In IBJJF-style competition, points are scored for achieving and holding dominant positions for three seconds:
| Action | Points | |---|---| | Takedown / throw | 2 | | Guard sweep | 2 | | Knee on belly | 2 | | Guard pass | 3 | | Mount | 4 | | Back control | 4 |
If the match ends without a submission, the higher point total wins. Advantages (near-scores) break ties. The system encourages positional dominance and forward progress rather than stalling.
Not all competitions use the points system. Sub-only formats remove points entirely, requiring a submission to win.