Match begins standing; both competitors approach + engage; Pulling guard permitted but referee may intervene if continuous pulling without action
Why people argue about this
People often assume pulling guard is strictly prohibited in Jiu-Jitsu Ne-Waza, which leads to misunderstandings about when it's acceptable. However, the official verdict clarifies that while pulling guard isn't explicitly forbidden, referees intervene if a competitor continuously pulls without engaging with their opponent, thus maintaining the flow and fairness of the match.