What is better greppling or striking arts?

[Satyadhi]

In a real life fight what would be better grappling or striking? and is a closed fist or open palm better in a real fight?

[Empi]

Striking arts are considered more 'artsy', meant for controlled combat situations. Grappling is more practical, as it's likely a large part of most fights will come down to ground-level at one point or another. Knowing how to defend yourself in different situations is what seperated the Chinese army from the Mongols in olden days, and the Roman legionaries from the tribes of Gaul.

[reviewer]

I would say that grappling would probably be more appropriate for self-defense, but, generally most martial arts schools have some kind of self-defense training as well. That was the case when I took taekwondo.

[Hatori]

Both have their own merits. Relaxed open handed strikes are generally faster and cause less trauma to one's own hand plus they strike a bigger surface area. They are also louder! How many times have you heard someone slapped and turned to see what happened. They draw attention to your situation which can help you get OUT of the situation. I personally favour open-handed slaps and strikes for their versitality as well as the reasons above. Punching with a closed fist can require conditioning of the hand and wrist as striking a hard punch into a hard surface, such as the jawbone can seriously damage your knuckles, wrist etc

As BLIND DATE would say...."THE CHOICE IS YOURS"

[disgruntled]

i agree that the answer is both because they both have good points, but i would like to add that i think join manipulation is the best for self defense...... but then again i am a hapkidoist, so as if you weren't expecting me to think that was the best

[Gray Wolf]

Originally Posted by Satyadhi

In a real life fight what would be better grappling or striking? and is a closed fist or open palm better in a real fight?

Hello All - Using a Martial Art for Self-defense, is what the Martial Arts was Invented For -It wasen't invented so you could win trophys, It wasn't invented so you could go into a cage and beat the s*** out of eachother, ect,. So, if you are training in the Martial Arts in order to defend your self, you should look at what is Necessary in the Modern World - Example, lets say that you are at a party, and someone that might have had to much to drink gives you a bad time, and starts a fight with you! Now, if you only had training in the Striking and kicking Arts, that is what you are going to do - you are going to "Hit" him with your fists, and or kick him! but if you also had training in the Grappling Arts, you would have more choices of what you can do - So, instead of knocking his teeth out, you could use a grappling technique to take him down! (We have a saying in Nonaka Ju-utsu - Which is Too defend yourself with out causing serious injury is of the Highest Honor)!

I was a Body Guard for several Years - We had to be very careful in our self-defense actions, not to use excessive force - And because I had a lot of training in both striking and grappling, i was able to defend myself with out using Excessive Force. I also, took my training very seriously, because i had a job that made using a Martial Art Technique almost a weekly thing.

[sirdarling]

you should train in japanese ju-jitsu so you can have the best of both worlds.

[DOCBROWN1705]

Originally Posted by sirdarling

you should train in japanese ju-jitsu so you can have the best of both worlds.

You won't get the best of both worlds with Ju jitsu.... however it is a good art to study.... When it comes to a street fight, or self defense, I would agree that having knowledge in both is a plus!!.... From experience (and believe me when I tell you I have seen, and done more than my share).... most fights that I see that end up on the ground, are from less experienced fighters. The ones that do end up on the ground, end up being the most brutal.

Do what is best for you!!... I have never ended up on the ground, and my fighting style reflect more of a striking art, however I have trained in grappling, and ground fighting, because you just never know!.

[sirdarksol]

Originally Posted by DOCBROWN1705

You won't get the best of both worlds with Ju jitsu....

Strongly disagree with you here. Sirdarling is referring to Japanese Ju-Jitsu, not BJJ. The traditional stuff teaches punches and kicks along with grappling attacks.

[sirdarling]

indeed, when I trained in AJJ (actual ju jitsu ) we didn't study groundwork for a few belts at the beginning. we began with punches and kicks like everything else, then progressed in binds and chokes, then breakfalls and throws, then groundwork. Japanese ju jitsu is an all encompassing art, unlike BJJ that only works on groundwork. I still prefer Muay Thai strikes to karate or JJ strikes though... but my view is changing on that even.

Japanese Ju Jitsu is standup more than it is groundwork... but they have plenty of groundwork indeed.