matches

NABJJF youth events are a solid option for West Coast families looking for consistent, quality competition. The IBJJF-style format prepares young competitors for eventual participation in larger IBJJF events.

NABJJF hosts events throughout the year with a focus on West Coast locations:

Primary Regions: - Southern California (Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County) - Northern California (San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento) - Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington — select events) - Southwest (Arizona, Nevada — select events)

Event Format: - Typically one-day events (Saturday or Sunday) - Multiple mats running simultaneously - Gi divisions in the morning, no-gi in the afternoon - Professional referees with IBJJF certification or equivalent experience

Event Atmosphere: NABJJF events are well-organized and run efficiently. The organization maintains high standards for venue selection, referee quality, and competitor experience. Event sizes typically range from 150-500 competitors, creating competitive brackets without the overwhelming scale of major IBJJF events.

The consistent West Coast schedule makes NABJJF a reliable option for academies planning their competition calendar, and many teams use NABJJF events as preparation for IBJJF tournaments.

Registering for a NABJJF event follows a standard online process:

1. Visit the NABJJF website and browse upcoming events
2. Select your event and click through to the registration page
3. Choose your division: Gi, No-Gi, or both
4. Select your belt rank (gi) or skill level (no-gi)
5. Enter your age category and weight class
6. Complete payment online
7. Receive confirmation and event details via email

Registration Details: - Early bird pricing is usually available for registrations several weeks before the event - Late registration may be available at a higher fee - Gi requirements: White, blue, or black — must meet standard competition specifications - No-gi attire: Rash guard (must cover torso) and shorts or spats without pockets or zippers - Weigh-ins: Conducted on competition day, typically morning of the event

No federation membership required: Unlike IBJJF, NABJJF does not require a separate annual federation membership to compete.

NABJJF places emphasis on quality refereeing, which is a significant factor in the organization's reputation:

Referee Qualifications: - Referees must have competitive BJJ experience and formal referee training - Many NABJJF referees also officiate at IBJJF and other major organizations - Consistent application of rules across all mats and events

What Competitors Can Expect: - Clear communication of start, stop, and point awards - Consistent stalling calls and penalty enforcement - Priority on competitor safety — matches are stopped quickly for potential injuries - Professional demeanor and impartial judging

Dispute Resolution: If a competitor or coach disagrees with a call, there is a process for filing a formal protest. This must be done promptly and through the designated event staff. Video review may be available at select events.

Good refereeing is one of the most common positive comments about NABJJF from competitors and coaches. Consistent, fair officiating builds trust and encourages return participation — especially important for youth competitors having their first tournament experience.

Here is how NABJJF compares to other organizations popular on the West Coast:

Why Choose NABJJF? - IBJJF-quality rules without the membership requirement - Convenient West Coast locations with consistent scheduling - Professional refereeing and well-organized events - More accessible pricing than IBJJF