Interesting challenge tonight

Along with our RSBD training and our striking training we'll occassionally do either some sticks (my guvnor comes from an escrima background) or some grappling. The ground fighting is never presented as an option for the street, but a bit of variation every couple of months keeps people interested. Got to get the feet through the door.

Anyway, the challenge is, before we train on a monday, the hall is used by a Ju Jitsu club (trad rather than BJJ). Nice fellas and I've been invited to go early and train with them. I thought, why not? I like a bit of groundfighting (I've dabbled a fair bit over the years) and I might pick up a couple of technical bits for the next time we grapple in our session. Trouble is I've watched them train before and the striking and weapon stuff they do is the worst kind of pre-arranged, step thrust, slow motion stuff that's the polar opposite of the way all of us here know it should be done. Not sure I'll be able to keep my mouth shut.

I suppose reality is what you want it to be. RBSD is certainly pragmatic, for street encounters, where as traditional Martial arts are very good at teaching children discipline, but not good when it come to the crunch(I do accept that there a some very good fighters whom handle themselves well inspite of their TMA background). Do you think that they would listen anyway? I doubt that they are blind to RBSD ,but chose to train their TMA way regardless.

perhaps if I train with them a while they might ask for some tips on their striking, but if I'm not asked, I won't offer. I'm in their school after all.

do it the scouse way:

keep your gob shut, smile through the BS and just steal what you need from them

very enjoyable session actually.

some good stuff and some daftness. for example, a nice single leg take down, but with a silly tying the legs in a knot. Also a nice throw with a series of restraints that involve me intentionally rolling around with the bad guy (as opposed to the obvious knee drop and stand up that was staring me in the face.

definitely worth my time though.

Nice to hear that you found it worthwhile. It is always good to go into these kinds of situations with an open mind. I always try to pick up one or two ideas (techniques, tactics, drills) whenever I go and train with somebody new.