Don't go to the ground on the street video examples

Mainly meant to be humorous, but this is a fine example of why you don't want to go to the ground when there are multiple attackers.



Edit!

Yet another example during training (video starts where it happens):

(thanks to KittyofcomBATON from combaton players forum for this last video)

Ground fighting on the street - don't go to the ground

You'll hear two things from me quite often:

1. You never want to go to the ground on the street if you don't have to
2. Many fights end up on the ground

They might seem conflicting, but 1 doesn't mean don't study ground fighting and 2 doesn't mean try to get into a ground fight and keep the fight on the ground.

The number one reason you don't want to go to the ground: multiple attackers.

I've watched a lot of non-professional, non-ring fights. Some are planned, meaning the two fighters knew there was going to be a fight. Some are unplanned, meaning assault. In both situations, other people often get involved. A trained ground fighter can have a 'fair' fight with one other person; he can't have a fair fight with one guy holding him down and the other kicking his head in. Wolves hunt in packs, people have friends, bystanders are stupid. Non-domestic assault often involves multiple attackers. The ground is the last place you want to be.

Number two reason not to go to the ground: the street is not your nicely padded dojo.

It's not even your nice flat MMA floor. It's dirt, concrete, rocks, gravel, blacktop, grass, broken glass, uneven, the parking lot with curbs and parking space barrier bumps, ice, snow, the hardwood floor of a bar filled with chairs and tables.

There are plenty of other reasons not to end up on the ground, but these should be enough for any reasonable person.

Train ground fighting

Even if you shouldn't be on the ground, you better still train for the ground because you might end up there. If you think you "just won't" then you're kidding yourself. Just remember when you're training, it's just as important to learn how to stand back up as it is how to fight when you're down.

This is an expansion of: Mixed Martial Arts and Competitive Fighting vs. Reality: How Rules Change Fighting

Why study self defense?

I once was teaching a small self defense course and demonstrated a somewhat brutal (but necessarily so) technique. A woman taking the class said to me, "Geez, what town are you from where you'd ever need to use that?"

I hadn't taught many classes before that one and I was honestly astonished at the comment. How could someone even take a class like this if they thought this way. I didn't have a good answer for her then and it even made me question myself.

When I lived in Springfield I knew the town, I knew the people, I knew the places that were safe and the places that were not (not many of those) and thought that her comment made some sense. What had I really experienced that made me think I would ever need to kick someone or break an arm or even have to take a life of someone to save my own life or someone else's?

When I taught this class it was in a smaller town of about 100,000 people. Quiet, reasonably safe place. Since then, I've traveled to many other places - mostly because of my job as a traveling consultant - New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, London.. I saw Tokyo and Manila when I was younger. Now live in a much bigger city, the 15th largest in the United States - Austin, Texas. I'm not saying the size of a city is relative to its safeness, but I've experienced and learned many things since that class and now I have my answer:

You never know where life will take you. Be prepared.

I've thought about her question since then. I think about it every time that something happens to me where I think it's possible that a physical confrontation could occur. I could have given this answer to her then, but it wouldn't have meant as much to me. What had I really experienced then? What had I read? What had I researched?

I do my best to stay safe. I stay in safe areas of towns, I do my best to prevent and avoid bad things from happening and so far I've been pretty successful. I must admit though that I've wound up in some places and situations that I wish I hadn't. Some almost seem unavoidable and I can see how they basically would be to some people. You can't prevent everything. I have to say, I'm very happy I'm male (less of a target) and in good shape (can run and defend). Those two things have given me more security than my all my martial training combined.

Things happen by chance and by accident. Have you ever been lost in a city? Lost while on foot? Have you ever turned a corner to find a few dudes that don't look particularly pleasant? Have they you ever been confronted by people like that? Have you ever thought you were being followed or pursued for reasons you're not sure of? I consider myself an extremely prevention-savvy and un-paranoid person, yet all of these things have happened to me.

You never know where life will take you.

Martial arts for free or cheap

Following up on the cost of martial arts classes...

There are a ton of people in the martial arts/self defense space with a lot of knowledge who still want to teach, but don't have their own schools with a storefront. They teach often on a non-regular basis, out of their garages or backyards and with little concern for money, some to get extra money on the side. Some of my best instructors have taught me for free or cheaper than if I went to an actual 'school'.

Usually these guys are serious about what they train. They're not doing it for money and are doing it usually to spread their knowledge. They're interested in other people who are serious about training too. You have to go in with the mindset that you really truly want to learn something.

Craigslist

Seek people out on craigslist in the community section. I recommend both browsing and posting. When posting, just be honest about what you want to train. I personally found one very good instructor this way in Austin, TX.

Your own network

Also, ask your current martial arts contacts. Lots of people in the martial arts world have been doing what they're doing for awhile and likely know people who teach or would be willing to teach for free or cheap. One of the guys I learned the most about Kali from I found in Springfield, IL this way.

Groups

Groups like ARMA and the SCA teach/train in a group atmosphere. I've met other small martial arts groups that train this way too.

Don't do any of what I just said

I really don't recommend you do this until you've been studying at least one art for a little while and kind of know what you're getting into and what you should be looking for. I highly recommend you do not start this way. You need to understand the space first and you need to get at least some very basic safety instruction from undoubtedly-qualified people. You should know how things are supposed to feel, otherwise you won't be able to assess for yourself just what is safe and what is not and who is an asshole instructor and who is not.

Again, be vigilant and verify credentials all you can - it will save you.

Cost of martial arts classes

How much should classes cost? This is an extremely variable figure.

Depends on where you live, but I've found the price range for classes is $25-200/mo (yes, that is a huge range) for most non-mcdojo schools. I've never lived in a huge city though - LA, NYC, etc nor have I taken classes from martial arts 'celebs' (top ranking people in the space).

When I lived in small-town Illinois the price range was $20-100/mo generally. $100/mo was on the McDojo end of things. Now that I'm in Austin I usually find $45+/mo is common. $200/mo is the usual cap out here if you're not planning on training every day of the week (usually for 3-5 times a week is the range).

Remember, these folks are looking to make money. This is a business.

But, how much is it worth to you? Figure out how good your instructors and classmates will be and that will determine your price. Also depends on the amount of time you can train - 3 days a week? 5? An hour a day? Three hours?

Find what the local market rate is (shop around at similar schools) and then determine from there based on quality of the school (it's people) and the quantity of time you want to devote to going.

Variations on price model

Some people charge based on a flat monthly fee. They offer x number of classes a week and you go to what you can. Some do it based on a base rate and then how many classes you attend (once a week, five times a week, etc).

Some will add on other things. Testing fees, equipment fees, uniform purchase (you should be able to buy this for yourself elsewhere - if they won't let you it's 99% likely that it's a bad school unless they're discounting your tuition with the purchase.), etc. Sometimes there will be an association fee - don't be too put off by this, it usually goes to a larger national organization that helps make things better for your art's community (making sure certifications are given to those who deserve them, etc.), but do your research still.

Some will have you sign a contract to ensure you stay and pay for a certain amount of time. I really recommend not going to any school that requires a contract with them over two months, especially if you're new to the martial arts world.

Also see: What martial art should I study? and Choosing a martial arts school.

Throwing knives for combat

One of my favorite youtubers, lindybeige's video on the general absurdity of throwing knives. Funny as always.

Full disclosure: I have throwing knives, know how to throw them (my dad taught me actually) and yes, it seems pretty cool. However, I too am aware of the ridiculousness of actually carrying any around or even using them in known-fight situations (war, street fight, etc).

It's a fun, neat skill to learn, but it's definitely within the classification of performance martial arts.