VSME Grappling Rules
- All events are pre-registration only
- All events have early bird prices, which increase the last 10 days.
- Due to Covid regulations, spots are limited. So book your spots early
- Registrations open at the beginning of each season and close 24 hours before the event.
- To participate you must have an OGA membership, which grants you access to all OGA events
- Due to Covid regulations, we no longer accept drop-in registrations
- There are no refunds for any event, but registrations may be moved from one event to another
- To transfer a registration email us at bookings@vsmeinc.com
- Competitors should ensure they present themselves in clean, odour free gear to avoid causing opponents any discomfort or unpleasant experiences
- Competitors should ensure finger and toe nails are trimmed, short and healthy
- Competitors should ensure long hair should is tied up to avoid causing opponents any discomfort
- Competitors should ensure their hair has no dye or makeup that stains opponent’s Gi or the mat surface during matches
- Competitors should ensure skin lesions or any other skin condition is directed to the on-site medical staff. Medical staff has final say on whether or not to allow an athlete to compete
- Competitors will not receive a refund if medical staff deem you cannot participate
- VSME Grappling events are all submission only with no points and no advantages
- Competitors may win, lose, or draw (draw happens when there is no winner in overtime)
- Draws grant minimal points to both competitors
- No harassment, bullying, or disrespect will be tolerated
- Every match, regardless of belt level, will be 5 minutes
- All overtime rounds will be 5 minutes
- The match will be deemed over immediately if a competitor taps out, screams, or verbally submits
- The match will be stopped if the referee believes the competitor to be in danger and in risk of serious injury without exceptions
- All submissions are legal, with the exception of:
- Scissor takedowns
- Jumping guard (sitting guard without contact is allowed)
- Slams
- Neck cranks (Japanese necktie is ok)
- Spine cranks (Twister is ok)
- Knee bars, heel hooks, slicers, and twisters are purple belt and up only. Both fighters must be purple belt or higher
- All other submissions and positions are allowed, but referees will stop any match if there is a risk of serious injury
- If the match goes out of bounds, competitors will be brought to the centre in the same position, or in the last position of control
- Winning because your opponent was disqualified, injured or was a no-show grants minimal points
- Participating in matches at our events grant you points regardless of match outcome
- Point multipliers include, but are not limited to:
- Winning the match
- Size difference
- Rank difference
- Gender difference
- Call out vs regulation matches
- VSME allows all registered competitors to call each other out. Call-outs are optional but fun!
- Competitors may call-out anyone as long as the opponent agrees to the match.
- Once both competitors agree on the call-out, let the event manager know and be ready to roll!
- All VSME Grappling events last a maximum of three hours
- All competitors are allowed to wear any colour gi or gear
- Gis will not be inspected but competitors may be asked to change or find different gear if it is dirty, not the right fit, or inappropriate
- Wearing a rash guard under the gi is optional for men and mandatory for women
- Competitors may not wear a t-shirt for no gi or under the gi
- Competitors should ensure they wear board shorts without pockets or with pockets entirely stitched shut. Shorts should reach at least halfway down the thigh and at most to the knee
- Attached metal or plastic of any kind may hurt the opponent and is forbidden
- Male competitors in NoGi may compete shirtless if desired
- Competitors may wear mouth guard, knee/elbow braces, and/or jockstrap
- Competitors may not wear ear guards, wrestling shoes, socks, shin pads, or any equipment that affects grip
- Competitors may check-in and weigh-in anytime up to at least 30 minutes before event start time
- Doors open one hour before the event scheduled start time. Use this time to change, weigh-in, warm-up and hang out
- If you miss weight, you will still be able to compete. We will adjust your weight and score you accordingly
- All competitors weigh-in without their Gi on (shorts/gi-pants and rashguard/shirtless)
- VSME Grappling events do not award medals for events
- Participating in matches at our events grant you points regardless of match outcome
- Point multipliers include, but are not limited to:
- Winning the match
- Size difference
- Rank difference
- Gender difference
- Call out vs regulation matches
- Seasons are January to June and July to December of each year