Grappling is one of the more than 800 different sports that are practiced worldwide. We believe that many of you may not be familiar with this sport, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ll address any questions you may have about it and provide the solution to the one thing on your mind: What is grappling wrestling?
Origin of grappling
The Christian Bible, the Iliad, and the Indian Vedas all refer to wrestling, including grappling techniques. This technique was used at the Olympic Games’ centerpiece event, ancient Greek wrestling in Pále. To score points, wrestlers had to touch each other’s backs, shoulders, and hips while fighting. Grappling became popular in Japan, France, and England in the Middle Ages. Over time, grappling developed into a combination of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Judo, and freestyle wrestling. Classical Ju-Jitsu was established between 1467 and 1573 by people using a combination of weaponry and unarmed combat.
Old-school Ju-Jitsu practitioners who engaged in armored grappling favored swords, chains, sickles, and knives. These wrestlers employed chokeholds, leg and arm locks, and other techniques to disarm their opponents.
What is grappling?
The phrase “grappling” in martial arts refers to techniques and tactics that include gripping an opponent. To put it simply, grappling is a part of most martial arts and combat sports, such as judo, sambo, ju-jitsu, and wrestling. Grappling is essentially engaging in hand-to-hand combat, which is a part of wrestling. However, ground combat is a common fighting style in Brazilian jiujitsu, and the term “grappling” is also used to refer to it. There are several differences between ground fighting arts like ju-jitsu, grappling, and freestyle wrestling.
Difference between Grappling and Wrestling
The differences between grappling and wrestling are slight. When it comes to ground fighting, grappling, and freestyle wrestling, they differ mostly in the availability of submissions and fighting styles. Similar to grappling, submission holds like armbars and chokeholds are forbidden in wrestling. Grappling is putting your opponent in a situation where they have to give up and leave the fight because they are in excruciating agony or are afraid of getting hurt. Wrestling matches are won by outscoring your opponent on points via takedowns, reversals, escapes, and near-falls. You can also win by placing your opponent on his back and “pinning” him by forcing the floor to make contact with both of his shoulder blades.
Grappling rules
- Unsportsmanlike conduct won’t be accepted. Behaving unsportsmanlike could lead to ejection or disqualification. At all times, the referees will be treated with the highest respect. Their choices are unchangeable and irrevocable.
- It is forbidden to strike, bite, pull hair, graze the windpipe, do tiny joint manipulation (moving finger or toe locks), but the head, gouge the eye (including the chin to the eye), or pull ears.
- Slamming is not allowed. Slamming will automatically disqualify a person. Takedowns are not considered knockouts; instead, you must safely submit the opponent.
- Open wounds and contagious skin conditions (such as ringworm, staph, and MRSA) will not be permitted. No portion of the body or clothing may have grease, oils, or moisturizers of any type on it.
- As long as they don’t interfere with another match, competitors are free to continue grappling anywhere in the mating area. Unless the referee is unable to reproduce the place for whatever reason, an opponent will restart from the same spot when they reach close to the mat’s edge. The competitors will have to begin from a standing posture if the referee is unable to replicate the position.
- A competitor will be eliminated if they leave the ring before a request is locked in and the competitor is doing so to prevent the submission.
- Women will not be permitted to compete in the men’s divisions. There will be no male competition in the women’s divisions. With permission from their family or instructor, teenagers (16 years of age and older) are permitted to join either the men’s or women’s groups. In addition to being able to compete in the men’s divisions, men over 30 are allowed to enter the 30+ divisions. Applicants cannot enter more than one age class; teenagers must select between the juvenile and adult divisions, and men over 30 must select between the men’s and 30+ divisions.
- The referee has the power to end a contest in a juvenile match (ages 4 to 17) if they feel that a proposal will seriously hurt or damage players, especially at the beginner level.
Types of grappling techniques
Takedowns
A takedown is used to push your opponent to the ground while you are still standing. The main goal of this move is to unbalance your opponent so you may knock them to the ground or mat. When a takedown is completed swiftly, it’s commonly referred to as a “shoot.” Here are a few instances of typical takedowns.
- Double-Leg Takedown
- Single-Leg Takedown
- Outside Foot Sweep
- Ankle Pick Single
Sprawls
A combative maneuver called sprawling is employed to thwart an opponent’s takedown attempt. A sprawl will keep you upright when a rival player tries to “shoot” at you. Stretch your legs behind you so they are safely out of your reach, then land your upper body on your opponent’s back to execute a sprawl. You will gain control if you execute your load perfectly and compel them to fall.
Throws
A throw is a move designed to throw your opponent off-balance and, in certain situations, to propel him or her violently through the air. Most of these techniques involve standing and rotating with your opponent on the ground. This is not the same as a takedown, which ends with your opponent and you both on the ground. Here are a few instances of typical throws:
- Shoulder and Back Throws
- Hip Throws
- Pick Ups
- Sacrificial Throws
Clinches
Clinching is an upper body-heavy technique used to either defend against or prepare for a throw or takedown. When both of your opponents’ hands are firmly gripping your arms or heads, it’s called a clinch. Both of you are trying to get a better hold while preventing your opponent from getting an advantage. This grappling position can be used to perform strikes and takedowns. Here are a few instances of typical clinch takedowns:
- Forearm Slide to the Back
- Angle and Inside Block Takedown
Submission holds
Positions known as submission grips allow you to trap or strangle your opponent. In competition grappling, the combatant must concede the bout when in a submission grip. In certain sports, you can submit the fight by tapping the floor, your opponent’s leg, or their torso. We call this “tapping out.” Some of the most common submission holds are as follows:
- Arm Bar
- Guillotine Choke
- Triangle Choke
- Rear Naked Choked
- Arm Triangle Choke
Escapes
Manoeuvres known as escapes let you get out of a precarious situation where you are disadvantaged. Risky positions include the clinch, chokehold, and full mount, which occurs when your opponent is on top of you with their legs on each side of your chest. The most popular ways to go away are:
Shrimping Away
The Buck and Roll
Cross the Face
Securing techniques
“Pins” are used in securing methods, and depending on the martial art style, they might lead to an immediate advantage. You can also warm up for a submission hold with this technique. These could consist of:
- Full-Nelson
- Half-Nelson
- Full-Mount
- Half-Mount
Reversals
When a grappler climbs over their opponent to take the top position, it’s called a reverse. Preventing your opponent from having the opportunity to transform their error into a victory is the finest strategy to fight an enemy’s attempt to seize control.
Types of Grappling Styles
GI grappling and NO GI grappling are the two main categories of grappling. The game incorporates elements from various traditional fighting styles, including Sambo, Sumo, and Judo. Let’s take a quick look at each event.
Judo
A heavy jacket known as a GI is worn by judo practitioners, and it is grabbed to facilitate throws and encourage floor submissions. Most of the throws are hip throws, arm throws, sweeps, and sacrifice throws (when the player voluntarily falls to the ground to take down the opponent). When a player’s legs are grabbed to complete a throw, Judo scowls.
Sumo
Sumo wrestlers use throws and knockdowns a lot. Either pushing the other player off the ring’s circular route or dragging him to the ground results in victory. Nearly no clothing is worn throughout the matches, and chokes and leverages are not allowed.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The emphasis of this more recent jiu-jitsu style is ground fighting. Fighters put on judo gis. Games begin standing but quickly descend to the ground where chokes and leverages are used due to a breakdown (often a less elaborate, simpler kind than those seen in Judo).
Shuai Chiao
Compared to Judo competitors, Shuai Chiao warriors wear significantly lighter jackets. They consequently have to move closer to one another as they don’t have as much cloth to pull as Judo players do. Instead of emphasizing ground fighting, Shuai Jiao focuses mostly on strong takedowns and knocks that frequently involve joint locking.
Sambo
Sambo is a mixed martial art that incorporates traditional Russian wrestling techniques with elements of Greco-Roman, Freestyle, and Judo. Fighters use both throws and ground fighting, and they dress in light jackets. when it is not allowed to use chokes when on the ground, one may use leverage against the majority of joints, including the knee and ankle.
Western Wrestling
Western wrestlers dress in outfits that are challenging to grab to execute throws. Western wrestling therefore places a strong emphasis on either seizing the legs to score a takedown or using strong body lifts to produce a throw. Although they are not allowed to use joint locks or chokes, wrestlers on the ground try to pin their opponents. The main difference between Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling is that while Freestyle allows it, Greco-Roman does not allow attacking the opponent’s legs or using them to execute a throw.
Submission grappling
Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling share many similarities. The athletes don’t practice or compete while wearing a gi or jacket. One additional noteworthy difference is that while Brazilian jiu-jitsu forbids the usage of some more dangerous submission threats (such as specific leg-locks and neck cranks), most submission grappling rule sets allow them.
Origin of Grappling in India
Sports like grappling and wrestling have a long and complex history that goes back to prehistoric times. Numerous traditional genres are included in the category of folk wrestling. A broad category of unarmed combat techniques known as grappling methods has been codified in several martial arts disciplines worldwide. United World Wrestling, or UWW, has restructured the Grappling Committee of India (within the wrestling federation of India) as the country’s official regulatory body for grappling sports. The Society Act 2012/1860 authorizes the Grappling Committee of India to be formally registered with the government. The Indian Grappling Committee has been hosting national championships for schoolboys and girls, cadets, juniors, seniors, and veterans since 2005.
The Journey of Dinesh Kapoor
Similar to wrestling, Dinesh Kapoor’s life is filled with battle. As the chairman of the Grappling Committee of India, he is working to build Indian dominance in the sports world. Dinesh Kapoor, who was born into a very impoverished household and went on to become the second referee in India and earn the status of International Referee, has experienced a great deal of hardship. Dinesh Kapoor’s father came to Kharkhoda 35 years ago from a life of extreme poverty, having been born in the village of Samalkha in the Panipat region. He began working as a confectioner to support his six children.
Dinesh Kapoor, who was raised by three brothers and two sisters, used athletics and education as a means of escaping poverty. He eventually moved out of the family to live with his uncle in Chandigarh. He attended a government school there for his primary schooling after his return.
After rejoining the Kharkhoda family and completing his education up to the tenth grade in Kharkhoda, Dinesh Kapoor graduated from Government School in Model Town, Sonipat, with a class 12 diploma. Following that, he finished a UG course at CRA College that covered both athletics and education. In 2014, he competed at the global level, adopted Grappling, finished his referee’s course, and became a software engineer. In 2017, he became a member of the State Youth Club and was recognized as an international grappling referee.
Seeing the condition of Indian players in the world championship of grappling, Dinesh pledges to improve the system.
In numerous international tournaments, Dinesh Kapoor served as the referee. He saw the inadequate performance of Indian grapplers at the World Championship of Grappling while on duty. As a result, he began the task of system improvement rather than the labor of referral. He was appointed Chairman of the Indian Grappling Committee as a result of this campaign. Dinesh Kapoor began choosing athletes based on their talent ever since. In addition, he had backing from the Wrestling Federation of India to speak out against individuals who were choosing participants in the system incorrectly.
Although grappling is becoming more and more well-known worldwide, Indian players’ performances have not yet improved. Dinesh Kapoor responded to this circumstance by arranging the nation’s first National Grappling Competition in October 2021 (20 Oct – 22 Oct). The Indira Gandhi International Stadium in New Delhi hosted this competition. This event featured 2192 athletes, 190 coaches, and 176 referees in all. It was an extremely successful competition, with excellent athletic facilities and management. Finding better players was the event’s primary goal. Other than that, it was an attempt to introduce grappling to the public and raise awareness of it through other sports.
Aside from that, the first Indian Open Grappling wrestling championship just ended. The Maharashtra grappling wrestling committee hosted the event from December 24–26, 2021, in Nashik, the birthplace of Veer Savarkar. Athletes from all around India were invited to the tournament, which had no registration costs. The winner was paid INR 2,50,000.
Are there any prospects in the game of grappling?
Dinesh Kapoor believes that there are sufficient opportunities to succeed in the grappling game. The nation has a great deal of potential for success in the grappling game. Delhi will host a national grappling competition to discover fresh talent. Based on their performance, players will be chosen to compete in international tournaments. Young people are also urged to create a positive impact on the world by combining athletics and education.
