Tang Soo Do
Arnis & Karate Center
Chief Instructor: Arthur
Cohen 6th Dan
Grappling:
Understanding Its Strengths and Weaknesses
Every few years, there arises on the martial arts
scene the “next big thing” the “Ultimate martial art.” It probably will
never stop. It wasn’t until the first UFC that the entire martial arts
community recognized the value of grappling skills. Also, since the
first UFC, grappling has been promoted by many as the “end all be all”
of fighting. I have the greatest respect for the toughness, skills and
physical conditioning of these athletes and one can not discount the
value of such training. Not only can it provide martial artists with
control and submission techniques, but it aids in the development of
stamina and body mechanics and at the same time reduces the fear of
confronting an aggressor at close range. I am all for this type of
training in the proper perspective.
However, the message I was seeing is “This is the
ultimate fighting tool and the answer to violent confrontations in the
street.” It is extremely important to recognize some of the dangers
associated with grappling in the street. Anyone promoting grappling as
the end all to street encounters is failing to recognize many problems
associated with the real world of the street. Let’s examine some of the
risks created by grappling in the street.
At close range, biting becomes a serious threat.
With the increase in blood borne pathogens and other airborne infectious
diseases, it takes a foolish soul to want to get all wrapped up with the
type of slime you might encounter in the street. HIV / AIDS, Hepatitis B
and C are just a few of the dangers of being bitten. Even discounting
these lethal possibilities, the human mouth is germ laden. Almost any
bite will result in an infection regardless of how well it is cleaned.
The law enforcement community has had some serious encounters with
biters. They found that it is not easy to dislodge a secure bite. So
in addition to germ transmission, we are often confronted with surgery
to reconstruct damage to tissue, bone, tendons and ligaments. Now back
to grappling. The response I was given by a grappling advocate to a
question about being bitten was twofold. First, anyone who engages in
combat knows it can be dangerous. My response, “Do we want to make it
more dangerous?” Second, if he bites me, then I will disengage. Isn’t
it a little late after the damage is done? Besides losing a piece of my
body, I run the risk of getting some infectious disease. As mentioned,
any human mouth contains a laundry list of bacteria that can easily and
seriously infect a wound. Who needs it?
It is also widely known that concealed weapons,
particularly bladed ones, are on the rise. There is a well developed
knife subculture in this country. With the increased interest in weapon
arts i.e. Arnis, Kali, Escrima, Ninjitsu and others etc., we are seeing
some of the most creative weapons coming from the strangest places.
Spring loaded knives, balisongs, spikes and dirks are only some of the
dozens of popular and easily concealed weapons being sold commercially,
not to mention many creative homemade applications. Some gang members
carry a single edged razor blade in their mouths. The razor blade
would be used against anyone they engage at grappling range. Another
problem, drug addicts often carry hypodermic needles; getting stabbed
with a contaminated needle is possible during an encounter and could
result in getting the HIV virus or hepatitis. In addition to some of the
problems mentioned, eye gouging, groin grabs, pressure points and head
butts are other problems encountered at close quarters.
Another very serious situation I associate with
grappling is one involving multiple attackers. Getting all tied up with
one subject will make it difficult to see another attacker approach and
equally difficult to defend against. Usually when dealing with one
offender, tunnelvision, a narrowing of the field of vision, often
occurs. This would allow a second offender to approach without notice.
Even if the danger was seen, it might be impossible to disengage quickly
enough to deal with it.
Additionally, some concern must also be given to
the surface upon which you find yourself. A mat or carpet is great for
training but seldom found in the street. You are far more likely to be
rolling on rocks, glass or garbage and cement is very unforgiving.
Balance in martial arts should be the goal. Being able to
fight at different ranges is important. For the street, I see grappling
as another tool that would be helpful provided that a grappling
encounter has occurred and no other choice is available at the time.
However, I see it as foolhardy for anyone to intentionally enter a
grappling situation to subdue or control someone when other means of
control are available.
 Professor
Arthur Cohen , B.A.,M.A., 6th Dan,
has been a student of the martial arts and defensive tactics for over 40
years. He is the author of Lethal Floor Fighting, and produced
two ground fighting tapes with Panther / Century. He is a member and
frequent staff instructor for the American Society of Law Enforcement
Trainers. Any questions or comments can be directed to him at (516)
541-8092.
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Worlds Gym
3728 Park Ave.
Wantagh, NY 11793
Mailing Address
PO Box 463
Massapequa Park, NY 11762
Telephone: 516-541-8090
email:
acohen@becomestreetwise.com
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