What do ju-jitsu fighters wear, and how long is a match?
Officials' detail · The match · 1 of 1Fighters wear a gi with a red or blue belt and soft hand, foot and shin protectors in the same colour. A match lasts three minutes for adults and for the under-21, under-18 and under-16 groups, and two minutes for masters and younger children. A fighter whose kit is wrong has two minutes to change it.
How it works
- Gi: as set out in the federation's Sporting Code.
- Belt: red or blue. The fighter in red stands on the referee's right.
- Protectors: soft, short, light hand protectors and soft foot and shin protectors, of foam 1 to 2 cm thick, in the belt colour.
- Women: a white leotard or rash guard under the jacket. A hijab is allowed, and a chest protector is optional.
- Mouthpiece and jockstrap: allowed. Compulsory in the under-18 group and younger.
- Match time: three minutes for adults, under 21, under 18 and under 16. Two minutes for masters and under 14 and younger.
- Rest: five minutes between matches, and ten before a final.
- The mat: a fighting area with a safety area round it, in different colours.
- Adult men: -56, -62, -69, -77, -85, -94 and +94 kg, in the table valid from 2024.
- Adult women: -45, -48, -52, -57, -63, -70 and +70 kg.
The glossary has the gi and no gi, the match area, the weight divisions, the age categories, the uniform inspection and the Sporting Code.
Tricky cases
Can a fighter wear a knee brace?
Yes, if it is soft and thin enough not to hinder the opponent's grip. All protective gear must be worn under the gi.
A fighter arrives with the wrong colour protectors. Is the match lost?
No, not at once. A fighter told that the kit does not conform has two minutes to change. A fighter who still does not meet the rules is not allowed to start.
Do masters fight for as long as adults?
No. Masters, who are over 35, fight for two minutes. Adults fight for three.
Can a fighter enter two weight categories?
No. A competitor may be registered in one category only, either their own or the one immediately above.
Why the rule exists
The protectors are thin on purpose. They take the sting out of a light touch without making a hard strike safe, which stays a foul. Coloured belts and protectors let the referees, the video officials and the scoreboard keep the two fighters apart.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adults, under 21, under 18, under 16 | 3 minutes | JJIF Fighting 2.2 |
| Masters, under 14 and younger | 2 minutes | JJIF Fighting 2.2 |
| Under 18 and younger | Mouthpiece compulsory | JJIF Fighting 1.4 |
| Women | Leotard or rash guard under the jacket | JJIF Fighting 1.2 |
| Ne-waza | No protectors; five-minute matches for adults | JJIF Ne-Waza 3; 4 |
From the rule book
Ju-Jitsu International Federation, Ju-Jitsu Fighting Rulebook (version 4.0, approved October 2022), Sections 1 and 2 and Appendices I, III and IV. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Ju-Jitsu Fighting Rulebook.