FIGHTING OFF YOUR BACK
AND
ON TO YOUR FEET

 

  I define ground fighting and break it down in training two ways; “ground grappling” and “ground fighting.” In grappling, you are maneuvering for a position of ground superiority with an assortment of methods to accomplish it. I define superiority, “as a finish move” (choke out or any injury that completely disables your attacker) not a tap out, or submission. If they can talk, you are not finished yet. It is a continuation of the activity to the end.

 

  In Dragon Sen-I Jutsu, I teach bringing ground grappling to a stop by using Ground Fighting. Our approach on the ground is to Neutralize the attacker, minimize the damage, save your energy and use his. More importantly; GET BACK ON YOUR FEET. The Ground is our enemy. We do train to ground grapple as our attacker may not allow us to get up. Attackers are often trained too. You can never discount any possibility. What you can do is, have an “A” game and a “B” game. It takes time and energy to prevail on the ground. Many of the techniques are submission and require transitions to finishing techniques. A punch to the jaw or well placed front kick, can end any fight in about five seconds, max. So striking is the “A” game for us. This brings us to ground “fighting.”

 

  Ground “fighting” is just that. FIGHTING ON THE GROUND. If you are in an “on your back” situation and under fire from the ground and pound, you have to fight back. Most people just panic, cover up and just block. Protecting yourself in this way is normal reaction, but you must NEUTRALIZE AND CONTROL THE DAMAGE. First keep you head off the ground or you will be knocked out. Protect yourself from the windmill, roundhouse punches with inside out punches and blocks, as demonstrated below. You want to block and punch inside out because the sides of your head and jaw line are knockout points. You can take some licks to the front of your face and keep fighting. I watch mma guys just lay there and absorb the beating, twisting, trying to block and dodge, without a singe punch being thrown back at the opponent.  To be fired on and not fire back, is a quick means to an end. You are going to get hit anyhow, why not get some licks in yourself. While punching to his head you are also blocking shots to your own head.  Punch with your arms flexed at the elbows for just a slight more obstruction of his punches. I will show you some pictured examples, with a brief explanation of each. There are others, but these, are for the more basic and less experienced fighter who has limited knowledge of ground work. They are also for the older fighter who does not have the flexibility or mobility of their younger counterparts, or the student limited in their physical abilities.

 

Note: The ground takes three times the energy of stand up. You can’t stay down too long. Obviously running out of steam yourself isn’t a good strategy. And too, the greatest risk of being on the ground is the attackers buddy. As the saying goes, “there is always one more sob in the fight “after” you are down!!!!!!!”

 

The fight back punch techniques,

  

 

  This is doing what comes naturally. But you must resist just blocking and absorbing without reason or strategy.

In Sen-I we want to strike (punch, knee, elbow, heel strike, ect, every five seconds on the bottom or top.

 

THE COVER UP AND COUNTER

  

   

 

   If you get stung or are overwhelmed this buys some time. Place back of hands to the temples. There is more impact absorption and without gloves the back of the hand can be broken with a punch. Tuck you chin and cross your elbows at your jaw line. You can still see with one eye. You can capture the arm using his sleeve, his full arm if he is without sleeves, the front of his shirt and pull him tight against you. Grab around his back or even his belt if he is wearing one. Post and roll.  When posting and rolling (foot outside his foot) post and roll to the captured arm and posted leg. Push with your free arm. Preferably a forearm across his chest and your leg and hip. At the same time pull down on his arm. Make yourself roll-able also. Don’t fight against the opponent and the ground. Get your own arms and legs out of the way. This is a common mistake beginner and beyond grapplers make. They wind up fighting the ground on the bottom, and the opponent on top. On the ground, core strength from the hips, back, and abs come in to play. But too much strength is not enough technique. Strength takes energy and time. Skills take advantage.

    Option A:

  

  

  

    Option B:

  

  

  

  

Option C:

  

  

  

  

 

  In the pics and brief explanation I have failed to explain the full dynamics of the techniques. Frankly I am too lazy to do so and this is an article not a training manual. One real training day is worth all the articles put together.

 

  If you as a Sensei or Master, are interested in you or your students learning the Sen-I Jutsu system modified ground fighting, be our guest or invite us. You should strongly consider the cross training jams as well. There is nothing that we have that is a secret from our friends. I merely took several good ingredients and made good food for thought and consumption. The ingredients were already there. They are not mine alone. This is why I was so willing to certify other qualified, long time cross training Masters, in Sen-I Jutsu. The ingredients are the same and their end results are their own successful creation. With Working Masters and Sensei’s, I have only suggestions, never rules. Rules are too traditional and make everything look and evolve into a limited sameness. Be anything in the street but predictable. Expect anything in the street except something predictable.

 

  Before you try any of these, check first with your Sensei, or Master Instructor. They may object to your using them or have another approach they are teaching. There are lots of methods and schools of thoughts. Some teach a specific systems philosophy and want to stay within their own teachings. If your sensei or master teaches none of this and objects to your learning it, find another dojo.