Thinking of taking up grappling

[Hart]

I currently practice Karate and I'm just wondering if it would be in my best interest to cross-train in a grappling art, whether it be Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, Amateur Wrestling or whatever. I don't plan on competing in MMA competitions (not at the moment anyway), but grappling looks like it could help in a sticky situation. Anyone like to offer advice?

[UseoForce]

Yes! If you are training for self-defense ("sticky situation") it is not an "option" to train in grappling. It is absolutely essential!

I can't emphasize this fact enough. Again, I say: You MUST train in grappling (stand up and ground) if you want to be able to defend yourself.

Otherwise, you'll get taken down by a grappler and he will beat the tar out of you, and you will be helpless.

I'd be happy to help in any way in your style selection or whatever.

[Hart]

Is amateur wrestling any good? It's the lack of strikes that worry me.

[UseoForce]

Yes, amateur wrestling is good. The lack of strikes is not a big deal, it's easy to add your own striking later.

The big strength arts like BJJ, Judo, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling have over most other martial arts are their hard-core, rough and tumble training methods. You'll learn what an actual fight FEELS like.

Besides, you WILL get hit in amateur wrestling. It won't be legal and it won't be pretty, but you'll get hit with heads, shoulders, hands, feet, everything in the book.

I'll even generalize and say MOST (not all) amateur wrestlers are more accustomed to getting hit than MOST karatekas.

Still, I'd look for BJJ, Judo, or Sambo. If you can't find any of those, go for amateur wrestling.

[bushido_man96]

Grappling is a great idea, and UseoForce has made very good points. Your karate training will help you implement striking, so don't worry about the wrestling's lack thereof.

[Hart]

The value of grappling skills is made apparent by this video. Poor guy looks seriously injured afterwards, though I do like that "leap" in the beginning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoSFk4thj0s&search=TKD

[bushido_man96]

That slam was nasty. The TKD guy didn't pull of any punches or kicks, other than that goofy jump kick attempt. Bad idea.

[UseoForce]

LoL great video. Sad, but that's what gives TKD people a bad name.

[bushido_man96]

LoL great video. Sad, but that's what gives TKD people a bad name.

Pulling goofy stunts in a fight...

[McNerny]

Hey,

Grappling will help you a lot. I would highly recommend studying it. Wrestling is a strong art, it will improve your conditioning and stamina, make you stonger, improve balance, ground awareness, and give you some takedowns and takedown defense. Dont worry about the lack of striking. If you can slam someone on the ground and control them, striking them wont be much of a problem. BJJ, sambo, judo, or whatever other grappling arts you can find would be great too. It will compliment your karate and make you more of a complete fighter.

McNerny