Wrestling Up in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu: Key Concepts by Giancarlo Bodoni

Giancarlo Bodoni, a two-time ADCC champion and the best No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu wrestler, explains the important idea of "wrestling up," which is a move that is very important in modern No-Gi grappling. In traditional Gi Jiu-Jitsu, grips on collars and sleeves give you control. In No-Gi, though, you rely more on off-balancing your opponents and using wrestling moves to switch positions and get top control.

According to Bodoni, most sweeps and reversals in No-Gi come from wrestling ups, which usually start with classical Jiu-Jitsu moves like tripod sweeps to throw off balance. The key is manipulating your opponent’s posture and weight distribution, especially pulling their weight onto their heels or toes to create an opening. This off-balancing can be subtle (an "invisible" pull) or more pronounced, such as forcing your opponent to stumble, knee down, or even place their hands on the mat.

The strongest success in wrestling up comes from maximal off-balance scenarios, like knocking your opponent down to a hip level, which creates prime opportunities to complete takedowns or positional advances. Starting low from the guard position makes wrestling ups effective because it reduces the risk and difficulty seen with traditional standing takedowns.

In summary, Bodoni emphasises a tiered approach to off-balancing your opponent—from subtle shifts in weight to full positional knockdowns—before finishing with a wrestling-up technique. This method effectively transitions classical Jiu-Jitsu sweeps into powerful No-Gi reversals, giving practitioners a decisive edge in matches.

For practitioners eager to master modern No-Gi wrestling ups, studying Bodoni’s detailed breakdown offers valuable insights into the evolving grappling game.

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Sources

[1] How to Wrestle Up in Jiu Jitsu with 2X ADDC Champ Giancarlo Bodoni https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThY6GlySyKs