What Is the Difference Between Wrestling and Grappling?By Coder| August 30, 2023 Wrestling Wrestling and grappling are two combat sports that often get confused with each other. While they share similarities, there are distinct differences between the two. In this article, we will explore these differences and gain a better understanding of what sets wrestling apart from grappling. Wrestling Wrestling is a sport that traces its roots back to ancient times. It is a physical competition between two individuals aiming to gain control over their opponent through various techniques. Wrestling can be categorized into different styles such as folkstyle, freestyle, Greco-Roman, and professional wrestling. Folkstyle Wrestling In the United States, folkstyle wrestling is the most commonly practiced style at the high school and collegiate levels. It focuses on controlling your opponent by utilizing takedowns, pins, and escapes. The objective is to pin your opponent’s shoulders to the mat for a specific duration of time or accumulate points through takedowns and maneuvers. Freestyle Wrestling Freestyle wrestling is an Olympic sport that allows for greater freedom in technique compared to folkstyle wrestling. It emphasizes throws, trips, and other dynamic moves to score points. Freestyle wrestlers also have the ability to attack their opponent’s legs for takedowns, which is prohibited in folkstyle wrestling. Greco-Roman Wrestling Greco-Roman wrestling is another Olympic discipline that prohibits any actions below the waist. This means that wrestlers cannot use their legs actively for offense or defense. The focus in Greco-Roman wrestling is on upper body strength and executing throws and holds without utilizing leg attacks. Professional Wrestling Professional wrestling differs significantly from its amateur counterparts as it combines athleticism with scripted entertainment. Professional wrestlers perform choreographed matches with predetermined outcomes. While the moves may resemble those in other wrestling styles, professional wrestling is primarily a form of entertainment rather than a competitive sport. Grappling Grappling, on the other hand, is a term used to describe a range of martial arts and combat sports that focus on ground fighting and submission holds. It encompasses various disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Sambo, and submission wrestling. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds. It focuses on using technique and leverage to overcome larger opponents. BJJ practitioners aim to gain dominant positions on the ground, such as mount or back control, where they can apply joint locks or chokeholds to force their opponent to submit. Judo Judo is a Japanese martial art that incorporates throws, takedowns, and grappling techniques. It emphasizes using an opponent’s momentum against them. While judo includes ground fighting elements, its primary objective is to throw or pin an opponent for victory. Sambo Sambo originated in Russia and combines techniques from judo and wrestling. It places equal emphasis on both standing throws and ground grappling. Sambo practitioners aim to control their opponents through throws while also utilizing submissions on the ground. Submission Wrestling Submission wrestling refers to a hybrid combat sport that combines techniques from various grappling disciplines with minimal restrictions. It focuses on securing submissions such as joint locks or chokes without strikes involved. Differences Between Wrestling and Grappling Objective: The primary objective of wrestling is to gain control over an opponent through pins or accumulating points, while grappling sports focus on submissions and dominant positions. Stance: Wrestlers typically start in a standing position, while grapplers may start standing or on the ground. Rules: Wrestling has specific rulesets for each style, whereas grappling sports have their own unique rulesets. Leg Attacks: In wrestling, leg attacks are common and integral to the sport. In most grappling disciplines, leg attacks are restricted or prohibited. In summary, wrestling and grappling are both physically demanding combat sports with their own unique characteristics. While wrestling focuses on controlling opponents through pins and takedowns, grappling encompasses a broader range of techniques aiming for submissions and dominant positions. Understanding the differences between these two disciplines can help individuals choose the one that aligns with their goals and preferences in martial arts or competitive sports.
