Introduction To Grappling Seminar, 21st April 2007
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Saturday 21st April 2007 was yet another fantastic seminar hosted by the Federation in conjunction with our colleagues of the World Martial Arts Alliance. We had the pleasure of meeting Robert 'Bobby' Sundel, the "Teacher Of Champions" who has many years of experience in the ring, and many victories in numerous grappling-based martial art tournaments across the world. It was also great to see Master Steve Tappin, Wayne Tappin, Nic K-Osei, Shaun Bolwell and some of his Escrima Concepts students too, who all travelled some distance to train at this seminar with the students of the UK Kung-Fu Federation - we're all part of the same family. Our Chessington Kung-Fu School venue was kitted out with mats, and many of us had more nerves than usual, having had little or no experience in the arena of BJJ and grappling. However we discovered that not only is Bobby a fantastic martial artist and teacher he is also a really nice guy with a great personality and sense of humour, which meant we could all relax & learn.
At 2.45 prompt the seminar begun with a good simple warm-up, jogging round the mats, warming & loosening our muscles. This is essential for most martial arts, but particularly grappling as you are throw down to the floor on most occasions & need to use all the muscles in the body. We started with a pummeling drill to get used to pressure & stability with a partner, changing sides and mixing up with under-hook and hand around the back of our partners necks. This enabled our partner to practice maintaining correct pressure on the neck whilst trying to keep the head upright with a straight back. Bobby stressed the importance of the under-hook technique in grappling, which we then practiced with more pressure, attempting to get right. Bobby's explanations were very in-depth as he demonstrated lots of examples & possibilities with Nic, showing various methods to force your partner into a position where you have the advantage. Only then can you try to grapple them to the ground, or "shoot" for your opponent.
We then practiced shooting from the pummeling exercise, controlling the knees, moving the partner back & forth, whilst constantly maintaining forward pressure. Bobby taught students to use this pressure to their advantage to take your partner to the ground. Bobby demonstrated many common ground techniques including the half-guard and full-guard positions. These extremely popular holding positions are found in many ring fights like the Ultimate Fighting Championships (aka the UFC) and no-holds-barred cage-fighting. Once actually in these positions with a good, strong, experienced ground fighter it is very, very difficult to get out - as we discovered. However having said that, Bobby did show us quite a few great ways of escaping from these positions, although the techniques do require lots of skill & practice - it's not easy when your opponent has you in his clutches.
The seminar was an eye-opener for many students because it re-enforced the importance of not going to the ground in a fight in the first place. Skilled ground fighters such as Bobby are amazing to watch as they will use their body mechanics with slow, controlling techniques to manipulate their partner into a submission. For me I would say this amazing art is likened to a spider slowly manipulating it's pray. Like the struggling insect in the grips of said spider, your energy is zapped very quickly on the ground as you struggle & wriggle out of holds and locks, whilst the skilled ground fighter moves easily with control & skill to dominate your limbs using pressure & body weight, and eventually into submission.
The seminar was fantastic covering lots of material. Bobby's explanations and teachings coupled with his great sense of humour and personality made the event a sheer pleasure for all who attended. I am sure I speak for all present; we look forward to his return visits to the Federation for future seminars on this great martial art. Thanks to Bobby for coming to the UK to share his knowledge and skill with us and for making the seminar a hugely enjoyable afternoon of martial arts, and a fantastic introduction to grappling. Thanks to Master Steve & Lee Heron for making it all possible, and finally thanks to Nic K-Osei for his help & demos with Bobby during the seminar. See you all at the next one.
- Author: Andrew King
- Sources: None
