Three Tips For Stand-Up Fighters

[sensei8]

For many, many years I've come to one undeniable fact concerning those who are NOT well versed in any of the grappling arts, directly or indirectly, and that is this...

Don't go to the ground!!

Easier said!!

If a Karateka, for example, doesn't want to be thrown to the ground and/or be dominated on the ground, they better learn effective counters for the following:

The Three Tips

1> Stop the grappler from effectively closing the distance

2> Stop the grappler from effectively applying a clinch

3> Stop the grappler from effectively applying a takedown/throw

If one panics while on the floor because that person is keenly aware that their ground skills are grossly lacking, i.e., they just don't exist...then I'd suggest that that person develop the three aforementioned tips to thwart a grappler.

However, NO technique(s) can be guaranteed!! In the many, many years that I've been in Shindokan, I've observed/studied that most grapplers have an unbelievable advantage over a stand-up practitioner once both combatants are on the ground, providing that the stand-up practitioner has no/limited experience in the grappling arts.

**Note: When I say "stand-up fighter", I'm referring to a practitioner who's not skilled in any grappling art.

Grapplers are merciless in closing the distance. Again, a stand-up fighter will RECEIVE the technique(s) of the grappler because the stand-up fighter has no idea what to do once the distance is breached.

Grapplers are unforgiving in applying the clinch. Again, a stand-up fighter will try to separate themselves from the grapplers grasp, but to no avail. The grappler has quite a lot of tools at their disposal once the clinch is applied. All an unskilled stand-up fighter can do at this point is vainly try to free themselves, but once the struggle begins, the grappler moves in for the kill.

Grapplers are unsympathetic in applying the takedown/throw. Again, a stand-up fighter can only do one thing at this point...enjoy the ride to the ground because that's exactly where the stand-up fighter is going. That's the worst position a stand-up fighter can be. All of the movements of the stand-up fighter at this point is only going to temporarily delay the final outcome; defeat. It might not happen right away, but it will.

Strange for me, a proponent of Karate, to speak in negative terms. No, it's speaking truths and it's speaking honestly. However, my brand of Karate, Shindokan, is heavily involved in the grappling arts/Tuite.

Shindokan is primarily stand-up, however, we're very comfortable on the ground because our Soke KNEW that most, if not all fights, end up on the ground.

We do an unbelievable amount of live resistant drills because no attacker/opponent just stands still subjective to any technique(s) to its conclusion.

Get on the ground and be one with the ground OR stay up right and learn how to stop the grappler from closing the distance, initiating the clinch, and applying the takedown/throw.

Oh yeah, speaking about the throw. For you pure stand-up fighters, I'd suggest that you learn/study the grapplers most easily applied and fun throw...the polish throw. There's not much one can do against it except prostrating on ones back.

[darksoul]

Great post!

[Harkon72]

I found that being on the ground to some extent was like standing up, you can use the same blocks and strikes and locks and chokes. The only thing that is new is that you can't escape and the opponent can use their weight to pin you.

[pittbullJudoka]

First off great post. In my opinion to be a successful martial artist you must be able to dictate the range a fight is going to take place. Keep it standing if that's what you wish or take it to the ground if that's where you want it. You must train grappling to be able to understand how to beat the mechanics of grappling.

[ps1]

Solid.

[pittbullJudoka]

I found that being on the ground to some extent was like standing up, you can use the same blocks and strikes and locks and chokes. The only thing that is new is that you can't escape and the opponent can use their weight to pin you.

The reason you can't escape isn't because of them using their weight to pin you, it's because they know how to position their weight against yours. This is were you need to know how to manipulate their weight to be able to sweep to gain the top position or to escape. This is one of the most valuable tactics a stand up fighter can learn. A stand up fighter must learn to be able to effectively counter a take down or a ground position. You must learn first to sprawl, then to shrimps your hips beneath theirs, and to sweep to regain the top position or escape. You must become aware of not only their body position and weight position but also your position, you must be able to make a spilt second decision of what needs to be done and execute the proper counter given the position to survive.

[ShoriKid]

Excellent post Sensei8. Something to add, since PittbullJudoka beat me to learn to counter, is never surrender the position. If the grappler closes to clinch, I'm not beaten and I don't have to play his came. A "striker's clinch" works differently and has different goals than a "grappler's clinch". Both are about control, but the use of that control has different aims. If you hit the ground, unless you're very comfortable, don't plan to stay there. Work to gain superior position and regain your feet.

I'm a stand up guy. I have enjoyed grappling since high school wrestling and now the BJJ PittbullJudoka brings back to the dojo. I work on my grappling and ground skills because I have worked too long and too hard on my striking to get all of those skills taken away by a guy with a sloppy double leg.

[Harkon72]

I'm a striker, I find striking targets to good effect works well on the ground too. If your opponent's Ki is broken, a shift of weight and balance might be the key to success.

[pittbullJudoka]

Also something that's worth it's weight in gold is being able to switch from a strikers clinch to a grapplers clinch and back seamlessly. For example transitioning from a thia plum, to sprawl, to front head lock back to a thia clinch could be a life saver.( it's saved me more than once sparring). Being able to do this is handy when the attempted shot is stuffed and the fight goes back to the feet immediately. Controlling the clinch range of grappling is as important as it could be the difference of going or not going to the ground.

[Harkon72]

I've been in some nasty neck fights while training in Wing Chun. Our teacher always let us mix it with him standing and on the ground. Our teacher's Master was an awesome fighter, practiced iron shirt and iron palm qi gong. Happy Days! Thanks for the tips BTW, much appreciated.