| Grappling techniques can be subdivided into Clinch | | | | who refuse to "tap out" risk unconsciousness or |
| fighting, Escapes, Pinning and Controlling | | | | serious injury. |
| Techniques, Reversals, Sweeps, Submission holds, | | | | * Pinning or Controlling Techniques |
| Takedowns, Throws, and Turnovers. | | | | A pin involves holding the opponent on his back |
| * Clinching | | | | whereby he is unable to attack. A pin is classed |
| This takes place with both competitors on their | | | | as an instant victory in some styles of |
| feet using various upper body clinch holds. Clinches | | | | competitive grappling, whilst in other styles it is |
| are generally used to set up or defend against | | | | considered to be a dominant position that is |
| takedowns or throws. | | | | rewarded with points. |
| * Takedowns | | | | * Escapes |
| Takedowns occur when one grappler can | | | | An escape is accomplished by moving out of |
| manipulate their opponent from a position | | | | danger from an inferior position. For instance, |
| whereby both grapplers are initially standing, down | | | | when a grappler who is under his opponent on the |
| to a position on the ground with the grappler | | | | floor is able to get back up onto his feet, or when |
| completing the takedown on top of the opponent. | | | | a grappler is able to move out of a submission |
| * Throws | | | | attempt and back to a position whereby he is no |
| This technique is undertaken by one grappler lifting | | | | longer in danger of being submitted. |
| or knocking off balance the opponent and | | | | * Turnovers |
| maneuvering him with force through the air or to | | | | This move is used to turn an opponent onto all |
| the ground. | | | | fours or flat on their stomach to their back, which |
| * Submission holds | | | | will score points for the grappler, prepare for a pin |
| There are generally two varieties of submission | | | | or in order to gain a more dominant position. |
| holds; those that would potentially strangle or | | | | * Reversals or Sweeps |
| suffocate an opponent, and those that would | | | | These techniques occur when a grappler who was |
| potentially cause injury. A competitor is expected | | | | below his opponent on the ground is able to move |
| to submit during a submission hold, either verbally, | | | | so that he can gain the top position over his |
| or by tapping the opponent. Those competitors | | | | opponent. |