Grappling in Martial Arts: What Is It?

Grappling is a term that has become synonymous with combat sports over the last few years.

It generally refers to close quarters fighting or wresting in which opponents attempt to gain a physical advantage over one and other. While striking is typically seen as an offensive weapon, grappling can be used for both offensive and defensive purposes and often involves striking as well as locks and chokeholds.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the art of grappling, it’s changing role in combat sports and why so many of the world’s top martial artists come from a grappling background.

What is grappling in martial arts?

Grappling is a close fighting technique that is used in a variety of martial arts that involves grabbing and holding an opponent. It can involve clinch fighting, throws, takedowns, and ground fighting.

Grappling is an important element in martial arts and can be a useful skill for self-defence or for competition.

Across all fighting disciplines, some of the most common grappling techniques involve throws, sweeps, takedowns, and submission holds. There are many different ways to grapple, and the exact methods will vary depending on the type of martial arts that are being practised.

What are some popular grappling techniques?

There are many different techniques of grappling that can be used in combat. Each technique will have its own strengths and weaknesses depending on the situation and the opponent. Some of the most common grappling techniques involve:

Clinch Fighting: This is a form of close quarters fighting where the ultimate goal is to control your opponent by grabbing onto them and holding them close to your body in order to restrict movement and striking ability. Clinching can be used to control your opponent, or if you are looking to setup a takedown.

Throws: Throwing your opponent can be an effective grappling technique that effectively immobilises them by putting them by taking them to the ground and putting them into a position where they are vulnerable to a submission hold.

Take downs: Taking down your opponent is a form of grappling that closely ties into wresting where the goal is to put your opponent on the ground and control them from there. Takedowns can be accomplished by using techniques such as leg sweeps, hooks, or trips.

Ground fighting: Fighting from the ground is a technique that many associate with the art of grappling. Once you have your opponent on the ground, you can use a variety of different grappling techniques such as joint locks, chokeholds, or even close strikes that are all design to control them or force them to submit.

Grappling vs. wrestling – what’s the difference?

The terms grappling and wresting are often (incorrectly) used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between the two disciplines.

Wresting is a sport that has been around for centuries with its own set of rules and a well-defined scoring system. Conversely, grappling is a more general term that encompasses a wide variety of disciples including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Sambo.

Wresting is an extremely physical discipline that emphasises takedowns and throws, while grappling is cantered around submission holds and effective ground control.

With that said, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the overlap between the two disciplines with many wrestlers also training in grappling in order to round out their skills and become more proficient martial artists.

What is the best grappling type for martial arts?

There are a few different types of grappling that are used across different martial arts disciplines each with their own unique set of advantages and disadvantages. The most common types are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, and Wrestling.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): BJJ is a grappling art that places the emphasise on ground fighting and submissions. BJJ is extremely effective for self-defence and allow the practitioner to control and submit an opponent – even where there is a significant weight discrepancy. BJJ is a hugely popular martial arts discipline with a global community of practitioners.

Judo: Another grappling martial art that originated out of Japan, Judo focusses on ground fighting and submissions but also includes throws and takedowns. Judo is an Olympic sport that has a global community of practitioners across all ages and abilities.

Wresting: Known for takedowns and throws, wrestling is an effective style of self defence that has been an Olympic sport since 1904.

Final Thoughts

So, which grappling art is the best for martial arts? Well, there is no one-size-fits all answer to the question – it completely depends on what you are looking for. If you want an effective self-defence system, then Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) or Judo are a good choice, whereas if you’re looking for a sport that is centered around competitions, then wresting may be the best option.