Combat Ground Grappling

For information purposes only. Exercise and diet at your own risk


Grappling for competition and grappling for survival are two very different scenarios. In the world of submission fighting the armbar, leglock or Kimura armlock maybe 'king' but outside of these sporting boundaries they will not necessarily do the job.

In my book 'Grappling with Reality', I went to great lengths to examine and explain the differences between sport grappling and combat grappling. In this article I would like to examine some of the most popular pins, holds and submissions and look at how they must be greatly adapted to survive on the pavement area.

The Guard
Everybody in the grappling world will know this position. It has become extremely popular due to the art of Brazilian Ju Jutsu. They are world class exponents of the guard skills. In the street the guard can be utilized effectively by simply attacking the groin. This target is illegal in any competitive arena but when no rules mean no rules, it will do the job! Sit up and back in the guard and punch, grab squeeze or twist the testicles and your opponent is opening his guard instantly. Popping up in stand and punching down into the groin will soon have you passing.

If you are pulled into a tight defensive guard, biting will soon get you free. Anywhere is a 'game' target. Ears and neck being favourite. Brutal but also highly effective. It gets you instantly out of that negative 'we're both going to lie in the guard routine'. Don't also forget the trusty thumb in the eye. This always has a profound effect.

Yes the methods are crude but I like to refer to them as 'scientific dirty fighting'. Remember we are fighting for our lives, not just points or a trophy. When you are on the floor you are in extreme danger of being battered by a third party, you must try to regain your feet as soon as possible, unless you really want to keep your opponent down.

These methods of breaking the guard are tried and tested. The Gracies were not stupid when they first introduced the UFC with the stipulations for no biting, eye gouging or groin shots. Certainly with the inclusion of these methods it could never be accepted as a sport but also it tipped the scales in their favour for their groundwork. If you think these things are not effective or instinctive to the average person just wrestle with an untrained female and she will have bitten, gouged, hair pulled and testicle squeezed you a dozen times in the first twenty seconds! These are primal reactions, that work"!

Mount
As most experienced grapplers will know this is one position they don't want to find themselves in. The dangers of being punched butted and bitten are all too much apparent. There are many methods of escaping the guard, like the bridge and turn or pushing the knees away to regain guard etc. But all still leave you vulnerable to being battered.

Again for street grappling go straight for the groin. Get one hand right down there and squeeze the testicles. Now that you have their attention bump them up and off you still holding hard onto the 'family jewels'. Also grabbing two handfuls of skin on the backs of the upper thighs is excruciatingly painful and again gives the opportunity to bridge them off you.

I have found in Vale Tudo or MMA competition the gloves will limit your hand to what you can do but when you are bare handed you can seize and manipulate pressure points and soft spots on the human body with much greater ease.

Under the Guard
Streetwise if you clinch and hold somebody tight in the guard they soon think of biting you or head butting. Try to open out the guard but keep your knees squeezed together to protect your groin. 'Shrimp your hips away and get a foot 'cocked' and in position to blast a kick into their face.
This can be a devastating technique and also possibly lethal. Practise this safely in your training but try to be more pro-active in the guard rather than just lying on your back. This option may be all right stalling for time in a competition but can be highly dangerous on the streets.

Knee on or knee ride position
This is a brilliant position for striking or submission skills and one that you can really dominate an opponent if you are good. The only downside is it leaves once more your groin exposed to grabs and punches. Be aware of this otherwise it will ruin your day!

A better and more combat-orientated 'knee on' is the knee on the head or neck. This gives you maximum control and keeps the groin well out of harms way.

Under the scarf hold
This can be a judo player's favourite hold and one where they can spread their weight effectively.

Yes there are many slick counters to this move, but none will be effective if you are pinned flat on your back. Try to always turn into your opponent on your hips, this gives you much more scope for movement.

My favourite combat finish is the 'fish hook'. Reach around your opponent's face and gradually claw back on the cheek until your fingers hook the mouth then rip back hard and savagely to gain an instant release. Not for the squeamish!

Triangle headlock and choke from under guard
If setting this up beware the opponent can bite lumps out of the sensitive thigh or even worse- your groin (this is real combat). These moves certainly can overcome the triangle.

If you clamp it on instead of just relying on the strangle, then punch the trapped face or drive your thumbs into their eyes. This is great for last resort finishing. Remember there are no 'tap outs' on the streets- just survivors.

Top control
Whenever you achieve any top control use a barrage of knees, elbows, butts, gouges and bites to secure a victory or get yourself to your feet. Chokes and strangles are great but can be time consuming to set up. You need to be watching your back.

One of my favourite controls on the cross body is what I call the 'Brucie Bonus' and that's driving and grinding your chin into the eye socket, painful!

These are but a few suggestions on combat grappling and street wrestling. If you are interested in more please contact me about my book 'Grappling with reality' or the video 'Extreme Defence'. Also I am available to teach a combat grappling seminar if you are interested.

http://www.bristolgoshinjutsu.com/
Disclaimer: Consult your GP before changing diet. Follow any Training regime or diet on this site at your own risk