Ground Survival

When you start considering all the variables that are present in a street or reality fight together you have to significantly change your attitude to dojo/studio training. Multiple assailants (this can include passers-by who decide a “free” hit on the guys on the ground would improve their alcohol fuelled evening…), concrete – rather than soft mats - and the potential for the person(s) you are dealing with to be carrying a blade means you have to change your attitude and often techniques considerably. Whilst the UFC may claim it’s as real as it gets, it still can’t replicate many of the variables and environmental factors that are at play when reality bites. Don’t get me wrong a Double Leg Takedown, a la Octagon or Judo style will be extremely effective on the street, just don’t assume that if you’re on the receiving end of it you’ll be in a position to pull guard when your head hits the granite; as nothing hits harder than concrete. The “ebb and flow” of a fight on the street differs considerably to that practiced on the mats or in the ring. Where going to ground in the cage may see you “winning” the fight, on the street it seriously impedes your survival chances.

A trained Cage Fighter (like a Judoka) will see many submission opportunities when a person goes to ground, whereas a drunken douche bag will see little more than a head that resembles a soccer ball which requires the immediate attention of their size 10 boots. Hardly a sophisticated response to someone who has inadvertently adopted a prone position, but then who has the luxury of being assaulted by those that have an idea about what they are doing?

Training to escape from Mount, Side Control etc or perform a Guard Sweep is great (and we cover all of this in our training) however we should roll the story back somewhat when we want to talk about the realities of a fight – especially one that involves multiple assailants. Today we looked at kicks and stomps along with punches committed by a standing aggressor’s whilst you are on the ground (possibly from being the victim of a group assault). This is reality - perhaps the worst kind you could face - and you need to address these common attacks and assaults first before you attempt to perform a rolling Knee Bar, Ju-Ji-Gatamae or Omoplata etc.

Tomorrow I will go and take my BJJ class and then go and spend an hour on the mats practicing Judo. Does this sound inconsistent? I don’t believe so. I recognize the difference between studying an art that gives me “skills” and a “system” that directs those skills to the real world.