Hi Christophe,
As you are the media rep for the AFBJJ can you clear up a some issues that have been raised on a couple of recent threads - esp. 'Power corrupts'.
1. BJJ rules - what is the source of the rules used in the Pan Pacs & other afbjj tournaments?
2. Is there a current procedure in place to deal with coaches, competitors, spectators that are behaving in an unacceptable manner?
Regards & thanks,
Wookey.
Hi wookey 73,
The rules used by the Australian Federation of Brasilian Jiu Jitsu are the same as those specified by the International Federation under the auspices of President Carlos Gracie Jnr. (www.cbjj.com.br).
Certain rules will be open to interpretation by individual referees on the day and therefore clarification may be required for future events. However, the AFBJJ has total confidence in those who have provided refereeing duties this year.
One good suggestion for the future is for competing clubs to provide one or two referees who could then attend a workshop prior to the event. That way rules could be clarified and potential situations discussed.
At the end of the day, the referees decision is final. There can be no draw. So occasionally questionable decisions may occur, however that is true of any sport.
Brasilian Jiu Jitsu is still a fledgling sport in Australia. With each competition we get better at all aspects of the sport including refereeing.
In respect of poor or unethical behaviour by coaches, competitors or spectators rest assured that procedures are in place to eliminate any behaviour that detracts from the sport.
The AFBJJ will offically warn those who are in breach of expected behaviour, and if there is a reoccurrence in the future the individual(s) may be banned from attending such events.
Please address any concerns directly to AFBJJ President - Peter de Been (www.afbjj.com.au)
Regards
Chris Doyle
(AFBJJ media co-ord)
I think from a public understanding point of view it would be worth commenting on whether any cautions were handed out (or punishments). You dont have to provide every speciifc detial but When everyone sees things they dont find acceptable , they want to know what is being done about it .
You guys may have it completly under control , but if you dont let anyone know we just have to speculate that nothing is being done . Just saying 'procedures are in place' may not be enough for most people .
Just my thoughts .
Thanks Christophe.
I hope the 'teams/competing clubs supply one or two referees' idea gets some support next year. When would the workshop be held?
I think it is also fair to say that running the largest essentially open comp in Aust is always going to create controversy regarding decisions and club behaviour etc.
In my opinion, while it is important to limit the 'excitement' of individuals on the day, I would hate to see BJJ comps become strictly ruled and run as may be the case with the Eastern flavoured arts and other Western sporting events.
Most people love the laid back nature of the art/sport & to me this is certainly one of the factors that keep the lifestyle aspect of BJJ alive a well.
thanks again for your professional response.
that is to say 'alive AND well'
To BenBJJ
The advantage rule is probably the most contentious aspect of the points system, because it is open to interpretation in some respects by the referee.
Advantages are awarded when a competitor is regarded as having an "advantageous" position over their opponent, but in a situation which does not justify any clear points being awarded.
Rather than complicate the issue too much I will give some examples of where an advantage may be awarded.
1. When half guard is established and the opponent's top half (i.e shoulders/ and or head) is clearly controlled.
2. When an opponent has to clearly "try" in order to escape an attack which may have resulted in a submission (eg. if a choke or arm bar is attempted and the opponent had to make a clear effort to negate the attack).
3. When a player establishes a controlled position from the side back of the opponent who is on 'all fours'. This normally occurs when a player has attempted to escape from the bottom.
4. When an attempted sweep does not result in a clearly controlled takedown an advantage may be awarded.
Some experienced referees chose to award advantages when they are not convinced that the move or attack is worthy of full points being awarded.
It is a rule that is useful when there are close matches because a referee can award an advantage to prevent a bout ending in a tie. However consistency of awarding advantages is something that is often hard to control, especially in a fast paced match.
Referees at the Pan Pacs were aware of the advantage rule, however some inconsistencies where evident. Even at the Mundial there are discrepancies when it comes to the advantage rule.
For example one brown belt match at the Pan Pacs was stopped and restarted from standing because the referee (experienced) believed that a stale mate had occurred. He chose to award an advantage to the player who had previously controlled the top position. This is a perfectly legitimate action, however another referee may have elected to allow the bout to continue from the same position.
To Aaron please be aware that situations which arose from the Pan Pacs are being dealt with officially. Naturally I cannot comment on specifics.
Cheers
Chris Doyle
(AFBJJ Media co-ord)
Thats fair enough . The official bit is all i really wanted to know
Thanks