grappling prowess vs strength

[brian fiket]

hello, my question involves grappling. does strength give an advantage over your skill as a grappler? i know very little about grappling or wrestling of any kind. only from wrestling with friends and brothers as a child. but i train regularly and know i am stronger than most people my age/height/weight. so i wonder if my strength could offer an advantage or at least level the playing field if i were to be invovled with someone who has had training in wrestling or grappling such as judo, aikido, high school wrestling team, etc...
the reason i start this post is because i had read or heard somewhere that knowing any martial art really only gives an advantage over people your same size, and i also know my limits when i comes to grappling/wrestling. so i tweaked this idea and now i wonder...

xie xie

[Harvey Meeker]

I think the premise you are basing the question on is flawed since skill in the martial arts can give you an advantage over any opponent regardless of size differential.  I'm probably six-eight inches taller than Sifu and weigh 35lbs more, but I'm not about to try messing with him (well, at least not sober).

That said, the reason why wrestling is divided into weight classes is because it is a sport with rules that give a large advantage to a person that weighs more or is physically stronger (usually the larger wrestler is physically stronger, not always though).  When you start breaking down the rules and allow more techniques like submission holds, strikes, etc then it becomes less clear whether strength is clearly advantageous to a fighter.

 

[brian fiket]

i understand that. the statement i was quoting was more of a general idea. i dont think whoever said it was including masters of any art when they said it, including a grappling art. but for the average student against the average person, i think there is some validity to that statement. and of course the more you practice the better chance you have... but what i am asking is about strength, not size, but strength alone vs. someone who has learned a grappling skill of any kind, from tai chi to high school wrestling. i guess i am answering my own question here but others' input is always nice. i dont want to test out my skills or strength on someone, so i am asking... sifu has said that technique defeats strength and speed, but you have to be strong and fast to have a good technique. but grappling is so foreign to me. i dont know where to begin.

[SiGung Vincent A. Cabais]

This was a veiwpoint from Sihing Bart Cardetti:

Sihing Bart Tiger Sihing Joined: 17 November 2003 Posts: 20 Location: United States

Sent: 30 June 2004 at 5:46pm All other variables being equal (speed, technique, ect...), a larger fighter will have an advantage against someone who is smaller.  However, one rarely encounters a situation where all variables are equal.  Martial arts allow us to stack the odds for the outcome in a fight (and many other aspects of life) in our favor.  Those variables include, but are not limited to:  strength, speed, stamina, timing, focus, technique, and luck. A grappler who has little strength will typically be at a disadvantage against a grappler who is stronger.  However, if the small grappler relied on factors such as leverage, footwork, body placement and agility, then he may easily offset the advantage that the stronger grappler may have.  The smaller grappler, however, will have an even greater advantage if he increases his strength as well. Proficiency in martial technique (including grappling) relies on many factors, all of which are important to have "proper" technique.  If a person understands the movements of Shantung Black Tiger, but does not have the strength, the stance work, the stamina, and the mental tenacity that it requires, then their technique will not be as good, and their application will be less useful than that of the practitioner who has these qualities.  What gives the fighter the biggest advantage is to improve ALL of these things through diligent practice and hard work. As for martial arts only giving someone an advantage with people of a similar size, this is simply not true.  Size is simply one factor in overall combat, and one that cannot be changed.  As someone who is 6’1’’, I find that though I do have a longer range than those shorter than myself, my long, freaky ostrich legs tend to kick more slowly than those who have less leg to move.  I can’t count the times that has been a disadvantage.  However, through diligent practice, even this weakness can be overcome.  As for dealing with a grappler (Aikido, Judo, wrestler, ect…) I would not suggest that you rely on your strength to grapple with them.  In fact, since they are probably more used to being on the ground than you, try to keep them from shooting in on you and taking you there.  Keep on your feet and use techniques that they are not used to practicing against (such as low kicks circular strikes).  If the confrontation does end up on the ground and you are at a disadvantage, I would suggest trying to break away from them, and get back up to your feet.  Try to define the parameters of the fight by making him come to you. …of course, if you avoid rather than check, then none of this will be a problem in the first place… Train hard! --Sihing Bart

I agree with Data and Sihing Bart but the one thing I have experience in is grappling.  Because of my size (5' 5" & 120lbs) whenever I have engaged in combat I find myself utilizing techniques that bring me closer to my opponent.  That is when my opponent tries to grapple me.  Experience and understanding will win over strength everytime.  Unless we are talking about "The Incredible Hulk"!

The first thing that you need to concentrate on is how to manipulate your own weight and body.  After you have a firm understanding of yourself... you will be in a better position to even start evaluating and overcomming someone else's strength and body type.

Remeber one thing tough... "Knowledge is only 'Potential Power'.  Knowledge without experience is a waste."

[brian fiket]

xie xie