School helps students get hold on wrestling, grappling

Matt Lincoln spent much of his life involved with wrestling, from competing in national trials trying to make the U.S. Olympic team to coaching. But he said he really found his passion in the sport of grappling about five years ago, and last month he opened a year-round school in Maricopa that offers training in both disciplines.

Grappling, a combination of jiu-jitsu and wrestling that uses submission holds and arm locks, has skyrocketed in popularity due to the success of mixed martial arts leagues such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“Not everyone wants to go out and punch each other in the face, but they love the art of wrestling and taking someone down and then protecting yourself,” Lincoln said. “That’s why grappling has become such a huge art.

“There’s really just a small difference between wrestling and grappling. The stand-up (aspects) are all the same, but once they go to the ground, (grappling) is more of a self-defense than a sport. … Really to be a great grappler, you have to understand wrestling.”

Lincoln started his school, USA Storm Arizona, in May, and it operates out of Desert Star Gymnastics (44301 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway, Suite 7) twice a week. The school, an affiliate of the USA Storm Combat Club, offers children and adults instruction in wrestling and grappling, and it recently added judo classes.

When it’s wrestling season, Lincoln teaches the traditional wrestling styles and the students can compete in wrestling tournaments, and then he switches to grappling. He said the focus for the young children from 5 to 9 years old is primarily wrestling, because that is the sport with which their parents are familiar and certain aspects of grappling might be too much for the youngsters.

“When you start to get into submissions and arm locks, you have to be mature about it and understand that you can hurt your opponent,” he said.

But the majority of the other students are seeking training in grappling.

“The future really is grappling,” Lincoln said. “Just last year, FILA, which is the international governing body of wrestling, began to sanction grappling.”

While USA Storm Arizona plans to field competition teams in wrestling and grappling, Lincoln said a large majority of the students take the classes just to gain self-confidence and for the exercise.

USA Storm Arizona trains on Monday and Wednesday evenings year round, and Lincoln said he accepts new students at any time. For more information, visit www.usastormarizona.com or call 520-280-6876.

Photo submitted by USA Storm Arizona