Changing levels in combat.

[NightOwl]

As yet I have been unable to find any credible evidence that "all fights go to the ground" or even that the majority do. The few attempts that I have seen to validate this idea tend to dispute the statement.

The idea that one should seek to go to the ground as a standard approach on the street or in combat seems a tactical mistake in my view, for a variety of operational reasons too numerous to enumerate.

This does not imply that a knowledge of grappling / ground fighting isn't necessary, as the other fellow might take you to the ground and you need to be able to fight. However, just because one knows how doesn't necessarily make it the best strategy.

I would agree that not all fights go to the ground, but a LOT of fights at least involve clinching if you've ever seen a couple of blokes go at it.

[JusticeZero]

I teach one of the aforementioned arts that does level changes intentionally.. though i'll have to admit to never having taught a flying kick - I was taught one or two, but they were described as 'This is just to show off and work on your conditioning'. The 'low' body positions open up attacks which would not be feasible if we retained the high level. Furthermore, we retain a very high level of mobility at that level.

Dropping to a lower level, be it squatting, negativa stance, or stretched out in esquiva, can completely change the dynamics of techniques that are coming toward you. The traditionally demonstrated against generic 'collar grab' can, for instance, be defended by going to cocorinha (squatting) and repulsing the hands. Either the grabber will have to go down with you, or let go; in either case, their centerline should be opened up and some juicy targets revealed. At that point, some techniques that spring to mind include head strikes to the chin, hand strikes to the groin, grabbing of the ankle for a takedown, or simply fleeing, likely incorporating a head kick from a semiprone position as part of the movement.

Saying that this makes you 'vulnerable' is little different from claiming that attacking with punches will leave you vulnerable because of leaning forward out of balance; all of the low level positions are guarded in similar ways to standing positions, with the ribs, face, groin, knees, etc. covered by the arms or body positioning. Our squatting and semiprone 'stances' are protected just as carefully as any standing stance; possibly moreso as there is less area to guard.

All of these things come from various aspects of the art and movement style and training though, and are not simply things that are easily tacked onto someone else's style without significant adjustment.