Grappling
Grappling is a fighting technique based on throws and submissions.
Grappling is a method of combat that relies on throws, trips, sweeps, clinch work, ground fighting, and submission holds. In competition, matches often hinge on takedowns and controlling an opponent on the ground, ending when one fighter gives up. If the time limit expires without a clear loser, judges decide the winner based on who demonstrated greater control. Strikes and weapons are usually absent from grappling, though some martial arts known for their grappling techniques do incorporate them, either alongside or combined with the grappling itself.
**History** Grappling has been part of combat since the earliest human systems, with wrestling recognized as the oldest sport. Its roots stretch into prehistory, and different wrestling styles arose independently around the world in various historical periods. In Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, tomb paintings and artifacts from around 2000 BCE show wrestlers in grappling positions. The Greeks formalized grappling as *pále*, a core event in the Olympic pentathlon, and also created *pankration*, a hybrid art mixing strikes and grappling. The Romans later borrowed and adapted these techniques into their own wrestling forms. In India, *kushti* (traditional wrestling) has existed for thousands of years. In East Asia, *shuai jiao*, *jujutsu*, and *judo* (developed in the 1880s) all stressed leverage, throws, and submissions. During the Middle Ages, grappling was a component of European knightly combat, appearing in manuals of historical European martial arts for both armored and unarmored fighting. Over time, grappling evolved into competitive sports like freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Today, it remains a fundamental skill in mixed martial arts and law enforcement training.
**Types of Technique** Grappling techniques fall into several broad categories: clinch fighting; takedowns and throws; submission holds and pinning or controlling techniques; and sweeps, reversals, turnovers, and escapes.
- **Clinching:** This occurs when both fighters are on their feet, using various holds on the opponent’s upper body. Clinch work typically sets up or defends against throws or takedowns. - **Takedowns:** A takedown moves an opponent from standing to the ground, with the grappler aiming to land in a dominant position.
- Field
- Martial arts, combat sports, self-defense, law enforcement
- Known for
- Throws, takedowns, submission holds, ground control, clinch fighting
- Earliest depictions
- Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, circa 2000 BCE
- Key historical forms
- Greek pále and pankration, Roman wrestling, Indian kushti, East Asian shuai jiao, jujutsu, judo
- Modern forms
- Freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts
Lore & Background
Grappling appears in the earliest combat systems, for wrestling is the oldest sport. Its foundational origins lie in prehistory, with different wrestling styles independently emerging throughout the world. In Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, depictions of wrestlers in grappling poses appear on tombs and artifacts dating back to 2000 BCE. The Greeks formalized grappling in the sport of pále, a key part of the Olympic pentathlon, and developed a hybrid striking-grappling art called pankration. The Romans adopted and adapted these techniques into their own wrestling styles. In India, kushti (traditional wrestling) dates back thousands of years. In East Asia, shuai jiao, jujutsu, and later judo (developed in the 1880s) emphasized leverage, throws and submissions. During the Middle Ages, grappling was part of European knightly combat and included in manuals of historical European martial arts, used in both armored and unarmored fighting.
Reader's Guide
Grappling evolved into competitive sports such as freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Today, it is a core skill in mixed martial arts and law enforcement training. The degree to which grappling is utilized varies among fighting systems: some, like amateur wrestling, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, are exclusively grappling arts and do not allow striking; others, like sumo and combat jiu jitsu, allow limited striking. Many combat sports, such as shooto and mixed martial arts, use both grappling and striking extensively. Grappling techniques are subdivided into clinch fighting, takedowns and throws, submission holds, pinning or controlling techniques, sweeps, reversals, turnovers, and escapes. In sport grappling, a competitor submits verbally or by tapping to admit defeat when caught in a submission hold they cannot escape. Grappling is also considered important in self-defense and law enforcement, with common techniques including escapes from holds and pain compliance. Grappling can be trained for self-defense, sport, and mixed martial arts competition.
Did You Know?
- Grappling appears in the earliest combat systems, as wrestling is the oldest sport.
- Depictions of wrestlers in grappling poses appear on tombs and artifacts from Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt dating back to 2000 BCE.
- In sport grappling, a competitor who refuses to tap out risks unconsciousness or serious injury.
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