Submission wrestling is a grappling sport and a form of wrestling that focuses on submissions. These are techniques that force the opponent to submit, or give up, through pain or fear of injury. It can be practiced either as sport or self-defense. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of this style of fighting and how you can get started in this exciting and challenging sport!

What Is Submission Wrestling?

Submission wrestling or sport grappling—whatever you call it, this combat sport is a hybrid of martial arts that focus on ending a fight by forcing the opponent to give up. Unlike other forms of wrestling such as Greco-Roman or Freestyle wrestling, submission wrestling allows the use of any part of the body to achieve a submission (a physical technique that forces an opponent to submit).

In this martial art, two competitors attempt to gain dominance over each other by applying submission holds. It has a focus on techniques that force an opponent to submit, giving up the fight through pain or fear of injury. Skin sticky clothing such as rash guards and spats are often worn when competing or training in this martial art.

Competitions are held in both amateur and professional divisions. Tournaments are held worldwide, including and this form of martial art has been utilized by top MMA fighters in multiple organizations.

Types of BJJ Attacks for Submission Grappling

There are many different submissions in submission wrestling, including chokes (which restrict blood flow to the brain), joint locks such as wrist locks, armbars and lower body submissions such as heel hooks, toe holds and other moves (which force a limb or joints into an extreme position), and pins (where you pin your opponent down).

How Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling are similar

Submission wrestling has its origins in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is a martial art developed by the Gracie family of Brazil during the 1920s. BJJ was also influenced by other arts such as judo and catch wrestling.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu focuses on using leverage and technique to defeat an opponent and does not focus as much on wrestling principles while the latter invites influences from other styles.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu has been very successful in mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions, with many BJJ techniques becoming staples of MMA matches. submission wrestling competitions do not involve striking, with competitors restricted to grappling submission holds only.

Getting Started in Submission Wrestling

Submission wrestling is a challenging sport that requires strength, conditioning and technique to succeed at the highest level. If you’re looking for an exciting new challenge or want to try submission grappling, there are several submission wrestling clubs located around the world that offer training.

Submission wrestling is similar to other forms of submission fighting such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo, but it can be practiced without any protective gear or clothing. In larger sport BJJ tournaments, you will typically wear a gi (a loose fitting jacket and pants). Submission wrestling is typically practiced in no-gi martial art tournaments, where competitors are not allowed to wear any loose gear or clothing.

However, the question of whether wrestlers wear cups remains relevant. For detailed information, check out this article from fightfalcon. 

Submission wrestling can be done with a partner or solo by using techniques on a martial arts dummy (also known as a “dummy”). Martial arts dummies are designed to help you improve your technique. There are many different martial arts dummy models on the market, so be sure to do your research before purchasing one.

Submission wrestling is a growing sport that offers excitement and challenge for competitors of all levels. Whether you’re looking to compete in tournaments or simply want to learn self-defense, submission wrestling is a great way to improve your grappling skills.

Common techniques in submission wrestling

There are many techniques that can be used to gain an advantage over your opponent. Some of the most common techniques include:

- Chokes

- Joint locks

- Armlocks

- Leglocks

Can you use Brazilian jiu jitsu in Submission Wrestling?

Yes, you can use Brazilian jiu jitsu in submission wrestling.

BJJ utilizes leverage to defeat an opponent. They are both a form of martial art that focuses on techniques and strategies used to control or submit an opponent through the use of joint locks and chokeholds.

While BJJ may be favored in submission wrestling, any grappling art can be used to achieve victory.

BJJ and Luta Livre Practitioners Need To Know This For Wrestling Events

When it comes to submission wrestling, there are a few things you need to know in order to be successful. First and foremost is that submissions are not the only way to win. You can also win by pinning your opponent's shoulders to the mat for three seconds or by rendering them unconscious.

Secondly, you need to have a good understanding of the basics of body movement and timing. Knowing how and when to use each technique is key to victory on the mats.

Finally, you must be physically and mentally prepared for battle. Wrestling is a physical and mental sport, so make sure you are in top condition before stepping into the cage or onto the submission wrestling mat.

Rules & Regulations For Submission Wrestling

Each professional martial arts organization and combat sports event will have their own specific rules.

If you are looking to compete, it's helpful to have wrestling coaches or professional BJJ practitioners helping you to develop your training and techniques around the rules and regulations surrounding your specific style.

You want to make sure that your submissions and techniques are fair game when it's time to step on the mats and potentially on top of the podium.

Is it effective for MMA Fights?

Yes it is effective for MMA fights.

The ground game and the transition from ranged attacks (striking) to connection attacks has become a key element in modern MMA, and submission wrestling has become a staple of the sport. Common forms of martial arts such as judo and muay thai can also have aspects that help achieve this transition (judo throws and muay thai trips). It’s even more crucial than striking to be able to control your opponent on the ground if you want to win an MMA fight or a catch wrestling match.

A Quote From Ken Shamrock (Professional Wrestling Champion & MMA Fighter)

"When I was scheduled to fight in Japan, and then I would come back to the United States, I would have to train, but there was nobody to train here. There was no such thing as a striker going with a grappler, or a striker going to the ground with a grappler, or a grappler standing up and fighting with a boxer."

Submission fighting Influences

Submission wrestling brings together many wrestlers into one art. Whether it is luta livre, BJJ or the 'Japanese version' judo, or other styles such as professional wrestling, the term submission wrestling is an umbrella term that can incorporate many martial arts styles while avoiding association with a specific art form.

Submission wrestlers' original universal wrestling federation

Freestyle wrestling, Greco roman wrestling, shoot wrestling, catch wrestling are the specific terms and branches that wrestling advocates typically train in. The term submission wrestling may not necessarily apply to these specific styles, but they are often taught as a part of submission wrestling.

The Hybrid Athletes

Some BJJ fanatics may not want to learn catch wrestling or Greco roman wrestling etc. It is perfectly fine and still effective to establish rank with a black belt in a specific art like BJJ or luta livre. Although it is hard to deny the benefits of becoming a well rounded submission fighting athlete. Whether you only wear a combat kimono or prefer no gi training, it may be helpful to eventually start adding weapons to your arsenal.

Quotes From Khabib Nurmagomedov (Former UFC Champion)

"My style is not like anyone's. I'm not a typical wrestler."

"My best background is, like, smash opponents. I all the time go forward. I all the time try to take down somebody. Make him give up. This is my style, you know. This is what I do all my life."

Is It effective in Street Fights?

While ground fighting may not be the answer for every street fight, it is an effective tool to have in your arsenal. Much like MMA, submission wrestling can give you an advantage over an opponent who is not expecting it. A well-executed grappling move can end a street fight before it even begins.

What is combat catch wrestling?

Catch wrestling is a style that focuses on pressure and control. It was developed in England by J.G. Chambers, who studied the various styles of combat wrestling around the world before creating his own system called "catch-as-catch-can".

Is catch wrestling popular?

Catch wrestling is a popular style of submission wrestling, and there are many schools that teach the art. If you're interested in learning catch wrestling, be sure to do your research and find a school that is reputable and has a proven track record. Catch wrestling can be an effective tool for self-defense as well as submission wrestling competition.

What is combat submission wrestling?

Combat submission wrestling is another submission grappling style that has been around for many years. The goal of combat submission wrestling is to force your opponent to give up or 'tap out' through various submission holds and grappling techniques.

Combat submission wrestling is a hybrid style that combines aspects of Catch Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, submission grappling and submission fighting. This martial art was created by Erik Paulson in the 1990s as an alternative to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

More types of of grappling methods

• Freestyle wrestling
• Shoot wrestling
• Greco roman wrestling
• Judo
• Muay Thai (Clinch)

Submission Fighting Conclusion

There are many forms of ground fighting that can be used in both mixed martial arts competition and for personal defense. You can focus on one or learn many martial arts techniques in the main forms of submission fighting.

More Martial Arts Articles:

• What to wear for submission wrestling?
• Submission Wrestling 101: Tips & Techniques
• Best BJJ Gear Reviews
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: What Is Submission Fighting?