Transition into groundwork
IJF · 2026After a genuine throw or counter, either athlete can continue immediately into groundwork when the contest has not ended. Holds, permitted strangles and elbow locks are possible within their rules. Continuity matters: an interrupted transition or loss of contact without a realistic continuation can lead to Mate and a standing restart.
The rule
After a genuine throw or counter, either athlete can continue immediately into groundwork when the contest has not ended. Holds, permitted strangles and elbow locks are possible within their rules. Continuity matters: an interrupted transition or loss of contact without a realistic continuation can lead to Mate and a standing restart.
In practice
Groundwork has no general countdown granting unlimited time. The referee stops it when there is no evident progress. Both athletes may return safely to standing, but dangerous transitions are interrupted. An opponent on the knees can still be subject to standing rules in some positions; judge the action and control rather than posture alone.
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