Beach Sambo vs Combat Sambo — Same Game, Different Rules
Same sport, different leagues. See exactly where FIAS and FIAS rules diverge.
| Attribute | Beach Sambo | Combat Sambo |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Combat Sports | Combat Sports |
| Organization | FIAS | FIAS |
| Players | 1–2 | 1–2 |
| Location | outdoor | indoor |
| Season / Version | Beach Sambo Competition Rules, 2019 edition — draft approved by the FIAS Executive Committee on 25 March 2016 and amended by the FIAS Technical Commission in 2019 | 2026 FIAS Combat Sambo Rules (ExCom Amended) — strikes-permitted variant: throws + groundwork + closed-fist punches + kicks + elbows + knees |
| Verification | 🏛️Official — FIAS | 🏛️Official — FIAS |
Comparison Summary
Beach Sambo and Combat Sambo share 6 rule topics. All 6 have different rules.
Key differences in: Section 2: Equipment, Section 3: Playing Area, Section 4: Players & Officials, Section 5: Rules of Play, Section 7: Violations & Penalties and 1 more.
These sports also have Beach Sambo is outdoor, Combat Sambo is indoor.
Shared Rules — Side by Side(6 shared topics)
Section 2: Equipment
Rules differUniform is fixed by Article 7.
Sambo jacket + shorts (red or blue per competitor) — same as Sport Sambo; Sambovki (sambo wrestling shoes) — mandatory; Open-face protective helmet — mandatory in Combat Sambo (chin guard, padded crown, open visor)
Section 3: Playing Area
Rules differContest area: 6 × 6 metres, located on the sand (Art. 29); A sound signal (gong) loud enough to be heard; where several contest areas run at once, each must sound different from the others (Art. 30.1); Calibrated weigh-in scales (Art. 30.2)
FIAS-spec mat: 11m × 11m total, 9m central circle (same as Sport Sambo); Padded safety zone; Multiple parallel mats at major championships
Section 4: Players & Officials
Rules differTwo contestants per bout. Age group: adults, 18 years and older (Art. 3); Weight categories — four per gender (Art. 4):Women — 50, 59, 72, over 72 kgMen — 58, 71, 88, over 88 kg; An athlete may compete in only one weight category, matching the weight shown at the official weigh-in (Art. 5.1, 5.7)
Two competitors per match; Weight classes (Adult Male, kg): -58, -64, -71, -79, -88, -98, +98; Combat Sambo introduced women's divisions in 2017
Section 5: Rules of Play
Rules differBeach sambo bouts are held only in the standing position. There is no groundwork phase, no hold-downs, and no points — a single successful throw ends the bout (Art.
5 minutes (single period); OT period: 2 minutes if score tied; Closed-fist punches (to head + body)
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Rules differArticle 27 lists the prohibited actions. Each is penalised by immediate disqualification — there is no graduated warning scale: punches and kicks;; locks and strangulations;; throwing an opponent on his head;
Illegal strikes: head-stomps, back-of-head, spine, eye-poke, throat — caution → DQ; Strikes to grounded opponent's head: generally restricted (specific rule varies by edition); Passivity: warning → caution → opponent advantage
Section 8: Safety Considerations
Rules differThe Beach Sambo Competition Rules address athlete safety through the prohibitions and the medical checks rather than a separate safety chapter.
Combat Sambo has substantially higher injury risk than Sport Sambo due to permitted strikes. Mandatory equipment (helmet, gloves, mouthguard, shin guards, groin protector) is non-negotiable.
Permanent link: https://opensourcesports.io/rules/versus/beach-sambo-fias-vs-combat-sambo-fias