Harm reduction...

[Merryprankster]

How does your style handle harm reduction if in a disadvantaged position on the ground? Avoiding shots entirely is almost impossible because once you are on the ground in this way, you are quite a bit more of a vulnerable target as your mobility is reduced. Not every shot is knockout, of course, but I can testify that getting punched in the face while your head is on the ground is a bit more shocking than when upright.

I'm thinking less in terms of a disengaged opponent and more in terms of somebody who wants to ground and pound you and is "in your face." Somebody far enough for a good kick is also giving you space to create the opportunity to get back up. (situationally dependant of course, but it's much harder to get up with 200 lbs of person trying to crush and hit you)

[SevenStar]

Good topic. When I was in longfist, this was really never addressed. it was always assumed that you were disengaged. When we did grapple, we only grappled and didn't work GnP.
The other day in bjj, we were discussing how pulling guard, while not the ideal position, can possibly be used against multiple attackers, until you can find a way to get up.

[FatherDog]

Wrist control. The minute he reared up to create space for strikes (whether from the mount or guard) I'd have my hands up in guard position, elbows in, protecting my face. After the first strike (which I would hopefully deflect with the forearms) I'd be trying to capture the wrist he struck with, while extending the other arm into his shoulder to take the force out of the coming strike with his other hand. If he's far enough back on me, I'd also try to sit up into him and clinch with an over/underhook.

[OdderMensch]

ok not really, if the person is on top of me (ie straddleing my chest) we are taught to bring the hands up, fists closed and elbows in to gaurd the face/neck. We then try to use our elbows to attck the inner thighs while scooting ourselve under them getting them off our chest and onto our hips, so that a bump is possible, then we try to catch the arms, or escape or whatnot.

[yenhoi]

Do whatever you can to be mobile, moving around, jerking, trying to disrupt his base and avoid blows, maybe make some space to get leverage or change positions, engage the attacks - try to get an attack of your own.

[Merryprankster]

I see by the plethora of responses that people on this forum obviously train hard for figuring out how to get back up. You'd think that a group of people so intent on staying upright would address the need to recover that position--and the steps you need to take to do so-- if it's lost.

If you don't avoid getting blasted down there you won't have the opportunity to get back up.

[HongKongPhooey]

If some-one who weighs 200lbs is on top of me I'm f.ucked (I make 10st just) My stragey when some-one is trying to take me down is to move, sidestep or counter it. My preference when some-one is charging full on is the rice bail throw, so I end up on top or to the side which let me "groud and pound" or roll away. If I'm being grounded and pounded. Protect the head, try to slip or block the punches and break what ever I can get my hands on. Basically cause enough pain/distration that I can either roll them or bounce them off (throwing my hips up so the come off) And then roll away

[yenhoi]

Well I did say change position, which you should probably always have a mind to do, on the ground/standing, dominant/inferior you should always be on the go.

[SevenStar]

MP, with striking styles, I think the reason it's not addressed is because they tend to have the standpoint of "Don't end up on the ground", consequently, stuff like that isn't addressed in training. It's never been addressed in any of the stand up I've done either. All that was really addressed from a ground perspective was as if you lost your balance or were swept and your opponent is standing over you.

the rice bag throw can work beautifully, but I think it's mainly effective against a sloppy shoot, where the back isn't straight and the head may be down.

[Merryprankster]

Well, I keep seeing how popular this topic is.

So much for the I do a complete style nonsense. 1 billion responses to sidekick ?'s and 8 for how to keep concious so you can get up and actually use your style.

[HongKongPhooey]

Funny isnt it as kicking is a very good way to open your self up to be taken down. Standing on one leg any-one?

[rogue]

Why should I care MP, I just won't go to the ground.

[yenhoi]

crybaby.

[red5angel]

I am with rogue here, I am just going to punch or knee the guy in the head.
As a matter of fact I am going to punch him right in the iris, because as I have learned it in my MA, hitting someone in the iris is a sure way to beat the ground game....

[Chang Style Novice]

Well, MP, I'm not sure what you want. Should everyone who's pretty clueless on this subject (like me) come in and post:

"I don't really know what I'd do, besides cover up and try to wriggle away. Guess I better start crosstraining."

Because while that's my honest answer, 100 repetitions of it are gonna be pretty boring.