Here are some common sense suggestions for students who would like enough ground skills to survive most self-defense situations. These 5 suggestions are from Ju Jitsu instructor and Idaho Police Academy Self Defense Instructor, Keith Owen.
1. Learn as much take-down defense as possible. Have partners in your school continually try taking you down while sparring. Bring in a wrestling coach to help show the moves an attacker might try and use. You will become knowledgeable in throws and will actually BECOME the fighter that can’t be taken down!
2. Practice getting back up while on the ground. MMA practitioners do this all the time. Throw punches at each other while doing it. Practice hitting the ground safely as well.
3. Add fifteen fundamental submissions and sweeps to your arsenal. Practice them over and over again! Learn more chokes then arm bars. Breaking a dedicated attackers arm is great, but might not end the fight. Choking someone out will likely put an end to your self-defense situation.
4. Learn the rear naked choke and the guillotine choke. These moves can be administered standing up or on the ground and will be your best friend in a real fight.
5. Wear the gi on the ground as much as possible. It replicates street wear such as coats and pants and allows you to add collar chokes to your arsenal.
