According to Craig Jones, the future of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a combination of traditional BJJ mixed with wrestling. In his mind, the person that can get on top has the best chance of winning. Obviously, this isn’t a new concept and has been used in BJJ forever.
However, incorporating wrestling moves from the bottom is a fairly new concept, or at least it isn’t too common. In this article, we shall go into what it means to wrestle up from the bottom in BJJ, and why it’s growing in popularity.
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Examples of wrestling up in BJJ
Perhaps one of the most common forms of wrestling up is done from bottom half guard. If the guard player manages to get the underhook, then they can start wrestling from the bottom. This sometimes results in a takedown sweep, where they tap the far knee to complete the sweep.
Although this counts as a sweep in competition, it’s basically a variation of a double leg takedown from the bottom position. This sweep may be one of the most commonly used sweeps in BJJ and is a good example of wrestling up from the bottom.
Another example could be using the technical standup sweep from X-guard. When you think about it, this is literally coming up to a single leg position which also allows access to the back. Here are a few examples of famous grapplers using wrestling from a bottom position.
Garry Tonon using double legs from the dummy sweep
One of the best people to have ever wrestled up is Marcelo Garcia, who famously blended BJJ and wrestling to win various ADCC titles and prove that the pair could work together nicely. He would often come up and use a single leg takedown when possible.
However, it was Garry Tonon who branched out on his dummy sweep which made it work in his own matches. Here, he would begin by tripping his opponent up by their heels whilst pushing their knees. Whilst off-balanced, he would then wrap his legs around theirs and get up to complete a double leg takedown.
Andrew Wiltse using a single leg from de la riva
Another BJJ practitioner who is good at wrestling is Andrew Wiltse. Sometimes whilst playing de la riva guard, he will kick the far leg, then come up to a single leg takedown by standing up (whilst gripping the near leg). This works as when the far leg is kicked away, it makes the closer leg lighter and easier to stand up with. After securing this position, he would then complete a single leg whilst standing.
Nicky Ryan using double legs from the bottom position
One of the biggest influences of modern wrestling up is Nicky Ryan who even released a DVD on the subject. When competing, he would sometimes shoot a double leg takedown from a seated position.
This would happen if his opponent was directly facing him, allowing Ryan the time and space to shoot a takedown by springing to his feet. Sometimes, if an opponent is unwilling to engage and has their legs within distance, this can be done.
Can you wrestle up in the gi?
Although wrestling is typically thought of in no gi, this isn’t always the case. In fact, it can be done in the gi from the bottom. One example of this is a lapel sweep that Bernardo Faria would use during his career from half guard.
Here, Faria would thread the opponent’s far lapel through their leg whilst in bottom half guard. He would then come up whilst holding the lapel and grabbing the opponent’s pants at the knee with his free hand. Depending on the reaction, he would then either finish a double leg or come up to a single leg with the lapel wrap, which would make for a very powerful position due to the leverage of the lapel.
In short, wrestling up is doable in the gi. In fact, if you’re creative with your grips then in some circumstances it can be easier to complete a takedown in the gi. For the most part though, wrestling up is normally associated with no gi though which makes sense considering the history. Still, if you want to try it in the gi then it can still work if you’re determined enough.
Is wrestling up the next big thing?
Before the term wrestling up was a thing, coach John Danaher claimed that ‘scrimmage wrestling’ would become more influential within BJJ. This was his take on things, that wrestling would become used more in a BJJ setting. Since then, it seems that he has been proven right to an extent, as the movement seems to have grown in no gi.
As mentioned previously, this concept has actually been around for years, but if more and more people consciously start doing it then it may grow in popularity. In this sense, it’s not too dissimilar to the leg lock revolution that BJJ previously went through. Obviously, leg locks were always a thing but after light was shined upon them, they grow massively in popularity.
If you’re a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner who wants to learn more about wrestling moves to improve your game, then check out this book here that is based on key wrestling moves and techniques.
