Ground Survival
THE TRAINERPatrick Hughes began training in martial arts over 30 years ago in Canada. Today, he is Australia’s only instructor in Burton Richardson’s Jeet Kune Do Unlimited (JKDU) and ‘MMA For The Street’ programs, and an instructor in the Floro Fighting Systems blade-fighting art. As well as earning teaching ranks in several styles and instructor certificates in PPCT Defensive Tactics and Spontaneous Knife Defence, Hughes is also an authorised teacher of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement. He runs classes in Summer Hill, Sydney.
THE DRILL: STANDING FROM THE GUARD
This drill starts on the ground with your training partner in your guard. Firstly, it is important to control your opponent’s head by pulling them close to you, so they don’t rise up and get better leverage to hit you. You also need to control their arms. Emphasis should always be on not getting hit, and getting up as quickly as possible in a diagonal direction from your partner, so as to negate their strength as much as possible. Using progressive resistance, start this drill with light striking and minimal resistance. This is in order to get the technique down. Then gradually build up to all-out striking with full resistance (with appropriate training gear for participants’ safety) for those who want to train at that level of intensity. The major emphasis should be on having a training partner who lets you get comfortable on the ground. It should not be an all-out fight from the moment you first start learning this drill. And remember to control the head – as the old saying goes, ‘where the head goes, the body must follow’. Remember to make it a game and have fun, but once you’re familiar with the technique and tactics needed, ensure your partner offers a high level of resistance, as it would be on the street.
THE RESULTS
This standing-from-the-guard drill will train you to be able to get back onto your feet in a fight. This is especially valuable for people who are skilled strikers, and in the street environment, where grappling can be hazardous. Coupled with progressive resistance, it will allow you to simulate a fight in a safe manner. You will thus acquire the ability to get up and escape from a resisting opponent. Adding in tools like a training knife or training pistol will make it even more relevant for people who might face such things in their line of work. Again, do it progressively.
CAPTIONS
Start in a safe position (i.e. not getting hit)
You want to get the opponents head to the ground, so set this up by pulling their head to one side.
When the opponent resists your pull on their head, push their head in the direction they are pulling in. Come up onto your other hand and onto your hip.
If your opponent tries to grab your leg, punch and elbow them to the back of the head until they let go…
… then continue to push their head into the ground while sliding out your leg.
Get up to your feet and prepare to run or initiate further action on your opponent.