Adding groundwork to karate classes

[Nidan Melbourne]

Hey all,

In my school we don't do much groundwork during the semester. How much does everyone do in their school.

I am the resident groundwork specialist in my school at least anyway and try and convince my sensei to show everyone what to do

[andym]

The ground work we've always done and i don't see others doing. Not the MMA inspired ground grappling, which yes must be covered. But when you are on the floor and the other(s) are to kick you in ! Covering up, countering, getting up. I don't see this as common practice, even in some RBSD.

[yamesu]

Ive been lucky enough to train some Judo, as well as arnis which both have groundwork.

BJJ is uncannily similar to judo (prob has something to do with its history ) so a lot of the submissions are the same.

In kyokushin our bunkai and self defense has a lot of throws/takedowns, so we tend to get a fare share of it, but it pales in comparison to stand up practice.

Of 6 hours worth of general classes a wekk, prob 30min to 1hr is spent on takedowns, escapes and submission holds or breaks.

[Wastelander]

We have two classes a week specifically for working grappling. Outside of that, it is pretty much up to Sensei's discretion. Sometimes we will go a month without working any groundwork of any kind, and sometimes we will do it two or three times a week for a month.

The groundwork we practice in karate is always focused on takedown defense or fighting off an attacker from the ground so you can get back to your feet as quickly as possible. In the grappling classes, it is more sport-style grappling.

[CredoTe]

Tegumi / torite (bars, locks, traps, takedowns, grappling, manipulation, etc) is a regular part of our training and is a conceptual foundation of Te (Ti).

[Nidan Melbourne]

We have two classes a week specifically for working grappling. Outside of that, it is pretty much up to Sensei's discretion. Sometimes we will go a month without working any groundwork of any kind, and sometimes we will do it two or three times a week for a month.

The groundwork we practice in karate is always focused on takedown defense or fighting off an attacker from the ground so you can get back to your feet as quickly as possible. In the grappling classes, it is more sport-style grappling.

when you say sport-style grappling what do you mean exactly?

Whenever we do groundwork we do learn how to escape from having someone on mount (i knew prior how to do it due to my BJJ training) and how defend from guard.

Takedowns we do a fair bit of in the higher grades when it comes to Kyogi, otherwise i'm left in charge of teaching it (even when i'm meant to be training).

and locks & holds i also have to teach with my sensei

[ShoriKid]

We reviewed and drilled some hand trapping, limb manipulation and in fighting style grappling last night. We train to control and to sprawl along with foot work to try to stay off the ground. On the ground we teach basic grappling from a BJJ prospective. Get ups, sweeps, counters, guard position and defense. Submissions too. There are get up drills we do, where the "attacker" is supposed to keep you down, can strike etc., all you are trying to do is escape and get up.

There are times when hammering someone into submission isn't the best answer. And it's fun.

[Wastelander]

We have two classes a week specifically for working grappling. Outside of that, it is pretty much up to Sensei's discretion. Sometimes we will go a month without working any groundwork of any kind, and sometimes we will do it two or three times a week for a month.

The groundwork we practice in karate is always focused on takedown defense or fighting off an attacker from the ground so you can get back to your feet as quickly as possible. In the grappling classes, it is more sport-style grappling.

when you say sport-style grappling what do you mean exactly?

Whenever we do groundwork we do learn how to escape from having someone on mount (i knew prior how to do it due to my BJJ training) and how defend from guard.

Takedowns we do a fair bit of in the higher grades when it comes to Kyogi, otherwise i'm left in charge of teaching it (even when i'm meant to be training).

and locks & holds i also have to teach with my sensei

When I say "sport-style grappling," I am referring to groundwork where you are working to set up transitions and submissions as you would in a grappling competition, with no striking allowed and without the goal of regaining a standing position.

In our karate training, takedowns/sweeps/throws are very commonly practiced, as are standing limb controls, joint destruction techniques, and chokes. The actual "groundwork" portions are typically limited to defending takedowns and working on sweeps/transitions to get back to your feet, with striking included.

[sensei8]

Wherever your attacker feels the most comfortable, that's where you and your attacker will most likely end up at, and quite quickly. If your attacker feels better standing, then that's where your attacker will try to keep the fight at. If your attacker feels better being on the ground, then that's where your attacker will try to keep the fight at. I did say "try", and you've quite a lot to say about where the fight will end as well; it's a chess game.

Train on the ground. If it's in your syllabus, great. If not, find a school that will give you the necessary tools to operate while on the ground. The ground isn't the end, so don't panic when you end up on the ground. The ground is nothing more than a transition, and transitions are the MA.

Hang in there and train hard!!

[pittbullJudoka]

I say ground work is need to be prepared for when and if you end up on the ground. Now there's no need to try and master a whole grappling system but you should know a few sweeps and guard passes to get off the ground and back to your feet.

But if it something you instructor isn't interested in that type of thing that's his call its his school. But he may let you get to use the gym after hours to teach those willing to learn.