Train the Fight not the Style.

The perpetual discussion among martial artists and self defense instructors is, "Which is better? Fighting from the ground or fighting standing up? Like religion and politics, each person's beliefs and passions are defined by their training discipline. Now, add in the context of, what is better to teach a girl/woman in a self defense scenario? Stand up or ground? Now you've got a bunch of alpha males all lathered up and believing that what they have to offer is the only answer.

Here's where I come in. As a female instructor in the self defense world, I offer the cold shower of reason. I have a unique insight into what girls/women are capable of in training and application in an assault situation. I have trained with some of the best instructors (and I do love alpha males...who listen) in Jiu Jitsu, Karate, Muay Tai, Krav Maga, MMA, boxing and Wing Chun. I've covered a lot of training ground and I will continue to do so, but why? Because these different disciplines offer a distinct advantage in either stand up or ground fighting. Again, which is better for a woman to learn and use for her personal self defense?

Each of the instructors that I've trained with fully believes that their method of defense is the best. For example: Jiu Jitsu trains fighting from the ground because that is where virtually all assaults end up. If a guy intends on raping you, he is taking you to the ground. If you are already on the ground in an acquaintance situation, you need to know how to get him off of you. I'm ALL for that, 100%. It is the basis for every program I teach. From the ground you are able to use your strengths against the weaknesses of your attacker. If you know how to get out of the worst position there is, the rest is easy. But, the argument here is, what if by going to the ground; I have put myself in a worse position? Have I given the attacker the advantage by going to the ground? I'l answer that later. For now, here are some good "what if" scenarios to apply.

Example: If you need to defend yourself against an attacker who has grabbed you from behind and thrown you to the ground before you can even blink? You better learn how to use your strengths against his weaknesses from the ground, to keep him or get him off of you and hurt him fast. Then get up and out of there.

Example: If you're with your boyfriend/husband and your shared intimacy turns into aggressiveness that threatens every part of you? Again if you're on the floor or bed with him, you need to know how to use your body to get him off of you and get yourself out of there safely.

Ok, what about learning how to defend yourself effectively standing up? What about committing to your feet, so that the threat of going to the ground never enters your mind? What if instead of having the defensive mind set of, "Back off, don't come into my space," you had the mentality of "There's no chance of you getting into my space because I'm already in yours attacking and defending at the same time?" Are you going to be able to react quick enough to get into that offensive mind set? Wing Chun prides itself on teaching the smaller person to be able to attack anyone's space regardless of size, immediately. It has the opinion that if the fight goes to the ground, something has gone fundamentally wrong. The argument to that is, obviously you're under attack, so yes, something has gone terribly wrong. Will I be able to stand my ground and hold up fighting upper body against upper body as a girl under intense circumstances?

Example: If you're at a bar or party and a guy grabs your body, or will not let you go from that unwanted hug, you need to know how to face him, and attack his space fast and hard to stop the actions before they escalate.

Example: What if someone grabs you by the wrist or by the neck and tries to drag you to another location, you need to react with an awesome stand up game and possible ground game that renders him absolutely useless.

So, what's my answer to the perpetual question? Train both! Mix the benefits of knowing how to face an attacker strongly and effectively both standing up and on the ground. Why? Because assaults are messy. There is no black and white. It is grey and confusing. You will only know what to do when you are faced with the reality of the attack. React and react strong. Through training, you will be prepared and empowered to win in any position.

Stay safe out there, and go find an alpha male and great female instructor to give you both of the perspectives you need and want.


Shannon Mahoney
Instructor, Izzo Training Systems
www.izzo-training.com