Grappling in "Female muscle"
"Golden Gate" match
Grappling in "Virago
Grappling in "Beka"
Grappling in "DWW"
Girls grappling
Coed wrestling
in "Female Muscle"
Beatrice Goffin in wrestling
Photo from the site "Diana the Valkirie"
Submission wrestling episodes from the tournament held by NAGA in November 2005
Grapplers Quest
Ardent submission wrestling match.
Videoclip from the website "Grappling Unlimited"
To watch the video click on the image.
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Submission wrestling (also called grappling, submission grappling or submission fighting) is a general term describing martial arts that focus on grappling to effect a submission (admission of loss) usually by means of chokes, joint locks, and other manipulations of the opponent's body by arms and legs. In fact, many combative sports have "submission" features, like judo, sambo, jiu jitsu, Brazilian jiu jitsu, Shooto modified wrestling, and many other grappling arts. Submission wrestling is also the globalization of the many grappling arts from around the world into a single system, and can include techniques from a wide range of arts. Mixed martial arts schools and fighters may use "submission wresting" to describe their grappling methods while avoiding association with any one art. In other words, a submission wrestling contest is no-hit fighting until submission of one of contestants. Unlike the "classical" wrestling forms (freestyle and Greek-Roman) in which takedown an opponent and pinning him/her is the main key for the victory, in submission wrestling the main goal is to force an opponent to submit (to give in) or to make him/her not capable to continue the bout.
While a number of combative sports have maintained the great practices of throwing and pinning, until very recently, no event has single mindedly emphasized the great tradition of submission. Submission, over throwing or pinning, has now proven its value beyond dispute in Mixed Martial Arts competitions (style where techniques are used from different fighting styles and martial arts).
Classic wrestling inherited the traditional duel rituals (like pinning) from pre-historic times. Such rituals are popular among males when they mating. In such a contest the dominance revealed by putting an opponent on his/her back and holding him there is clear even at a mammalian level - an animal characteristically attempts to put its adversary on its back, exposing the weak underbelly.
Fights in submission wrestling look quite differently from freestyle or Greek-Roman wrestling matches. Since none of opponent body positions (including the pin) guarantees a victory, a submission wrestling match often lasts for a long while and runs tougher and more ferociously. Sometimes dragging out takes place while neither one manages to force an opponent to give in. One of the typical grappling techniques is so-called "scissors" - a clench waist or neck by thighs. Even a pinned wrestler may win by a firm "scissors". Freestyle and Greek-Roman wrestling styles seem to be more aesthetically beautiful, "elegant" and "nobly" whereas submission wrestling seems to be more straight forward and "fierce". Freestyle wrestler Marina Kinyakina says that in order to win in submission "you have to choke, break joints or inflict unbearable pain to an opponent" which she considers to be unacceptable in sports.
Recently, the submission wrestling style has become very popular among women which can be explained by several reasons. First, female lower body is much more powerful than the upper body, so a woman can effectively accomplish clenches, overturns and other techniques by thighs and legs. Besides, perhaps, for women conventionalities and rituals (like the pin or scores) make less importance than for men. Real females' dominance and control reveals when an opponent is explicitly suppressed and defeated, which should be obvious for everyone. That's probably why the submission style turned out to gain big popularity among women competing for fun or in self-organized contests.
One of the biggest promoters of submission wrestling is the North American Grappling Association (NAGA) http://www.nagafighter.com/#intro. It holds male-male and female-female contests in submission wrestling and mixed martial arts (no-hold barred fights). In some of the youth divisions, boys may be paired with girls if there are insufficient entrants to justify a separate division. Exceptional female grapplers can petition the Commissioner to compete in the male division. This may be granted in limited circumstances. Such fighters as Shannon Logan are definitely qualified.
Actually, the concept of the submission wrestling is similar to "no-hold barred" fighting (or mixed martial arts - MMA) but without striking.
NAGA has elaborated the most established and proved rules and terms of submission wrestling:
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There are two age categories for girls: 11-13 and 14-16.
In some of the youth divisions, boys may be paired with girls if there are insufficient entrants to justify a separate division.
In some competitions, older female wrestlers also compete. Exceptional female fighters can petition the Commissioner to compete in the male division. This may be granted in limited circumstances.
Players are divided into any of several different categories, depending upon the number of players in the division. If there exist two weight divisions, women’s cutoffs are:
Lightweight (below 125lbs)
Heavyweight (125lbs plus)
The match is one period of four minutes in length for the Novice, Beginner, Women, Senior.
All female players, of all ages, have the option to wear an athletic breast protector. Female athletes must wear a sports bra at a minimum.
Submission
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The purpose of a submission is not injury but concession of defeat (by an agreed-upon sign - by voice or by clapping).
- Players must apply holds in such a way as to cause their opponent to submit, but not to instantaneously injure the joint in question.
- Explicitly, the referee can disqualify a player, even after he/she has secured a submission, if the hold causes genuine injury, and was applied recklessly or with malice. In this case, obviously, the losing player will not continue.
- Even in the absence of an injury, the referee can caution, warn, or even disqualify the offending player.
Types of fouls
1. No striking of any kind is permitted.
2. No attacks are permitted to the front of the windpipe. Non-explosive, defensive pressure may be applied to the throat to effect an escape.
3. No attacks are permitted to the groin. Non-explosive, defensive pressure may be applied to the groin to effect an escape.
4. No pressure of any kind may be applied the opponent’s eye. This includes but is not limited to the fingers, chin, and elbow.
5. No small joint submissions can be applied to either the fingers or the toes. The fingers and toes can be grabbed for purposes of control or escape, but at least four digits must be manipulated at once. In no circumstances can a submission be applied to the fingers or toes, not even all at once.
6. No fish hooks may be attempted.
7. No biting is allowed, either offensively or defensively. If a player has secured a lock or is applying pressure across the other players face, the second player is responsible for keeping his/her teeth together in such a way that his/her teeth do not apply pressure to the opponent’s skin.
8. A player executing a takedown cannot bring his/her opponent to the mat in such a fashion as to cause injury. A player is expressly forbidden to bring another player down on his/her head. While the effectiveness of a slam is recognized and permitted, it cannot be in such a fashion that injury results. Note: Particularly in a Guard situation, the slammed player is encouraged to be responsible for protecting him(her)self, either by grabbing a leg, or by releasing the guard.
Serious athletic submission wrestling is close to Jiu-jitsu and to other combative sports including Mixed martial arts. Submission form of wrestling is also common in "friendly" matches between women and matches for taping for sale (see the section “Amateur wrestling”).
Female submission wrestling started in 1970s as an amateur wrestling form, which was developed by some enthusiasts (like Beatrice Goffin from Belgium). This submission wrestling form is still widespread. Enthusiasts of this wrestling style are touring over the world visiting wrestling clubs and having wrestling matches with other female wrestlers. It's done for entertainment or/and for small profit (contests are recorded and the video tapes are sold). Sometimes tournament are held (like “Golden Gates”) which are taped for sale. When watching such matches you would notice sincere enthusiasm, ardor and friendly atmosphere. More organized submission-wrestling matches are cultivated in clubs which produce video for sale (like DWW, Virago, Beka).
As female combat spreads over the world women’s submission wrestling started developed in the same directions as men’s one. Fighters from other combative sports are coming to submission wrestling: Jiu-jitsu wrestlers and mixed martial arts fighters (see our interviews with Zee Vzhesaliku and Shannon Logan and also the WEB site “Fighter Girls”). As a matter of fact, a serious professional submission wrestling looks similar to “no hold barred” except blows. Female submission wrestling became more athletic, tougher and probably more manly. Recently, this form became popular among women who train in powerlifting, bodybuilding and strength fitness, for instance, in North American Grappling Association - Female muscle). So there are several modifications of female submission wrestling: athletic grappling, form of MMA, wrestling for audience and for taping.
In submission wrestling scores for accomplished techniques are not counted and the position "pin" is neither special nor critical. For example, a pinned participant may catch the opponent's waist by "scissors" and overturn him/her gaining more advanced position or (if the opponent has a weak abdominal belt) even force him/her to give up remaining “pinned”. The most of contests are held until several submissions and a winner is one who has more of them. Contests often drag out by slow actions when contestants are wrestling in lying down position and catching their breath. Sometimes, a wrestler being on top is unable to achieve a submission for a long time (especially in entertaining contests). In the most cases a submission is forced by clutching a neck or a waist by legs (scissors), by a pain hold or by leaning heavily on the opponent's face in order to make breathing difficult. In friendly contests a submission might take place when one of wrestlers is tired or thirsty.
Unlike freestyle wrestling having standardized set of techniques and a pin as the main goal, some "violent" techniques are allowed in submission wrestling such as locks, scissors and sometimes chokes and pain holds. However, female “submissioners” are less technically skilled than "free-stylers" and the selection of really used techniques is relatively poor. Submission wrestling matches usually are more static than freestyle ones; “submissioners” are often involved in a long power withstanding on the ground. That’s why muscular and physically stronger wrestlers may have some advantages. This fact determines a body shape of a submissioner who has developed static musculature, especially in the lower body.
Scissors and neck hold
Photo from the website She Wrestles
Russian girls in wrestling
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Shannon Logan is winning
("Female muscle")
Zee the Pittbull starts the battle
Grappling in standing
Fly
Turning around
Grappling in par terre
"Scissors"
Neck lock and scissors
Hold
Submission wrestling episodes from the tournament held by NAGA in November 2005
Grapplers Quest
Submission wrestling episodes held by NAGA.
Web resource Grapplers Quest.
To watch the video, click on the image.
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