NJJF may combine or separate divisions based on registration turnout to ensure fair and competitive matches. Female youth competitors (17 and under) are typically bracketed with male competitors; however, you may request female-only matchups during registration. While we’ll do our best to accommodate, availability is not guaranteed.
No-Gi Divisions
No-Gi skill levels are based primarily on a competitor’s total grappling experience and training time:
Competitors with significant prior grappling or MMA experience may not enter the Beginner division, regardless of the amount of time they have specifically trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Gi Divisions
Gi competitors must compete at their current belt rank.
Division Adjustments
NJJF reserves the right to combine or separate divisions when necessary based on registration, age, weight, skill level, or other competitive considerations.
Youth competitors are divided into two primary age groups:
Within each group, competitors are generally organized into two-year age brackets whenever possible to help create fair and competitive divisions.
Bracket format is determined by the number of competitors in each division:
These formats apply to all ages and skill levels.
No-Gi Divisions
No-Gi skill level is based primarily on total training time and grappling experience.
Athletes with prior experience in wrestling, judo, or other grappling disciplines should compete in the Intermediate or Advanced division, depending on experience level.
Gi Divisions
Gi competitors must compete at their current belt rank.
Youth Divisions
All youth competitors, ages 17 and under, are grouped within their appropriate age, weight, and skill or belt divisions.
Division Adjustments
NJJF reserves the right to combine or separate divisions when necessary based on registration and competitive balance.