SHOOTFIGHTING
The ultimate in Mixed-Martial Arts training, Shootfighting® is a complete fighting system that combines both kickboxing with submission wrestling (ground fighting). Shootfighting® will also enhance any other style of Martial Arts a student may already know. With its emphasis on complete transitions from stand-up to ground, it makes both the stand-up fighter or striker and the grappler or ground fighter stronger by eliminating the limitations of each.
History
The martial arts/sport of Shootfighting® is a recent creation. It had its genesis less than 25 years ago when a famous German wrestler taught the art of real wrestling or "shooting", to a group of top Japanese martial artists. The wrestling they learned bore only a superficial resemblance to today's professional wrestling. Two of these Japanese martial artists, Masami Soranaka, practitioner of Karate, Judo and Sumo, and Yoshiaki Fujiwara, a Muay Thai kickboxing champion and Judo expert, combined their knowledge of these diverse styles and created what has come to be known as UWF wrestling or the strong style. Official matches have been held for almost 10 years and the sport's popularity has grown till it is now the third most popular spectator sport in The Rules "Shootfighting® Rules! Overall, Shootfighters—who employ a wide range of striking, grappling and submission tactics—are the most successful competitors in mixed martial arts events."
Currently professional Shootfighting® consists only of a heavyweight (200 lbs or more) division. But there are lighter divisions for amateur competitors. Pro matches run 30 minutes non-stop and amateurs run for 10 minutes. Held inside a standard wrestling ring, competitors are allowed to kick, knee or elbow any part of the body except the groin, as well as head butt. Punches are allowed to the body. Since no gloves are worn to facilitate wrestling, punches are not allowed to the head through open hand palms, but slaps and punches are allowed. Any type of throw or takedown is legal and competitors are allowed to hit a downed opponent. Additionally, any type of joint lock is legal as are chokes against the side of the neck. The only foul consists of punches to the face, eye gouges, techniques against the windpipe and groin strikes.
Fights are won when a competitor is knocked down for a ten-count, knocked down five times or forced to submit. A fighter caught in a submission hold may grab the ropes to break the hold, but this counts as a 1/3 of a knock down. Grab the ropes 15 times and you lose. Bouts that go to the full time limit are declared a draw.
American martial arts legends like Bill Wallace and Joe Lewis have called Shootfighting® the ultimate fighting for self-defense. To develop the stamina and toughness necessary to compete in such a grueling sport, professionals train in
Tiger & Dragon Shootfighting® program
Classes are taught in a group setting that involves conditioning exercises, learning of formal techniques and sparring. Rank is achieved through a combination of both formal testing and evaluation of performance during sparring. Shootfighting® is a MUST for all Law Enforcement Personnel. 80% of all fights may end up on the ground, but 100% of them start standing up! Learn to do it all. Tiger & Dragon Boca is an I.S.F.A. licensed school. Head instructor Douglas Tate is a first generation student of Bart Vale.
Black Belt Magazine, November 1998
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ISFA Sport SHOOTFIGHTING® Rules
1. Divisions: light: 165 lbs & under, middle: 166 to 199, heavy: 200 & above, and women’s. light weight & middle weight.
2. 1 point awarded for a controlled punch or kick to the torso.
3. Kicks to the legs are allowed but do not count as points.
4. 3 points awarded for technique takedown resulting in a submission hold. 2 points for a throw, ( hip toss, arm, head, leg drag ) 1 point for single or double leg takedown.
5. 2 points for a submission hold from the ground.
6. 1 point awarded for a technique reversal.
7. There will be 2 warnings for illegal techniques. The 3rd infraction will disqualify the competitor.
8. Fights consist of one 3 minute round (non-stop). Referee may stop the fight at any time.
9. No eye gouging, hair pulling, no groin strikes, no techniques against the windpipe. No kicks to the front or side of the knee. No knee or elbow strikes.
10. Fighters cannot run out of the ring to avoid attack.
11. Once one opponent’s knee touches the ground the opponents must grapple or stand and fight. No striking a downed opponent.
12. Fighter may win by points or submission. The referee may also end the fight if he determines the fighter is unfit to continue.
13. Fighters may use takedowns (No Suplex’s), any type of joint-lock, and chokes to the side of the neck (No chokes to windpipe).
14. If fighters are deadlocked on the ground the referee may stop and stand the fighters up upon his discretion.
15. If fighters go beyond the mat the referee will stop the fight and restart in the center (standing).
16. If a fighter is unable to continue to fight he forfeits the fight.
17. Fighters must wear ISFA approved grappling gloves, foot protection, cup & mouthpiece. You cannot compete with out the required equipment!
18. Fighter that "Escapes" hold by leaving the ring twice loses.
19. No points for blocking a submission hold.
20. No head contact AT ALL!!
ISFA Amateur SHOOTFIGHTING® Rules
1. 1 fifteen minute round, non-stop fall.
2. All fighters must be trained and licensed by the ISFA.
3. All referees must be trained and licensed by the ISFA.
4. All fighters must wear an ISFA approved grappling gloves.
5. Two escapes, 3 points rule.
6. No face or head contact with hands, feet or knees.
7. No elbow strikes. Knees to the body & leg are allowed.
8. No eye gouging, hair pulling, no groin strikes, no techniques against the windpipe. No kicks to the front of the knee.
9. Knees to the body, punches to the body and kicks to the legs and torso are legal.
10. Fighters may use takedowns, any type of joint-lock, and chokes to the side of the neck (No chokes to the windpipe).
11. Once one opponent’s knee touches the ground the opponents must grapple or stand up and fight. No striking with a downed opponent.
12. Mouthpiece, cup, kneepads & footpads are required.
13. No standing count.
14. If fighters are deadlocked referee will give a ten second count then stand both fighters, at his discretion.
15. Fighter may win by points or submission. The referee may also end the fight if he determines the fighter is unfit to continue. At the end of 15 minutes if both fighters have equal points the fight is considered a draw.
