Encyclopedia
Grappling refers to the gripping, handling and controlling of an opponent without the use of striking, typically through the application of various
grappling holds and counters to various hold attempts. A
grappler is a person who predominantly practices grappling in
martial arts or
combat sports. Grappling can be used in both a standing position, where it is known as
stand-up grappling, and on the ground, where it is known as
ground grappling. Grappling is an essential part of both
clinch fighting and
ground fighting.
General
Grappling is a wrestling style and mode of
fighting used by many different
martial arts around the world. It is not a distinct martial art, but rather, similarly to striking, a collection of techniques and strategies aimed at defeating an opponent.
The degree to which grappling is utilized in different fighting systems varies. Some systems, such as
Amateur wrestling,
Submission wrestling,
Judo and
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are exclusively grappling arts, and do not allow striking. Many
combat sports such as
Shooto and
mixed martial arts competitions, put much emphasis on grappling, while still retaining striking as part of the sport.
It is however forbidden to grapple in many martial arts and combat sports; usually for the sake of focusing on other aspects of combat such as punching,
kicking or Mêlée weapons. Opponents in these types of matches, however, still grapple each other occasionally when fatigued or hurt; when this occurs, the
referee will step in and restart the match, sometimes giving a warning to one or both of the fighters. Examples of these include
Boxing,
Kickboxing,
Taekwondo,
Karate, and
Fencing. While prolonged grappling in
Muay Thai will result in a separation of the competitors, the art extensively uses the
clinch hold known as a
double collar tie.
Grappling techniques and defenses to grappling techniques are also considered important in self-defense applications and in
law enforcement. The most common grappling techniques for self defense taught are escapes from
holds and application of
pain compliance techniques.
Stand-up grappling
Stand-up grappling or sometimes
clinching is arguably an integral part of all grappling and
clinch fighting arts, considering that two combatants generally start fighting from a stand-up position. The aim of stand-up grappling varies according to the
martial arts or
combat sports in question, its nature can be defensive such as in
Aikido or offensive such as in
Judo or
Wrestling. Defensive stand-up grappling concerns itself with
pain-compliance holds and escapes from possible
grappling holds applied by an opponent, while offensive grappling techniques include
submission holds, takedowns and throws, all of which can be used to inflict serious damage, or to move the fight to the ground. Stand-up grappling can also be used both offensively and defensively in combination with striking, either to prevent the opponent form obtaining sufficient distance to strike effectively, or to bring the opponent close to apply, for instance, knee strikes such as in
Muay Thai.
In
combat sports, stand-up grappling usually revolves around successful takedowns and throws. In
Judo a fight is over if one of the judoka score an
ippon, and in some sports such as Glima, the fight is over once one of the opponents has fallen down.
Ground grappling
Ground grappling refers to all the grappling tecniques that are applied while the grapplers are no longer in a standing position. The primary concern is to obtain a grappling position or dominant position. A dominant position generally puts the top grappler in a very advantagous position, he or she can use the position to escape by standing up, pinning and exhausting the opponent, executing a submission hold, or striking the opponent. The bottom grappler is on the other hand concerned with escaping the situation and improve his or her positioning, typically by using a sweep grappling.
Uses
When unskilled fighters get embroiled in combat, a common reaction is to grab the opponent in an attempt to slow the situation down by holding them still, resulting in an unsystematic struggle that relies on brute force. A skilled fighter, in contrast, can perform takedowns as a way of progressing to a superior position such as a mount or
side control, or using
clinch holds and ground positions to set up strikes, chokeholds and joint locks. A grappler who has been taken down to the ground can use defensive positions such as the guard, which protects against being mounted or attacked. If a grappler is strong and can utilize leverage well, a takedown itself can be a form of attack -- the impact to the head can render some opponents unconscious. On the other hand, grappling also offers the possibility of controlling an opponent without injuring them. For this reason, most
police staff receive some training in grappling. Likewise, grappling sports such as judo have been devised so that their participants can compete using full physical effort without injuring their opponents.
Grappling is called dumog in
Eskrima. The term chin na in
Chinese martial arts deals with the use of grappling to achieve submission or incapacitation of the opponent . Among the styles of
Tai Chi Chuan, the
Wu style is known for its
internal or "soft" style grappling . Some Chinese martial arts,
Aikido and some
Eskrima systems practice grappling while one or both participants is armed. This practice is significantly more dangerous than unarmed grappling, and generally requires a great deal of training.
Types of Grappling
Through martial art contests such as the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, and interdisciplinary challenge matches throughout the world, it is now thought that the most effective systems of pure grappling are
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Luta Livre , Russian Sambo,
Judo, Freestyle wrestling, and Folkstyle wrestling,which forms the base of grappling arts like Japanese
Shoot wrestling. In these arts, the object is either to take down and pin the opponent, or in the case of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to catch the adversary in a specialized
chokehold or
joint-lock which forces him or her to submit and admit defeat. Regardless of style, there are two forms of grappling that dictate pace, and style of action: with a gi and without. The gi form is known for its emphasis on grips using the gi, while the "no-gi" form emphasized body control of the torso and head.
See also
References
External links
- The worlds largest technique database on the net.
- Includes images and names of the most common judo ground grappling techniques.
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