Grappling vs. Wrestling

Grappling Overview

• The most popular form of match grappling, aside from Greco-Roman wrestling, is called submission grappling. Match rules for submission grappling differ depending on age and experience, and matches wearing a martial arts gi (pronounced 'ghee') have rules that vary from matches without the gi. Points are awarded for eight maneuvers, and if an opponent slaps the mat (submits) the match is automatically awarded to his opponent. Referees will not break dangerous holds and locks for experienced grapplers, so they must signify submission to break the hold or lock. Grappling techniques, many of them adopted from jiu-jitsu, are often employed for mixed martial arts matches. One form of grappling match that includes strikes is pancration, a combination of grappling and boxing.

FILA

• The most widely recognized international governing body for grappling is the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA, from the French spelling). FILA incorporates national associations from around the world for submission grappling, pancration, beach wrestling, mixed-martial arts, female wresting, freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestling. They have been advocates for the introduction of more grapping forms into Olympic competition.

Wrestling Overview

• When most sports fans think of wrestling, they have the two styles in mind that are sanctioned at the Olympics: freestyle and Greco-Roman. In both forms, points are awarded for various successful maneuvers against one̵7;s opponent (takedown, escape, reversal and near-fall). Pinning both of an opponent̵7;s shoulder blades to the mat for three seconds constitutes an automatic victory. The primary difference between Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling is that Greco-Roman wrestling does not permit holds below the waist, whereas freestyle wrestling ̵1; the most common form in the United States ̵1; does allow below-the-waist holds. In both forms, potentially dangerous holds are broken by referees.

U.S.A. Wrestling

• In the United States, the governing body for Olympic style wrestling, both freestyle and Greco-Roman, is U.S.A. Wrestling. This organization oversees the sport in middle schools, high schools and colleges. It includes state and regional associations, as well as Team USA, the Olympic hopefuls. It is the final governing authority on rules changes, health and safety standards, the sanctioning of wrestling clubs, and interstate tournaments.