Is there striking in wrestling?
No. No punches, no kicks, and no locks or chokes either. Only takedowns, control and position.
Wrestling
Wrestling classes
Wrestling is one of the oldest martial arts and it comes down to one thing: deciding where the fight takes place. You learn to take someone off balance, bring them to the ground and control them there. You also learn to stop the same thing happening to you.
There is no striking and there are no locks or chokes; it is all about grip, timing, weight and position. That makes wrestling suitable for anyone who wants to train hard without taking punches, and for anyone working towards MMA. There, wrestling often decides whether a fight is fought standing or on the ground.
Wrestling schedule
Monday
[[rooster:worstelen]]
Friday
18:00 - 19:00
Learning wrestling in Rotterdam
Wrestling for beginners
As a beginner you start with falling safely, the basic stance and your first takedowns and defences. There is no separate beginners group: all levels train together and the coach pairs you with a suitable training partner. That way you learn step by step from someone who is a little further along.
Wrestling for advanced students
Once you know the basics, you work on timing, combinations, takedown chains and fighting out positions. The pace is higher and there is more room to apply techniques under resistance.
Wrestling for women
Women train in the regular wrestling groups and follow the same training as everyone else. If you would rather start in a women-only group, you can begin with the Ladies Only heavy bag class on Wednesday and join the mixed classes later.
Your coaches
Wrestling is taught by Moein and Afshin.
Moein has been wrestling for over thirty years, thirteen of them at competition level in Germany. He knows the sport as a fighter, as a trainer and as a coach.
Afshin started wrestling young and moved to MMA at eighteen; he has now been training at a high level for over ten years and knows exactly how to use wrestling in an MMA fight. You will find all Ruthless coaches on About us.
Book a free wrestling trial class
Your first class is free and you are not tied to anything afterwards. You do not need any special kit to join in once.
What to expect
The warm up is all about moving on the mat. After that you learn breakfalls, and in wrestling that comes before any other technique, because you can only learn something once you land safely. Then one takedown or one defence, practised calmly with a partner, followed by situational training: one tries to get out from underneath, the other tries to stay on top. Cooling down and stretching at the end.
What wrestling costs at Ruthless
At Ruthless you pay one amount per month and you train in every discipline: heavy bag training, striking, BJJ, grappling, wrestling, MMA and strength and conditioning. If you come for one class and six months from now you want to try another, you pay nothing extra.
Cannot make it every week? There is a 10-class card as well.
There is no registration fee. You choose a membership of six months or a year; after that a notice period of one month applies.
Frequently asked questions about wrestling
The questions we get most often about the wrestling classes.
What is the difference with BJJ and grappling?
Wrestling starts standing and is about bringing someone to the ground and keeping them there. BJJ and grappling carry on into locks and chokes.
Do I need to be strong to start?
No. Technique and timing count for more than strength, and the strength comes by itself.
Is wrestling dangerous for my neck or back?
You learn breakfalls before you learn anything else. If you have any complaints, tell the coach. If you are unsure whether it is wise, talk it over with your GP or physiotherapist first.
Do I need wrestling shoes?
No, wrestling shoes are not needed here: you train barefoot. For every class you do disinfect your feet in the tray beside the mat before you step onto it. Everyone does, every class.
Can I join without any experience?
Yes. Most people who walk in here have never wrestled.
How often a week can I wrestle?
Twice. If you want to do ground work more often, combine it with grappling or BJJ. That is included in the same membership.
Does wrestling help for MMA?
Yes. Wrestling decides whether a fight happens standing or on the ground, and that is often decisive.
Is wrestling hard on your fitness?
Yes, it is one of the toughest classes we have. You train at your own pace and taking a break is fine.
Can children wrestle too?
Yes. On Monday and Friday from 16:00 to 16:45 there is wrestling for the kids and youth group. The regular wrestling classes in the schedule above are for adults.
Other disciplines at Ruthless
- Grappling: the logical next step, six days a week, and the ground work that starts where wrestling stops.
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: ground work in the gi, with locks and chokes.
- MMA: where wrestling meets punches and kicks.
Everything is included in the same membership. View our programs
Want to try a class?
Come and join one of our training sessions, no strings attached, and see for yourself