Karate + [?]

[Whitefeather]

Hey everybody.

I have dished out more than my fair share of advice, but I have a bit of a dicision to make, and, in my humble opinion, one can never have too much advice (and, in reality, I am just a novice, and there are a lot of people around here that know a heck of a lot more than I do anyways). I have been doing Shudokan karate for 11 (I think) years, and I am probably going to try some cross training this summer, although I will not be quitting karate, I would still like a bit of experience in another art to complement my current knowledge (however small it is). I would like to try something along the lines of grappling, with an emphasis on throws, but there are many different grappling arts out there. I have read several books on Judo, and it looks like a load of fun, but I have never actually tried it to know. So, after all of the long-winded blather, here is the question:

Is there anyone out there who does karate and has tried cross-training in a grappling art (or trains continually in grappling)? Which art did you try, and how did it complement your karate training? If you could go back and try a different art, which one and why? Thanks!!

David

[Sohan]

I have done grappling as part of a submission wrestling program and am now a newbie white belt in BJJ. I love it and find it a perfect complement to my other MA practice.

Actually, I'd love to go back and be a high school wrestler--we didn't have it in our state (MS) when I was growing up. Think I could have been OK at it since I was a competitive powerlifter and sprinter.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[DokterVet]

I did karate for over 8 years, began training in shootwrestling, and have since phased out the karate.

This is the site for my shootwrestling club:

https://www.grappling.ca

It's basically like any style of submission wrestling. We do throws from wrestling and judo, lots of groundfighting, greco-roman drills for clinch work, and the option to do boxing as well.

We work mostly no-gi, but we have the option to wear a gi as well.

[UseoForce]

Judo, BJJ, submission grappling, freestyle/greco wrestling, catch wrestling, and all MMA-type styles will provide you with a thrilling and productive grappling experience.

[Sohan]

I did karate for over 8 years, began training in shootwrestling, and have since phased out the karate.

This is the site for my shootwrestling club:

https://www.grappling.ca

It's basically like any style of submission wrestling. We do throws from wrestling and judo, lots of groundfighting, greco-roman drills for clinch work, and the option to do boxing as well.

We work mostly no-gi, but we have the option to wear a gi as well.

I like your website and enjoyed the technique clips. Thanks.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[lordtariel]

I took judo for a couple of years before I started karate. There's lots of holes that some pure strikers have, probably because they've never been exposed to a grappeler. They just don't know what to do when you get that close. Unfortunately, I can't use much of my training in the dojo because my sensei will only allow trips and sweeps where you have complete control over the person(basically sweep and set them on the ground as opposed to letting them drop) and in tournament it has to be followed up with a strike. So for me, in tournament, it's mostly useless but in self-defense is quite effective.

[Whitefeather]

Thanks everybody. I think I will go with my gut instinct and give Judo a whirl.

David

Edited May 2, 2006 by Whitefeather

[DokterVet]

Awesome, have fun.

You'll gain some great throwing skills, some submissions and learn how to take a fall really well in Judo.

[Sohan]

Good choice! Hope you enjoy it.

With respect,

Sohan

[Azula]

I do a style of karate with some more grappling in it, but i also started Aikido(which im pretty sure is considered a grappling art) a few weeks ago. I think the two are very good complimentary forms. Grappling arts usually don't work too good alone. If you're a big, then Judo is pretty good most probably(as far as i've heard), but if you're not too big then Aikido is a better form of grappling. I sujest you do a lot of research on different styles and how they work together maybe you'll find a better grappling art to add to your karate.