Section 5: Rules of Play
Match Length
- Two 4-minute periods (single 5-minute period for some events)
- Active wrestling required; passivity penalized
Throws
- 1 point: Takedown landing opponent on side (no full back exposure)
- 2 points: Throw landing opponent partially on back, throw to knees
- 4 points: Throw landing opponent fully on back from standing
Groundwork (par terre)
- 1 point: 5-second pin (sufficient to maintain control)
- 2 points: 10-second pin
- Joint locks legal on arms + legs (including kneebar, leg lock, ankle lock)
- Submission via tap = total victory
Total Victory
- 4-point throw + immediate dominant position = total victory (end of match)
- Submission = total victory
- 12-point differential = total victory (technical superiority)
Restrictions
- No chokes in Sport Sambo (key difference from BJJ/judo)
- No strikes
- Joint locks on knees and ankles legal at Senior level only