Well, I hope everyone has enjoyed this little spin through the pain of grappling techniques. I tried to mix it up with different styles while showing how truely similar they all are. One clear difference between the Chinese styles and the Jujitsu styles is that the Chinese systems have very little (if any) ground fighting in their systems. I have heard many reasons for this, but the best one is this: If you go to the ground, you will be killed. Historical, battlefield knowledge. In armed combat the idea is to knock your opponent down then finish him off with sword or spear. Personally, I feel this holds true for today. It's best to avoid rolling around in the mud and the blood and the Beer. Let's practice getting back to our feet quickly instead.
Featured in this video is Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming. He is a prolific writer and world famous Martial artist. I have at least five of his books, on Chin na, Taiji applications, Bagua and Xing-Yi. The guy provides some of the best information available in an easy to understand format. I highly recomend his material, which is available on Amazon. For a review on his "Taiji Chin Na" book, see MY REVIEW at TDA Training.
3 comments:
One of my sifus also held a nidan in a classical ryu of Japanese Jiu Jitsu.
He always said that groundfighting is what you use to keep from getting killed long enough to get back on your feet.
Another sifu of mine, who has extensive cross-training in Jiu Jitsu, said that if he sees he's going to the ground, that's when his knife comes out.
I think it's good to know groundfighting, but it shouldn't be the end-all of your training. Even the Gracies wouldn't want to go to the ground against multiple opponents on concrete, broken glass, rocks, garbage and beer cans.
Nice video, Tai Chi looks really beautiful.
In terms of ground fighting, I think its good to have some knowledge, just in case you do end up there. Of course its better to stay on your feet, but you never know what could happen.
I have seen some of the Gracies competition, and they seem to win by groundfight, which is not realistic. They should be called "great groundfighting champions" and not anything else.
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