advantages of BJJ

**sicksicksick** · Posted On: 8/18/2002 5:40pm

Groundfighting in a crowded area, like a nightclub, isn't a good idea. There's too much risk of interference from outside sources, like bottles, other clubbers, tables etc. In a one on one situation, a grappler would have the advantage over a striker because he would have an easier time keeping the fight in his range.

I agree with Choke about eye gouges, but you don't even have to gouge. A palm strike to the chin allows you to rub your fingertips over the eyes, creating a distraction and slowing your opponent down. Gives a similar result without the same legal consequences.

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 8/18/2002 5:47pm

It depends on the situation, if you want to kill and maim you can eye gouge, but I wouldn't try just poking, it will only make the opponent mad. I think takedowns on the street are fine as long as you stay standing, I wouldn't go to the ground unless I had no choice.

**sicksicksick** · Posted On: 8/18/2002 5:54pm

Yeah, I agree about the staying standing part, that's why I said groundfighting instead of grappling.

It'll make him mad, but it'll also partially blind him for a bit, and you can use that window of oppertunity to do something else, like a takedown or a chickenwing or a free strike if you prefer.

**The Shooter** · Posted On: 8/18/2002 6:08pm

Crosstraining is key, but a lot of peoples arguments against learning groundfighting and grappling techniques is weak. People often site that "groundfighting doesn't work against multiple attackers" or "groundfighting on the street will get you killed".

These arguments often come from people who are too proud to admit the importance of the grappling arts and the shortcommings of their own, or they are homophobes who cringe at the thought of close contact with a person of the same sex.

But I digress. Groundfighting and grappling, more than anything, provide you with more options. Although an art like BJJ teaches you how to take down and submit or finish an opponent, it just as importantly teaches you how to effectively and safely get off the ground or to prevent yourself from ending up there in the first place.

I just find it funny that the people who are least equiped to avoid takedowns or get themselves back on their feet are the same ones who bash BJJ and other grappling systems.

I tend to agree that in most street scenarios the ground isnt some place you want to go, but if you end up there would you rather be like a fish out of water and stay there to get your head beat in or would you like to know how to get back on your feet?

**HKPhooey** · Posted On: 8/18/2002 6:10pm

On the street I have seen alot of people who do not know how to fight end up on the ground after some sort of clinch. A punch or a punch/kick combo can end a fight very quick against an unskilled opponent.

If you end up on the ground though you had better have taken some sort of grappling. No doubt in a one on one fight against even a mediocre HS or former HS wrestler you will be on the ground. Unless you have trained to avoid that.

**sicksicksick** · Posted On: 8/18/2002 6:35pm

I agree with Shooter. I have studied grappling and can handle myself against most beginners (one to two years), but my natural strength and size means I prefer to strike rather than grapple. Since I don't intend to become a professional fighter I hope that the grappling experience I have is enough to suit my self defense needs.

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 8/18/2002 7:15pm

Shooter is right.

**Mercurius** · Posted On: 8/18/2002 9:54pm

I Choke You is right about Shooter being right.

*cough* Although it's true that rolling with a guy could get you kicked in the head or ribs by his friends, it's always good to have experience on the ground so you have the option to take it there safely or escape to standing position.

Normally I'd train grappling at an NHB school, but every NHB guy I've ever seen trains very hard to put their opponent in a 'rear mount' position and hold them there gently for inordinate amounts of time, which is something I'd rather not experience.

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And that's what I call REAL Ultimate Power!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Triangle** · Posted On: 8/19/2002 12:56am

You've got to know both Stand-up fighting and Ground-fighting, there's just no simpler truth!

Also, one good point I'll make is that anyone can fight standing up to some extent! Anyone can throw a punch, kick, knee, or elbow, but the fact is no-one can fight for sh*t on the ground without actual ground-fighting skills, as humans naturally find the ground a foreign environment when they're doing anything but sleeping or screwing!