The Groundfighting FAQ. Help wanted.

[Hedgehogey]

All right, we've all suffered through countless HRRMMM DUZ BEE JAY JAY WORK VS MULTIPLE PUERTO RICAN GANGSTAZ IN AN ELEVATOR? BECAUSE WHAT IF THEY STOMPED YOU OR BIT YOUR EYEBALLS and "IS SPORT GRAPPLING REALLY APPLICABLE TO THE REALITY OF THE STREET/A BIKER BAR/WRESTLIN A GATOR IN A LOUISIANA SWAMP AT NIGHT, WITH INEXPLICABLE ZYDECO MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND/BEING ADRIFT IN AN ALTERTNATE UNIVERSE BEYOND TIME?".

Well it's time to put it all to rest. Here, in this FAQ, we lay out the final word on all such subjects. Now we will have this weapon to call upon in our darkest need, when faced with hordes of fags on shaolin wolf or wherehaveyou. It will be the internet equivalent of a summon shiva spell.

Points for the commitee to consider:

-Why anti grappling is a moronic idea.

-Multiple opponents: Why striking is no safer than grappling.

-Weapons: Why you HAVE to grapple to disarm your opponent

-Knee vs a takedown: Why it is very low percentage

-the difference between grappling and groundfighting

-Qin Na does not contain every technique in BJJ or Judo

-"Why don't you roll on concrete instead of a mat?" (yes, this has actually come up)

-Concrete examples (videos), with links

And any other suggestions.

Introduction to this FAQ:
The neccesity of learning to grapple and fight on the ground has been debated countless times on internet martial arts forums such as bullshido.net. Arguements have breen brought forth and systematically taken apart over and over again. Evidence has been shown for the neccesity of learning to fight on the ground if one wishes to be a well rounded fighter, prepared for all situations.
This FAQ was created for the purpose of disspelling common misconceptions about what grappling and groundfighting are and are not.

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Q: Doesn't the presence of broken glass, needles, lava, sharks, etc. on the ground make groundfighting a bad idea even if you're good at it?

A: Striking advocates are quick to point out that you would never want to roll around on the ground where you would get scraped up by the asphalt or broken glass. This is indeed the truth and it is why a person should train in groundfighting.

A groundfighter is going to control the takedown and be on TOP thus using the harsh environment against his attacker. Even if our groundfighter is in a disadvantageous position, he will quickly improve position, whereas the helpless striker would just flail about and remove the skin from his own back.

B: A fight is an unpredictable event and going to the ground is a possibility. You may not have the luxery of keeping the fight standing especially if you do not train in proper takedown defenses. You may also trip, or slip on something, or...the list goes on and on.

Learning groundfighting will give you the ability to continue to defend yourself as well as teach you proper, safe ways to stand back up.
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Q: But couldn't I just gouge the grappler's eyes, or bite him?

The non-grappler will claim to resort to such infallible techniques as eyegouging, biting and / or genital crushing techniques. The reasons why this is bullshido are as follows:

1. How often do these strikers actually train these movements? The answer is usually not very often. Thus, they are a somewhat risky method of countering a grappler, who has practiced the movements they will be using many times before on resisting opponents.

2. Eyegouging, biting and genital mandhandling are of course very uncomfortable for those on the recieving end, but they are not instant fight-enders. Resorting to these techniques suggests a 'last chance' situation, whereby the grappler has you under their control and you are trying a last ditch attempt to escape or injure the grappler. If you do not either gouge the eye right out of the socket and put your thumb in their brain, crush their nuts even through various layers of clothing, or bite a rather large chunk from their body, they will continue to choke you to unconsciousness or break / disable a joint or limb.

3. What you can do to them, they can do to you. In other words. if a grappler can beat you under a specific ruleset, chances are that when those rules are lifted, they can beat you even worse. There is no unwritten law in life that states only kung fu weenies can poke someone in the eye or squeeze some testicles.

Which brings us to the last point,

4. Whatever move you claim to be able to pull out of the bag during 'anti-grappling', chances are a grappler can not only do the same move to you, but can use their skill and experience of fighting in that range to put themselves in a much better position than you to apply the move, and also have the knowledge and experience to defend against it far better than a non-grappler.
For instance, from under mount, trying to gouge your opponent's eyes will give your opponent a great opportunity to armbar you. Whereas the person on top mount can gouge with impunity.

5: So far these tactics have never worked on a skilled grappler. For instance, in the john marsh vs. kung fu guy video on bullshido.net, the kung fu guy trys to gouge Marsh's eyes from underneath side control. Marsh uses the raised arm as an opportunity to apply a keylock and snaps the kung fu guy's shoulder.

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Q: But don't grapplers have to reach me first?

A: Yes they do. However, the deceptive, quick, and expolosive nature of the shot (takedown) makes this relatively easy allowing you only one solid attack with which you must KO your opponent to avoid grappling. Should you fail, you'll likely end up on the ground or at least entangled witn your opponent.

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Q: Submissions are just for sport. In real life no one taps out so how can you use grappling in a fight?

A: Submissions are generally not pain based. Many submissions will seriously injure, cripple, or even kill the opponent if actually finished. Chokes and strangles will render them first unconscious and then dead. This is the reason why people tap out.

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Q: Couldn't I just hit sidestep the shot?

A: Theorists believe that the shoot is executed from a great distance like a football tackle. This is why most believe that a simple side step, palm strike to the ear, or knee to the face will take down any grappler trying to shoot because they can see it coming. Effective shoots are used from close range and are typically set up via punch combinations or by causing the opponent to break their balance prior to shooting.

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Q: Why don't you roll on concrete instead of a mat?

A: For safety reasons. The mat protects the person who is being taken down (IE the person who's been outwrestled). It is NOT because grappling is innefective on concrete. Quite the opposite, in fact.

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Q: Where can I see concrete evidence of the unworkability of "anti-grappling" techniques and the neccesity of learning grappling and groundfighting?

A: On the internet, the download sections of Bullshido.net and Subfighter.net have many clips of grappler vs. striker fights.

The Ultimate Fighting championships one through five brought fighters from many different styles, grappling and striking, together in no rules matches. Vale Tudo matches continue in Brazil and sometimes in the USA and Japan.

The gracie jiujitsu in action videotapes show the famous gracie brothers fighting challenge matches against many other styles.
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Q: What about multiple opponents?

A: There is no evidence that striking is any safer than grappling when fighting multiple opponents. Fighting several attackers is a losing proposition for anyone, grappler or striker. It's not impossible but it is very unlikely. People who think they can fight multiple people without getting seriously hurt tend to have watched a few too many kung fu movies.

The best defense in this situation is to run away.

B: The second best defense is to have a weapon (or three).

Grappling and ground-fighting skills are essential in a
multiple opponent scenario with weapons involved. Put
simply put you need grappling/groundfighting skills to
utilize a weapon effectively when escape is not an option.

A weapon is not a magic wand. It often requires time or
multiple successful attacks to remove an attacker from the
fight. In the meantime dog-pack tactics are likely to be
employed against you. A multiple opponent scenario where
escape and evasion is not possible is by definition “close quarters”.
To escape from a clinch, takedown, tackle, or pin requires
personal understanding of how it is executed. It may take
minutes for an attacker who has been stabbed to cease all
resistance, and a bludgeoned opponent may collapse on you or
pass out with a death grip on parts of your anatomy.

No part of a multiple opponent scenario is pleasant to
contemplate.. but whether you can run or must fight, the
grappling and groundfighting skill-sets are essential if you
want to live through a bad situation. Hopefully you won’t have
to use them, but they are critical insurance when things go
pear-shaped.

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Q:"I wouldn't want to grapple/wrestle with a bigger opponent, I'd rather strike."

A: In the striking range, there is a higher percentage of chance factors that can result in the inferior striker getting in a shot that KO's the other person. This is especially true if you are fighting a big person. A bigger person with little or no training can still throw powerful punches. A good grappler can negate this by taking the bigger person to the ground and minimizing the distance the bigger opponent has to build momentum in striking. Yes, size still matters on the ground, but not as much as standing up. It's more likely that your technical skills on the ground will protect you against a larger opponent than standing up.

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Question: Grappling styles such as folkstyle, freestyle and Greco roman wrestling are just sports. How is knowing one of those styles going to help in a real fight?
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Answer: Yes, the various wrestling styles are sports but consider these following points.

1. Wrestlers perform their techniques between 80% to 100% full speed during every training session. That means that they have drilled their techniques countless thousands of times under real conditions against opponents who are actively training and defending at the same speed they are. These techniques are ingrained into their muscle memory, as are all the possible variations that can arise when changes are introduced.

2. Wrestling practice and competition is always full contact. Wrestlers are used to working in a full contact environment where pain is part of the game. This means they are used to getting slammed, bumped, bruised, twisted and cross-faced etc. Wrestlers have developed the mental and physical toughness required to compete in a very physically demanding sport and this translates well to a real fighting situation.

3. Active participants in any style of wrestling are going to be in phenomenal shape. Wrestlers generally spend a decent portion of their training session getting into shape with a combination of calisthenics (pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups and dips), weights and aerobic/anaerobic exercises (long distance running, wind sprints and bleachers/stairs). In addition to these they spend a lot of time performing anaerobic activities in of all things… wrestling. This translates to roughly 2-3 hours a day at least 4-5 days a week of non-stop physical fitness.

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Question: But doesn't my traditional system already have groundfighting?

Answer: Many traditional systems do have an assortment of techniques which are said to counter basic attacks of groundfighting. However, before even discussing if these techniques work, one must first look at how these techniques are trained. Many of these techniques never get trained in an alive manner, so the student will not know how to apply them in an actual grappling situation. Conversely, the student training in aliveness will have practiced their techniques much more often, and against opponents who have also practiced countering them. In comparison, the student training groundfighting techniques without practice is no better equipped than someone with no "training."

Also, because these techniques never get practiced in an alive manner, counters to things like takedowns and pins can get considerably more surreal and less based in effectiveness, simply because the instructor or student may not understand grappling. Grappling doesn't always follow normal human instinct, and improper training could result in bad techniques that make it even easier for the poorly trained student to be beaten by an experienced grappler. Examples of this include counters to takedowns that involve lifting one of you legs up, which just makes it easier for you to be taken down, or attempting to eye-gouge while mounted which simply opens you up to a number of armbars.

Finally, remember that all systems have different focuses, and therefore different strengths and weaknesses. Just because your Shotokan class has some "grappling" in the syllabus doesn't mean that you're going to get a complete understanding of grappling from them. BJJ classes will briefly touch on some aspects of striking, but that doesn't mean you'll be a competent striker. To understand different ranges of combat, you actually have to train in them, fully, and from someone with a proper understanding of them. BJJ striking isn't going to teach in depth strategies of footwork, defense, and striking power that a good stand-up class wil. The same strategy and understanding of grappling needs to be built by actually training grappling, otherwise you will have no idea what you're doing in this essential range of combat.


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Q: But in my school/system/class/warrior clan, we train so that we are never taken down. Why should we learn grappling?
A: Professional Boxers train to never get knocked out, but it still happens. Players of almost ANY sport train to not let their opponent win, but it still happens. There are no gaurantees in fighting, and as much time as you spend training to never be taken down, there are people training to take you down. It's important to know how to adapt to all situations, good and bad, and that includes grappling.

Also, there is ample evidence, video and otherwise, of people claiming they cannot be taken down, only to be taken down and submitted minutes later.

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Q: What about anti-grappling?

A: In addition to the refutations above, the whole idea of "Anti-grappling" is absurd. If I were to claim to be practicing "anti-striking" every time I shot a double leg takedown, you'd laugh, wouldn't you? "Anti-grappling" is just as ridiculous an idea.

An entire range of fighting cannot be dismissed with just a few techniques.

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Q: I saw some MMA matches where guys were knocked out. Doesn't this mean grappling doesn't work?

A: Crosstraining in both grappling and striking is neccesary to be succesful in MMA. However, if you don't grapple at all, your chances of success are slim to none. Even fighters who prefer to strike have to train grappling.

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Q: Ok, you convinced me. But it looks scary. I don't wanna get my arm broken by a three hundred pound ex-wrestler!

A: It isn't. The tap-out system allows for a maximum of safety, much more than sparring in striking arts.

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Q: It looks gay...

A: What are you, eight?

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[Antagony]

FAQ Continued.

Edit: Sorry Antagony, but I need this space.

Q: What are the major (North American) systems of grappling? What are their major advantages and disadvantages?

A: In order of popularity they are: Folkstyle Wrestling, Freestyle/Greco-Roman Wrestling, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu, and Sambo. Minor styles that deserve mention are 'Catch' Wrestling and Shuai Jiao/Sanshou. There are many more styles of mainly ethnic interest, practiced by a few enthusiasts; the question of "Pro Wrestling" and Mexican "Lucha Libre" deserves its own note.

Folkstyle.

The major American form of competitive wrestling, practiced at the high school and collegiate levels throughout the United States. Practiced in a singlet, Folkstyle wrestling allows attacks on the legs and awards points for 'riding time' on the ground as well as escapes. Advantages are that it is widely practiced, and usually free to anyone in high school or college; the athletic requirements are very high, cardiovascular training is a commonplace, and the single and double leg takedowns that are signature to this style are high percentage moves known to be effective counters to striking. Major disadvantage is that no submissions are practiced; that said, several, like the full Nelson neck crank, are known to all wrestlers. Another disadvantage is that, with the lack of gi training, the wrestler will be less prepared to have his clothing grabbed in a fight.

Freestyle/Greco-Roman

These are the international styles of wrestling. Freestyle differs from Folkstyle mostly in detail. Greco-Roman disallows attacks below the waist, and is unsurpassed in 'tie-ups', which can prevent striking from a standup clinch and allow for the spectacular throws that are hallmark of this style. Greco by itself could be disadvantaged by leg attacks, but most Greco wrestlers spend time on Freestyle so this in practice is less of a problem. Neither of these styles has submissions, and neither practices clothing grabs.

Judo

Immensely popular worldwide, Judo is less so in the United States. Judo has the widest variety of takedowns practiced by any form of grappling, many of which do not require the gi. In addition, Judo has a full array of armlocks and chokes, and a ground game that is based on attaining a dominant position and achieving a hold-down from it. Unlike any form of wrestling, guard passing and guard attacks are a part of Judo, although not a large one. Judo's major disadvantages are 1) the lack of training without a gi leaves the Judoka often fantasizing about having a collar to grab, and few dojos train non-gi and 2) the lack of any training for leglocks can be a problem when faced with a good Samboist or BJJ player. In general, there have of recent times been complaints that American Judo has become 'watered down' with sport emphasis; that said, it remains a formidable art, if not as complete as once it was.

Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu

Currently the ruler of the roost in submission grappling, BJJ is an offshoot of Judo with different rules, developed for half a century to be effective in no-holds-barred fighting. Less rich in takedowns, BJJ prefers to shoot in and drag the opponent down into their world, the ground. BJJ is unsurpassed in ground fighting, having made a science out of position, transition and submission. Many BJJ schools train with and without the gi, and many also do NHB training or have a striking curriculum in the same building, making BJJ probably the most well-rounded grappling art. Disadvantages are few: it is more expensive than Judo, typically, and gives less attention to falling safely.

Sambo

Developed out of central Asian traditional wrestling and Judo, Sambo is pretty much 'Judo with leglocks'. Sambo excludes chokes. Most Samboists also compete in Judo or some form of Wrestling if not both. The inelastic coat, shoes, and higher standards for a winning throw all contribute a distinct 'flavor' to Sambo. Found usually where there are large Russian communities.

Catch

Catch Wrestling evolved out of carnival wrestling acts of the 19th centurry. It emphasizes submission from all angles, and never fighting from the back, since a pin was considered a win in Catch. Few authentic practitioners remain, including Gene LeBell and Tony Cecchine.

Shuai-Jiao and Sanshou

These must be included because of the sheer number of permitted takedowns and throws. Each lacks in groundwork completely. Sanshou is particularly well adapted for using grappling against striking techniques, and has several kick-counter throws which every well-rounded fighter should be acquainted with. Shuai-Jiao is mostly taught as stand-up wrestling, although there are schools of 'combat' Shuai-Jiao where striking is incorporated. Groundwork does not exist in this world; seek for it elsewhere.

A note on Pro-Wrestling

Mexico, the US and Japan all have staged wrestling bouts that are a profitable entertainment of great popularity. The training these actors engage in is grueling, and most would handily take apart an untrained tough guy. Although Pro-Wrestlers train to entertain, not kick ass, they still know how to lift a grown man and drop him on his head, so don't discount pro-wrestlers or their enthusiasts, lest a DDT on concrete be the last thing to go through your mind.

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Q: What is grappling and groundfighting?

A: Grappling is seizing your opponent in order to manipulate their balance, lock their joints, choke them, etc.

Groundfighting is fighting while you are on the ground.

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Q: Why is grappling and groundfighting important to learn?

A: Hundreds of hours of video evidence show that almost all fights eventually end up grappling, and most will eventually go to the ground. Grabbing to escape a flurry is an instinctive reaction.

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Q: This sounds great for young men, but I wouldn't teach this stuff for women's self defense

A: On the contrary, groundfighting training is even more neccesary for women than for men. Almost all rapes occur after the rapist has the victim on the ground (or couch, seat, etc.), on their back (many times when both are already sitting), and olnly the very Naive think that knowing how to poke the eyes and knee the groin is a high percentage defense for that. Brazilian Jiujitsu and a few other groundfighting arts have specialized techniques for fighting off your back (in the exact same position that many rape victims find themselves) which allows the person on bottom to use the "guard" position to reverse their opponent, break their limbs, or choke them unconscious.

[Don Gwinn]

Antagony, that's such a simple explanation, and yet I swear to you that I have never seen or heard it before now. Thank you.

[Antagony]

Antagony, that's such a simple explanation, and yet I swear to you that I have never seen or heard it before now. Thank you.

It's really just a compilation of things I've heard on here and common logic, but I'm glad it puts all that in one place so that you can get it all in one shot. Most welcome, sir.

[Aesopian]

that man.

[Omega Supreme]

I'm moving this to the technique section guys

[Thaiboxerken]

Your assumption about disarms is rather silly. If I have a weapon, the simplest disarm to my opponent's weapon is to strike his hand or arm.

[Thaiboxerken]

-Knee vs a takedown: Why it is very low percentage

What's this mean?

[Thaiboxerken]

-"Why don't you roll on concrete instead of a mat?"

This makes me wonder if the person who asked this question ever wears a mouthpiece or gloves when sparring.

[Bizzaro Root]

i feel the same a expereinced grappler when going ot the ground wontbe on the buttom and if some how he does hi tthe bottum he wont be there long.

and ive been in several street fight(not hundreds) and have never been jumped or stomped on for wrestling.