Rules & Safety
ASL is built with clear standards, trained officials, and safety-first decisions.
The Apex Submission League (ASL) ruleset governs 3v3 team submission grappling - three competitors per team on the mat plus one optional bench athlete, across three 3-minute rounds with a 1-minute rest between rounds. Submission is king: a legal submission ends the bout immediately, and eliminating a full team in Round 1 or 2 is an instant TKO. There is no overtime - if regulation ends with no finish, three judges decide by majority, weighing submission attempts and near-finishes first.
ASL Pro Team Rules
3v3 (+1 Bench) - Three On The Mat, One On The Bench
Format Layout
Team A
On The Mat ×3
Bench
Team B
On The Mat ×3
Bench
3
Rounds
3 min
Per Round
1 min
Rest Between Rounds / Sub Window
1-Minute Rules Summary
- Submission is king. No points. A legal submission ends the bout immediately.
- 3 rounds × 3 minutes with a 1-minute rest between rounds.
- 3 on the mat + 1 optional bench athlete (substitutions only during the round break).
- Full-team elimination in Round 1 or 2 ends the bout - an instant TKO, no further round. Survivors reset to a full lineup next round.
- No overtime. No finish means three judges decide by majority - submission attempts and near-finishes first.
- 2-on-1 allowed. 3-on-1 illegal. Only one athlete applies submission pressure at a time.
- Rescues must be controlled entries - no diving, launching or crashing onto grounded athletes.
- Takedown-friendly (controlled throws allowed). No slams/spikes.
- Straight ankle locks and kneebars only. All twisting leg locks - heel hooks, toe holds and similar - are banned in team play and stopped immediately by the referee.
- No dumping onto another competitor; reckless/high impact can be disqualification.
- Wall rule: pushing/throwing someone off the wall is an automatic disqualification.
- Ref may stop/reset for stalling and overrides anything for safety.
The Dynamic
- Three on the mat, one on the bench — every round opens as three live 1-on-1 engagements, so six athletes are in action at once.
- Bench substitutions occur during the rest period — clean and controlled.
Illegal Actions
- No strikes (punches, kicks, elbows, knees, headbutts).
- No slams/spikes or dangerous throws onto head/neck/spine.
- No wall ejections (throwing/pushing someone off the wall).
- No eye gouging, biting, groin/throat attacks, or deliberate intent to injure.
- No twisting leg locks in team play - heel hooks, toe holds and similar rotational attacks are banned.
- No spinal locks, neck cranks, can openers or twisters.
- 3-on-1 is illegal in team format.
Safety & Medical
ASL prioritises competitor safety above entertainment or schedule. Trained medical staff are present at every event. Any signs of unconsciousness, suspected concussion, or inability to defend safely trigger an immediate stop and full assessment before competition continues.
The referee has absolute authority to stop any match at any time for safety reasons — this decision cannot be overruled by a corner, team, or competitor. Common stop triggers include: limb in a dangerous joint-lock position with no tap, visible concussion symptoms, unresponsiveness, or reckless action creating injury risk to a third competitor.
ASL follows a formal concussion and injury protocol at all events. Competitors who are stopped for a suspected concussion are assessed by ringside medical staff before any return-to-competition decision is made.
Code of Conduct
ASL holds every person in the venue — competitors, coaches, and spectators — to a professional standard. These standards exist to protect the sport, the athletes, and the reputation of the league.
Competitor Conduct
- Respect the referee's decisions — disputes must be raised through team leadership, not on the mat.
- Tap clearly and promptly. Delayed taps that result in injury are the responsibility of the tapping competitor.
- No verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation toward opponents, officials, or spectators.
- Competitors must present in appropriate attire as specified in event communications.
- Unsportsmanlike behaviour before, during, or after a match may result in disqualification.
Coach & Cornerman Conduct
- Corners must remain in the designated area at all times during competition.
- Coaching is permitted during active competition and between rounds.
- Coaches may not enter the competition area without referee permission.
- Abusive language or behaviour directed at officials, opponents, or other corners will result in removal.
- Corner interference during a match is grounds for competitor disqualification.
Spectator Conduct
- Spectators may not enter the competition area under any circumstances.
- Verbal abuse directed at competitors, coaches, or officials will result in removal from the venue.
- Aggressive or threatening behaviour will result in immediate ejection.
- ASL reserves the right to remove any person whose conduct is detrimental to the event.
Consequences for Breaches
- Minor breach — verbal warning from the referee or event director.
- Moderate breach — competitor warning, potential round deduction at referee discretion.
- Serious breach — immediate disqualification from the current event.
- Severe or repeated breaches — suspension from future ASL events.
- ASL's conduct decisions are final. There is no appeals process for conduct-related disqualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Substitutions are only permitted during the rest period between rounds. The bench player cannot enter during active competition.
In the team format, straight ankle locks and kneebars are the only legal leg attacks. All twisting leg locks - heel hooks, toe holds and similar rotational attacks - are banned in team play and stopped immediately by the referee. In the 1v1 division, White and Blue belts compete under the same restricted standard, while Purple belts and above compete fully open, including heel hooks, in both gi and no-gi.
In the team format there is no overtime - three judges decide the bout by majority, prioritising genuine submission attempts and near-finishes, attacks that create real danger, aggression and pace, progression to dominant positions, and clean rescues. Stalling never wins a decision. In the 1v1 format the bout goes to a decisive overtime ladder: 1 minute of sudden death (submission, or takedown to a dominant top position held for a 3-second count), then 1 minute of golden score, then a judges' majority decision - no draws.
ASL operates on an open weight or weight-matched basis depending on the division and event format. Specific weight parameters are communicated to registered teams ahead of each event.
No. 3-on-1 is an illegal action in the ASL team format. 2-on-1 is permitted. A referee will intervene immediately if a 3-on-1 situation occurs.
Competitors must wear appropriate no-gi attire as specified in event communications. Mouthguards are mandatory. Specific attire and equipment requirements are confirmed with registered teams prior to each event.
Each team match consists of 3 rounds of 3 minutes each, with a 1-minute rest period between rounds. If a team loses all three active athletes in Round 1 or Round 2, the bout ends immediately as a full-team elimination stoppage (TKO). 1v1 bouts run 6 minutes (White/Blue), 7 minutes (Purple-Black), 10 minutes (championship bouts).
ASL uses certified referees who have completed the ASL Officials Certification Program. Referees are trained in the ASL ruleset, safety protocols, and have the authority to stop any match for safety reasons at any time.