Why I teach a striking art instead of a grappling art
By Ed Hutchison
Due to the fad of ju jitsu, many otherwise sensible self defense schools are incorporating lots of “ground fighting” (wrestling) into their classes. This can be dangerous for the student if ground fighting is the basis of their self defense education.
The student will develop confidence without competence. They’ll think they can win a street fight, right up until the moment they actually have too, at which point they’ll receive a full contact, maximum impact, reality check.
How did this fad start? The Gracie family from Brazil founded an event called the “Ultimate Fighting Championships” to allow them to promote and display their variation of the wrestling sport of ju jitsu. For a long time their family (and/or their students) beat everyone who accepted the challenge. This allowed the Gracies to claim their system was superior and go on to be very successful. The Gracies’ success, however, is based on a trick. Strikers (people who fight primarily with punches and kicks) have their power diminished when standing on a thick, padded, spongy surface like a wrestling mat. They sink into it. No spring to their step, no snap in their punch (just the opposite effect of a stiff, bouncy, canvas-covered boxing ring). Wrestlers, however, enjoy tremendous temporary benefits from fighting on a mat, allowing them to take their opponent to the ground without the risk of injury on a hard surface. Big problem: How many surprise street confrontations take place on a big, thick, spongy wrestling mat? Or let me ask you this… How many ju jitsu students have you seen practicing outside their school in the parking lot on asphalt or concrete? Not one, I’ll bet.
If you cannot practice your self defense on the street…
You are not practicing street self defense!