Ground Fighting
On the street - 80-90% of all fights end up on the ground. This is enough awareness to make the case for learning to fight on the ground and it is the fuel behind the cage fighting craze.
The Gracie family started the UFC and dominated the cage fighting arena by having a training background in grappling - ground fighting. All they had to do was take their opponent to the ground as soon as possible and even the most experienced black belt was helpless without having experience in ground fighting.
As the sport progressed, so did the ground fighting skills of the athletes performing at these events.
The truth is that for you to be skilled in street self-defense, you must learn how to fight and grapple on the ground. However, fighting on the ground in a street fight is hardly realistic. Consider the following:
Multiple Attackers
If you are on the ground focused on a wrestling match with an opponent, you leave yourself open to more attackers. Remember, whether you are controlling your opponent or your opponent is in control - you are still tied up.
Restricted Movements
Being off your feet, you limit your ability to react or run if required. Getting someone off his or her feet is a key strategy in combat and the same applies to you. Your goal in realistic self-defense should be to ALWAYS stay on your feet.
Weapons
In addition, being on the ground will make it challenging for you to respond to weapons or other dangerous elements that are introduced into the situation. In a cage, you only have the chain links and mat to worry about. However, in the street you have concrete, chairs, and sharp objects to avoid.
The best way to learn to stay on your feet is to learn the strengths and weaknesses of ground fighting tactics. For example: how to keep your balance when an opponent attempts to move you around. Keeping a low center of gravity is a simple, but effective foundational strategy for staying on your feet. Getting into a low stance prior to an encounter and during the fight will aid in keeping off the ground.
You can practice this concept by having a partner try to pick you up off the ground. The first time you should stand straight with both of your feet touching. The second time get in a lower stance (maybe a horse stance) and have them pick you up again. With practice you can make it much harder for your opponent to pick you up or knock you off-balance. It is easy to be pushed over or off-balance when you are not in a low stance. You might remember this advice from high school if you ever played American tackle football or rugby.
The only true strategy that will give you the combative edge will be training. Work with your partner on trying to stay off the ground while they work on tactics to take you down.
Photo Credits: The National Guard
Originally posted 2010-04-01 13:37:46.
This post involves:attackers, black belt, center of gravity, chain links, chairs, dangerous elements, encounter, gracie family, opponent, realistic self defense, sharp objects, street fight, street self defense, strengths and weaknesses, truth, ufc, weapons, wrestling match
... and focuses on:Defend, grappling, Ground Fighting, Martial Arts, Survival Skills
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