Grandmaster Ken MacKenzie - Taekwondo Times

all of the answers. Only those that have been forced
to change schools (or styles) can know the difficulty
in learning something new, based on a completely
different philosophy. Initially, there will be resistance.
Forcing students to train on the ground, who
are used to sparring and practicing self-defense
only on their feet, will be a challenge; however, until
students face their fears and begin to learn ground
tactics, they are not complete. The simple truth is
that standup striking and ground striking are flip
sides of the same coin. Mr. Del Real is quick to
point out, “Anything you can do on your feet, you
can do on the ground.”
Noting the differences between the stand up
game and the ground game is essential in determining
adjustments in technique. First, students
will realize that mobility on the ground is relatively
restricted. Hip motion, which is the key
method that a striker generates power, is greatly
reduced. Second, blocks are not as effective; and
third, head movement is limited, creating more of a
stationary target and thus, increased vulnerability.
The differences, however, are not all bad. In a top
position, gravity becomes your ally. Additionally,
the ground plays an important role in what
self-defense experts call the “hammer and anvil”
effect. With the ground supporting the opponent’s
head, the concussion or force of a blow is magnified
by the fact that there is no recoil for the target. In
this case, the head absorbs the full impact of the
strike. Finally, Mr. Del Real notes that perhaps the
greatest difference students will find with ground
fighting is that everyone is equal. For fighters that
understand the ground game, an opponent’s advantage
in height, weight and reach no longer pose as
much of a threat.
In order for standup strikers to know what techniques
work, it is important to have an understanding
of the different tactical positions commonly
used by ground fighters. While it is true that some
positions are better suited for attacking, ground
strikes can be launched in just about any situation,
and from all angles.
The most common position on the ground is
the full-guard. Grapplers will lie on their back and
use their legs to immobilize their opponent’s hips
while at the same time trying to control the head
and reduce striking space. A very similar tactic is
Student positions
for sidecontrol.
He then extends
his leg to
prepare for a
knee strike.
Student executes
a knee
strike with full
power to the
side of the bag.
The anatomical
correctness of
a “Bob” bag
helps to create
a realistic scenario.
called the half-guard, and as its name suggests, it is
characterized by both legs controlling only one of
the opponent’s legs which essentially results in less
control of the hips.
Side-control is literally where one fighter is on
top of another, chest pressed against each other
in perpendicular fashion so that the person on
the top restricts the movement of the one on the
bottom. This is an excellent situation for the top
fighter to launch knee strikes to the ribs of an
opponent.
Perhaps the only position designed specifically
for attacking is called the top full-mount. Simply
put, the top fighter has a completely dominate
advantage by sitting on the opponent above the
hips and beyond the control of the bottom fighter’s
legs. This allows the top fighter to throw unobstructed
strikes at the opponent’s head, usually
ending the fight.
taekwondotimes.com / November 2009 71