Submission Only Jiu-Jitsu

No Points, No Advantages. Sub Only Jiu-Jitsu TOURNAMENTS for everyone.

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The Next Evolution

The Submission Challenge provides a fun filled positive competitive atmosphere for the entire family. Divisions starting at 4 years old going up to our Executives 2 division 55yrs plus. Weight classes start at 39lbs and under for the youngest of athletes. Beautiful Original Championship Medals Awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners.

Event Calendar

Submission Challenge

TOURNAMENT INFO

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

SUBMISSION ONLY - ISOF STANDARD RULES / EBI OVERTIME RULES - Double Elimination 

The Submission Challenge provides the nations best Submission Only Jiu-Jitsu experience for the entire family. Our event offers 100's of possible divisions with incredible awards and unforgettable matches. We utilize the ISOF Standard ruleset for Youth, Teens, and Adult competition. Rules are broken-down by skill level and age. In the event no submission is obtained competitors go into Overtime using EBI Overtime rules. 

To ensure our competitors have the best experience possible we've broken down the registration and bracketing schedule for you so you don't miss a thing. 

ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY

OUR EVENT IS AN ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY EVENT. THERE IS NO DAY OF REGISTRATION FOR ANY EVENTS.

We offer fantastic pricing for all of our competitors including a special discount for those who get on the ball and register early! We offer early bird discount pricing up until two week before the event registration deadline. Check your event page or event poster for specific registration deadlines and dates. Gi and No-Gi Competition plus Absolute divisions for Adults. 

BRACKETS, SCHEDULE* AND DIVISIONS:

Submission Challenge is proud to feature men and women's divisions for competitors ages 4 and up. All skill levels are welcome. Submission Challenge is submission grappling for everyone!

Novice divisions are available for first time competitors with less than 6 months of experience, this includes Judo, Wrestling, Sambo or any other grappling in any form.

Professionally designed and crafted medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Championship belts for Advanced divisions.

COMPETITOR LISTS:

Competitor Lists will be viewable throughout the registration process. Please ensure your data is entered correctly by checking your registration on the registration tab above, or by clicking here.

CHANGING DIVISIONS:

On Wednesday prior to the event when registration closes, all competitors, coaches, and parents have until 3 P.M. Central time the following day to make any edits to their registrations. You can make these changes by logging into your account and modifying your registration details. At this deadline, registrations become finalized, and there will be no further changes allowed. Competitors who find themselves without another competitor in their division may choose to move themselves up in division (weight or rank) or cancel the registration for a full credit. If you have trouble changing your division or canceling, please check here for assistance.

BRACKET COMBINATIONS:

After the 3 P.M. deadline on Thursday to edit registration info, competitors who do not have anyone in their division group will be combined into another appropriate division. All athletes who remain alone in their divisions once brackets are finalized at 8 P.M. Thursday have no available combinations available to them, and therefore there are no matches available for that competitor. They will receive a full coupon credit for entry to any future Submission Challenge event.

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION POLICY:

In the event you must cancel your registration, a full event credit will be provided automatically via smooth comp. The cancellation deadline is by Thursday 3pm before event date. After the deadline to edit registration (3 P.M. Thursday prior to the event), all registrations are considered final with no event credit available. Credits are issued when you log into your account and cancel your event registration. Coupon codes are viewable in the “MY Account” area of SmoothComp. Competitors whose opponents no showed or withdraw from their division leaving them without a match on event day will receive a full coupon credit if there are no other appropriate divisions available.

BRACKETS AND SCHEDULE:

Friday Afternoon before the tournament, event brackets and a schedule will be released. You will be able to locate both on the event page brackets and schedule tab. All Submission Challenge tournaments feature 2 large flat screen T.V.s where the event schedule is displayed. The referee at your mat will also make a courtesy call for you to come to the mat if you haven’t already presented yourself for the bracket. Please be at the mat on time for your matches. We ask that you make sure to be present in the venue at least 60 minutes prior your division start time as well, fast submissions allow us to get a head start on certain divisions. You can also tell when your matches are coming up by checking the tab on your mobile device during the competition: FIND MY START TIME

*Schedule is tentative and may change based on the amount of athletes registered

WEIGH-INS:

Weigh-ins begin at 8 A.M. the day of the tournament. Athletes may wear whatever appropriate attire they choose to weigh-in with. You ARE NOT required to weigh in with you Gi. If an athlete cannot make weight they will be moved up to the next available weight class, if there are no athletes in higher weight classes you will be disqualified. We do this to ensure the integrity of the brackets. Registration may be edited by the athlete until the Thursday prior to the event at 3 P.M. Central time.

RULES:

Submission Challenge runs a double elimination format with an additional bracket for 3rd place if necessary . We do this to ensure that our competitors are able to participate in as many matches as possible while still running a timely event. The Submission Challenge utilizes a slightly modified EBI Overtime ruleset. Full rules for the event including legal/illegal techniques, weight classes, and age groups can be found at rules.

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS:

Gi - 

The Gis will not be checked or measured before the tournament, but tournament officials have the right to ask a competitor to change his/her Gi if they judge it is inappropriate. This situation can happen if: the Gi is obviously too short or too long, there are too many patches on the Gi preventing the opponent from gripping it, the top and the pants are of different colors or the Gi shows visible tears, is wet or dirty, or emanates unpleasant odors. Competitors may wear a rash guard under their gi. Competitors may not select to wear a shirt under their gi instead. 

NoGi

Men divisions, athletes have to wear board shorts without pockets or with pockets entirely stitched shut and reaching at least halfway down the thigh and at most to the knee. Attached metal or plastic of any kind that may hurt the opponent is expressly forbidden on the board shorts. Spats can be worn under the shorts if selected. Athletes also have to wear a rashguard or a shirt of elastic fabric (clings to body). This rash guard or shirt does not need to meet any color requirements. Athletes cannot compete shirtless or wearing a loose shirt of any kind.  For No Gi Women divisions, athletes have to wear board shorts or lycra elastic pants without pockets or with pockets entirely stitched shut and reaching at least halfway down the thigh and at most to the knee. Attached metal or plastic of any kind that may hurt the opponent is expressly forbidden on the board shorts. Athletes also have to wear a rashguard or a shirt of elastic fabric (clings to body). This rash guard or shirt does not need to meet any color requirements. Athletes cannot compete wearing a loose shirt of any kind.

MATCH LENGTH:

Adult Regulation time: Standard 8 Min Match
Teen Regulation time: 6 min matches at all skill levels
Youth ages 9-12 regulation time: 4 Min matches all skill levels
Youth ages 4-8 regulation time: 4 min matches at all skill levels.

WAYS A MATCH CAN BE WON:

Win via Submission victory within regulation time.
Win in Overtime: victory by submission, fastest submission time, or fastest escape time.
Win by opponent disqualification.
Win via opponent forfeiture.

Submission is based upon physical tapping, a verbal tap, or yelling during a submission attempt. If an opponent must have the match stopped for any injury related incident or any other reason beyond control that does not warrant any disqualifications, the opponent will have 5 mins to return to the match or they will have to forfeit the match.

INDIVIDUAL COMPETITOR CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALS

ALL REGULAR DIVISION AND OPEN WEIGHT DIVISION 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers WIN PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALS FOR 1ST, 2ND, AND 3RD PLACE COMPETITORS. 

TOP ACADEMY AWARD -

1st, 2nd, 3rd Place for Best Academy.

WARM UP MATS:

Warm up mats are generally set up for athletes but may be used to run additional brackets if necessary.

SPECTATOR PASSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR $15 PER PERSON AT THE DOOR

TOURNAMENT RULES

About Sub Only

Submission Only is not a new concept. It involves no time limit, referee decisions, modified rules, and the possibility of draws. These elements have been tested in open invite tournaments, achieving significant success with the help of Eddie Bravo nearly ten years ago. Utilizing the EBI Overtime concept with age and skill level adjustments, Submission Challenge has hosted over 100 events across the United States, welcoming competitors aged 4 to 74.

Why Choose Sub Only?

  • Excitement and Fun: Each match is vibrant, engaging, and friggin awesome; offering a positive experience for everyone.
  • Innovative Rules: EBI Rules have transformed Submission Only competitions, proving to be the superior ruleset. Submission Challenge continues to lead the way in pioneering these rules for open invite competitions.

Ways to Win a Match:

  • Submission: Achieve a submission victory within regulation time.
  • Overtime: Win by submission, fastest submission time, or quickest escape time.
  • Disqualification: Win due to opponent’s disqualification.
  • Forfeiture: Win if the opponent forfeits the match.

Regulation Match Time Limits:

  • Adults: White Belts - 6 minutes; Blue Belts and above - 8 minutes.
  • Teens: All skill levels - 5 minutes.
  • Youth: All skill levels - 4 minutes; Novice Rules - 2-minute rounds Learn more here.

 

Overtime Rules

Overtime immediately follows a draw at the end of regulation time, without a break unless required by the referee. Failure to commence overtime results in disqualification. Competitors choose from designated 'Dead Zones'—the Back or Spiderweb—to attack or defend. Each competitor gets one opportunity to secure a submission during their attack phase in overtime.

Starting Positions for Overtime: Based on aggression and submission-focused strategies during the match, the referee will assign the initial offensive or defensive position to the competitors.

 

Overtime Starting Positions

1. Back Control with Seatbelt Grip

Setup:

  • Position: Competitors start in a seated back control position, upright with both hooks and a seat belt grip.
  • Preparation: The opponent may have their hands in place on the seatbelt grip and chin tucked before the referee starts the round.
  • Note: A body triangle may only be applied after the round begins.


Visual depiction of the starting position in Back Control with Seatbelt Grip.

2. Spiderweb (Arm Bar Position)

Setup:

  • Position: Each competitor must have arms hooked from the crook of the elbow to the crook of the opponent's elbow.
  • Defense: The opponent defending the position may have their arms in any defense configuration they desire.


Visual depiction of the starting position in Spiderweb or Arm Bar Position.

Submission Shootout in Overtime:

  • Competitors aim to submit or escape as quickly as possible.
  • Each has a chance to submit from a chosen dead zone or escape from the opponent’s choice.
  • Match Win Conditions:
    • Submission within the single OT round in regulation matches.
    • Up to 3 overtime rounds in finals for 1st and 2nd place.
    • Fastest combined escape time determines the winner if both competitors escape.

Overtime Specifics:

  • For competitors under 8 years old, only BACK CONTROL is allowed in overtime.
  • Overtime Rules for Kids: No standing submissions for competitors under 13. Neck cranks are illegal, including "Can Openers." Twisters are permitted from Blue Belt level and up.

The Get Down Rule:

  • Activated after 2 minutes of inactivity, defined by lack of takedown or submission attempts.
  • A coin toss determines the top/bottom position, promoting action towards a submission:
    • 1st Get Down: Butterfly guard with double underhooks.
    • 2nd Get Down: Mount position.
  • The match resumes with the goal of achieving a submission.

Youth Novice Division Rules (4 - 12 Years):

  • Positional Shootout: The first to achieve Mount or Back Control wins; control must be maintained for 5 seconds.
  • Rounds: Best out of 3, each 2 minutes long.
  • Overtime: Back Control only; the fastest escape wins after one round.

Note to Parents:

  • Referees prioritize safety, stopping matches if a submission attempt poses a risk of injury.

Weight Classes and Age Ranges:

  • Weight Classes: Listed from 39 lbs and under up to 236 lbs and above.
  • Age Ranges: Youth (4-6 yrs, 7-8 yrs, 9-10 yrs, 11-12 yrs), Teens (13-15 yrs, 16-17 yrs), Adults (18+ yrs), Masters (30-34 yrs, 35-39 yrs), Directors (40-44 yrs, 45-49 yrs), Executive (50-54 yrs, 55+ yrs).

Skill Levels:

  • Adult Divisions (No-Gi and Gi): Novice, White Belt, Blue Belt, Purple Belt, Brown Belt, Black Belt.
  • Youth/Teen Divisions (No-Gi and Gi): Novice, White Belt, Gray Belt, Yellow Belt, Orange Belt, Green/Blue Belt.
  • Absolute Divisions (All Skill Levels, All Weight Classes): White, Blue, Purple, Brown, and Black Belts.

This format prioritizes clear sections and straightforward descriptions to ensure that participants can easily understand the rules and structure of the competition.

SKILL AGE AGE DIVISIONS

EVENT REGISTRATION