Tournament Idea, need feedback please (NY, NJ, PA, MA, DE area)

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 12/25/2009 2:45am

For those that don't know me, I am an amateur fighter from NY and have a small MMA school on Long Island (like super small lol).

I am going to be holding a submission grappling tournament but I of course like all others have high hopes and such. I want to run a large tournament circuit throughout the North East and possibly outside of it too.

I know I can never be NAGA or Grapplers Quest so I have an idea for a unique rule set. It is a twist on submission only tournaments. It would greatly cut down on overhead and organizing costs and therefore I could make a cheaper tournament. I would mention it here but I don't want it being stolen just yet.

If you could just give me some feedback on these things :

1 - NAGA and GQ start at about $85 for 1 division. I want to charge $60 and at most $75 for all divisions (gi, no-gi and absolute) although I think I could keep it at $60. Would you be more willing to attend a $60-75 tournament? Is that a big difference in price to you?

2 - How do you like submission only tournaments? If you could have a circuit that only did submission only would you like that? Forget about the fact that with hundreds of competitors it might take forever. If you knew it was submission only but hypothetically all of the matches would be over in 6-8 minutes would you be happy then? Would you be happy as a competitor?

3 - Where the hell am I going to get good spaces to run a tournament in NY?!?!?! This is just for those who know the business, I have some estimates and have contacted some gyms but wanna know what you guys have paid or know that others have paid to rent out a facility.

Lastly, if you live in the NY, NJ, PA, DE, MA area keep on the lookout for a $70 tournament that includes all 3 divisions within the next 3 months. As a side note I'd also be looking for guys to help out with organizing in return for free tourney entrance and a small wage (like $100 for the day).

***jnp*** · Posted On: 12/25/2009 9:05am

The AGD management fully endorses this thread.

**Goju - Joe** · Posted On: 12/25/2009 1:13pm

I don't know about the submission only idea, sounds good on paper but in practice you will have time limit issues if you get a lot of people.

Also my 2 cents charge $85 per field - gi and no gi but make it double elimination so people fee they get their money's worth.

**chingythingy** · Posted On: 12/25/2009 1:28pm

In this economy tournaments are having less turnout and the expense is a lot for people. I would say start pretty small and get the buy in of a few local schools as a regional tournament. Keep prices rock bottom, find a few sponsors, and don't go overboard.

Once you've done it a few years and have a following you can expand it.

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 12/25/2009 3:08pm

Please re-read the original post, it would be submission only but there will be a time limit. There will be no draws though. It's my secret how it will work though.

**AlphaFoxtrot51** · Posted On: 12/25/2009 5:03pm

Have a volunteer ambulance company from Long Island cover the event...you'd cut down on the cost of hiring a "fight EMT"

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 12/26/2009 5:48pm

For those following the thread, where do I get referees? I wouldn't need many but I would need about 4 to hire for the day and what is the usually price to pay for a ref? If anyone on the board lives on Long Island and wants to ref that would be cool, tell what you cost lol.

Alpha, do you know how much a volunteer EMT would cost?

Also getting ready to have the event in February in Port Jefferson Station, NY.

**GIJoe6186** · Posted On: 12/27/2009 1:21am

For those interested, we are doing a test run of the new rule set. A link to the thread with more info is here:

Long Island, NY Tournament : $50 February - No BS MMA and Martial Arts

Long Island, NY Tournament : $50 February

When : 2/20/09 (tentative)
Where : Port Jefferson Station, NY
Divisions : No-gi and Absolute No-Gi
Price : $50 (for both divisions)

We have a whole new way of running a grappling tournament, it has not been done before and will bring BJJ tournaments back to their roots. The new scoring system does not cater to or give certain advantages to wrestler or Judoka in order to bring them into the tournament. More info on the rules to be coming soon but everyone who has heard about it so far thinks it's great!

We are looking to get a pre-register up in a week. Part of bringing the price down is getting the pre-registers in so if you're interested stay up to date on here.

For more information keep checking back here or email joseph_funaro@yahoo.com

**Hedgehogey** · Posted On: 12/27/2009 3:18am

So if I get a takedown, pass the guard, get reversed into guard, sweep again, then take my opponent's back, but don't submit him, what happens?

**AlphaFoxtrot51** · Posted On: 12/27/2009 4:00am

Originally Posted by GIJoe6186

For those following the thread, where do I get referees? I wouldn't need many but I would need about 4 to hire for the day and what is the usually price to pay for a ref? If anyone on the board lives on Long Island and wants to ref that would be cool, tell what you cost lol.

Alpha, do you know how much a volunteer EMT would cost?

Also getting ready to have the event in February in Port Jefferson Station, NY.

It should be free unless you feel like donating. There should be a volunteer ambulance service in Port Jefferson. Get in contact with them.