Groundwork from a striker's perspective

Wastelander · KF Sensei

The topic we covered in this week's Waza Wednesday video is one that is important, but often neglected by karateka, which is a point of ridicule from people who practice other systems: groundwork--specifically working toward getting back to the feet, where escape and effective striking are viable options. As we point out in the video, we are only covering three specific situations to consider, and there are many other contingencies to include in your training. Additionally, we believe it is very important for all martial artists to have at least basic grappling skills, such as the ability to escape from a mounted, side-mounted, or half-guard position, and dealing with basic submissions and takedowns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TomU0gOs1KY

Dealing with such situations has always been a reality when it comes to violent physical conflict. Obviously, avoiding such conflict is ideal, and avoiding ever being taken to the ground is ideal if you do end up involved in such a conflict. Unfortunately, no matter how much some may want to believe that they are "too fast to be taken down," or that they can stop such a thing with "anti-grappling," things happen. Ankles roll, shoes slide, gravel slips, attacker's catch you off guard, punches mess up your equilibrium, etc., and you fall down. In early karate books by Funakoshi and Itoman, we see this addressed with primarily keeping the legs between you and the opponent, kicking, knocking them down, and regaining the feet. This can even be seen in the Bubishi.

For those who are curious, my Sensei and I are not BJJ black belts, nor are we trying to create top-level submission grappling competitors in our dojo. We do both have varied backgrounds with grappling experience, and do work grappling regularly in the dojo to keep up our skills and evolve and explore. Since we are karateka, who primarily strike and work standing grappling methods, this type of approach to grappling is our focus, although we do cover things more in depth for those with an interest. How many karateka actually work a full array of grappling methods and randori (free grappling/sparring)? How many work self-defense-specific grappling like this? How many stick to takedown defense, or "anti-grappling?" I would be interested to see what is out there in the karate community, today, especially with the growing prevalence of MMA, and its impact on society.
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Kishimoto-Di | 2014-Present | Sensei: Ulf Karlsson
Shorin-Ryu/Shinkoten Karate | 2010-Present: Yondan, Renshi | Sensei: Richard Poage (RIP), Jeff Allred (RIP)
Shuri-Ryu | 2006-2010: Sankyu | Sensei: Joey Johnston, Joe Walker (RIP)
Judo | 2007-2010: Gokyu | Sensei: Joe Walker (RIP), Ramon Rivera (RIP), Adrian Rivera
Illinois Practical Karate | International Neoclassical Karate Kobudo Society

Prototype · Green Belt

Hi. No, I don't train groundwork for the following reasons: Even if I learn the fundamentals, a grappler will outgrapple me easily, so it wouldn't matter were I to face a specialist.

I'm quite confident in my takedown defence, since I trained against a wrestler in high school and did quite well. So against the average Joe, taking me down is no small feat.

Edit: If an amateur takes me down, then he is likely much bigger than me and will ground and pound. It will not be a grappling contest.

singularity6 · Pre-Black Belt

As hapkido is part of our curriculum, we do a fair bit of training on the mats. At first, it was just how to fall/roll. Now they're getting into how to get back up. It's pretty nifty, and useful!
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5th Geup Jidokwan Tae Kwon Do/Hap Ki Do

(Never officially tested in aikido, iaido or kendo)

MatsuShinshii · Black Belt

This is the most neglected area of our art. Like you we practice grappling on a regular basis but Newaza is a rarity. When we do train its more along the lines of ground fighting than submissions and escapes. It's kicking, striking and a bit of joint locks and reversals to get back to the feet.
It's great you practice this regularly. I appreciate the video.
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The person who succeeds is not the one who holds back, fearing failure, nor the one who never fails-but the one who moves on in spite of failure.
Charles R. Swindoll

sensei8 · KF Sensei

tallgeese · Black Belt

As a BJJ guy (mainly...these days)

I'm really glad to see you guys doing this sort of thing. Any exposure that other artists have to this arena of combat is good. Particularly, if they aren't up for, or have access to, cross training.

Great job!
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhRVuwbm__LwXPvFMReMww

Nidan Melbourne · KF Sempai

I admit my dojo has a distinct lack of Groundwork, but that is due to the fact that we have no one who has a background in Judo, Jujitsu or BJJ.

I trained for 3 years in BJJ back between 2007 - 2010, but in no way do I have the experience or knowledge to teach others certain techniques. However I do remember some of the basics that you learn at White Belt, but not a whole lot.

When I can afford to do so, I do plan on going to train in BJJ regularly to get better at working on the ground. Which then in turn i'll be teaching my students (+ my instructors) additional groundwork stuff to expand their abilities.

singularity6 · Pre-Black Belt

Has anyone watched Tenshin Nasukawa fight? He's 18, and primarily a striker. He's fought in a few MMA matches that included some groundwork. Look up his videos on YouTube. Quite talented!
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5th Geup Jidokwan Tae Kwon Do/Hap Ki Do

(Never officially tested in aikido, iaido or kendo)

sensei8 · KF Sensei

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