| Grappling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial | | | | grappler. While bound up with one person the |
| art that has borrowed from several others to | | | | grappler is pretty much defenseless to other |
| become a unique entity among martial art | | | | opponents. So what does the grappling |
| enthusiasts. Developed in Brazil by the | | | | fighter have to do to protect themselves from |
| Gracie family, grappling is taking the world | | | | multiple attacks? |
| by storm as the premier fighting style. A | | | | |
| grappling fighter actually one the Ultimate | | | | It would be wise for the grappling student to |
| Fighting Championship four out of five times | | | | borrow techniques from another martial arts |
| going against martial artists in Karate, | | | | style that would be suitable in a multiple |
| Judo, and even jiu-jitsu. Grappling is great | | | | attack situation. The student could learn |
| on a one to one opponent, but is grappling | | | | from Tae Kwon Do or Karate moves and |
| efficient when you are attacked by multiple | | | | techniques that would beneficial in such a |
| adversaries? Grappling main idea is to | | | | situation. The student can still remain |
| fight from the ground. A grappling fighter | | | | loyal to grappling, but at the same time, |
| is taught to get in close and grab the | | | | learn and use the valuable tools when |
| opponent and bring them down to the ground so | | | | attacked. Remember that borrowing from |
| that they can find a dominant position. Once | | | | other martial arts is not being disloyal |
| down the grappling fighter will use choke | | | | because grappling would not be what it is |
| holds or joint lock holds to pin their | | | | today without the instructors borrowing from |
| opponent until submission. They also use | | | | other arts and developing their own. |
| pressure points to inflict pain upon their | | | | |
| opponent so that the opponent loses the will | | | | Multiple attacks seems to be the only flaw |
| to fight or submits to the fighter. Choke | | | | with grappling, but for single attacks it is |
| holds are also used to cut off the oxygen | | | | one of the best methods of self defense there |
| flow to the brain which causes the opponent | | | | is. Even the military and some police |
| to pass out. | | | | departments have embraced the art as front |
| | | | line defense in taking out adversaries. The |
| This art has had a fine history of being able | | | | good thing about grappling that not only do |
| to fend off one attacker at a time, but the | | | | you learn the sport when you take the |
| method would be difficult to use if more than | | | | classes, but you are also taught how to be an |
| one attacker decides to attack at the same | | | | instructor. Each student learns what |
| time. The holds are great when you have one | | | | techniques are right for their body shape and |
| person on the ground, but while that one | | | | size and will take from the style what is |
| person is going through the submission | | | | good for them. They in turn will pass on |
| process, another attacker could render | | | | what they know to the next student and the |
| serious harm by kicking or hitting the | | | | style will evolve through time. |