The Most Common Ways to Cheat in BJJ

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art about grappling, submission, and ground fighting. In recent years, this form of self-defense has grown in popularity worldwide, with many professional tournaments and stages organized yearly. But despite the emphasis on fair play and strict regulations, cheating can still occur in BJJ matches like in any other sport.

Whether during sparring or official matches, every BJJ practitioner competes to win. However, some individuals hate losing so much that they are willing to use underhanded methods to ensure victory. When watching or participating in a BJJ bout, being able to recognize and call out when a fighter is cheating will help ensure the outcome of a match ends justly. In this article, you will learn about common ways BJJ fighters may try to cheat.

In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, there is an emphasis on techniques, strategy, and physical fitness. To succeed in this sport, practitioners must strive to improve their mental and physical conditions. Cheating in any sport or martial art, including BJJ, raises profound moral and ethical concerns. The main goal of martial arts is to develop one’s character, discipline, and respect. However, many BJJ fighters of poor character are not ashamed to take the easy way out.

In BJJ, where fairness and honor are highly valued, cheating betrays the spirit of mutual trust and respect among practitioners. Cheating can negatively affect the image of BJJ competitors, making it difficult for referees, the audience, and other participants to trust the integrity of BJJ fighters. This can also ruin the sanctity of professional BJJ competitions as cheaters may stain the name of tournaments they were participating in and violate the principles of respect, honor, and sportsmanship which BJJ is founded upon.

Cheating also diminishes the accomplishments of those who have worked hard to earn their victories through dedication and skill. BJJ fighters who were revealed to have won by cheating cause outcomes of matches to be viewed with suspicion. Cheating not only casts doubt on the authenticity of accomplishments by those who play by the rules but also undermines the credibility of BJJ as a sport.

There are various reasons why individuals resort to cheating in BJJ. One possible explanation is the intense desire for victory or recognition. Competitive environments can pressure individuals tremendously, leading them to adopt unethical practices to ensure success. The fear of failure, the need for validation, or the pursuit of rewards can cloud one's judgment. This is particularly true when individuals prioritize short-term gains over long-term personal growth and character development.

Another factor that may contribute to cheating in BJJ is the absence of effective consequences. If cheaters perceive a lack of accountability or believe that the benefits outweigh the risks, they may be more inclined to engage in unethical behavior. Weak enforcement of rules, lenient penalties, or inconsistent application of disciplinary measures can inadvertently foster an environment where cheating is encouraged.

While most practitioners play by the rules of BJJ, there are a few that may use one of the five ways to cheat in BJJ listed below:

False tapping involves tapping the mat to signal a false surrender away from the referee’s line of sight to make your opponent relax, only to counter or escape a hold. In BJJ, practitioners tap out when caught in a submission to avoid injury. False tapping takes advantage of an opponent’s mercy as it is a natural response to release an opponent suffering or in pain.

False tapping requires precise timing and finesse to execute. A BJJ fighter planning to use this trick has to act convincingly, as if they are truly trapped, cannot move, or the submission is putting a painful amount of pressure on them. Also, they have to use their body to hide their hands from the view of the referees, making sure only to tap loud enough for their opponent to hear. The idea is to trick the opponent into thinking that you have given up to make them let go or loosen their grip momentarily.

The moment the opponent releases the hold, the individual executing the false tap can take the opportunity to escape, counterattack, or get into a more advantageous position.

In official BJJ competitions, false tapping is strictly prohibited and can result in penalties or disqualification.

Sandbagging in BJJ refers to intentionally downplaying or hiding your true skills to ensure placement in a lower division in competitions. A BJJ fighter acts less experienced or skilled than they are, often by purposefully losing to lower-ranked opponents or not using advanced techniques.

The intent is to compete against less experienced opponents than you to ensure you are at an advantage and secure easy victories. You manage to accumulate more wins and a better win-loss ratio, but it is not a true reflection of your skills.

Sandbagging violates the principles of fair competition, mutual respect, and the pursuit of personal improvement within the BJJ community. This is because it hinders the progress of practitioners who actually belong in lower divisions and robs them of their rightful placement in competitions.

BJJ organizers and officials have implemented measures to combat sandbagging, including requiring competitors to provide accurate information about their ranks, competition histories, and training experience. Some tournaments that have strict policies preventing individuals from competing in divisions below their actual skill levels.

Being caught sandbagging can result in victories becoming invalid and your reputation among the BJJ community being ruined. Any trust and camaraderie made with training partners will be lost since they become discouraged from training with untrustworthy individuals. Also, sandbagging hinders the development of your skills since there is no honest or challenging training.

Weight cutting is a controversial practice that involves deliberately lowering your body weight to ensure placement in a lower-weight division. The intent is to get placed in a division where your opponents are physically smaller or weaker than you.

Weight cutting is a combination of weight loss strategies, including strict dieting, dehydration techniques, saunas, diuretics, or other methods to quickly get rid of extra weight before weigh-ins. Reducing your body’s mass ensures your weight meets the requirements of a lower weight class.

It is difficult to take measures against weight cutting since BJJ competition organizers and officials do not have authority over what competitors off of the tournament mats. Scales are not meant to weigh the skill level of BJJ fighters, which means that there is a chance individuals can be put in the incorrect weight division. Putting more skilled BJJ fighters in lower weight classes gives them an unfair advantage over opponents with naturally lighter bodies. This can cause unbalanced matchups due to smaller fighters being forced to face larger and stronger opponents.

Abusing the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in competitive sports, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). PEDs are substances put into your body by illegal means to improve athletic performance, including improving muscle strength, increase your stamina, or aiding in recovery from injuries. Examples of PEDs include anabolic steroids, human growth hormone (HGH), erythropoietin (EPO), diuretics, and stimulants.

The use of PEDs in BJJ presents several ethical and health concerns. Firstly, it gives BJJ fighters an unfair advantage since all their physical capabilities are temporarily enhanced. Secondly, PEDs pose significant health risks since they could have potential side effects and cause long-term health issues. For example, anabolic steroids can lead to hormonal imbalances, liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and psychological issues. Erythropoietin (EPO) increases red blood cell production and can cause the blood to thicken, increasing the risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Misusing diuretics and stimulants can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and cardiovascular complications.

To combat the use of PEDs, anti-doping measures and testing programs have been implemented in BJJ competitions. Organizations such as the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) check the blood and urine of competitors beforehand to ensure there are no PEDs in their systems.

Many athletes, coaches, and the wider BJJ community provide seminars or videos warning of the risks, consequences, and ethical implications of using PEDs to promote better behavior in BJJ practitioners.

Illegal techniques in BJJ refer to the deliberate use of prohibited moves, maneuvers, or actions to gain an unfair advantage over opponents. These techniques are banned due to violating the rules or exploiting loopholes to secure victory or maintain control during a match.

Using illegal techniques goes against the rules of only using submissions and grapples and can potentially cause severe injury to opponents. Using any illegal techniques could result in disqualification or penalties. Examples of illegal techniques in BJJ include:

Strikes: Strikes are any techniques that involve using your arms, hands, and legs to attack your opponent. Common examples include punches and kicks.

Joint Manipulation: This refers to pulling, pressing, or applying pressure on the fingers and toes to intentionally injure any small joints.

Biting, Eye Gouging, or Fish Hooking: These acts involve using teeth, fingers, or hooks to inflict pain or cause injury.

Illegal Submissions: Some submissions that target vulnerable areas like the throat or spine are prohibited. Such examples include neck cranks or certain types of spinal locks.

Reaping and Heel Hooks: Specific leg locks, such as heel hooks and reaping, are restricted due to the risk the nails at the ends of the toes could result in cuts or gouging.

To prevent cheating in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, instructors, coaches, practitioners, event organizers, and referees must promote integrity amongst new and experienced BJJ practitioners and implement effective measures to spot and discourage cheating. Listed below are some key factors:

Setting clearly defined rules that state what is allowed and what is not permitted helps reduce the number of loopholes that could be exploited and gets rid of any misunderstandings on what is considered cheating.

If the rules of BJJ competitions ever change, referees must be updated on any new restrictions, techniques, and strategies used in BJJ. This knowledge helps them better identify and prevent any attempts at cheating more effectively.

Referees should actively monitor matches and intervene when they suspect foul play. They should be well-trained and vigilant, ensuring that competitors adhere to the rules and penalize cheating.

Reviewing instant replays or video footage recorded by cameras from different angles during a match can help resolve any disputes and locate any signs of cheating. This helps officials make more informed decisions and correct any incorrect calls made.

Implementing severe consequences for cheating, such as disqualification, suspension, or bans, sends a strong message that cheating will not be tolerated. Publicly disclosing and documenting instances of cheating can further discourage practitioners from engaging in such behavior.

Cheating in Brazilian jiu-jitsu can result in severe consequences that can have lasting ramifications lasting beyond the immediate outcome of a match. The repercussions of cheating can affect the reputation of an individual caught cheating within the BJJ community. Listed below are the consequences of cheating in BJJ:

When a competitor is caught cheating during a BJJ match, they may be immediately disqualified from the tournament. Disqualification nullifies any victories that were achieved through cheating.

Depending on the severity of the offense and the governing body's regulations, individuals caught cheating may face suspension or a long-term ban from participating in BJJ competitions. Either punishment effectively excludes them from BJJ competitions for an indeterminant time.

Cheating can harm personal and professional relationships within the BJJ community. Friendships and partnerships within academies or training groups may become strained or lost. Repairing such damage can take a long time and can be hard to repair.

Cheating may cause other practitioners to lose trust and respect in the instigator. Such a blow to one’s reputation within the BJJ community can lead to a loss of credibility. Others may view a cheater as lacking integrity and question their achievements, actions, intentions, and skills.

The BJJ community values sportsmanship, integrity, and fair play. Those found cheating may face significant backlash and negative perceptions from members of the BJJ community. Their actions may be seen as a betrayal of the values of BJJ.

Cheating can result in individuals being excluded from training groups, competitions, and events. It is difficult for someone with a history of cheating to be accepted again or find opportunities to train or compete in the BJJ world.

Rebuilding a damaged reputation after being caught cheating can be an arduous process. It requires consistent displays of genuine remorse, a commitment to personal growth and ethical conduct, and a willingness to make amends. Even then, it may take considerable time and effort to regain the trust and respect of the BJJ community.

If you suspect that someone is cheating during a BJJ match, it is essential to approach the situation with tact and respect. Accusing someone of cheating without evidence could damage a person’s reputation. Instead, try to gather evidence and bring it to the attention of the referee or tournament officials.

There are mixed views on stalling in BJJ. Some people see it as a defensive technique, but others see it as a way to prolong a match and control the pace of a fight.

Joint locks apply pressure to specific joints at an angle that causes pain or injury. You can often escape the hold by positioning your body to relieve this pressure—the key to countering a lock lies in understanding its mechanics.

Before you compete in BJJ, train for at least 6-12 months to ensure your body is physically fit and you have knowledge of many BJJ techniques.

Cheating in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a severe ethical concern that undermines the principles of fairness, respect, and personal growth fundamental to any martial art. While BJJ often promotes integrity and sportsmanship, some individuals seek to gain an unfair advantage by cheating.

By understanding common ways one can cheat in BJJ, the BJJ community can be better equipped to spot, call out, and prevent cheating. Ultimately, the responsibility of upholding the values of BJJ rests on every individual practitioner. Prioritizing personal growth, respect for opponents, and adherence to the rules can ensure future BJJ competitions continue to thrive on fair play, trust, and mutual respect.