A Time-Honored Approach
Submission Only (Sub Only) competitions aren't a new concept. They've long challenged competitors with no time limits, reliance on referees' decisions, modified rules, and draws. These elements have been rigorously tested in open invitation tournaments to create the most engaging matches.

A Leap Forward with Eddie Bravo
Nearly a decade ago, Submission Challenge revolutionized the scene by adopting the EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational) Overtime concept. This innovation allowed for age and skill-appropriate modifications to submissions, leading to widespread acclaim. Thanks to these changes, our competitions have been a hit, hosting over 100 events across the United States. Competitors range from young enthusiasts at age 4 to seasoned practitioners up to 74 years old, all enjoying our unique ruleset.

Why It’s Exciting
There’s a reason Submission Only is thrilling, fun, and positive for everyone involved. The EBI rules have transformed the game, offering a superior ruleset for submission-focused matches. At Submission Challenge, we take pride in being pioneers and innovators, continually leading the way in open invitation competition.

• Win via Submission victory within regulation time.
• Win in overtime; victory by sub, fastest sub 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.

• Adult Regulation time: White Belts 6mins - Blue and Above 8 Min Match
• Teen Regulation time: 5 min matches at all skill levels
• Youth regulation time: 4 min matches at all skill levels.
• Youth Novice Rules: 2 Min rounds learn more here.

Overtime time limits: there is a 2 min time limit in overtime rounds. See Overtime rules below for more details.

Eddie Bravo Invitational overtime rules. Any match whose regulation match time ends without a draw immediately moves into Overtime with break or time out unless deemed needed by referee. Any competitor who can not answer the call to immediately participate in the overtime round will be disqualified.

overtime round consists of Athletes choosing specific Dead-zones (The back or Spiderweb) from which the athletes will attack and defend submissions. Each competitor will get a try to attack for a submission. The competitor who can secure a submission their respective attacking overtime round will be the victor.

Based on athlete aggression and submission minded attacks the referee will choose a competitor to choose Offense or Defense at the beginning of the the 1st OT Round.

In Overtime there are two positions or Dead Zones available to attack and defend from.

Back Control with Seatbelt Grip 

Competitors will begin in a seated back control position upright with both hooks and a seat belt grip. The opponent may have their hands in place on the seat belt grip and chin tucked before ref begins the round. Once round begins the body triangle may be applied but not before.

Spiderweb or the Arm Bar position. 

Each position must have arms hooked, crook of elbow to crook of elbow. The opponent defending the position may have their arms in any defense configuration they desire. Below are samples of each position. 

Submission Shootout

During the overtime rounds opponents are trying to submit or escape as fast as possible. Both opponents will have a chance to submit their opponent from a dead zone of their choosing or escape the deadzone their opponent chooses. The opponent who obtains a submission or the fastest submission in the Overtime round wins the match. In the regulation matches on a bracket fighters will have 1 single OT round to achieve a submission. In the finals (for 1st and 2nd Place) Fighters will have up to 3 overtime rounds to achieve a submission. In the event that escapes occur for both fighters, the combined fastest escape time will be the victor.

In OT the Goal is Submit your Opponent as fast as possible or Escape the Dead zone position as fast as possible.

Kids under 8 may only select BACK CONTROL in overtime rounds. 

Slam Rule: 

No Slamming is allowed, However it is respected.  If your are lifted into the air and held in control for a standing count of 3 by the ref, the match will be stopped and reset to a neutral standing position. Example: being lifted up in a triangle choke and held upright. After 3 Seconds, the match would be stopped and reset to the center of the ring standing. 

Neck Cranks: All neck cranks are illegal. Example: Can Openers. 

No Standing Submissions for Kids under 13. 

Twisters are Legal at Blue Belt and Up

The Get Down Rule

If after 2 mins there is no action in a match, meaning no takedown or any active grappling looking to achieve a submission, then the Get Down Rule will go into effect. 

When get down rule happens, ref will flip a coin, winner the coin toss decides on top / bottom position. 

• 1st time get down rule: Position - Butterfly guard double underhooks. 
• Bottom Position being Butterfly Guard with double underhooks and head position ear to ear on either side of the coin toss winners choice. 
• Top position being top butterfly guard with knees on the mats. 
• 2nd time get down rule goes into effect: Position - Mount
• If the get down rule goes into effect another time then the starting position is Mount for the coin toss winner. 

When ref says begin the match will resume with the goal of obtaining submission. 

The Get down rule is designed to encourage action and the goal of obtaining submission to win a match. 

Here are some specific youth Novice Division rules for ages 4 to 12 years old.

To help novice competitors with less than 6 months of training have a tremendous competitive experience we'e created a No Submissions Ruleset just for novice youth competitors.The Positional Shootout! First competitor to Mount or Back Control Wins the roundBest out of 3 rounds - Each round is 2 Mins. Must Control position for 5 seconds. If no winner after 3 rounds - We go to OVERTIME!Back Control Only - Fastest Escape is the winnerOnly 1 Overtime round in Novice Division. NOTE TO PARENTS Our Referees call submissions and end the match anytime the competitors look in danger or injury. The referee's job is to ensure the safety of all competitors on the mat and in Youth matches will stop matches prematurely if a Strong Submission attempt is in play, and the opponent is not defending adequately and risking injury. Please understand safety is priority. 

• 39lbs and under
• 40-49lbs
• 50-59lbs
• 60-69lbs
• 70-79lbs
• 80-89lbs
• 90-99lbs
• 100-115lbs
• 116lbs - 125lbs
• 126 - 135lbs
• 136lbs - 145lbs
• 146lbs - 155lbs
• 156lbs - 170lbs
• 171lbs - 185lbs
• 186lbs - 205lbs
• 206lbs - 235lbs
• 236lbs and up

• Youth Ages 4-6yrs
• Youth Ages 7-8yrs
• Youth Ages 9-10yrs
• Youth Ages 11-12yrs
• Teens 13-15yrs
• Teens 16-17yrs
• Adults 18yrs +
• Masters 1: 30-34yrs
• Masters 2: 35-39yrs
• Directors 1: 40-44yrs
• Directors 2: 45-49yrs
• Executive 1: 50-54yrs
• Executive 2: 55yrs +

Regular Adult 18yrs+ No-Gi and Gi Divisions:

• Novice (Under 6 Months Training) 
• White Belt (Less than 2 years Wrestling Experience) 
• Blue Belt 
• Purple Belt
• Brown 
• Black Belt 

Regular Youth/Teen No-Gi and Gi Divisions:

• Novice (Under 6 Months Training) 
• White Belt (Less than 2 years Wrestling Experience) 
• Gray Belt
• Yellow Belt
• Orange Belt 
• Green/Blue Belt 

ADULT ABSOLUTE NO-GI AND GI DIVISIONS

(SAME SKILL LEVEL ALL WEIGHT CLASSES)

• White Belts 
• Blue Belts
• Purple Belts
• Brown Belts
• Black Belts