In our previous post, we explored the philosophical differences between Catch Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting Catch Wrestling’s aggressive nature. Today, we’re diving deeper into the unique mentality of Catch Wrestling and how it fundamentally shapes the art’s approach to submissions.
The Catch Wrestling Mindset
Catch Wrestling, often called “Catch-as-Catch-Can,” is more than just a set of techniques—it’s a mindset, a way of approaching combat that sets it apart from many other grappling arts.
- Ruthless Efficiency: At its core, Catch Wrestling is about ending the fight as quickly and decisively as possible. This mentality stems from its carnival and professional wrestling roots, where performers needed to dispatch multiple opponents in a single night.
- “Hooking”: In Catch Wrestling parlance, “hooking” refers to the application of painful submission holds. This term encapsulates the aggressive, no-nonsense approach to combat that defines the art.
- Embrace Discomfort: Catch wrestlers are taught to be comfortable with discomfort. This mindset allows them to push through pain and fatigue, both in training and competition.
How This Mentality Shapes Submissions
The Catch Wrestling mentality directly influences its approach to submissions:
- Submission Hunting: Unlike some grappling styles that prioritize position before submission, Catch wrestlers are always on the lookout for submission opportunities. This aggressive hunting mentality often leads to faster-paced matches.
- Pain Compliance: Catch Wrestling embraces the use of pain as a tool for victory. Submissions are often applied with the intent to cause discomfort, forcing the opponent to submit quickly or risk injury.
- Diverse Submission Arsenal: The “anything goes” mentality of Catch Wrestling has led to the development of a wide array of submissions, including many that are illegal in other grappling sports. This includes small joint manipulations, neck cranks, and spinal locks.
- Chains and Combinations: Catch wrestlers are taught to think several moves ahead, chaining submissions together. If one fails, they’re immediately transitioning to the next, maintaining constant pressure on their opponent.
Training Methods That Reinforce The Mentality
The Catch Wrestling mentality is cultivated through specific training methods:
- Live Wrestling: A significant portion of training is spent in live wrestling scenarios, often with higher intensity than in other grappling arts. This constant pressure helps develop the aggressive mindset.
- Conditioning: Grueling conditioning is a hallmark of Catch Wrestling training. The idea is to push past physical limits, reinforcing the mental toughness required for the style.
- Submission-Focused Drills: While positional work is important, Catch Wrestling places a heavy emphasis on submission-specific drills, often practiced at high intensity.
The Modern Application
In today’s mixed martial arts landscape, the Catch Wrestling mentality has found new relevance:
- MMA Influence: The aggressive submission hunting of Catch Wrestling aligns well with the pace and ruleset of modern MMA.
- Hybrid Approaches: Many modern grapplers are incorporating elements of the Catch Wrestling mentality into their existing skillsets, creating hybrid styles that blend aggression with technical proficiency.
- Self-Defense Relevance: The “finish the fight quickly” mentality of Catch Wrestling has obvious applications in self-defense scenarios.
Balancing Aggression and Control
While the aggressive mentality of Catch Wrestling can be highly effective, it’s important to balance it with control and technique. At our gym in Austin, we teach students to harness the assertive spirit of Catch Wrestling while also developing the patience and precision that comes from other grappling arts.
By understanding and incorporating the Catch Wrestling mentality, grapplers can add a new dimension to their submission game. Whether you’re looking to compete in MMA, improve your self-defense skills, or simply add some “bite” to your grappling, the principles of Catch Wrestling offer valuable lessons.
Remember, the key to mastery in martial arts is not just learning techniques, but understanding the philosophy and mentality behind them. By exploring different approaches like the assertive mindset of Catch Wrestling, you’ll become a more well-rounded and effective martial artist.
Interested in experiencing the Catch Wrestling mentality firsthand? Join us at our Austin gym for a taste of this unique and powerful approach to grappling. Whether you’re a seasoned grappler looking to add new tools to your arsenal, or a beginner curious about different martial arts philosophies, our expert instructors are here to guide you on your journey.