I'm looking for some help. The weakest area I have in my training is definitely in grappling. I know techniques, but have trouble applying them in a fluid situation. I see two main issues I am struggling with here:

1) In reality, I'm a pretty timid person, and I hate hurting people. I hold back too much when trying to use some of my techniques on classmates.

2) I have twice as much time invested in my percussive training, so as soon as I can't get a joint lock or throw I instantly jump back into striking and kicking because it is more comfortable.

1) The people in the class are there to train and will not mind the pain as long as you don't actually harm them. Yes accidents do happen but if the decent people they will understand. In one session I managed to hurt someones arm and someone else dumped a person on their shoulder and hurt there collar bone (both grappling). Both were accidents and both of the injured watched the rest of the lesson and then trained next time with no issues what so ever!
2) If your having problems with a technique and you mess up your obviously doing well as you've spotted a chance to use it. If it's not a contest just get your partner to let you try again at a slower pace and keep doing that until you get it.

And trust me you will get it.

thanks for the support, man. i think i'm just frustrated right now.

I love grappling. Truth be told, I love striking, too. But when you hit someone, it's always going to hurt them. If you're grappling to work technique, no one gets hurt unless there's an unintended accident. Animal cubs can roll around with their siblings without hurting each other. If you don't already, you might try setting some guidelines each round, such as:

• 50% speed


• 10% strength


• agree to tap as soon as your partner gets into a dominant position, or secures a joint lock, or sinks in a choke -- so he doesn't have to actually crank it and risk causing injury

There are lots of games you can play, too, such as one person defending the whole round while the other tries to secure submissions, let them go immediately, and go for the next submission.

Just have fun -- play like puppies -- and keep in mind that grappling can be a lot safer than striking; you can eventually go with a lot of speed and strength, and as long as everyone uses control, no one gets hurt.

that's a good idea, Tony. I know that the major problem is i'm holding myself back. maybe this will help. thanks.

Is there scope in your class just to work on takedowns? So all you and your partner are doing is trying to take each other down.

Perhaps you could have one person working strikes and the other working takedowns. Or you could do padwork where you work strikes and then randomly work the takedown on the padholder.

Is it worth getting someone to video you doing the shoot and seeing if you aren't committing to the technique or if you are telegraphing closing the gap.

If you do have a natural "tell" then it may be worth getting used to throwing other techniques after the tell. Ie if you are upright and then drop you're bodyweight for the shoot and your partner mirrors this then think about a head kick or another strike to keep them guessing. Or do the shoot at the end of a combination that has your partner defending and not thinking about the takedown.

I struggle with takedowns usually as I don't commit to the technique, plus you have to remember it's often easier to read a takedown than a kick or a punch.

If you watch the UFC, some of the best guys in the world at takedowns have problems achieving them. More often than not it is the fact that their opponent can't sprawl against the cage that means a takedown is successful.

When we spar with takedowns, I shoot because I feel I have to, but it is my weakest area as it doesn't come naturally unless I'm already in a clinch. I know how to do the single and double leg takedowns, but I don't feel like I own them in a sparring situation, so I just need to practise more.

I think the biggest issue is I don't get a chance to actually do a lot of dynamic work with people. Most is static because 90% of my Hapkido time now is teaching. When I do have a chance to work dynamic it is with mprowe, and honestly he's a hell of a lot better than I am, lol.

I think what I need to do is find a better way of using the practice sessions I have with Rowe. I think I need to set some parameters to help get me started(like freestyle one-steps).