Why Great Grappling is Like a Dairy Queen Blizzard – Discover the Sweet Simplicity!

As a huge Penn State football fan, I couldn’t help but be inspired by the analogy that their new offensive coordinator, Andy Koletenicki, used to describe his offensive strategy. When asked about it, he made a memorable comparison:

“It’s a lot like a Dairy Queen Blizzard. The Blizzard, in itself, is a wonderful dessert...which we should all enjoy in moderation. It looks complicated because it’s messy inside, and the person working there puts it in the machine and mixes the ice cream. But fundamentally, it’s mostly made up of what? Vanilla ice cream. So, if you could equate offensive football to your favorite Blizzard, it’s going to look like a messy piece of deliciousness, but fundamentally, it’s just two ingredients mixed together.”

Koletenicki is basically saying that while offense may look complex, it’s grounded in simplicity—just like a Blizzard is mostly vanilla ice cream with a few extra “candy” ingredients. And that idea perfectly captures what grappling, especially Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is all about.

Grappling and the Power of Fundamentals

This analogy rings true for grappling as well. When you watch high-level grapplers, you’ll notice that they’re not using flashy, complex moves all the time. Instead, they rely heavily on the fundamentals—the “vanilla ice cream” of grappling techniques.

Take my coach, Josh, for example. He’s a master of the basics, always emphasizing core movements and foundational skills. The top wrestlers use the same takedowns and setups they learned early on, while black belts win world championships with moves like the triangle choke, which they probably learned during their first days as white belts.

At our gym in Scranton, PA, we focus on teaching these grappling fundamentals in a way that makes it easy for everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, to build a rock-solid foundation. We understand that watching complex techniques on social media can be intimidating. It’s easy to see these moves and think, “I could never do that.”

The Secret to High-Level Grappling: Mastering the Basics

But here’s the real secret: those advanced movements you see are just the “candy” on top. The fundamentals are the core—the “vanilla ice cream” that carries grapplers to victory. When you master the basics, everything else becomes easier. That’s why we prioritize essential techniques and make sure every student understands them deeply. By mastering these, you’ll develop a solid skill set that you can apply in real-world scenarios and competitions.

Book Your Free Trial and Taste the Difference!

Are you ready to get a “scoop” of the best grappling techniques that Scranton, PA, has to offer?

Join us for a free trial session! At our gym, we’ll guide you through the fundamentals and help you build a foundation that will support your entire grappling journey.

[Click here to book your free trial and start your journey with us!]