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Introduction To The Grappling Arts.

When people think of martial arts they tend to think of the high kicking hy-jynxs of Kung Fu Artists. We have been inundated with this image of martial arts via a deluge of movies that endlessly show fight scenes that are a combination of spin kicks and wise cracks. If this were the way real fights worked the greatest fighter would be a combination of Bruce Lee and Don Rickles. But real combat looks nothing like the movies. There are no jumping double kicks, barraging reverse punches or recognizable forms. Real fights, despite what the combatants may have originally intended quickly go to the ground with both fighters flailing, thrashing and flopping for an advantage. This is were grappling came from.

Grappling most likely predates history. It probably began when one cromagdon said to the other - "That's great Moog; but what do you do if you don't have Mastodon's shin bone?" People laugh when I say that but it is probably not far from the truth. Early hunters often had to use their bare hands to finish off their prey. It is highly unlike they would have used strikes since they would have quickly found out that hands break as easily as jaw bones and such an injury could have easily meant the end. I remember watching a documentery demonstrating how primitive peoples could walk up on an antelope and get close enough to jump on it. Once there they could break the animals neck. In other words - they would shoot, get their hooks in and apply a strangle or neck crank. From there it is a short leap to doing to one another. All animals grapple - well all predators. Tigers, Lions, Wolves all will grab hold of prey and bring it down to finish it off. Prey will lash out with it's hooves; but predators will grab on. Rule of thumb - Prey strikes - Predators grapple. There- that should end the wrestler vs striker debate once and for all.

Grappling is a very diverse and wonderful art. As old as civilization; grappling has been part of the human psyche since the beginning of human history. In the Caves of Nabu there are drawings from 2500 B.C. that document many of the same grappling techniques used today. Grappling exists in one form or another in every culture. Possessing a cultural significance similar to dance, grappling style vary from culture to culture, city to city and often village to village. Nearly every culture has developed some form of unarmed combat system involving grappling. All had merits and weaknesses. A few of these grappling systems stand out. Some for their techniques, others for their philosophy and others because of the sport they supply. Some of the grappling style we examine include Submission or Catch Wrestling, Jujitsu, Sombo, and Judo.

Be sure to read the Princible of the Grappling Arts

This study of grappling draws on all four of the arts mentioned as well as other styles I have studied. Most different styles have their own terminology for techniques. In most cases I have included the popular term and a descriptive translation. I have included some Judo terminology since they are universal to everyone who does Judo and to many grapplers. Two terms I use through out the book are Uke and Tori. Uke refers to the person having the technique done to them. Tori is the person doing the technique. There are no really good one word English translations.

My back ground is primarily Judo, Jujitsu and Catch Wrestling Submission grappling (I consider myself a Submission Grappler)- however I try to draw from Sombo, free style wrestling, Jeet Kwon Do, Tijitsu and any where else I can think of to improve my grappling skills and increase my repertoire. The goal of these writings is to further understanding about grappling; help beginners advance in the sport and spark dialogue concerning the grappling arts.