Why We Are Unique

GRAPPLING

Grappling is a term used to describe martial arts maneuvers and techniques that involve grabbing an opponent. Therefore, grappling is incorporated into most combat sports and martial arts, like judo, jiujitsu, sambo and wrestling. To grapple means to engage in hand-to-hand combat, which is part of wrestling. However, the term grappling is also commonly used to specifically describe ground fighting, a fighting tactic common in Brazilian jiujitsu. There are differences between grappling, or ground fighting arts like jiujitsu, and the modern sport of freestyle wrestling.

Difference Between Grappling and Wrestling

The two major differences between grappling, when it refers to ground fighting, and freestyle wrestling, is the presence of submissions and the strategy of fighting. There are no submission holds -- like choke holds or arm bars -- allowed in wrestling like there are in grappling. Grappling allows you to put your opponent in a hold that causes extreme pain or a fear of injury and thus forces them to submit out of the match. To win the match in wrestling, you must score more points than your opponent using maneuvers such as takedowns, reversals, escapes, and near-falls, or put your opponent on his back and "pin" him by forcing both shoulder blades to touch the mat.

Grappling techniques differ between the martial arts and freestyle wrestling. In wrestling, the top position is ideal for controlling and eventually pinning an opponent. When a wrestler pins his opponent, the match is immediately over. Wrestlers try to avoid being on their back, as it puts them in a position that makes them susceptible to being pinned. However, in some martial arts, being underneath your opponent and lying on your back can be an advantage. You can hold an opponent with your legs and perform submission holds while not being in a susceptible position yourself. Being on top or on your hands and knees makes you susceptible to a number of submission holds and moves that are not allowed in wrestling.

A form of ancient martial art, wrestling evolved into a sport practiced all around the world. A number of wrestling forms exist, with the common denominator that punching and kicking are not allowed. The rules and scoring systems in wrestling vary from one regional variation to another. Bouts usually are won by forcing an opponent to submit by applying a painful joint lock or choke hold, by pushing him out of the ring or by pinning an opponent's shoulders to the ground.

Submission Wrestling/Grappling

Unlike other forms of wrestling, submission wrestling matches are not won by throwing or pinning an opponent but only by forcing a submission, usually through the successful application of a painful joint lock or choke. Submission wrestling bouts start in a standing position but quickly descend to the mat as each wrestler attempts to gain a superior position from which to apply a lock or choke. The techniques of submission wrestling form a large part of the skills seen in mixed martial arts and also form the backbone of Grappling,Brazilian jiujitsu, Japanese shooto and Greek pankration, considered to be the oldest martial art in the world