COMBAT SAMBO LEAGUE
OFFICIAL COMBAT SAMBO COMPETITION RULES
Youth Division (Ages 14–17) · Inter-Gym Competitions
1. Athlete Eligibility
All participants must:
• Be between fourteen (14) and seventeen (17) years of age.
• Complete all registration requirements, sign all required consent forms, and pass a medical screening prior to
participation.
• Have proof of a recent ophthalmological examination (eye examination) and provide it to Combat Sambo League
upon request.
• Have required blood test results demonstrating clearance for participation, and provide them upon request.
• Meet all medical requirements established by Combat Sambo League.
• Have active medical insurance coverage for the entire period of participation in competition. Participation without
active insurance is not permitted.
• Have a coach and an authorized adult accompanying the athlete (a parent/legal guardian, or a person authorized in
writing by the parent/legal guardian) who are responsible for the athlete's health and safety during training, weighins, competition, and all other League events.
Limitation of Liability
• Combat Sambo League, its organizers, officials, and referees are not liable for any injury or other harm to an
athlete's health sustained during training, weigh-ins, competition, or any other League event. Responsibility for the
athlete's health, clearance to compete, and required medical documentation and insurance rests with the athlete's
coach and the authorized adult accompanying the athlete.
• Registration for participation in League events constitutes voluntary acceptance, by the athlete, the athlete's coach,
and the authorized adult, of all risks associated with participating in Combat Sambo, including the risk of serious
injury.
2. Required Equipment
All Competitors Shall Wear
• Official Combat Sambo Jacket (Kurtka)
• Competition Shorts
• Approved 6–8 oz Gloves
• Mouthguard
• Groin Protector
• Shin Guards
Competition Colors
• One competitor shall wear a Red Kurtka.
• One competitor shall wear a Blue Kurtka.
Equipment Safety
Headgear is not required.
The referee may reject any unsafe, altered, or damaged equipment.
3. Match Format
• Three (3) Rounds
• Two (2) Minutes per Round
• One (1) Minute Rest Period Between Rounds
4. Permitted Techniques
Standing Techniques
• Punches to the head and body
• Kicks to the head, body, and legs
• Knee strikes to the body and legs
• Throws
• Takedowns
• Sweeps
• Clinch fighting
Ground Techniques
• Punches to the body
Permitted Submission Techniques
• Armbars
• Kimuras
• Americanas
• Shoulder Locks
• Straight Ankle Locks
• Kneebars
• Toe Holds
• Rear Naked Chokes
• Guillotine Chokes
• Triangle Chokes
• Arm Triangle Chokes
5. Ground Fighting Rule
Following a successful throw or takedown, athletes may continue fighting on the ground.
Ground Engagement Limit
Ground engagement is limited to twenty (20) seconds.
The twenty-second count begins when both athletes establish contact with the competition surface following a throw,
takedown, or scramble.
Required Activity
Athletes must demonstrate active offense through:
• Body strikes
• Submission attempts
• Positional advancement
• Escapes or reversals
Referee Restart
If the twenty-second period expires, or if meaningful action ceases, the referee shall restart the contest in the standing
position.
Grounded Opponent Definition
A grounded athlete is any athlete with any part of the body other than the soles of the feet touching the competition
surface.
6. Prohibited Techniques
The following actions are prohibited:
• Strikes to the head while in the ground position
• Headbutts
• Eye Gouging
• Biting
• Hair Pulling
• Fish Hooking
• Groin Attacks
• Strikes to the Spine
• Strikes to the Back of the Head
• Small Joint Manipulation
• Throat Strikes
• Elbow Strikes
• Knee Strikes to the Head
• Heel Hooks
• Kicking or Stomping a Grounded Opponent
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• Attacking After Referee Stoppage
Fouls and Penalties
• Verbal Warning
• Point Deduction
• Immediate Disqualification
Repeated fouls may result in progressive penalties.
Intentional fouls causing injury may result in immediate disqualification.
7. Methods of Victory
A contest may be won by:
• Knockout (KO)
• Technical Knockout (TKO)
• Submission
• Technical Submission
• Immediate Victory by Total Throw
• Judges' Decision
• Medical Stoppage
• Opponent Retirement
• Disqualification
Technical Knockout (TKO)
A TKO may be declared when:
• The referee determines an athlete can no longer intelligently defend themselves.
• The ringside physician stops the contest.
• The athlete's corner retires the athlete.
• The athlete is unable to continue due to legal techniques sustained during competition.
Immediate Victory by Total Throw
A contest may be immediately ended when an athlete executes a clean, controlled, high-amplitude throw causing the
opponent to land predominantly on the back while the throwing athlete remains standing and demonstrates clear control.
The referee shall have discretion to award an Immediate Victory by Total Throw.
8. Judging Criteria
Official Judging System
• Three (3) Judges
• Ten-Point Must Scoring System
• Round-by-Round Scoring
Judging Priority
• Effective Striking
• Effective Throws and Takedowns
• Effective Grappling
• Submission Attempts
• Aggression
• Control of the Contest
Judges shall place particular emphasis on effective offensive action and successful throwing techniques.
Decision Outcomes
• Unanimous Decision
• Split Decision
• Majority Decision
• Draw
• Split Draw
• Majority Draw
9. Referee Authority
The referee has full authority over the contest and may:
• Start or stop the contest
• Pause action
• Issue warnings
• Deduct points
• Restart athletes in the standing position
• Stop the contest to protect athlete safety
• Disqualify competitors for serious or repeated fouls
The referee's decision regarding contest conduct shall be final.
10. Medical Authority
The ringside physician may:
• Examine any athlete at any time
• Stop a contest for medical reasons
• Remove an athlete from participation
• Require emergency medical treatment
• Recommend or impose medical suspensions
Medical determinations made by the ringside physician shall be final.
11. Conduct of Competitors and Corners
All competitors, coaches, managers, and corner personnel shall conduct themselves professionally and in a sportsmanlike
manner at all times.
Prohibited conduct includes:
• Verbal Abuse of Officials
• Interference with Medical Personnel
• Threatening Behavior
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• Failure to Follow Official Instructions
Violations may result in warnings, penalties, removal from the competition area, or disqualification.
12. Competition Area
Contests shall take place within a Combat Sambo League approved competition area.
Approved areas include:
• Enclosed Combat Cage
• Elevated Platform
• Approved Combat Sambo Mat Area
The competition area must provide adequate safety padding and sufficient space for unrestricted competition.
The referee may stop the contest if athletes enter an unsafe position near the boundary.
13. Appeals and Protests
• Coaches or authorized adults may submit a formal protest concerning administrative or procedural matters.
• Judging decisions and referee discretion shall not be subject to protest.
• Combat Sambo League officials shall review protests and issue a final determination.
• All protest decisions shall be final and binding.
14. Assumption of Risk
Combat Sambo is a contact combat sport involving inherent risks, including serious bodily injury.
Participation in Combat Sambo League events constitutes voluntary acceptance of these risks by the athlete, the athlete's
coach, and the authorized adult accompanying the athlete.
15. Final Authority
Combat Sambo League reserves the right to interpret and enforce these rules in the interest of athlete safety, fair
competition, and preservation of the principles of Combat Sambo.
All rulings made by Combat Sambo League officials shall be final and binding during sanctioned competition.