The Art Of
Grappling.
Explore the world of grappling through the principles of Jiu-Jitsu and related martial arts — combining technique, leverage, control, movement and practical application.
Explore Grappling Arts ↓
More Than
Strength.
Grappling arts are martial arts that focus on controlling an opponent through positioning, leverage, balance, movement and technique.
At PMAA, our approach to grappling is strongly influenced by Jiu-Jitsu. Rather than relying purely on physical strength, Jiu-Jitsu teaches students to use leverage, body positioning and technique to control an opponent.
Grappling can involve standing techniques, takedowns, positional control, escapes, pins, transitions and submissions.
These principles can also be found in other grappling disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Judo and submission grappling.
Influenced
By Jiu-Jitsu.
Jiu-Jitsu provides an important influence on the way we approach grappling at PMAA.
Jiu-Jitsu is built around the idea that technique and leverage can allow a smaller or less physically powerful person to control a larger opponent.
Training explores the relationships between position, balance, pressure, movement and control. Students learn how to establish advantageous positions, escape from difficult situations and transition between techniques.
Depending on the training context, grappling can progress from standing exchanges and takedowns into positional control and submission-based techniques.
One Principle.
Many Systems.
Grappling has developed into a wide range of martial arts and combat sports. Although the rules and emphasis can differ, many share common principles of leverage, balance, positioning and control.
Jiu-Jitsu
A technical grappling art built around leverage, positioning, control, escapes, transitions and submission techniques.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu places particular emphasis on ground fighting, positional control and submission techniques.
Wrestling
Wrestling focuses heavily on takedowns, control, balance, pressure, scrambling and maintaining advantageous positions.
Judo
Judo is known for throws, trips, balance breaking, gripping and controlling an opponent through efficient movement and leverage.
Learn The
Fundamentals.
Positioning
Grappling begins with understanding position. Students learn how body position affects control, movement and the options available to both people.
Leverage
Leverage allows technique to work efficiently without relying solely on strength. Body positioning and mechanical advantage become central to effective grappling.
Takedowns
Takedown training explores ways of safely moving an opponent from standing into a controlled position on the ground.
Escapes
Learning how to escape from disadvantageous positions is a fundamental part of grappling and develops problem-solving under pressure.
Control
Students learn how to establish and maintain effective positions while limiting an opponent’s ability to move or improve their position.
Transitions
Grappling rarely stays in one position. Training develops the ability to move smoothly between positions, controls and techniques.
Submissions
Submission techniques provide controlled ways of finishing a grappling exchange by applying recognised joint or positional techniques.
Ground Fighting
Ground fighting develops awareness of position, pressure, movement, control and transitions while working from the ground.
Technique
Meets Pressure.
Grappling skills are developed through repetition, partner work, movement and controlled application.
Students begin by learning the mechanics and purpose of individual techniques. Repetition then helps develop coordination, balance and familiarity with the movement.
Partner drills introduce resistance and movement, allowing students to understand how techniques behave when another person is actively responding.
Over time, techniques can be connected through positional work and controlled live training.
Skills You Can
Build Over Time.
Strength & Fitness
Grappling develops whole-body strength, endurance, mobility, coordination and cardiovascular fitness.
Problem Solving
Grappling creates constantly changing situations that require students to assess position and find practical solutions.
Control
Training develops an understanding of balance, leverage, pressure and positional control.
Confidence
Consistent training builds familiarity with challenging situations and develops confidence through competence.
Start With
Technique.
You don’t need to be strong, athletic or experienced to begin learning grappling. Good grappling starts with understanding position, movement and leverage.
Beginners are introduced to fundamental movements and techniques progressively, building familiarity before moving into more complex applications.
If you’re completely new to martial arts, our Beginner Program provides a structured starting point.
Explore The Beginner Program →
Grappling Arts
Questions.
Grappling arts are martial arts that focus on controlling an opponent through techniques such as takedowns, throws, pins, positional control, escapes and submissions rather than relying primarily on striking.
Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art that uses leverage, positioning, control and technique to overcome resistance. Different Jiu-Jitsu traditions and schools can have different technical and training approaches.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, commonly called BJJ, is a grappling martial art particularly known for ground fighting, positional control and submission techniques.
Grappling can provide useful skills for controlling distance, maintaining balance, escaping disadvantageous positions and managing physical contact. Effective self defence also involves awareness, avoidance, judgement and understanding the situation.
No. Strength and fitness can be useful attributes, but grappling places significant emphasis on leverage, positioning, timing and technique. Learning these principles is a major part of training.
Yes. Grappling fundamentals can be introduced progressively, making the training accessible to people with no previous martial arts experience.
Striking arts primarily focus on techniques such as punches and kicks, while grappling arts focus on controlling an opponent through contact, positioning, takedowns, throws, pins, escapes and submissions. Many complete martial arts systems incorporate elements of both.
Learn The Art.
Build Your Skills.
Discover how grappling can become part of your martial arts journey.
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