BJJ

All You Need To Know About American Grappling Federation

All You Need To Know About American Grappling Federation

1. American Grappling Federation

In 2011, Brandon Quick and his friend Chris who are successful entrepreneurs decided to form a BJJ tournament organization where BJJ practitioners could compete in the most fair way possible. Hence, the American Grappling Federation was founded in October 2011. This organization was open for practitioners of every age and level. AGF conducts both Gi and No-Gitournaments. The tournaments were previously conducted in a few regions such as Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri but now European tournaments have started to happen.

The sole purpose behind AGF’s foundation was to provide a tournament to the struggling grapplers for every age and belt level.

“Even my American friends in the Gracie Barra and Carlson Gracie schools have given shout outs to their European teammates vouching for the quality of AGF.  It's all coming together.”
(Brandon Quick)

Today AGF is a renowned name in the BJJ community. And even practitioners from elite BJJ academies vouch for the integrity of AGF.

1.1. Single Elimination Tournament

AGF is a single elimination tournament. A single error can disqualify practitioners from competing in the whole division.

1.2. Killer Apps Tournament

It was Brandon and Chris’ idea to build an app for organizing BJJ competitions. But as the tournament scenario grew, it became difficult for them to manage apps and then they founded American Grappling Federation in 2011.

“We soon started BJJ tournaments and called them Killer Apps Tournaments. Eventually, the app scene became saturated, not worth our time and the tournaments grew big so we had to rebrand ourselves. The American Grappling Federation was born.”
(Brandon Quick)

2. Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations

  • The scoring system is the same as that of the IBJJF.
  • Coach’s Challenge is a term introduced by AGF. The tournament holders of AGF accept that mistakes can be made by anyone, even by the trained and talented referees.
  • In that case, a Coach’s Challenge bean bag is given to the coaches. If they feel that the decision is not correct, they throw the bean bag on the mat and declare that they want to challenge the referee’s decision.
  • AGF follows a pre-registration rule which means that practitioners can not sign up for the tournament only one day before the fight.

2.1. Penalties

  • If any practitioner argues with the referee, he is given a warning. If he does not take notice of the warning, it can result in a penalty.
  • If a practitioner intentionally dodges his/her opponent, a warning is issued.
  • The outcome for stalling for more than 20 seconds labels inactivity from the referee.
  • The first penalty which accounts for warning is the verbal warning from the referee.
  • Incase of a second penalty, the opponent gets two free points.
  • For a third penalty, the practitioner is immediately disqualified from the tournament and the opponent is announced as a winner.

2.2. Consolation Matches

Consolation matches which were previously an important part of AGF, were removed from January 2023. These matches were conducted when practitioners lost a match, so that they could compete for the third position. It was like a last chance given to the fighters to earn a position.

2.3. Points Only Tournament

The tournaments conducted under American Grappling Federation (AGF) are points only tournaments.

3. Match Durations

Kids:

Kids Divisions Time
Tiny Kids 2 min
Little Kids 2 min
Kids 3 min
Pre-Teen 3 min
Juniors 3 min
Teens 4 min

Juvenile & Adults

Belt Time
White 5 min
Blue 5 min
Purple 6 min
Brown 6 min
Black 6 min

Challenger Division

Belt Time
Kids 3 min
Juvenile, Adult, Master, Senior & Executive
White 5 min
Blue 5 min
Purple 6 min
Brown 6 min
Black 6 min

4. Uniform Requirements

  • It is not compulsory to wear rashguards under the BJJ Gi.
  • It is mandatory to wear Gi and Gi pants of the same color.
  • No patches are accepted 15cm up from the pant’s bottom.
  • In case of a No-Gi match, rashguards and shorts are compulsory with no pockets.
  • Groin protectors are also not allowed.

Uniform Requirements

Picture Credits: @americangrapplingfederation

5. Legal & Illegal Techniques

5.1. Gi Techniques (Adults)

Techniques Kids
(4-15)
White
(16+)
Blue
(16+)
Purple-Black
(16+)
Common Submissions (Arm Triangle, Armbar, Guillotine, Shoulder Lock, Omoplata etc) ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Ankle Lock ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Bicep Slicer ✔️
Calf Slicer ✔️
Ezekiel Choke ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Heel Hook
Jumping Guard ✔️
Kneebar ✔️
Reaping the Knee
Scissor (One Hand On Mat)
Slam
Small Joint Manipulation
Spinal Locks and Neck Cramps
Standing Submissions ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Straight Footlock ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Stretching the Legs Apart ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Toe Hold ✔️
Wristlock ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

5.2. No-Gi Techniques (Adults)

Techniques White Blue Purple Brown Black
Common Submissions (Arm Triangle, Armbar, Guillotine, Shoulder Lock, Omoplata etc) ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Bicep Slicer ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Calf Slicer ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Ezekiel Choke ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Heel Hook ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Jumping Guard ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Kneebar ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Reaping the Knee ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Scissor (One Hand On Mat) ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Slam
Small Joint Manipulation
Spinal Locks and Neck Cramps ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Standing Submissions ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Straight Footlock ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Stretching the Legs Apart ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Toe Hold ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Wristlock ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️

5.3. Kids

Techniques White Grey Yellow Orange Green
Common Submissions (Arm Triangle, Armbar, Guillotine, Shoulder Lock, Omoplata etc) ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Bicep Slicer
Ezekiel Choke ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Jumping Guard
Scissor (One Hand On Mat)
Slam
Small Joint Manipulation
Spinal Locks and Neck Cramps
Standing or Flying Submissions
Submissions Below the Waist
Wristlock

6. Gi and No-Gi Weight Classes

6.1. Kids

Weight Lbs Kgs
Roosterweight I Up to 40 Up to 18.2
Roosterweight II Up to 45 Up to 20.5
Roosterweight III Up to 55 Up to 25
Featherweight I Up to 65 Up to 29.5
Featherweight II Up to 75 Up to 34.1
Featherweight III Up to 85 Up to 38.6
Lightweight I Up to 95 Up to 43.2
Lightweight II Up to 105 Up to 47.7
Lightweight III Up to 115 Up to 52.3
Middleweight I Up to 125 Up to 56.8
Middleweight II Up to 135 Up to 61.4
Middleweight III Up to 145 Up to 65.9
Heavyweight I Up to 160 Up to 72.7
Heavyweight II 160.1 and up 72.8 and up

6.2. Seniors (Males)

Weight Lbs Kgs
Light Roosterweight Up to 115 Up to 52.3
Roosterweight Up to 130 Up to 59.1
Light Featherweight Up to 145 Up to 65.9
Featherweight Up to 160 Up to 72.7
Lightweight Up to 175 Up to 79.5
Middleweight Up to 190 Up to 86.4
Medium Heavyweight Up to 205 Up to 93.2
Heavyweight Up to 220 Up to 100
Super Heavyweight Up to 235 Up to 106.8
Ultra Heavyweight 235.1 and up 106.9 and up

6.3. Females

Weight Division lbs Kgs
Light Roosterweight Up to 105 Up to 47.7
Light Featherweight Up to 120 Up to 54.5
Featherweight Up to 135 Up to 61.4
Lightweight Up to 150 Up to 68.2
Middleweight Up to 165 Up to 75
Medium Heavyweight Up to 180 Up to 81.8
Heavyweight 180.1 and up 81.9 and up

7. American Grappling Federation - Headquarters

The American Grappling Federation headquarter is located in Texas, United States.

8. American Grappling Federation Tournaments

Some of the tournaments conducted by AGF are listed below:

  • 2023 Missoula Championships
  • 2023 Corpus Christi BJJ Championships
  • 2023 Springfield BJJ Championships
  • AGF Jacksonville BJJ Championships (Held in Florida)
  • AGF Nationals (Conducted in the United States)
  • AGF Oklahoma State Championships (Conducted in Oklahoma City)

9. How To Compete in AGF Tournaments

The best way to compete in AGF tournaments is to train at one of their academies. Start competing in small AGF tournaments and later on the jump for the big championships. You can sign up for any AGF tournament by applying on their official website.

10. FAQs

10.1. What is the Aim behind AGF?

The aim behind the foundation of AGF is to provide a fair tournament for all belts and ages where they can perform and win championships.

10.2. What Does Branson Say About PR Tours?

Branson aims to expand AGF. He decided on PR Tours in which he aimed to visit new cities. In an interview, he said instead of passing shirts he wanted to visit every BJJ school and roll with students to raise awareness about AGF.

11. Conclusion

American Grappling Federation is a private BJJ tournament organized by two entrepreneurs Brandon Quick and his friend Chris who aim to change the whole game of BJJ championships. Their rules and regulations are thoroughly described on their official websites so that practitioners don’t lack any information. They have also introduced new tournaments this year due to the influx of practitioners.

They have a wide range of weight classes almost for every age and belt level. And there are new things such as the Coach’s Challenge, to make every fight fair.

Photo Credit: @the_agf

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