Staying on your feet in a Real Fight Combat Martial Arts »

One of my favorite new shows is Fight Quest on the discovery channel. I think they are doing an excellent job of exploring all combat martial arts and gaining respect for the people studying them along the way. It is a great show that gives a great insight to a variety of martial arts.
Last week’s episode was on Krav Maga, and it was one of my favorites yet. I think one of the best scenes in the show was when Doug (rookie fighter, and Iraq Vet) was running through the wood and being attacked has he progressed. Along the way, the attackers would go after him one at a time, and if he wasn’t able to get by them of finish them, they ganged up on him. They REALLY went after him too, which is why I really like this show and episode. There was nooooo holding back. So during Doug’s run he kept trying to take the person down with a double leg, and then falling to the ground. This is a far too common response for people who are amateur or wanna-be MMA fighters, or BJJ grapplers. Everyone is taught the double-leg, but “few” really know the variations and correct times to use it….especially in a real fight scenario.

Obviously the double-leg is an effective technique in a one on one situation if you are fighting someone who has no experience with wrestling or has weak power in their hips and legs. The difference when executing the double-leg in the street or real combat scenario is that you should NOT EVER take a knee or do a low-shot. Once you do that, consider the fight over. And I’m not talking about a little high school fight. I’m talking full-on, save your life type fight - someone’s robbing you, attacking you, attacking your girl, whatever. Not someone stole my lunch money fight.

If you take a knee or go the ground I personally believe you put yourself a greater risk. In all my years (9 years) of bouncing and dealing with street and bar fights, the person that hit the ground was done. I’ve personally taken advantage of a fallen person in a fight. I know they are screwed, and have easily handled them. Please don’t think I am bragging or trying to act tough. I am just discussing some personal experiences. Which brings me to one of them that has spawned this topic along with the Krav Maga episode.

Back in the day, when I had enough martial arts and wrestling experience to be “effective” but not enough training to be considered a good martial artist or even a respectful martial artist, I used to love street and bar fights. I know, it’s messed up and was quite dangerous. I still have injuries and scars from the those days. The problem is my shoulder which I just had surgery for originally started as a problem from a fight gone wrong. When I was cocky and fight happy, the club I worked at was bad. We dealt with multiple fights a night. Dealt with gun, knives, and a variety of weapons. One night, a fight erupted outside. One of the bouncers Sal was trying to fight off a guy, and other bouncers were dealing with other people. Since we all had a thing for fighting, I yelled at Sal if he wanted me to get this guy off of him. The guy was trying to take Sal down with a double-leg. He was on his knees, and given another 10 seconds was probably going to get it. From my recollection, he looked like he had wrestling experience. Eventually Sal yelled back saying “Yes”. I pounced on the guy, yoked him up, and choked him out in a matter of seconds. Once he went limp, I dropped him. Cops ended up coming and reviving him, and when he awoke, he had no clue what happened to him. He was drunk and just got choked out and thankfully OK. I had quickly moved back inside and was watching from our sister bar. The cops didn’t like us back then.

The point of my little story is two-fold. One, I was a complete punk and ass back then, and really stupid too. The other is, the point we have probably all heard, you never know whats going to happen to you if you go to the ground. Its dangerous and unpredictable. You don’t know who you’re fighting, and who’s with him. You don’t know what is around you, what weapon is within reach, and the ground is hard! Hitting the ground with your knees, back, head, etc can cause a reaction you might not expect. You may hit a rock at just the right angle, the curb, a piece of glass, etc.

So what is the proper response for a fight? “Don’t get in one”…. ya ya ya, we’ve all heard it, and it’s true. Don’t be an ass like I was. If you can avoid a fight, do it. You are more of a man that way then trying to prove…what? That you can fight? If you want to prove that, join a real fighting martial arts school that spars a lot and trust me, any desire for a street fight or confrontation is gone. Which is probably what saved me in the end. I found a great school and lost all desire for real fights.
But, if you have to fight, there are few effective combat throws and techniques….. Which will be my next few posts! Sorry, this one was getting a little long!

For your viewing pleasure - Fight Quest Krav Maga (the second video is the one in the woods)