Use of BJJ to defend myself, it worked!

mad pistachio · 01-03-2003, 11:38 AM

I have not had a fight for 10 years or so and do not want anouther one for at least 10 more, however I did have a " fight "
in a nightclub where I used my 1 years training in BJJ to stop myself getting badly hurt. I was at the bar chatting to a group of people, I did not know them, one of the guys, far bigger than my modest 180 pounds, was getting into that state of aggresion that no matter how you try to diffuse the situation it just seems to get worse. I moved away from them looking for my friend who was somewhere in the place. I went back to the bar to wait but again still away from this group. Sure enough this chap wandered over to me to continue his verbal intimidation. I was scared enough to appease his ranting and basicly said I was not interested in an altercation, he would win as he was far bigger than me and appologised for whatever it was about me that offended him ( a mistake to show weakness in retrospect ) etc at which point he tried to headbut me, I managed to pull my head back enough by instinct that it only just touched me in a glancing blow, he continued the attack in a flurry, picking me up, driving me forward, at which point I went with the flow wrapping my legs around him and falling into guard ( which ******* hurt ) I managed to wrap up his arms so that his efforts to continue punching resulted in ineffective rabbit punches to my head which I had turned to the side. I remember thinking to myself, what next? but the aggresion was so intense that it took all I had learnt just to keep him wrapped up. After what seemed ages, probrably only 40 seconds or so, a couple of bouncers pulled him off me and after a few more arrived, threw him and his two friends out. One of bouncers said he saw the whole thing ( thanks for watching for so long! ) and that it looked as if I was as calm as could be under his attack ( yeh right! ) Well, the upshot is without my training and natural fall into guard and an effective way of wrapping this gorilla up I would have been badly hurt. As it was I had a sore back for a week but no other injury at all. Thanks BJJ, you saved me an asskicking.

Szczepankiewicz · 01-03-2003, 11:51 AM

Well, pissed off peanut.

Welcome to the show. Good story.

Perfect 'anecdotal evidence' of using grappling in self defense.

Adaptation to the situation. Where have I heard that before????

Had it escalated, grappling may not have been a good idea, but luckily it wasn't a life or death situation.

MrPoopy · 01-03-2003, 01:03 PM

Falling back into the guard can be a bad habit, but I guess you had no other choice. Good to hear BJJ saved you from a beating.

akja · 01-03-2003, 02:58 PM

Glad you didn't get stomped!!! It's a perfect example that no single art is "complete" by itself! If it was your instinct wouldn't of been to go the ground unless you had to. But you were overwhelmed and did have to go down. Thats my point. If bjj was "complete", you wouldn't of had to go to the ground. Some arts like bjj are better than others though most are incomplete. The only arts that could be considered complete are the new "hybrid arts" which still need to be proven.

I practice bjj also, and I showed 1 of my jkd buddies some basic guard. This guy is 6'4" and 180lbs. Tall, skinny and really fast. He thought he could take anybody! He got into a fight at a party with a guy a bit bigger than him. He ended up rolling on the ground, under the kitchen table. All he knew was pull him in the guard and hug him tight. The kitchen table probably saved him from getting stomped. But anyway, he take cross training serious enough and ended up needing it!

He did tell me that he tried to push his fingers through the guys eyeballs. Glad I haven't been on the receiving end of that!

mad pistachio · 01-03-2003, 04:00 PM

Attack him first? I didnt because I was intimidated by his size and would have to of been very mean to stop any retaliation, ( dont want to go to jail ) I should not have verbally backed down? this may have encouraged him to attack seeing weakness in me. How do you back down without showing weakness? Leave the building? Why should I, Its my night as well. Does not backing down like I did increase or decrease the chances of being attacked? Anyway I was sort of happy with the outcome but feel kind of annoyed at myself for being scared and backing down, when he still attacked anyway.

Szczepankiewicz · 01-03-2003, 04:04 PM

Fear is a natural response. The key is to not let it overwhelm you.

There is no shame in being afraid. It's a naturally occurring defense mechanism.

I am afraid all the time, and that may contribute to my bladder control problem.....

Tons of info and training available for to help you with that fear stuff.

Spanky

Ryu (JKD?) · 01-03-2003, 04:35 PM

You did fine. Everyone on forums likes to disect any experience.

Woulda coulda shoulda. Good for you in being able to defend yourself at that moment.

All people here are saying is that each experience might require something a little different.

by the way, if you're annoyed at being "scared" (which is natural for any person, even experienced people.) You might want to check out www.sammyfranco.com or www.senshido.com

These two places put a lot of work into the very real aspect of fight psychology, adrenaline dumps, etc.
You'll probably find some good stuff.

Ryu

akja · 01-03-2003, 05:24 PM

These guys beat me to it. My position isn't in any way against bjj. Its just you might not of been overwhelmed if you had experience in another system as well, in your case a stand up art thats fits you. You don't have to master a second system, just be comfortable fighting in other ranges. It's important when thinking "streetfight" that anything can and will happen. Being a bjj practioner myself, if I had to suggest a second art to a bjj practioner that I don't know, I would say try Jeet Kune Do or Muay Thai or both and experiment. Thats all.

platinum_angel · 01-03-2003, 05:52 PM

i'm so proud

akja · 01-03-2003, 06:05 PM

da_mill · 01-03-2003, 06:40 PM

Well done glad your ok mate!

Can someone explain the basic "guard" to me please, as I know knowone that does bjj and can show me!

Im assuming he shot into you and picked u up, as if dump rugby tackling you? And wen you fell into guard I'm thinking you are on your back, wrap your legs around his torso, and bring your hands up in front of your face?

probably wrong

lol.

ryanhall · 01-03-2003, 06:44 PM

Not wrong. You're right. The guard is basically a leg wrap that prevents someone from mounting you or getting close enough to do some damage striking.

akja · 01-03-2003, 07:25 PM

I THINK SOMEBODYS PARENTS FORGOT TO TELL HER THAT SHE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE INTERNET TALKING TO MEN!!!!!

Scott Kano · 01-03-2003, 07:38 PM

Yes good on ya mate. I reckon you did very well in that confrontation. You were lucky he was just on his own or that wouldve changed the situation completley.

That kind of event will totally boost your confidence, as now you know you may stand a chance in another similar event happening.

da_mill · 01-04-2003, 08:39 AM

cheers ryan, by mount i assume u mean kinda sitting on someones chest and then being able to just beat the hell out of them...

doesnt it hurt your groin area when you go down? lol

01-03-2003, 11:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
mad pistachio Novice Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: England Posts: 7 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Use of BJJ to defend myself, it worked! I have not had a fight for 10 years or so and do not want anouther one for at least 10 more, however I did have a " fight " in a nightclub where I used my 1 years training in BJJ to stop myself getting badly hurt. I was at the bar chatting to a group of people, I did not know them, one of the guys, far bigger than my modest 180 pounds, was getting into that state of aggresion that no matter how you try to diffuse the situation it just seems to get worse. I moved away from them looking for my friend who was somewhere in the place. I went back to the bar to wait but again still away from this group. Sure enough this chap wandered over to me to continue his verbal intimidation. I was scared enough to appease his ranting and basicly said I was not interested in an altercation, he would win as he was far bigger than me and appologised for whatever it was about me that offended him ( a mistake to show weakness in retrospect ) etc at which point he tried to headbut me, I managed to pull my head back enough by instinct that it only just touched me in a glancing blow, he continued the attack in a flurry, picking me up, driving me forward, at which point I went with the flow wrapping my legs around him and falling into guard ( which ******* hurt ) I managed to wrap up his arms so that his efforts to continue punching resulted in ineffective rabbit punches to my head which I had turned to the side. I remember thinking to myself, what next? but the aggresion was so intense that it took all I had learnt just to keep him wrapped up. After what seemed ages, probrably only 40 seconds or so, a couple of bouncers pulled him off me and after a few more arrived, threw him and his two friends out. One of bouncers said he saw the whole thing ( thanks for watching for so long! ) and that it looked as if I was as calm as could be under his attack ( yeh right! ) Well, the upshot is without my training and natural fall into guard and an effective way of wrapping this gorilla up I would have been badly hurt. As it was I had a sore back for a week but no other injury at all. Thanks BJJ, you saved me an asskicking.

01-03-2003, 01:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
MrPoopy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ks Posts: 782 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Falling back into the guard can be a bad habit, but I guess you had no other choice. Good to hear BJJ saved you from a beating. __________________ MrPoopy

01-03-2003, 02:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
akja Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tracy, Ca. Posts: 415 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Glad you didn't get stomped!!! It's a perfect example that no single art is "complete" by itself! If it was your instinct wouldn't of been to go the ground unless you had to. But you were overwhelmed and did have to go down. Thats my point. If bjj was "complete", you wouldn't of had to go to the ground. Some arts like bjj are better than others though most are incomplete. The only arts that could be considered complete are the new "hybrid arts" which still need to be proven. I practice bjj also, and I showed 1 of my jkd buddies some basic guard. This guy is 6'4" and 180lbs. Tall, skinny and really fast. He thought he could take anybody! He got into a fight at a party with a guy a bit bigger than him. He ended up rolling on the ground, under the kitchen table. All he knew was pull him in the guard and hug him tight. The kitchen table probably saved him from getting stomped. But anyway, he take cross training serious enough and ended up needing it! He did tell me that he tried to push his fingers through the guys eyeballs. Glad I haven't been on the receiving end of that! __________________ Academy of Kempo Ju Jitsu & Association http://www.scientific-streetfighting.com/ "If people say Jeet Kune Do is different from "this" or from "that," then let the name of Jeet Kune Do be wiped out, for that is what it is, just a name. Please don't fuss over it." -----Great SiGung Bruce Lee-----

01-03-2003, 04:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
mad pistachio Novice Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: England Posts: 7 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	what I shoud have done? Attack him first? I didnt because I was intimidated by his size and would have to of been very mean to stop any retaliation, ( dont want to go to jail ) I should not have verbally backed down? this may have encouraged him to attack seeing weakness in me. How do you back down without showing weakness? Leave the building? Why should I, Its my night as well. Does not backing down like I did increase or decrease the chances of being attacked? Anyway I was sort of happy with the outcome but feel kind of annoyed at myself for being scared and backing down, when he still attacked anyway.

01-03-2003, 04:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ryu (JKD?) Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 623 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	You did fine. Everyone on forums likes to disect any experience. Woulda coulda shoulda. Good for you in being able to defend yourself at that moment. All people here are saying is that each experience might require something a little different. by the way, if you're annoyed at being "scared" (which is natural for any person, even experienced people.) You might want to check out www.sammyfranco.com or www.senshido.com These two places put a lot of work into the very real aspect of fight psychology, adrenaline dumps, etc. You'll probably find some good stuff. Ryu __________________ Sekkendo...

01-03-2003, 11:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Szczepankiewicz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Meridian, ID, USA Posts: 4,109 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well, pissed off peanut. Welcome to the show. Good story. Perfect 'anecdotal evidence' of using grappling in self defense. Adaptation to the situation. Where have I heard that before???? Had it escalated, grappling may not have been a good idea, but luckily it wasn't a life or death situation.

01-03-2003, 04:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Szczepankiewicz Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Meridian, ID, USA Posts: 4,109 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Fear is a natural response. The key is to not let it overwhelm you. There is no shame in being afraid. It's a naturally occurring defense mechanism. I am afraid all the time, and that may contribute to my bladder control problem..... Tons of info and training available for to help you with that fear stuff. Spanky

01-03-2003, 05:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
akja Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tracy, Ca. Posts: 415 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	These guys beat me to it. My position isn't in any way against bjj. Its just you might not of been overwhelmed if you had experience in another system as well, in your case a stand up art thats fits you. You don't have to master a second system, just be comfortable fighting in other ranges. It's important when thinking "streetfight" that anything can and will happen. Being a bjj practioner myself, if I had to suggest a second art to a bjj practioner that I don't know, I would say try Jeet Kune Do or Muay Thai or both and experiment. Thats all. __________________ Academy of Kempo Ju Jitsu & Association http://www.scientific-streetfighting.com/ "If people say Jeet Kune Do is different from "this" or from "that," then let the name of Jeet Kune Do be wiped out, for that is what it is, just a name. Please don't fuss over it." -----Great SiGung Bruce Lee-----

01-03-2003, 05:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
platinum_angel Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: heaven and hell Posts: 714 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	i'm so proud __________________ In order to experience true peace you must first overcome true hardship. remember the wind, for it flows through all of us. I like smeg-ma chips. for all those who i offend............i don't give a shit

01-03-2003, 06:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
akja Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tracy, Ca. Posts: 415 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	__________________ Academy of Kempo Ju Jitsu & Association http://www.scientific-streetfighting.com/ "If people say Jeet Kune Do is different from "this" or from "that," then let the name of Jeet Kune Do be wiped out, for that is what it is, just a name. Please don't fuss over it." -----Great SiGung Bruce Lee-----

01-03-2003, 06:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
da_mill Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 81 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well done glad your ok mate! Can someone explain the basic "guard" to me please, as I know knowone that does bjj and can show me! Im assuming he shot into you and picked u up, as if dump rugby tackling you? And wen you fell into guard I'm thinking you are on your back, wrap your legs around his torso, and bring your hands up in front of your face? probably wrong lol.

01-03-2003, 06:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
ryanhall Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,247 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Not wrong. You're right. The guard is basically a leg wrap that prevents someone from mounting you or getting close enough to do some damage striking. __________________ "Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say YES!"

01-03-2003, 07:25 PM	#13 (permalink)
akja Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tracy, Ca. Posts: 415 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	I THINK SOMEBODYS PARENTS FORGOT TO TELL HER THAT SHE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE INTERNET TALKING TO MEN!!!!! __________________ Academy of Kempo Ju Jitsu & Association http://www.scientific-streetfighting.com/ "If people say Jeet Kune Do is different from "this" or from "that," then let the name of Jeet Kune Do be wiped out, for that is what it is, just a name. Please don't fuss over it." -----Great SiGung Bruce Lee-----

01-03-2003, 07:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
Scott Kano Novice Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Christchurch NZ Posts: 160 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yes good on ya mate. I reckon you did very well in that confrontation. You were lucky he was just on his own or that wouldve changed the situation completley. That kind of event will totally boost your confidence, as now you know you may stand a chance in another similar event happening. __________________ Minimum Effort, with Maximum Efficieny

01-04-2003, 08:39 AM	#15 (permalink)
da_mill Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 81 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	cheers ryan, by mount i assume u mean kinda sitting on someones chest and then being able to just beat the hell out of them... doesnt it hurt your groin area when you go down? lol

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