The 6th edition of the United Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Tournament is starting to heat up!

We have a NEW PROCEDURAL changes for the United Gracie Tournament 2006. These changes were made to allow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to remain as realistic and close to this philosophy as possible. The purpose of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to submit or completely dominate your opponent.
These changes also have the potential to increase the action of the matches as well as enjoyment of spectators.

The United Gracie will be reintroducing the team competition to the tournament. The top five schools will receive Team trophies to display in their respective academies. Individual competitors, are still responsible for their own registration and payment, neither payment nor registration will be accepted through your coach.

Every year the United Gracie Tournament tries, if possible, to create a totally new feature to our tournament. Our objective is to always welcome innovation in the interest of the continued growth of Jiu-Jitsu. We are not afraid to try something that is not seen at any other Jiu-Jitsu tournament.

* ADULT WHITE BELT NOVICE DIVISION:
The regular white belt divisions for more experienced students will still be part of this tournament.

This year we will have something new and exciting. Instead of just the regular traditional general divisions for each belt, we will also have the new "ADULT WHITE BELT NOVICE DIVISION". We want to give beginners a chance to compete and enjoy the atmosphere as a competitor and not just a spectator. This will be a specifically for those adult students who have just begun to study the Art of Jiu-Jitsu. To qualify for the Adult White Belt Novice Division. We will require a signed declaration from the participant's Academy itself that testifies to each entrants experience being no more than six months. The cut off date for having started at their academy will be 11/01/2005. A competitor MUST have no more than SIX MONTHS of Jiu-Jitsu training. NO EXCEPTIONS! We are doing this solely to provide a special competition to students who are just starting out and who might not have an interest in competing against students who are far more advanced at grappling. We do not want advanced White Belt Jiu-Jitsu practitioners entering the United Gracie Tournament and taking advantage of inexperienced BJJ students.
Our purpose is to give true beginners of roughly equal knowledge of, and abilities in, the sport of Jiu-Jitsu a chance to experience a real tournament free of the concerns of competing against advanced practitioners.
The Adult White Belt Novice Division will be divided into sub divisions with respect to weight, age (adult, master and seniors); but all competitors will simply be White Belts with no more than SIX MONTHS training. Of course, we will still have all the same traditional WHITE Belt divisions for experienced students and practitioners but we always look for ways to help NEW students develop and grow in the sport.
Remember that the ADULT WHITE BELT NOVICE DIVISION will be for the Adult Competitors of six months or less experience only!

Our preliminary discussions with various Academies, who have had their students compete in prior United Gracie Tournaments and other Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, has indicated a surprisingly large amount of interest. This could be come a perennial event.

* OPEN DIVISION / CHAMPION OF THE CHAMPION:

The United Gracie Tournament has eliminated the “REGULAR OPEN DIVISION” and will replace it with the “CHAMPION OF THE CHAMPIONS” division. This will be a championship within each ADULT belt division. To qualify for the Champion of the Champions a competitor MUST take 1st or 2nd place in their weight division. The Champion of the Champions division will have two weight classes, (181.0 lbs and under) / (181.1 lbs and over). White Belts will compete against other White Belts, Blue Belts compete against Blue Belts, etc...
All the Champion of the Champions for each division will be awarded with a champion’s belt and a New GI.
Remember that the Champion of the Champions will be for the Adult Male Competitors Only!

The best Jiu-Jitsu fighters, competitors and all of the Academies will be present and fighting to show our strength and conquer our share of Gold! When you follow up a tournament of this magnitude then you better have some great things lined up as well.

* ADVANTADGE:

The United Gracie Tournament has eliminated the “ADVANTADGE” system for scoring all matches and will replace it with the “SUDDEN DEATH” system.
If at the end of the match the score is tied between both fighters the referee will restart the match and they will then enter into Sudden Death Overtime. Sudden Death overtime is 2 minutes for White, Blue, and Purple Belts, and 3 minutes for Brown and Black Belts. During the Sudden Death overtime, the fighter to score the FIRST POINT of any type is declared the immediate winner and the match is over. We have implemented this system to satisfy participants, observers and our desire to have the fairest outcome for all competitors.
* This rule applies to all junior and adult male and female divisions and ranks in the tournament.

* SUDDEN DEATH:

Sudden Death overtime is 2 minutes for White, Blue, and Purple Belts, and 3 minutes for Brown and Black Belts.
During the Sudden Death Overtime, the fighter to score the FIRST POINT of any type is declared the immediate winner and the match is over. If no score is made by either fighter during the Sudden Death Overtime, then the referee will then determine and declare the winner of the match.
* This rule applies to all juniors and adults male and female divisions and belt ranks in the tournament.

* MATCH QUEUING CARD SYSTEM:

This system has been used successfully for the last 4 years to help our tournament operate smoothly and efficiently and in a timely manner. Competitors have been very pleased with this system because it lets them know exactly where and when their next match is.
After you pass the check-in table you will receive a Match Queuing Card with your name, mat number to report to, and match number for your first fight. If you are the winner of your match the scoring table will issue you another card with the same information for your next match. Keep your card with you at ALL TIMES as you will not be allowed in the competition area with out it.
* This system applies to all junior and adult male and female divisions and ranks in the tournament.

* SCORING SYSTEM:

In order to receive the points the competitor must have control of your opponent for 3 seconds. Once you have the opponent controlled you will receive points. It is every important that the competitors keep an eye on the score board and the time so that the competitor can keep track of the fight.

• Throws and Takedowns ----------------- 2 points
• Knee on the Stomach -------------------- 2 points
• Sweep & Reverse from the Guard ----- 2 points
• Passing the Guard ------------------------ 3 points
• Front Mount Position -------------------- 4 points
• Back Mount Position -------------------- 4 points
• Tap-Out – End of Match. The competitor is declared the immediate winner.
• ** Sudden Death applies if score is tied at the end of match (see above for Sudden Death definition)
** This rule applies to all junior and adult male and female divisions, and belt ranks in the tournament.

* GI / KIMONO:

All competitors must wear a SOLID colored Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu GI (Kimono), either ALL WHITE or ALL BLUE in color. NO OTHER COLORS OF ANY KIND! No mixing of colors. Example; white pants and blue top or blue pants and white top, etc… will NOT be allowed.
Competitors will compete with regulation GIs only. A regulation GI is four fingers cuff clearance and sleeves are to be no shorter than 4” from wrist between wrist and sleeve of GI.
All male competitors are not allowed to wear any clothing underneath the GI including T-Shirts, Rash Guard, Sweatpants, etc…

* REGISTRATION & PAYMENT:

You can make your registration ON-LINE or by MAIL! Your registration and payment must be done at the same time. We are only accepting registration with payments.

Registration by MAIL: Make sure it is POSTED no later than April 27th. The Competitor MUST submits an” Individual Competitor Registration Form”, “Signed Waiver “and the “Registration Fee” at the same time. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Send completed Individual Competitor Registration Form, Signed Waiver Liability and PAYMENT to:

Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
7340 Mission St., Daly City, CA 94014
Phone: (650) 756-7579 / Fax: (650) 756-1260

Registration ON-LINE: The Registration On-Line and the Registration Fee MUST be submitted at WWW.UNITEDGRACIE.COM at the same time. NO EXCEPTIONS!
For more information: BJJTournaments@UnitedGracie.com or visit us at WW.UNITEDGRACIE.COM

* WEIGH-INS TIME AND LOCATION:

Competitors, please note that weigh-ins will be conducted on the day of the tournament and on the mat before your first fight WITH THE GI ON. Remember! In the weight list the “GI” weight is already added, so make sure you are in the correct division.

* WEIGHT CLASSES: (WITH GI ON)

Be aware that ALL COMPETITORS must show up at weigh-in with his/her GI ON. In the weight list the “GI” weight is already added, so make sure you are in the correct division. All competitors MUST bring a valid form of identification at the time of weigh-in.

CHILDREN: Age 4 to 15 years old. ALL KIDS must WEIGH-IN. We will have NEW weight divisions for all children. Children’s brackets are based on Weight Division, Age, and Belt Rank.

WOMEN: The weight divisions are divided into NINE (9) divisions.

* QUICK CHECK-IN (Fast Way): Day before the tournament / Friday, May 5th

Competitors have the option of picking up the required “Competitor’s Package” (Event Entry Tickets, Queuing Card, Waiver Liability, and Tournament T-Shirt) the day before the tournament if they wish. This will allow them to bypass the normal line for the competitors at the check-in table the day of the tournament, and enter directly into the tournament site without waiting in line.
You can pick up the competitor’s package the day before the tournament at:

Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
7340 Mission Street, Daly City, CA 94014
Time: 10:00am to 1:00pm / 3:00pm to 8:00pm

* ABOUT OPEN DIVISION / CHAMPION OF THE CHAMPIONS:

The United Gracie Tournament has eliminated the “REGULAR OPEN DIVISION” and will replace it with the “CHAMPION OF THE CHAMPIONS” division. This will be a championship within each ADULT belt division. To qualify for the Champion of the Champions a competitor MUST take 1st or 2nd place in their weight division. The Champion of the Champions division will have two weight classes, (181.0 lbs and under) / (181.1 lbs and over). White Belts will compete against other White Belts, Blue Belts compete against Blue Belts, etc...
Remember that the Champion of the Champions will be for the Adult Male Competitors Only!

* COACHING CORNER:

ATTENTION: A Coach must submit an” Individual Coach Registration Form” to receive a coaching pass.
Only Coach / Instructors will be allowed in the coaching corner and they must show a coaching pass to access this area. A Coach must submit an “Individual Coach Registration Form” to receive a coaching pass.
Coach / Instructors Must be a Brown Belt or higher. Coaches or Instructors may accompany competitors onto the competition area, and MUST leave the competition area immediately after the competitor’s match.
A chair will be placed on two corners of the mat for coaches – one for each competitor’s coach. The coach must remain seated, and no moving of the chair from its predetermined location is NOT allowed. Coaches must obey the referee’s commands at all times. Failure to follow these rules may result in the PENALTY of the COMPETITOR being coached!
Just to remind everyone, 3 penalties will result in competitor’s disqualification. Any complaints regarding referees should be directed to the “Chief Referee” AFTER THE MATCH.
The following activities from a coach may result in a penalty:
* Arguing with the referee.
* Failure to remain seated on chair at all the time.
* Encouraging illegal techniques.
* Moving of Coach’s chair.
* Unsportsmanlike-like conduct by coaches may result in competitor disqualification.

* REFEREES:

All referees MUST be a Black Belt. A referee should always respect fair play. He should see that all competitors display their techniques to the best of their ability. It is not enough for a referee to mechanically conduct a match. He must exert his best efforts in each match to conduct the match smoothly and professionally so that the results can be satisfactory to all parties. A referee must always do his best make a just decision and accept the full responsibility for that decision. A referee must be impartial and non-bias to all competitors, and never favoring one competitor over another. A referee will communicate instructions in English.

* ACCESS TO THE COMPETITION AREA:

Competition Area Access to non-competitors will be restricted to Promoters, Volunteers, Referees, Coaches, and Instructors with the proper identification pass. Coaches / Instructors may accompany competitors onto the competition area, and must leave the area immediately after the competitor’s match.

* VOLUNTEERS:

In order to run a smooth and organized tournament, the tournament organizers reserve the right to choose volunteers and reassignment.

The brothers Charles and Ralph Gracie stated:
"The United Gracie Tournament has been going strong for the last 5 years and has been a big success and gets bigger and better every year. This year is going to be no different! The best Jiu-Jitsu fighters and the spectators are patiently waiting to view one of the most completive and skillful Jiu-Jitsu contests".
The “United Gracie Crew Members” is very excited to bring you the following changes to the Tournament in May 6th, 2005 for the benefit of all involved

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (650) 756-7579 or by email at BJJTournaments@UnitedGracie.com