What Is the Novice Division
Entry Level. No Winners. No Losers.
The Novice division is our entry-level division for kids ages 4--12. It is a non-competitive division built around round-robin brackets designed to give brand new kids experience in a jiu-jitsu tournament setting. Every child gets at least 2 matches per division.
There are no winners or losers in this division. All children who enter receive a participation medal.
There are no winners or losers in this division. All children who enter receive a participation medal.
If your child is brand new and has never competed before, Novice is a great choice. However, if your child is ready for competition and wants to test themselves, the Beginner division would be a better fit.
Match Format
How Novice Matches Work.
Novice matches are 3 minutes long. The format is designed to be safe and educational for newer competitors.
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No points or advantage points are calculated for any moves or positions.
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For the children's safety, referees are instructed to stop a match before a full submission is in place.
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In case of a tap or referee stoppage -- the match stops, both children reset from standing, and the match restarts and continues until the 3 minutes are up.
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The match is designed as a supervised roll -- there is nothing to win or lose.
Why We Have This Division
Built to Build Confidence.
The Novice division exists for one reason -- to give newer children a positive first experience in competition. Here's what it accomplishes:
01
Gauge Where They Are
Your child will know by the end of the match how many times they were submitted and how many times they submitted someone else. That's real, honest feedback without the pressure of winning or losing.
02
Build Confidence
The goal is to give newer children a fun day in a supportive environment. A positive first experience on the mat builds the foundation for a long jiu-jitsu career.
03
Prevent a Bad First Experience
We believe this division leads to longer retention by preventing a discouraging first experience. The right introduction to competition can lengthen a child's entire jiu-jitsu career.