I know this is opening a can of worms, but I’m fine with that. 8)
In a previous post on Modern Army Combatives I stated that while I think it’s good to know ground-fighting skills to ensure you’re a well-rounded fighter, I think the strategy of “going to the ground” is unwise. You have to realize that my perspective isn’t sport-fighting, which is fun to both watch and participate in, but as I’ve only so much time in a day to practice what I practice, I prefer to practice and orient myself towards self-defense and fighting applications. Thus my strategy is not to “go to the ground” but perhaps to put my opponent there, and if I end up there that I want to get back up as fast as possible.
Marc MacYoung has a great article on ground fighting and grappling and how it (doesn’t) fit into the realm of self-defense combatives. I say it’s a great article because we’re in agreement. He provides a detailed list of why “going to the ground” isn’t ideal. He also provides a detailed list of when such skills are applicable. If you disagree with this article, I’d like to hear your line of reasoning. Not everyone likes MacYoung, he’s opinionated, but he knows his stuff and there’s no bullshit.
Yes ground skills have their place and it’s wise to know how to fight on the ground, how to apply chokes and submissions, but I’d say it’s even more important to know how to use those skills to get yourself up off the ground and back on your feet.
Stuff From Hsoi 
Newsflash: people who devote a lot of time to something, think their thing is the best. :)-~
Neither of these anti-ground-fighting articles seem all that anti to me. Ok, yeah, stay off the ground if you can help it. Hell, don’t get in a fight to begin with if you can help it.
Oh sure. That’s why the martial art I study is awesome and your martial art sucks.
No they aren’t anti-ground fighting, but they’re about keeping ground fighting in perspective. Too many people view it as the ultimate fighting style and solution to all fighting situations. It’s not. It’s merely another tool in the toolbox, one worth having, but it shouldn’t be the only hammer you have (thus everything becoming a nail).
And your’e right, even better is to avoid the fight in the first place.
“Too many people view it as the ultimate fighting style and solution to all fighting situations. It’s not. It’s merely another tool in the toolbox, one worth having, but it shouldn’t be the only hammer you have…”
Sound wisdom right there.
James
When I studied Capoeira, the teacher actually emphasized getting on the ground before an opponent. That, he claimed was Capoeira’s strength — other martial arts didn’t address ground fighting as greatly. I figured that there was probably a reason why they didn’t, and a good one. One might need to be able to fight from the ground, but it shouldn’t be considered Plan A.