It’s a Game

As practical as submission grappling is for a fight, a fight it is not. We all know that somewhere even if we don’t think about it that much. So if it’s not a fight, then what is it? As the title suggest I believe it’s a game. I would also venture to say it’s more of a game than any other combat sport, and possibly more strategic than most standard sports. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there is a wide swath of available techniques and possibilities, as well as greater ability to make mistakes. There is no limit to the amount of points you can accrue/tech fall and there are no ippons by throw or pin. However silly it looks or boring it can be, whole matches are won based on exploiting the rules for points and advantages. As a hobbyist, maybe you don’t need to know the ins and outs of each ruleset, however it makes watching jiu jitsu easier, and if you wish to compete at the highest level, knowing these intricacies can make or break your career.