As Stoic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu begins to offer wrestling programs at its Mansfield location as well, it is important to understand the importance of wrestling in jiu jitsu. While the two are different forms of martial arts, they share many similarities, so much so that oftentimes good wrestlers transition to becoming good jiu jitsu practitioners – and vice versa.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is vastly different from any other martial art because of its strict rule sets and intricacy of details. However, wrestling is probably the best grappling art you can cross-train with BJJ for several reasons: it can develop your jiu jitsu game and takedowns, improve your cardio and aggression and overall make you a better, more well-rounded, martial artist.
The importance of staying on top in wrestling will translate into jiu jitsu to teach you not to get too comfortable on your back. Having a solid guard game is important, but can sometimes be a risk when your opponent is bigger or stronger than you are. Wrestling wins are secured by dominating your partner from the top, never letting your back touch the mat. As a result, this mindset will help encourage you to stay on top as much as possible, without giving up a sweep.
Because wrestling emphasizes the importance of having a standing game, takedowns play a huge role in the art. And if you’ve ever worked just takedowns, you know the conditioning is grueling. Being able to muster all your strength and force to take someone down, then stand right back up and do it again takes a lot of conditioning and with that, your cardio and endurance will greatly increase as well.
Many BJJ academies offer wrestling components during their regular practices – takedowns sprawls, cross-face, dominating from the top – but a full program of wrestling will offer a much better focus to then transfer to jiu jitsu. Additionally, jiu jitsu is not a sport recognized by school sports teams, but wrestling oftentimes is. Kids who start wrestling young can also benefit from having that knowledge, taking it to high school, and competing there.
No matter the reasoning behind starting wrestling, there is value in knowing the techniques and the art itself. Just one class strictly devoted to wrestling could improve your jiu jitsu game tremendously.
Still not quite sure what wrestling is? Check out USA Wrestling
