Des Moines Grappling League

Updated 1/31/12: Click Link to Read more for details or Sign-up!

What is it?
We're putting together an initial 5 team handicapped grappling league. The teams will consist of 4 grapplers per team with an alternate allowed. The league will run in a round robin schedule and each team will compete against each other 2 times over a 10 week period. The first 5 weeks will be GI, the second 5 weeks will be NO-GI. Each week one team will have a bye week. We ask all four of the bye week team members to attend even on their bye week to help officiate the matches. These matches will be held at the Des Moines Jiu-Jitsu Academy on Wednesday nights from 8pm-9pm.

How will it be run?
The team members names on one team will be placed in a hat, and the other team will draw names to establish who grapples who. The individual matches are handicapped by weight and rank. The handicapping system is as follows:

1 point will be given for every 10lbs lighter than your opponent. Weigh-ins will occur that night with what you will be competing in.

1 point for every degree of rank (stripe) given up. If you do not have an official BJJ belt ranking then we will divide your total time training in grappling/wrestling/BJJ by 4 month increments to rank you. The handicap can be changed by the league commissioner as well to ensure a fair system.

If 3 or more points are given, the disadvantaged grappler may choose the starting position.

If more than 4 points are given up the only way to defeat the disadvantaged grappler is by submitting him in a 5 minute match.

Matches will be 5 minutes in length and scored as follows:
2 points for a take down (Pulling guard will be the equivalent of being taken down)
2 points for side mount
4 points for mount
4 points for back mount
1 point for solid submission attempt where your opponent has to struggle for an extended period to escape

In the event of a tie a sudden death over time will be used to determine the winner. First person to score will be the winner in sudden death.
Remember that the referee is always correct, this is how sport works, sorry folks.

Illegal Moves (This is a friendly league and anything deemed malicious will be immediately dealt with)
Slamming of an opponent from any position
Heel Hooks
Neck Cranks
Striking of any kind
If a finger can go in somewhere then that is illegal
No unsportsmanlike, negative or threatening conduct will be tolerated. This will be a ZERO-TOLERANCE league.

How do we know if our team wins?
Team scores will be kept similar to a wrestling meet.
6 points will be awarded to a team winning a match by submission or forfeit.
5 points will be awarded for a win by 15 points or more (technical submission)
4 points for a win by 8 points or more (major decision)
3 points for a win by 7 or less (minor decision).
The team with the highest number of points at the end of 4 matches will be the winner.

Who wins the league and what are we competing for?
At the end of 10 weeks the 2 teams with the best record will meet the week after the regular season (week 11) in a league championship meet. The winner will be league champions until the next league cycle. There will be a trophy housed with an engraved nameplate for the team to come in first. You will also be able to tell everyone that you are the best and they have to respect that.

Schedule Example
Gi 1st 5 weeks, No-gi 2nd 5 weeks
Week 1- team 1 vs. team 2, team 3 vs. team 4, team 5 bye
Week 2- team 2 vs. team 3, team 4 vs. team 5, team 1 bye
Week 3- team 1 vs. team 5, team 2 vs. team 4, team 3 bye
Week 4- team 1 vs. team 4, team 3 vs. team 5, team 2 bye
Week 5- team 1 vs. team 3, team 2 vs. team 5, team 4 bye
No Gi
Week 6- team 1 vs. team 2, team 3 vs. team 4, team 5 bye
Week 7- team 2 vs. team 3, team 4 vs. team 5, team 1 bye
Week 8- team 1 vs. team 5, team 2 vs. team 4, team 3 bye
Week 9- team 1 vs. team 4, team 3 vs. team 5, team 2 bye
Week 10- team 1 vs. team 3, team 2 vs. team 5, team 4 bye
Week 11- Championship

How do I enter a team into this fantastic event?
The cost is $10 per person for DMJJA Members or $20 for non-DMJJA students. You will need a list of all four members of your team and an alternate to be listed. Only the four members need to pay for league entry, the alternate does not need to pay.

You may email info@iowabjj.com with your 4 members and an alternate and pay at the front desk. You may give this information and payment to the front desk or an instructor if someone is not at the desk. We will be taking the first 5 teams for this inaugural event. We are also more than happy to have spectators come hang out and enjoy the night!

If you have any other questions please email us at info@iowabjj.com.