Submission Wrestling

Submission Wrestling Kelly Anderson coaches students in the brutal are of Submission Wrestling. / Photo Source: Natalie St.John

Summary

Submission Wrestling is a form of martial arts that focuses on grappling and using submission holds. The purpose of submission wrestling is to get the opponent to submit. Unlike other combat sports, there is no established uniform or ranking system in their clothing. Submission wrestlers usually wear various short garments to prevent ripping or tearing during combat. Bringing together styles such as Sambo, Folk Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and Freestyle Wrestling (among others), submission wrestling is a true hybrid form of wrestling combat.

History / Origins

ETYMOLOGY

The term “submission wrestling” is a compound word that describes the act of wrestling in order to attain submission from an opponent. It is composed of a Latin word:

• Submission – Lowering or sinking.

And an old English term:

Wrestling – Sport of grappling or throwing.

Many Mixed Martial Arts styles use the term to specifically refer to the grappling techniques they teach, as the term implies a separation from one set style. Submission wrestling can be thought of as its own entity or as part of a larger form of combat due to the popularity of its practice.

BEGINNINGS

Due to the fact that wrestling itself is a part of every culture’s history and that submission wrestling is marked by its combination of techniques from different forms of combat, submission wrestling can be seen in some of the earliest styles of fighting. One of the earliest people to develop what is known today as “submission wrestling” was Erik Paulson, who studied a variety of martial arts in the mid to late 1970s. Many of the styles he studied during this time would later be infused into the combat he taught, which would become known as submission wrestling. These styles included Judo, Freestyle Wrestling, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Shoot Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Shoot Wrestling in particular influenced Paulson. Like submission wrestling, Shoot Wrestling placed an emphasis on blending different wrestling techniques. This style was introduced to him by Yorinaga Nakamura, a Japanese instructor. At the time, many schools in Japan were teaching a hybrid of styles, which also influenced the first wave of submission wrestling.

PRESENT DAY

Submission wrestling is currently taught globally. Though each school teaches submission wrestling in a different way, the emphasis of combining techniques to get an opponent to submit in the most varied, effective way remains the same as it was when the style first emerged in the late 1970s. Since submission wrestling combines various styles into its teachings, most, if not all, Mixed Martial Arts institutions that emphasize holds and grappling practice it on some level. One of the largest organizations practicing submission wrestling today is the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Submission Wrestling World Championship. Only top athletes with a number of styles under their belt and a proficiency in submission wrestling are capable of entering. The impact that the ADCC has had on submission wrestling is inescapable. Thousands of world-wide competitions use the same models and rules that the ADCC has established in their matches. The North American Grappling Association (NAGA), which was founded in 1995, is also a large organization that uses submission wrestling in its competitions in both Europe and North America.

FOLKLORE

It is rumored that many of the United States’ historical presidents were expert grapplers, practicing a mixed form of western wrestling techniques that would loosely be considered submission wrestling by today’s standards. Submission wrestling’s earliest pioneer, Erik Paulson, was the first American to World Light-Heavy Weight Shooto title. Previously, this had primarily been won by native Japanese contestants, marking his victory as a particularly historic event in the sport.

Discipline
flag
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Unknown
TIME OF ORIGIN: -
PRACTISED:
FOUNDERS:

FOCUS: 

grappling, hybrid

ALSO KNOWN AS: Submission Fighting, Submission Grappling, Sport Grappling, No-Gi
PARENTHOOD:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Freestyle Wrestling, Folk Wrestling, Sambo

DESCENDANTS:

OLYMPIC SPORT: No

NOTABLE FEMALE PRATITIONERS

NOTABLE MALE PRATITIONERS

Wrestling Training Products

Essential Writing Tools

Discipline
flag
NATIONALITY:
DATE OF BIRTH:
AGE:
BORN:

RESIDENCE: -
ALSO KNOWN AS: Submission Fighting, Submission Grappling, Sport Grappling, No-Gi
OCCUPATION:

grappling, hybrid

JOB TITLE:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Freestyle Wrestling, Folk Wrestling, Sambo

RELATED FEMALE INDIVIDUALS

RELATED MALE INDIVIDUALS

Wrestling Training Products

Essential Writing Tools

Discipline
flag
COUNTRY: Unknown
LOCATION: -
FOUNDED: -
OPERATIONAL:
FOUNDERS:

ALSO KNOWN AS: Submission Fighting, Submission Grappling, Sport Grappling, No-Gi
SECTOR:

grappling, hybrid

DESCRIPTION:

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Freestyle Wrestling, Folk Wrestling, Sambo

WEBSITE: -

ACOSSIATED INDIVIDUALS

ACOSSIATED ATHLETES

Wrestling Training Products

Essential Writing Tools

Practices

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of submission wrestling is one of mixing styles, techniques and platforms to create the most efficient form of taking down an opponent and getting a submission. Submission wrestling views any form of locking, grappling or holding method as worthwhile if it succeeds in making the opponent submit. Like other forms of Mixed Martial Arts, the emphasis of mixing fighting techniques is tantamount in its role and outlook. Unlike other forms of Mixed Martial Arts, there is an extremely limited ranking system. This adds a level of minimalism to a style that is brimming with complexities.

TECHNIQUES

This section needs collaborators. If you want to contribute, please email info@awakeningfighters.com

TRAINING

This section needs collaborators. If you want to contribute, please email info@awakeningfighters.com

RANKS & GRADING

This section needs collaborators. If you want to contribute, please email info@awakeningfighters.com

WEIGHT CLASSES

This section needs collaborators. If you want to contribute, please email info@awakeningfighters.com

Rules / Rulesets

RULES / RULESETS

Given the extreme level of variety and endless blending of techniques found in submission wrestling, the rules vary with each organization. There are certain rules that transcend all schools and organizations, however. Striking is strictly prohibited in all forms of submission wrestling. Other techniques that are forbidden include gouging, head butting, grabbing the throat, hair pulling, small joint manipulation and ear tugging. Though there are moves that are not allowed, submission wrestling generally allows techniques banned in other forms, such as neck cranks and spine locks. Another universal rule is that opponents must grapple only in the matted wrestling area.

Organisations & Historical Places

ORGANISATIONS

(If you are interested in having your organisation listed, please contact us at info@awakeningfighters.com)

HISTORICAL PLACES

This section needs collaborators. If you want to contribute, please email info@awakeningfighters.com

Popular Culture

POPULAR CULTURE

Since submission wrestling is heavily based on blending styles and efficient holds, many films and television programs have most likely featured submission wrestling, even if they do not explicitly refer to it by name. In fact, many television programs feature submission wrestling matches as part of their generic wrestling competitions. Several books have been written on submission wrestling, including Rough and Tumble: The History of American Submission Wrestling written by Erik Paulson. In the book, Paulson outlines the history of submission wrestling from its early start to its application in contemporary society all over the world.

Useful Links

USEFUL LINKS

Links coming soon

References

REFERENCES

  1. http://www.grapplingacademy.com/
  2. http://www.martial-art-concepts.com/martial-arts-history/combat-submission-wrestling
  3. http://okbjj.com/SubmissionWrestling.htm

COLLABORATORS

No Collaborators found

Contact

CONTACT