Grappling Tips And Techniques That Every MMA Fighter Should Know

Grappling is an essential skill that every MMA fighter must master in order to become successful. The fact is that no matter how hard you try, some matches will inevitably end up on the ground. Unless you know how to fight on the ground, you’ll find yourself tapping out in submission every time. If you are still scratching your head trying to figure out grappling, keep reading and we’ll reveal some tips and techniques for beginners to use.

Attack, Defend, Counterattack

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that grappling is a combination of attack, defense, and counterattack. Contrary to what some people may believe, it doesn’t involve a pure attack. You must anticipate your opponent’s next move and use the necessary measures to protect yourself. Once your opponent is exposed, you can then strike and hopefully place them in submission. This probably sounds like a lot to handle at first, but you’ll eventually learn the ropes of grappling through lots of practice and dedication.

Takedown

I can’t stress just how important learning a takedown move is. As the name suggests, this move is performed when both you and your opponent are standing up. When you spot a weakness, you’ll perform a takedown move to literally bring your opponent down on the floor where you can control them. Typically, this done by staying on top of the opponent until he or she taps out. Of course, they may try to maneuver their body in a different direction so you are no longer in control. A takedown move can be as simple as grabbing your opponent’s legs and sweeping them back or can be more complex like the Peruvian Necktie move.

Keep Your Body Relaxed

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you are on the floor grappling. As a beginner, you might anxiously tap out simply because you no longer have control of your body. Instead of tapping out at the first sign of trouble, though, you must learn to relax and work with your body. Take deep breaths and go slowly when you are on the floor grappling. The art of grappling is just as much mental as it is physical. If you allow yourself to become tense and anxious, you’ll end up tapping out when it’s not necessary.

Watch For The Choke Submission

One of the most commonly used grappling techniques is choking submission. This occurs when your opponent gets behind your body and wraps their arms around your neck. When the opponent is using their legs and feet to hold you down, it can be extremely difficult if not impossible to escape from. For this reason, it’s recommended that you keep your neck guarded at all times. If your opponent seems to be eying your neck, use a takedown move to bring the fight to the floor. From here, you’ll have a better shot at placing them in submission while reducing the chance of them getting behind you.

Try to incorporate these tips into your grappling practices; and most importantly, keep placing yourself out there to learn more about the sport.