Your favourite stand up grappling techniques

Paul Anderson wrote:

What's your 2-3 favourite stand up grappling/clinch techniques in Karate?

As regards karate clinch methods generally, I’d opt for a throat grab to create space for a punch, gaining control of the head and throwing an elbow, and head-butting. To get all of those to work we need the core grappling skills to open the pathway for the strike; so although they are strikes, they are inextricably linked with grappling methods.

If we are talking about “pure grappling” (i.e. no striking) for dojo fighting I’d go for a leg grab takedown (which involves controlling one of the arms, reaching over and down and grabbing the leg), a shoulder throw, and foot sweeps. All of those tend to work pretty well for me and are fun to use.

Paul Anderson wrote:

Reason I ask is that after 14 years of Karate/Kickboxing type stuff I've recently started cross training in BJJ and it's been a great experience so far.

That’s sure to be a big help in rounding any karateka’s skill set and it’s good that you are enjoying it.

Paul Anderson wrote:

I think the obvious response is that most of the Karate bunkai we have is limb control and then strike/throw

Sorry for being obvious, but I think that’s true :-) Karate is primarily a striking art and hence the strikes are always given precedence. Funakoshi expressed this well in Karate-Do Kyohan:

“In Karate, hitting thrusting and kicking are not the only methods; throwing techniques and joint-locks are also included … One must always keep in mind that the essence of karate is found in decisive strikes and hence one should avoid grappling and take care not to be defeated by being overly concerned with applying throws or locks.”

So grappling was and should be a part of karate practise, but the striking is given priority and always remains the preferred method.

Could be a very interesting thread this! :-) Thanks for starting it Paul.

All the best,

Iain

Iain Abernethy wrote:

As regards karate clinch methods generally, I’d opt for a throat grab to create space for a punch, gaining control of the head and throwing an elbow, and head-butting. To get all of those to work we need the core grappling skills to open the pathway for the strike; so although they are strikes, they are inextricably linked with grappling methods.

If we are talking about “pure grappling” (i.e. no striking) for dojo fighting I’d go for a leg grab takedown (which involves controlling one of the arms, reaching over and down and grabbing the leg), a shoulder throw, and foot sweeps. All of those tend to work pretty well for me and are fun to use.

Pure grappling at the moment.  I'll have a think about the pure grappling suggestions and see how I can apply them.

Iain Abernethy wrote:

That’s sure to be a big help in rounding any karateka’s skill set and it’s good that you are enjoying it.

Indeed, we do a lot of the practical bunkai and such in our Karate class, flinch response, limb control and then disabling strike, as well as sparring to the natural conclusion of rolling about the conrete floor however I've noticed a big difference working with partners who are (Karate) in their comfort zone at long distance, capable at medium range, and not much experience in bumping shoulders/close range to grapplers/wrestlers who waft through long/medium and pounce in 1/2 a second at close range into a submission.  I guess cross training is more about training with people who have a different view of the world, rather than simply applying different techniques from another style in the same manner you normally train in.

Iain Abernethy wrote:

Sorry for being obvious, but I think that’s true :-) Karate is primarily a striking art and hence the strikes are always given precedence. Funakoshi expressed this well in Karate-Do Kyohan:

“In Karate, hitting thrusting and kicking are not the only methods; throwing techniques and joint-locks are also included … One must always keep in mind that the essence of karate is found in decisive strikes and hence one should avoid grappling and take care not to be defeated by being overly concerned with applying throws or locks.”

So grappling was and should be a part of karate practise, but the striking is given priority and always remains the preferred method..

Indeed, what I noticed is a lot of the arm/shoulder locks I was being instructed to apply I have done before as part of my Karate (obvious example is the lock after the shoulder throw/jump near the end of Heian Godan, applying it from lying on my back with someone trying to get past the guard, the postion is inverted, but the actual movement to the oppoent's arm seems the same), however there was the disabling difference of lying on my back with 90kg struggling man on top of me complicating things somewhat.

fun fun fun !

After years of doing Thai I naturally hook the back of the neck even when not actively seeking it. In TKD sparring, where clinching is a no-no, I still get it when the range shortens. The hand just seems to fit there. :)

I also favour clinching the neck from the outside with a reverse hooking motion (usually with a limb grab on the same side). I like being able to knee from there and spin away from their strong hand.

I tend to stike along the center line in order to set up a throw, obvious yes but it's effective. Although manipulating the elbow by pulling it accross that center line tends to work very well and leave the opponents front leg open to be collapsed from the side or rear opening up a multitude of options.

Lots of good examples so far. Like PASmith, I suppose I use a half-Thai clinch most often.

The first thing that popped into my head when I read the question was a front arm triangle. Works just as well standing up as on the ground.

Favourite for what?

For sport martial arts, my favourite technique is a throw (I have best results from Tani Otoshi (the Judo version)) because I love to grapple on the floor.

For self defence you have to consider damaging and disengaging. Thai clinch / knees / elbows are all good.

What's your 2-3 favourite stand up grappling/clinch techniques in Karate?

Just off the top of my head - I don't do favorites!

1. from Naihanchi (the fist stack) used as a neck twist down from Thai Style clinch, using your base ie Naihanchi Dachi.

2. from Passai (drive forward with Moroto Uchi/Uke) used to drive your knee into the inside of opponents leg taking balance and grabbing Head to pull away with as above but done front and backwards.

3. from Pinan Shodan (kicking and hammerfist strike nearly same time) used to clear attackers arms and 'half' hit with the hammer fist and kicking under to inside leg, or lower rib. Used to get out of grappling and create space.

Hi All,

I’ve just deleted a couple of posts here for being off topic. Please remember to start new threads as opposed to “hijacking” existing threads (you can provide links when the new topics are natrual off shoots). That way it keeps conversations uncluttered and easy to follow for both participants and visitors. Thanks for you understanding.

All the best,

Iain

1. Arm drag to a wrestlers 2 on 1 position (Heain-Sandan)

2. Snap down to front headlock (Heain-Sandan)

3. Pinch-grip headlock (Heain-Nidan)

4. Underhook and Pike position (Heain-Yondan)

5. Standing cross-collar choke (Heain-Yondan)