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Debate: Submission Only Events, Guarantee for Exciting Matches & More Submissions?

Debate: Submission Only Events, Guarantee for Exciting Matches & More Submissions?

 

With Polaris 3 having ended in 8 exciting matches but nevertheless draws after 15 mins of no points, submission only matches, the question one make ask himself is do Submission only matches really produce more submission than point matches?

Let’s break it down. With point rules, there are more ways to win, and superior positioning which usually leads to a higher chance of submission is actively encouraged.

In submission only, the competitors can get more distracted without having a goal of scoring points and advancing position.

A Pro Jiu-Jitsu event which mixes the 2 is Copa Podio, where there are points and matches are just 5 minutes with the referee not tolerating any stalling and constantly pushing for action.

GracieMag‘s editor, Ivan Trinidade Makes a point on his Facebook page on why points are better than sub only:

 

“Ok. So here’s why I think that the idea that getting rid of points (and other ways of deciding a winner) in a Jiu-Jitsu match leads to more submissions and more exciting matches is a false premise.

1.The level of action in a match depends mostly on the style of the fighters involved and the level of each one in relation to the other.
2. Data show that matches involving opponents of different levels tend to end in submissions, no matter under which rules set.
3. Data also show that matches involving opponents of similar level tend to have more even outcomes, with the winner usually being defined by details like an advantage of a ref decision (or in case of submission-only, ending in draws).
4. When you strip a match of points and other ways of quantifying technical achievements, you take away the consequences of the choices fighters have to make during a match. For instance, in a match between same-level opponents, with points, when the opponent is attacking their back fighters have to choose between defending the hooks to avoid giving up the points or defending their neck. In submission-only matches, they do not need to choose and can focus on defending their neck only. This Saturday, one of the fighters at Polaris 3 flat out said that he chose not to spend a lot of strength to defend a guard pass, saving his energy to avoid being submitted.
5. There’s only one thing worse than a match being decided by an advantage or the referee. It’s when the match is not decided at all and there’s no winner or loser.
6. When you take away different ways of winning a match, you also get rid of different ways to lose a match, making the job of the fighter trying to win harder and the job of the fighter avoiding defeat easier.
7. The existence of the option of the draw is a psychological crutch. When you enter a match that you know the only two outcomes are winning or loosing, you know you have to win somehow or accept defeat, in any form it comes, including losing by an advantage or a ref decision.
Agree? No? Why?”

 

BJJ world champion Tammi Musumeci also talked about the same subject on her Facebook:

“Why are there more submissions in Point Jiu-Jitsu events (such as IBJJF) than in submission-only events?–> My philosophy is that since in the submission-only events, the only way to win is to submit the person and the only way to lose is to get submitted there is more awareness of the submissions.
In Point events, there are multiple ways to win (points, submission, advantages, disadvantages) so there is less of dependancy to get a submission, and therefore less awareness because there are way more other factors to focus on. When the person is focusing more on getting points or advantages, there is a greater chance of getting caught.

I know from my experience in competing that the times where I got submitted were all when I was trying to either pass the guard, take the back, or complete a sweep. The more distractions present in a situation (in a jiu-jitsu points match, it would mean getting and avoiding points and advantages), the greater the chance of not avoiding a situation where you could get submitted. It’s like if when driving a car and the only way to crash is hitting a tree, no other factors could make you crash. There will be way less more accidents because there would be more awareness.
Regularly, there are so many factors that could make you crash, so there is a greater chance of hitting a tree. Also, points are awarded for the dominant positions where the submissions occur, so having points present will encourage more submissions. Submission-only events are super entertaining and I love watching them, but it is super interesting how there tends to be more submissions where points are also awarded.”