The history of wrestling goes back centuries and for the majority of that time, submissions were a large part of the teachings. However, due to many factors, submission techniques were phased out of the most practiced forms of wrestling.
The shift away from submissions in some forms of wrestling is a multifaceted phenomenon driven by historical, cultural, and competitive factors.
To understand why certain wrestling styles began to de-emphasize or exclude submissions, we need to examine the evolution of wrestling, its divergence into distinct styles, and the influence of modern sportification.
The History of Submissions In Wrestling & Transition Away From Subs
Historically, wrestling encompassed a broad range of techniques, including strikes, throws, joint locks, and submissions, as seen in ancient systems like Greek pankration or various folk wrestling traditions.
These early forms were often practical, designed for combat or self-defense, where submissions—techniques like chokeholds, arm locks, or leg locks—were critical for forcing an opponent to yield or neutralizing them.
However, as wrestling transitioned from battlefield utility to organized sport, particularly in Europe and later globally, the focus shifted toward standardized rules to ensure safety, fairness, and spectator appeal.
By the medieval and early modern periods, many regional wrestling styles, such as Cornish wrestling or German Ringen, began prioritizing throws and pins over submissions to create clear, decisive outcomes suitable for public competitions.
The Impact of the Olympics
The codification of wrestling into formal sports like Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling in the 19th and early 20th centuries further accelerated this shift.
When Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games in 1896, wrestling was included but needed standardized rules to align with the Olympic ethos of amateurism and safety.
Greco-Roman wrestling, emphasizing upper-body techniques and prohibiting holds below the waist, inherently limited submission opportunities, as the focus was on throws and pins.
Catch wrestling was actually set to become an official Olympic Sport during the early revival at the beginning of the 1900s. However, due to the submissions, catch was scrapped at the last minute in favor of freestyle wrestling which was in its infancy.
Freestyle wrestling, while more permissive, also adopted a pin-based scoring system to determine victory, reducing the reliance on submissions.
Accessibility & Entertainment
These rule sets were influenced by a desire to distinguish wrestling from other combat arts and to make matches accessible and conclusive for judges and audiences.
Submissions, which could be complex to referee and potentially dangerous, were often sidelined to streamline competition.
Cultural factors also played a role. In many societies, wrestling was a test of strength and skill, celebrated as a display of athletic prowess rather than a simulation of combat.
Submissions, especially joint locks and chokes, were seen as riskier, potentially leading to injuries or prolonged matches that were less engaging for spectators.
For example, in scholastic and collegiate wrestling in the United States, rules evolved to prioritize pinning an opponent’s shoulders to the mat, reflecting a cultural preference for clear, dynamic outcomes over protracted submission holds.
This emphasis on pins also aligned with the educational goals of wrestling programs, which valued discipline, athleticism, and teamwork over combat-oriented techniques.
When MMA gained popularity in the late 20th century, submissions found a new home, but wrestling as a sport had already solidified its rules around throws and pins, leaving submissions to specialized disciplines.
Wrap Up
In summary, the exclusion of submissions from many wrestling forms resulted from the sport’s evolution into a structured, spectator-friendly competition.
Standardized rules, safety concerns, cultural preferences for decisive outcomes, and the divergence of combat arts into separate disciplines all contributed.
While submissions remain integral to some styles, like catch wrestling or sambo, mainstream wrestling’s focus on pins and throws reflects a historical shift toward accessibility, safety, and competitive clarity.
Bobby is martial artist for almost 20 years with a BJJ black belt under Professor Sergio Miranda. He is also a karate black and former combat sports athlete, who loves all things grappling.