What is not allowed in ju-jitsu fighting?
A · Advanced · Fouls and officials · 1 of 2Strikes must be light. A hard strike, a straight strike to the head, an uncontrolled swing and a throw that lands the opponent on the head or neck are dangerous techniques, each a major foul. Neck and spine locks, twisting knee or foot locks, scissor takedowns and strangling with bare hands are forbidden and mean disqualification.
How it works
- Shido (forbidden action): strikes to the legs, locks on fingers or toes, a hand or foot in the opponent's face in part 2 or 3, and acting after "Mate" or "Sonomama".
- Shido (grip and punch): a strike in part 2 or 3.
- Shido (mubobi): an action by which a fighter endangers themselves.
- Chui (dangerous technique): a hard strike, a straight strike towards the head even if it misses, an uncontrolled strike that is not stopped, and a hard or violent takedown.
- Chui: a takedown that lands the opponent on the face, head or neck, or outside the safety area.
- Hansoku-make (forbidden technique): locks on the neck or spine, twisting locks at the knee or foot, the scissor takedown, strangling with bare hands and a takedown combined with a submission hold in a way that risks harm.
- Hansoku-make: any action that may injure the opponent.
- Under 16 and younger: a strike that touches the head, a lock or strangle in part 2 and squeezing the ribs or kidneys in the guard are each a chui.
The glossary has the forbidden action, the dangerous technique, the forbidden technique, the mubobi, the atemi and the hansoku-make.
Tricky cases
A straight punch at the head misses. Is it still a foul?
Yes. Applying a straight strike towards the opponent's head is a chui even if the attack misses.
The opponent walks on to a controlled punch and is hit hard. Who is penalised?
It can be the opponent alone, for mubobi. No chui is given for a hard contact that happened only because the opponent moved into the technique and failed to protect themselves. Both penalties can also apply together.
What makes a swing "uncontrolled"?
Not stopping it. A horizontal strike that misses and carries on past the opponent's mid-line, or a downward one that passes the jaw line, is uncontrolled.
Can a fighter throw the opponent with a wrist lock?
Yes, if the lock is resolved by the opponent going to the ground. Combining a takedown with a submission hold so that the opponent risks harm even by going with it is forbidden.
Why the rule exists
The three levels follow the risk. A kick to the leg is a nuisance and costs a point. A hard or straight strike to the head can concuss and costs three. A twist of the knee or neck can end a career and ends the match.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Strikes to the legs; finger and toe locks | Shido | JJIF Fighting 7.1.6 |
| Hard, straight-to-head or uncontrolled strikes | Chui | JJIF Fighting 7.2.3 |
| Neck or spine locks; twisting knee or foot locks | Hansoku-make | JJIF Fighting 7.3.3 |
| Strike touching the head, under 16 | Chui | JJIF Fighting, table of prohibited actions |
| Strike touching the head, under 18 and older | Permitted, if light and not straight | JJIF Fighting, table of prohibited actions |
From the rule book
Ju-Jitsu International Federation, Ju-Jitsu Fighting Rulebook (version 4.0, approved October 2022), Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 and the table of permissible and prohibited actions. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Ju-Jitsu Fighting Rulebook.