Section 1: Introduction
CarJitsu is a novelty submission-grappling format pioneered by promoter Vik Mikheev under the Pro League Network (PLN) brand. The sport's defining innovation: matches take place inside the cabin of a stationary 4-door sedan, with competitors changing seat positions between rounds. CarJitsu's confined, claustrophobic format produces a uniquely creative grappling environment that rewards small-space technique adaptation (no traditional sprawls, limited mount possibilities, modified guard work). The format went viral on social media in 2022-2023 and has produced multiple championship cycles. Conceptually rooted in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — see sibling IBJJF Rules for the base sport.
As of PLN's current published CarJitsu Championship rules, the match format runs two regulation rounds, with a non-timed Sudden Death period held in reserve for matches that remain unresolved — see Section 5 for the full breakdown.
Section 2: Equipment
- No gi: rashguard + shorts (or grappling pants)
- Mouthguard recommended
- Protective cup permitted (men)
- No shoes, no jewelry, nails trimmed
- Athletes must agree to a vehicle waiver covering minor interior damage / non-targeted contact with vehicle structure
Section 3: Playing Area
- Vehicle: standard 4-door sedan (typically pre-2020 model with separate driver/passenger/rear bench); approved makes vary by event
- Vehicle is stationary throughout the match (engine off, parking brake engaged, wheels chocked)
- Padded steering wheel cover for safety
- Side windows down or removed for ventilation + camera angles
- Interior cleared of valuables; non-essential interior components may be removed (cup holders, hanging air fresheners)
- Surrounding "ringside" area: cameras, lighting, official station, medical station
Section 4: Players & Officials
- Two competitors per match
- Weight classes: Lightweight (-77 kg), Welterweight (-83 kg), Middleweight (-93 kg), Heavyweight (+93 kg) — exact tiers vary by event
- Officials: 1 in-vehicle proximity referee (positioned at open door for visibility) + scoring judge + timekeeper + medical observer
Section 5: Rules of Play
Match Length
- 2 rounds × 3 minutes, with a seat-transition break between rounds, per PLN's current published CarJitsu Championship rules. A match no longer runs to a third timed round or a judges' scorecard — see Sudden Death below.
Seat Position Per Round
- Round 1: both competitors begin buckled into the front seats (driver's seat + front passenger seat); a coin toss determines which competitor starts on which side.
- Round 2: competitors switch front-seat sides (driver ↔ passenger) and restart from the buckled position.
- Sudden Death (if the match remains unresolved): competitors move to the back seat/bench for a single, non-timed period.
Permitted Techniques
- All standard BJJ submissions (joint locks, chokes) legal, including seatbelt-assisted chokes
- Heel hooks legal at Senior level
- Position-based scoring adapted for cabin (no traditional mount/back; modified definitions)
Win Conditions
- Submission via physical tap (hand, or a foot/leg tap if the arms are trapped) = instant round win
- Verbal tap ("tap" or a clear vocalization) or referee stoppage = round win
- If neither competitor submits the other before a round's time expires, PLN's current rules score that round a draw — there is no judges' decision on aggression, dominance, or positional control within regulation rounds.
- If the match is not decided after both regulation rounds (for example, two drawn rounds, or a 1-1 split), the match proceeds directly to Sudden Death: the first competitor to win by submission, or to score a designated positional advantage — a guard pass, mount, back mount, or knee-on-belly — is declared the winner outright. Sudden Death has no clock and no panel scoring.
Section 6: Scoring
- Decision priority: submission win > Sudden Death positional score. There is no time-based judges' decision in regulation rounds — a round in which neither competitor submits the other is recorded as a draw for that round.
- If both regulation rounds fail to produce an outright winner, the match moves straight to Sudden Death in the back seat: the first submission or first scoring positional advance (guard pass, mount, back mount, or knee-on-belly) ends the match immediately, with no clock and no scorecard.
- Tournament: single-elimination bracket per weight class
- Title belts awarded per weight class within PLN CarJitsu
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
- Striking: closed-fist punches prohibited (no MMA-style strikes); some events permit "palm strikes" only — verify per-event rule
- Intentional damage to vehicle interior beyond reasonable competition: warning → point deduction
- Eye-poke / throat strikes / head-butts: DQ
- Stalling / refusing to engage: warning → caution → opponent advantage
- Unsportsmanlike conduct: DQ
- Anti-doping: PLN-administered testing at championship level
Section 8: Safety Considerations
CarJitsu's confined cabin presents unique safety considerations: limited referee access to interior, sharp-edge hazards from vehicle structure (gear stick, headrest brackets, seatbelt anchors), and ventilation/visibility constraints. PLN mandates: pre-match vehicle safety inspection, padding on hard interior surfaces (gear stick, dash, rear-shelf), open driver-side door for referee proximity (referee can reach in to physically separate competitors if needed), comprehensive pre-fight medical screening, on-site EMT + ambulance + medical observer with stoppage authority, AED on-site. Skin-infection screening. Heat-monitoring: ambient cabin temperature monitored (cooling between rounds if extreme); engine off prevents exhaust risk. Vehicle waiver covers minor interior wear; major damage requires repair fund disclosure.
