Grappling

What is grappling?

Grappling is a collective term for combat sports and martial arts in which you control an opponent without striking or kicking being the core of the discipline. The main components are clinching, takedowns, throws, ground work, dominant positions, escapes, and submissions. A match can end by submission, a points advantage, or a judges’ decision, depending on the rules.

Modern grappling is not a single fixed system with one uniform technique or ranking structure. It is a technical family that brings together influences from wrestling, judo, sambo, catch wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and other styles. Submission grappling and no-gi grappling in particular have grown strongly worldwide.

The core of the sport

• Control - limiting the opponent’s freedom of movement while building a strong position yourself.
• Takedowns and throws - bringing an opponent from standing to the ground and ending up in an advantageous position yourself.
• Position - working from positions such as mount, side control, back control, half guard, or guard.
• Submissions - ending a match with a joint lock, choke, or other permitted hold that forces a submission.
• Escapes and sweeps - escaping from a bad position or working from the bottom position to get on top.

Striking is not part of the core of strictly defined grappling. In MMA and some hybrid competition formats, grappling and striking are combined, but that is a different rule set and requires additional skills. The precise techniques, protective equipment, and scoring methods vary by organization.

From Wrestling to Modern Grappling

Grappling is one of the oldest forms of human combat. Almost every culture developed its own wrestling traditions in which people off-balanced each other, took one another to the ground, and tried to win through control or a lock. Images from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt already depict wrestlers in positions recognizable as grappling.

In ancient Greece, wrestling, known as pale, became a formal part of sport. Pankration also combined wrestling with other fighting techniques. The Romans adopted Greek influences and developed their own forms of wrestling and hand-to-hand combat.

Traditions from Different Parts of the World

Outside Europe, grappling also has a long history. Traditional wrestling styles such as kushti emerged in India. In East Asia, shuai jiao, jiujitsu, and later judo developed systems centered on leverage, throws, control, and submissions. In medieval Europe, wrestling was used in both armed and unarmed combat and described in historical fight books.

The modern grappling world built on these regional traditions. Freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, catch wrestling, judo, sambo, Brazilian jiujitsu, and submission grappling each developed their own emphasis, rules, and competition culture.

The Rise of Submission Grappling

From the late twentieth century onward, athletes from different disciplines increasingly faced one another. The growth of Brazilian jiujitsu and MMA in particular highlighted the importance of takedowns, positions, ground control, and submissions. This led to the development of submission grappling as a discipline not tied to a single traditional style.

Catch wrestling had a major influence through its emphasis on control and locks. Judo and sambo contributed throws and transitions, while wrestling added the intensity of takedowns and top control. Brazilian jiujitsu refined the use of the guard, positions, and submissions from the ground.

The No-Gi Generation

No-gi grappling developed into a recognizable competition format in which no traditional jacket is worn. As a result, the sport requires control through body positioning, head position, underhooks, overhooks, hip pressure, and movement intelligence rather than long-sleeve or lapel grips. The modern scene continues to combine and refine techniques from different grappling styles.

From a style-neutral concept to a competitive sport

Today, the term grappling is used for various competitive formats centered on takedowns, control, positions, and submissions. The sport may focus purely on grappling, as in many submission-only formats, or use points for takedowns, guard passes, dominant positions, reversals, and near-finished submissions.

ADCC and the rise of no-gi

The ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship was founded in 1998 and grew into one of the best-known international stages for submission grappling. The competition brings together athletes with backgrounds in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, judo, and sambo. The no-gi format emphasizes grip fighting, control, escapes, and actually finishing submissions.

Alongside ADCC, a broader professional scene emerged with organizations such as Polaris, Who's Number One, Quintet, and EBI. These formats differ in time limits, points, overtime, and how a winner is determined. The common thread remains that athletes use technique and position to work toward a submission.

The modern generation

In the 2010s and 2020s, specialized no-gi systems were developed further. Elite grapplers refined back attacks, leg-lock systems, guard passing, and pressure from top control, among other areas. Gordon Ryan is one of the defining names of this period and contributed to the visibility and technical development of the modern professional grappling scene.

A sport in development

Grappling continues to evolve through the exchange between wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, sambo, and other styles. New rule sets make room for different strategies, from points-based matches to submission-only competitions. As a result, there is no single way to practice grappling and no one organization that represents every form.

Training in grappling

Good grappling training teaches you not only techniques, but above all how to maintain position under pressure and make better decisions step by step. A class often consists of technical instruction, drills with gradually increasing resistance, positional sparring, and live rolling. The intensity is adjusted to age, experience, fitness, and the purpose of the training.

The main components

• Clinch and grip fighting - working with underhooks, overhooks, collar ties, and head position to prepare for or prevent a takedown.
• Takedowns and throws - bringing your opponent to the ground from a standing position and ending up in a safe, dominant position yourself.
• Guard passing and guard retention - getting past your opponent's legs or preventing them from passing your guard.
• Top control - using pressure, balance, and positioning from positions such as side control, mount, or back control.
• Submissions - working toward permitted joint locks, chokes, and other techniques that can force a submission.
• Escapes, reversals, and sweeps - escaping a bad position, creating space, and reversing the roles.

Controlled rolling

Live rolling is sparren with resistance. You do not train to win every round at all costs, but to recognize positions, stay calm, and apply techniques under pressure. Tapping or verbally giving up is a normal safety action. A good training partner lets go immediately, respects the other person's level, and builds intensity in a controlled manner.

Grappling requires strength and fitness, but technique and leverage often determine who maintains control. Mobility, grip strength, body awareness, and recovery capacity help you progress, while regular drilling ensures that movements remain available even when fatigued.

Grappling alongside MMA

Grappling is an important part of MMA, but strictly speaking, grappling is a discipline without striking. Anyone transitioning to MMA must therefore also learn to deal with punches, kicks, cage work, and other distance-related situations. These elements are part of MMA training and are not automatically included in a grappling class.

Grappling worldwide

Grappling is practiced worldwide as a competitive sport, training method, and component of other martial arts. The international scene includes athletes from wrestling, judo, sambo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, catch wrestling, and no-gi submission grappling, among others. Each background brings its own perspective on timing, control, and competition strategy.

Gi and no-gi

In gi grappling, the athlete wears a jacket that can be used for grips. In no-gi grappling, athletes wear, for example, a rashguard and grappling shorts. No-gi places greater emphasis on underhooks, overhooks, head position, body control, and holding the opponent without gripping clothing. Judo and sambo use their own jacket-grip rules, while many wrestling and grappling formats are practiced without a jacket.

Organizations and championships

United World Wrestling organizes international wrestling competitions and also plays a role in grappling. The ADCC Championships are an important platform for no-gi submission grappling. In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the IBJJF Mundials are among the best-known gi competitions. In addition, national federations, promoters, and organizations such as NAGA organize their own tournaments with their own rules.

No universal ranking system

Grappling has no mandatory worldwide belt system. Some practitioners train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with colored belts, while submission grappling, catch wrestling, and many no-gi schools place greater value on technical development, competition results, and practical skill. The name of a tournament or style therefore does not automatically indicate someone’s rank or experience.

The international appeal of grappling comes precisely from this mix. Athletes can bring their foundation from different disciplines, as long as they adapt to the event’s rules, clothing requirements, and scoring.

Grappling in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, grappling is practiced in various training environments, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, judo, sambo, and submission grappling gyms. As a result, the focus may vary by location: one group may focus mainly on takedowns and top control, while another spends more time on guard, positional sparring, or submissions.

Those who want to get started are best advised to take a trial class and ask in advance what clothing, age limits, and training levels apply. A good introductory class explains the basics of falling, movement, control, and tapping safely before the intensity is increased.

Competitions and training culture

Dutch grapplers can choose from points-based competitions, submission-only formats, and tournaments with different rules. Always check the event’s weight classes, clothing requirements, permitted techniques, and scoring system. There is no single rule set that applies to every grappling competition.

The training culture revolves around respect, clear communication, and controlled intensity. Experience is less important than a reliable attitude: listen to your partner, tap in time, and release immediately when the other person gives up.

Rules and scoring

Grappling has no universal competition rule set. Some formats award points for takedowns, reversals, guard passes, and dominant positions. Other formats emphasize submissions and determine the winner only after a decision or an agreed overtime procedure.

Before a match, check which techniques are allowed, how long it lasts, and when a position earns points. Rules can vary by age, level, and organization, especially for leg locks, neck compressions, throws, and the use of the guard.

Approaching the match strategically

A strong competition strategy begins with control and energy management. First work toward a stable position, avoid unnecessary risks, and choose attacks that fit the applicable rules. Technical clarity is often more valuable than moving quickly without a plan.

Safety and etiquette

Safe grappling starts with shared responsibility. Tap with your hand or voice as soon as a position or submission no longer feels safe. Don’t wait until pain occurs, and expect your partner to release immediately.

• Warm up properly and gradually build up the intensity.
• Use controlled technique instead of sudden force or uncontrolled throws.
• Report injuries and indicate when a movement needs to be modified.
• Keep the mat clean and do not train with contagious skin conditions or open wounds.
• Respect the skill level and boundaries of every training partner.

A good grappler makes training better for both athletes. Training hard can go hand in hand with control, care, and respect.

Different grappling styles

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is known for guard work, positional transitions, and submissions from the ground. Wrestling traditionally places strong emphasis on takedowns, scrambles, and top control. Judo uses throws and control from the judogi, while sambo has its own combinations of throws, ground work, and submission holds. Catch wrestling comes from a different historical tradition, with a strong focus on pressure, control, and submissions.

No-gi submission grappling brings together techniques from multiple disciplines without the traditional jacket as a central element. This makes the sport accessible to people from different backgrounds, but it also requires you to adapt to the grips, time limit, and scoring of the chosen format.

Striking remains a separate category

MMA combines grappling with punches, kicks, and cage work. These skills can complement each other, but MMA rules are not the same as grappling rules. In strictly grappling-focused competition, the emphasis remains on control, takedowns, positions, escapes, and submissions.

From beginner to competition grappler

Sustainable development begins with a solid foundation: falling safely, moving, using frames, recognizing a dominant position, and escaping bad positions. After that, you can train techniques against increasing resistance and learn how to connect different positions.

• Start with the basics and first learn control and escapes before collecting lots of submissions.
• Train both sides so your game does not become dependent on one fixed direction.
• Use positional sparring to learn how to solve one problem at a time.
• Choose competitions carefully based on experience, rules, weight, and permitted techniques.
• Evaluate after every training session which positions and decisions you want to execute better next time.

Progress in grappling does not always move straight upward. Plateaus and difficult training periods are part of the process. Consistency, recovery, and an open attitude toward feedback are more important in the long term than one good training session.

Video and deeper understanding

Grappling is a sport you understand best by seeing movement in context. During demonstrations and matches, pay attention to the transition from standing to the ground, the battle for head position and underhooks, how an athlete creates space, and the moment when control turns into a submission attempt.

Use video as a supplement to training, not as a replacement for coaching. A technique looks simple when you cannot assess the timing, resistance, and safety details. First practise new movements slowly with a partner, then build up the resistance step by step.

For up-to-date competition information, local training sessions, and relevant profiles, you can use the linked FightBase sections on this site.