This idea would work well if introduced into women's football (soccer) tournaments. Games that finish in a draw in knock-out cup competitions could be settled the following way.
After the regulation 90 minutes and extra-time is over, and it is still level, do away with the best of 5 penalty shoot-out. Replace it with a best of 5 NHB catfights to decide who proceeds to the next round.
The first 4 fights might have a 5 minute time limit. Getting an opponent to submit and beg for mercy counts as a win. Any refusal to surrender, no matter how much any player may be dominated, is a tie.
Both teams line up around the centre circle, still in their full kit. Angry glares are exchanged all around. The atmosphere is electric, the fans love it, and they're here to get what they dream of.
1. A player from team A walks into the middle and volunteers to catfight a player from team B. Does she directly challenge a specific player from team B? Or can any player from team B accept her challenge and step forward? Does the captain of team B order one of her teammates to fight?
2. After the first fight a different player from team B walks into the middle and offers to fight a player from team A. Her opponent from team A is chosen the same way as the player from team B was for fight #1.
3. Now it's the turn of the fans of team A to choose their next fighter. How is her opponent chosen? Fans? Team A's or team B's? Does she volunteer? Or is she chosen by her teammates and/or captain? Or have there previously been lots drawn?
4. The fans of team B choose their next fighter. Her opponent from team A is chosen the same way as the player from team B was in fight #3.
5. In the event that they are still deadlocked it is now up to both team captains. There is no 5 minute time limit for #5, it's a bitchfight to the finish. It is all or nothing now. They'll fight for their personal pride to show who is the better woman, for their teams, and most of all the adulation of their adoring fans.
Women footballers know the risks of their chosen sport. Fans always want games to be drawn as it inevitably means they'll be treated to the spectacle of prime female athletes rolling around the grass with each other, ripping each other's hair, scratching, viciously catballing and mauling for all their worth. A show of peak female pride, ferocity, and fury! And a little heartbreak for the losers.
I'd watch it.
