Ultimate Wrestling Strength: 2011

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

What Makes Submission Wrestling Unique

Submission wrestling or grappling is a relatively new sport. Mainly based on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, your objective is to make your opponent submit using a variety of techniques such as chokes and joint locks to win the match on points.

Submission wrestling is unique because of three things. These are namely the strategies, the techniques and the training.

In terms of strategy, you have to get yourself into a position that will allow you to gain total control of your opponent. There will be moves and counter moves because your opponent will surely not give up without a fight.

As for the techniques used, it has to be pointed out that submission wrestling relies heavily on structural attacks. This means that if you want to immobilize an opponent, you attack for instance the ankle joint which as you know is connected to other parts of the body like the foot and leg. If you push further, you can break it and knowing that could very well happen, the opponent will mostly likely submit.

The ankle joint as mentioned is just one of the many pressure points in the body. One problem that you may encounter is that at times, this is unreliable. Your opponent may have a high tolerance for pain and can ignore such an attack so you have to focus on another part of his body where he could be more vulnerable.

But how do you train for submission wrestling? Unlike other forms of martial arts, you practice a certain technique several times until you get it right. In submission wrestling, the only way to achieve high tolerance for pain and improve in your skills is through sparring.

This will give you time to sharpen your technique and practice what other wrestlers do to win so you can find ways to get out of it.

But you have to remember that other wrestlers will be doing that as well. During competition, some people will record the fight and then play it so they can find also find a weak point. There are instructional DVD’s in the market which people can buy, seminars are conducted and private classes taking place.

Your secret fighting technique as well as theirs won’t be a secret for so long and to be on top of your game, you have to find other ways to win.

These are classified into guards and mounts. For guards, you have full guard, closed guard, open guard, half guard, butterfly guard, spider guard, Dele Riva guard and X-guard. Basically, you position yourself on the back of the opponent and grab on to the legs, thighs, torso or feet.

In the mount, you are also in a dominant position when you are able to sit on your opponent’s chest, side or torso. There is the top mount, rear mount, side mount and the reverse mount.

Other positions also used in submission wrestling include north/south position, knee on stomach, scarf and modified scarf hold.

Strategies, techniques and training are important in submission wrestling because this could mean the difference between winning and losing. If you decide to commit full time to this contact sport, you are there to prove you are better than other fighters rather than getting your butt kicked. Learning never ends in this sport so you have to stay in shape.

Various Holds and Positions in Submission Wrestling

Submission is a non-contact sport and the one of the ways to win a fight is to hold a person until he decides to tap the mat or says so. To give you an idea, here are a few popular submission techniques.

The first is the shoulder lock. Here, you are holding your opponent’s shoulder up while at the same time lifting his head off the ground. A lot of wrestlers have said that this move is more effective than the wrist lock since the pain is centralized only on the tendons of the elbow.

Next is the Standing Heel Toe Hold. While the opponent is on the ground, you hold one of foot using one of your feet while the foot is on the mat for better leverage. You then grab the other leg which he will probably try to kick you with putting one hand holding the toes and the other hand under the opponent’s Achilles tendon. If this is done correctly, you are able to put considerable torque on your opponent’s ankle.

You also have the double wrist lock. This hold can be executed while you are lying on top of him or while you are standing. Once you are able to grab one of your opponent’s wrists using your opposite arm, you use the other one to reach over and lock it.

There is also the sleeper hold. If you are able to get behind your opponent, you put one arm around his neck with the other hand behind the top of his head. What you are doing here is putting pressure on his carotid artery rather than the throat so technically, this is not a choke.

If your opponent is able to hold or lock you first before you are able to execute yours, try your best to escape or prevent them from completing theirs. This can be achieved by doing the guard which basically lets you use your legs against an opponent.

There are 8 types of guards. These are namely full guard, closed guard, open guard, half guard, butterfly guard, spider guard, Dela Riva guard and X-guard.

Should this help you gain the upper hand, then it is time to return the favor by executing what is known as a mount.

The mount is achieved when you are the one on top of the opponent. Just like the guard, there are different types like the top mount, rear mount, side mount, reverse mount, north/south position, knee on stomach, scarf hold and the modified scarf hold.

There are other holds and positions aside from those mentioned and these have been adapted from other martial arts like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Catch Wrestling and Sambo. Each one is not only effective in competition but also for defensive purposes as well.

To be able to execute it, you can learn by watching a video and then practicing with a sparring partner. If you have never done this before, you better have someone who is knowledgeable about it close by to monitor what is happening so no one gets seriously hurt.

If you can’t find anyone, go to a gym that teaches submission wrestling so if you are attacked, you can fight off the assailant or subdue him until help arrives.

The General Rules of Submission Wrestling

General Rules of Submission Wrestling

Submission wrestling is a contact sport. So one gets seriously injured in the mat, general rules are enforced which the wrestlers must follow at all times.

Point are awarded to the wrestler who has shown submission attempts that pose a real threat to the other fighter which includes takedowns and near passes. When a fighter is in a hold and manages to escape, no point is awarded for that.

Scoring varies during a match. To get it, you must how clear control for 3 seconds. You are awarded 2 points if you are able to execute a throw, take down, sweep or put your knee on your opponent’s belly.

Three points are given if the takedown gave the wrestler side control over the opponent or is able to pass the opponent’s guard.

Four points are given if you executed a mounted position, back mount with hooks in, back mount knees on ground or when the opponent is flat on stomach and the body triangle.

The referee must be shown the highest respect in the ring. He or she has the power to call off the match if one fighter uses excessive force in dealing with the opponent.

If one fighter has shown no activity in engaging an opponent, the referee will issue a warning. If this happens a third time, two points will be deducted on the wrestler. For a fourth time, that person is immediately disqualified from the match.

When both wrestlers are on the edge of the mat, the referee will tell the two to break it up and the match will be restarted in the same position. If this cannot be duplicated, both will begin in a starting position.

No un sportsmanlike conduct is allowed in submission wrestling. This means no strikes, biting, pulling, eye gouging, head butting or hitting vital parts in the body like the groin, no spitting or use of foul language and obscene gestures. If this is done repeatedly, again the wrestler is disqualified.

Slamming is also prohibited in submission wrestling. This isn’t the WWF but rather a sport that encourages fighters to compete by making a person submit using choke holds and locks.

Before walking into the mat, wrestlers are not allowed to apply any lubricants, oils or lotions into their body or clothing.

Male wrestlers and female wrestlers are not allowed to compete against one another. But some organizations such as the North American Grappling Association allow this to happen under special circumstances.

Matches during submission wrestling depend on the level of the athletes. Novice and beginners fight in the mat for 4 minutes, intermediate lasts 5 minutes while advanced lasts for 6 minutes. Your level is based on how long you have been in one of the various grappling arts. Apart from the skill level, you will also compete against individuals depending on your weight.

The general rules that are enforced in submission wrestling are designed to make the sport safe for anyone who decides to compete in it. If there aren’t any, you will have a lot of people with broken limbs and maybe broken noses which engaging in a sport is not about.

If you want to participate in submission wrestling, you have to observe the rules and use the proper techniques which are designed not only for the safety of your opponent but for you as well.

The Different Styles of Submission Wrestling

In every competition, the referee will decide who the winner is and who the loser is. If you want to win in submission wrestling, you have to make the other opponent submit so you will be declared the victor.

There are different styles of submission wrestling.

1. There is grappling which is the modern form of wrestling. A lot of the elements and techniques come from various disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Catch Freestyle Wrestling, Judo, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Judo and Sambo.

2. When we refer to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, it is the art of taking an opponent down with a lot of emphasis on ground grappling.

3. Catch Freestyle Wrestling is a form of amateur of submission wrestling. To win, the wrestler has to pin his opponent to the mat. It is sanctioned by the Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles or FILA together with three other forms of wrestling namely Greco-Roman, grappling and Sambo.

4. With the popularity of mixed martial arts, another form of submission wrestling gaining a lot of popularity is combat submission wrestling. The only difference is that the player does not have to wear the gi which is the official attire during competition. Aside from the elements used in boxing, players use a lot of striking techniques from both Muay Thai and boxing.

5. Sambo as mentioned earlier is an amateur wrestling sport. It is a Russian style of wrestling that is very similar to judo. Victory in this event can be achieved by using all forms of leg locks while chokeholds are prohibited.

6. Then there is Pankration which many consider as the ancient form of mixed martial arts.

7. You also have shoot wrestling which is a Japanese martial art that uses catch wrestling as a base. In the US, the two sub disciplines are namely Shooto and Shootfighting.

8. Lastly, there is Kosen Judo which focuses on taking down the opponent by pinning them to the ground and making them submit. Much of techniques here were adapted to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that was founded by Carlos Gracie and used by Royce Gracie to win in the Ultimate Fighting Championships or UFC four times.

Although the rules and even the attire of each of these submission wrestling styles are a little different from the other, it is generally a no hit fighting competition. The objective is simply to immobilize the opponent until they surrender.

If you think submission wrestling is only for men, think again because women have already signed up just like they have done in boxing. Surprisingly, this started way back in 1970 a decade after women’s liberation took place.

In fact, one of the biggest promoters of submission wrestling which promotes male to male and female to female contests is the North American Grappling Association.

In some cases, the matches are paired up against members of the opposite sex when there are insufficient participants in a division. There are even some who want to fight in the male division as long as the committee sees that she is qualified to do so.

Submission wrestling is not only for men but also for women. It is a contact sport that prohibits hitting the opponent so you have to lock or pin them down using the techniques of the different fighting styles.

Submission Wrestling for Beginners

You probably enjoyed watching mixed martial arts on television which is why you want to get into the sport. It’s not going to be easy so there are a lot of things you have to learn about submission wrestling as a beginner.

When you enter the gym, ask questions and find out what are the rules that you have to follow. This may include coming on time and addressing your instructor as Sensei.

Since submission wrestling involves a lot of sparring instead of repetitive moves like in Karate, pay close attention to what the others are doing so you have an idea what to do when it is your turn to go into the mat.

Once you get into the mat, the most important thing you have to do is relax because it helps you think when you are fighting an opponent. This will also prevent your muscles from being tense which slows you down.

Since most submission wrestling matches last for 3 to 4 minutes, you have to pace yourself because you don’t have yet the endurance or the stamina to win a match like most professionals.

Being a newbie, you will be fighting other students who have been here longer than you so don’t feel bad if you submit to them most of time. In time, you will be able to return the favor which can only happen when your skills improve.

Speed is just one of the factors needed for proper execution. Mechanics and leverage are also important because in this sport, you don’t win by striking your opponent but rather by immobilizing them. If a certain move does not seem to have any effect, learn to let go and try something else. If it works, wait until the person submits.

When you are fighting in close quarters, one thing you have to do is breathe. You must try to keep breathing in a regular pattern which is hard to do when under pressure.

You also have to be consistent each time you go to practice. Time flies quickly and before you know it, you will soon enter your first competition. When that day comes, you can never say you are not ready because this just increases the chances that your opponent will win.

Being a newbie, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand a certain technique. Knowing this may help prevent injuries and make you master the art of submission wrestling.

Another important thing to remember during practice and competition is proper positioning. How you stand helps you move from one side to the other. By being able to keep balance, you already have one of the things that make a great wrestler.

Given that submission wrestling is physically challenging, don’t forget to take a break and eat a balanced diet. This will give you the energy to perform well during practice and competition as fatigue and poor nutrition hampers overall performance.

Everyone has to start somewhere and submission wrestling is no exception. Having a background in one or two martial arts is good but if you want to be a great fighter, you have to learn other styles and adapt these to your fighting technique. Gyms offer training for those as young as 4 so you are never too young or old to get into this sport.

Submission Wrestling & Mixed Martial Arts Competition

Submission wrestling is not that different from other martial arts like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo or Sambo. This is because you get to use the same techniques when you fight an opponent using non-lethal force to make them submit.

When we say non-lethal force in submission wrestling, this means taking the opponent down through holds, pins or locks without strikes or kicks.

Most people who get into submission wrestling do it for one of three things. This is to stay fit, know how to defend oneself or compete. In fact a lot of people decide to enter a tournament not only within the submission wrestling organization but also mixed martial arts competitions like the UFC.

Submission wrestling is an amateur sport that is governed by the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles or FILA. Although this is not yet considered an Olympic event, its other disciplines namely Greco-Roman and Freestyle are. In the US, the biggest organization is the North American Grappling Association or NAGA.

Submission wrestling can only get you so far when you compete in mixed martial arts because you are fighting others who are familiar with other martial arts styles. So you will know what to expect when you encounter them, it is best to learn the other styles as well or at least be familiar with them.

That means training in a gym. Given that submission wrestling is very popular, it won’t be that hard to find one that can provide you with the right program that suit your needs. Here, you will learn not only proper technique but also the confidence to push yourself beyond your limits. This will also give you the opportunity to interact with other fighters and spar with them. Remember that this is only for training so limit the amount of effort you use to prevent any injuries.

In mixed martial arts competitions, both fighters start by standing and facing one another. You then get close and use what you know as a wrestler. Don’t expect that your opponent will just give in to whatever you throw. He will also execute some counter moves as well and even punch or kick you.

To close the gap, you have to protect your face and move to a certain position that will stop those punches or kicks from happening. For that, you can use your lock, hold or pin techniques and then wait for that person to submit.

Your only weapon in submission wrestling is your body and how you maintain it will determine how well you will perform in the ring. This is why you have to watch your diet, exercise regularly and get proper rest.

If possible, join training camps and watch instructional videos because new techniques are made everyday and old ones that are still in use are just as effective as they were before. You have to learn to make changes immediately if things are not working because this could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Do you think you can take submission wrestling and win in a mixed martial arts competition? The only one who can answer that is you. Other people have done so and if you want your name to be among the champions, you have to work hard.

Joint Locks Are Useful In Submission Wrestling

A joint lock is one way to make your opponent surrender in submission wrestling because if they don’t, whatever part of the body you focused on will be dislocated.

But what is a joint lock? This happens when you let the opponent’s joint reach its breaking point which in most cases causes extreme pain or injury. In competition, this may mean losing but it is much better than going home with a dislocation or broken bone.

There are literally hundreds of ways to perform a lock to the joint. In competition, one thing you cannot do is apply a lock to the fingers or toes.

Since joint locks are very specific, you have to practice it carefully. The only way to do that is to learn from a coach and then practice this with a sparring partner. You should be aware when your partner says enough because they could get hurt and it will take a long time for this to heal and no one will want to be your next sparring partner.

One part of the body where the joint lock is allowed during competition is the wrist. This is because the wrist is quite flexible so injuries are not that common. The same thing can also be done with the ankles and elbow. By using your hand and body weight, you can cause the person to reverse their movement or submit if this was done efficiently.

Lets try to apply this in an actual scenario. If someone attacks you, chances are they are going to throw a punch at you. When this happens, be ready to take it with a check or block then feed it into an arm bar. Once you achieve this, use your other fist to smash down on the opponent’s outstretch elbow.

This is probably too extreme so let’s try something else. Instead of punching the outstretched arm, you bring that arm to his back. You can stay in that position until help arrives or let go once you tell the person to get on the ground.

But you don’t always have to execute a joint lock to make your opponent submit. You can also do this by focusing on the different pressure points in the body.

Pressure points are areas of the body that have large concentration of nerve endings. When applied, that person will most likely go in the opposite direction similar to what happens when you put your hand on a hot pan.

The only difference here is that your opponent cannot get away so quickly since you are the only in control. This means you can make the person do whatever you want like move in a certain direction.

Joint locks and pressure points are just some of the tactics you can use to defeat an opponent in competition or in real life. During a tournament, you do it not to break their arm but to make them submit so you can win the event. Out in the streets, you do it to survive so you don’t become a victim.

Submission wrestling is adapted from any martial arts which is there are hundreds of techniques from chokes, holds and locks. You may not learn all of them but just enough to win a fight or survive.

Ingenuity is Key in Submission Wrestling

Submission wrestling is a popular sport that requires more than just guts to win the competition. You have to think on your toes so you are able to adapt to anything that your opponent throws as this could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

This is why most fighters who get into submission wrestling have to know the various arts. These include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Catch Wrestling, Judo, Sambo and Shoot Wrestling.

You don’t to be an expert in each field since that will take years so you pick and choose which ones are useful and then utilize them into your fighting style.

What you have then is a hybrid form of martial art that doesn’t have a name but people who watch and those doing the commentary will know exactly what you are doing. After all, the moves you are using didn’t come out of a hat but are techniques that have been around for years.

The only way to practice your technique in this sport is by sparring. If you belong to a gym, the better so you can practice with other fighters from other disciplines. This will give you the opportunity to come out in the superior position during a real match because in the eyes of the judges, whoever is on top is most likely to win the match even if at times, things change with a blink of an eye and the one who is down manages to make a comeback.

Improving your skills in submission wrestling will not be a walk in the park. Accidents do happen and you can get injured in the process. You can pull a muscle, break your toes or dislocate your own fingers in the process which means you will be out recuperating until you are fit to enter the mat again.

Don’t just put ice but have it checked by the doctor. These things do happen and many consider it as part of the training. Remember that a week of training will most likely be better than make things worse in the next few months or even years.

One of the hardest things to do when there is a stalemate is learning to let go of a move and try something else. You don’t count until 10 for that to happen so you have to rely on your gut because things happen in a flash.

Fighting one player in submission wrestling will never be the same with another so you have to practice constantly and learn to adapt to the situation. So extend your sparring partners to more than just 2 people because they could be specializing in a discipline that your next fight may be specializing in.

If you have the opponent right where you want them, it is just a matter of time before they surrender. They could tap the mat with their hands or feet and maybe even say it vocally. When this happens, let go because the match is over. You have won.

Should things go the other way and you lose to your opponent, learn from your mistakes so that next time, the outcome will be different. Submission wrestling although physically challenging is a great sport to get into. After all the training, how well you perform in the competition is entirely up to you.

How to Become a Good Submission Wrestler

Submission wrestling is one of the oldest sports in the world. It is very different than professional wrestling and if you want to be good at it, you have to prepare yourself both mentally and physically.

The best way to do that is to learn one of the martial arts which form the basis of submission wrestling. A few examples of these include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Catch Freestyle Wrestling, Judo and Sambo. There are many schools these days so you won’t have a hard time finding one.

As a beginner, your first few sessions will involve watching how others do it. There are also videos around which you can buy or just watch using your computer. In fact, some of the best fighters watch previous matches that they participated in or watch their fellow competitors so they can find a weak point that can be exploited during their next match.

Since you learn more by doing it rather than watching, put theory into practice by sparring with another wrestler.

Keep in mind that people get hurt in submission wrestling even if it just a sparring session. One way to prevent that is to get yourself used to the idea of falling down or being held in a certain position. Although giving up is hard to accept, you must do this rather dislocating your joints.

In time, you will be able to improve your skills as a submission wrestler. You win some and you lose some. If you win, take it humbly and if you lose, treat it as a learning experience because even the best fighters have to face setbacks in order for them to become better.

One other thing you have to do to become a good submission wrestler is to stay in shape. This means exercising regularly, getting enough rest and eating properly. There are different weight categories in this sport and if you gained or lost a few pounds, you will be finding in another division which you may not yet be accustomed to.

A little coaching and the right attitude always make the best fighters. Some of these individuals who want to challenge themselves further can go beyond submission wrestling and join other competitions.

One of the most popular ones today is the UFC or Ultimate Fighting Championships where you get to compete against other fighters using the same or different submission wrestling style to determine who the better fighter is.

But if you are just doing this to stay fit or learn how to defend yourself, that is also good. After all, most of the techniques you will learn as a submission fighter will only be used if you someone attacks and you have no other recourse but to fight back.

Believe it or not, some of the best submission wrestlers out there didn’t know anything about this sport or any other martial art when they first started. They just got better after learning the technique by watching how others do it and through trial and error.

So what are you waiting for? Join a gym that has submission wrestling as part of their program. Anyone can learn this sport so it doesn’t matter how old you are or what is your gender. The important thing is that you are willing to learn the principles that make up submission wrestling work.

General Rules of Submission Wrestling During Matches

Since submission wrestling evolved from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, many of the rules used during matches are also used here. These should be followed at all times otherwise the player or even their team may be disqualified from the tournament.

First, the only way for one fighter to win the match is when he or she is able to make the opponent quit by tapping the mat or saying it verbally. If this is not achieved, the winner will be determined based on who scored the most points or if for any reason, this was stopped by the referee.

Should there be a draw; a one minute overtime will be granted. If at the end of the one minute no points were scored, it now goes into sudden death in which whoever scores the first point is the winner.

Stalling is simply defined as someone who refuses to get into contact with another competitor. A verbal warning will be given the first time. Should there be a 2nd or 3rd offense, corresponding points will be deducted. If this happens for the fourth time, the competitor will be disqualified from the match.

Because neck cranks and twisters are a bit dangerous, it is only legal in the advanced division. Players in the intermediate division may however use the twister setup then execute a banana split or calf slicer.

Points are scored if the player is able to control the opponent for a minimum of 3 full seconds. You are awarded for mounting, when your opponent is flat on the ground or if you are able to stand to a person’s back with both of their knees on the ground.

Since submission wrestling is a non-contact sport, no one is allowed to bite, eye gouge, hair pull, head butt, lock fingers or toes, spit and strike an opponent. If any of these illegal techniques are done, you will be immediately disqualified.

Wrestlers on the other hand may perform leg locks and straight ankle locks. Although slamming is prohibited, it can be done if the referee sees that this is a takedown.

You can compete in submission wrestling with or without Gi. If you join a match that does not require one, you must wear board shorts, fight shorts or singlets or Gi pants for the bottom and a T-shirt or tank top for your upper body. Other equipment you have the option to wear includes cups, head gear, mouth guard, knee pads and wrestling shoes.

Submission wrestling matches are divided into different age groups and weights, each person must be weighed in before the start of the match. At the same time, competitors will be checked for any communicable diseases.

A code of conduct will be enforced throughout the competition. This means no fan, player or team will disrespect the officials, fellow spectators or their opponents. If this happens, anyone caught will either be escorted out of the venue or disqualified from the tournament.

Submission wrestling tournaments are done on a regular basis and you can check online to find out when the next one is scheduled. Wherever you go, rules similar to those mentioned are enforced for the safety of everyone attending the event. If your team wants to join you must register, pay the entrance fee, come for the weigh in and then prepare for fun and action in the coming days.