Is Grappling Good Against More Than One Opponent

Grappling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art that has borrowed from several others to become a unique entity among martial art enthusiasts. Developed in Brazil by the Gracie family, grappling is taking the world by storm as the premier fighting style. A grappling fighter actually one the Ultimate Fighting Championship four out of five times going against martial artists in Karate, Judo, and even jiu-jitsu. Grappling is great on a one to one opponent, but is grappling efficient when you are attacked by multiple adversaries? Grappling main idea is to fight from the ground. A grappling fighter is taught to get in close and grab the opponent and bring them down to the ground so that they can find a dominant position. Once down the grappling fighter will use choke holds or joint lock holds to pin their opponent until submission. They also use pressure points to inflict pain upon their opponent so that the opponent loses the will to fight or submits to the fighter. Choke holds are also used to cut off the oxygen flow to the brain which causes the opponent to pass out.

This art has had a fine history of being able to fend off one attacker at a time, but the method would be difficult to use if more than one attacker decides to attack at the same time. The holds are great when you have one person on the ground, but while that one person is going through the submission process, another attacker could render serious harm by kicking or hitting the grappler. While bound up with one person the grappler is pretty much defenseless to other opponents. So what does the grappling fighter have to do to protect themselves from multiple attacks?

It would be wise for the grappling student to borrow techniques from another martial arts style that would be suitable in a multiple attack situation. The student could learn from Tae Kwon Do or Karate moves and techniques that would beneficial in such a situation. The student can still remain loyal to grappling, but at the same time, learn and use the valuable tools when attacked. Remember that borrowing from other martial arts is not being disloyal because grappling would not be what it is today without the instructors borrowing from other arts and developing their own.

Multiple attacks seems to be the only flaw with grappling, but for single attacks it is one of the best methods of self defense there is. Even the military and some police departments have embraced the art as front line defense in taking out adversaries. The good thing about grappling that not only do you learn the sport when you take the classes, but you are also taught how to be an instructor. Each student learns what techniques are right for their body shape and size and will take from the style what is good for them. They in turn will pass on what they know to the next student and the style will evolve through time.