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Since a lot of people are bringing in the martial aspect of grappling and give examples with samurais and medieval battles, Id like to post a few points and clear some misconceptions.
First things first.
Grappling did not occur on battlefields.
Yes, thats right.
Grappling did NOT occur in ancient or medieval battlefields.
Why, you are asking?
Well, because, contrary to many people's beliefs, the main infantry weapon was the spear.
And armies fought in formations with spears and shields.
Spears were anywhere between 3 to 6 meters long.
Formations, such as the Macedonian phalanx, were composed by 10 to 16 people in a line, running 16 lines deep.
So, as you can imagine. not much grappling happens in such social distancing level.
Jump to 5:20 mark
In formations, where spears were shorter, infantry was using projectiles (arrows, spears, stones and etc.), so closing in was a very hard task and the last think one would want to do is grapple with one guy, from a line of tight, armored formation of men.
Now, medieval armor made things even more complicated.
Introduction of steel plates armor, on top of chainmail, lead to use of hallebards (a mixture of a pike and axe):
Meaning, the line of guys in front of you, could reach, stab you, gut you and split your head open, from 3 to 6 meters of distance, while they keep formation, covered by arrows from bows, crossbows and early development firearms.
Not much chance to grapple against these guys:
Or these guys:
Meanwhile, in Japan:
Again, not much of a grappling distance.
OK, so where was grappling used, you ask?
Well, in duels and tournaments.
Thats right, same as now, ancient warriors use to hold tournaments, where they would fight 1 on 1 or group vs group.
These events were essentially prize fighting events, where winners won coin, opponent's armor, horses and etc.
The equipment for such fights was different from the ones, used on battlefields.
And since in Europe, the Buhurt (thats how those events are called) events are quite popular, we actually can experience it live now:
Now, those events have rules.
Usually, as soon as one hits the ground, he loses.
Why?
Watch the video above and think a bit if you have any chance to survive an onslaught by heavily armored guy, wailing on you with a mace, war hammer and hallebarde.
So, what kind of grappling is used then?
From personal experience (yes, I also participate in those, when Im injury free), Osotogari is the best
You can combine it with weapon strikes, moving opponent backwards, use the momentum to unbalance and take him down, without a risk to fall together and loose.
OK, so what is with all the talk about ground fighting, pins, submission and etc, in ancient and medieval times?
Well, several occasions:
1. Duels to the death.
Both sides are wearing heavy plated armor and fight continues until one is dead.
So, they will eventually hit the ground and the guy on top will have the huge advantage.
Why?
Because he wears about 20 kilograms of armor on him, that he will use the weight to keep you down, while reaching for a nasty blade, made specifically to squeeze between the plates and go all the way to your internal organs.
This:
So, it was essential to know how to stay on top and control, aka PINS.
Not much submissions were happening.
Why?
Well, try to break this:
or choke this:
2. Law enforcement.
Every feudal wants to keep his shee..., khm, populace safe, so he can get taxes from them.
Hence, LEO history is going quite long back in time.
And LEOs always need to know how to apprehend and incapacitate people, so strong takedown game, complimented by ground control and submission, were a must.
Final:
In a recent thread, someone commented, that people into HEMA and Buhurt been nerds
Well, that might be the case in USA, but in Europe is a bit different.
Our team has me, 2 IMMAF World champions, bunch of wrestlers, a few French Foreign legionnaires and all kinds of other nerds, that enjoy nerding by bashing people's skulls in with maces, axes, polearms or armored clubs, then drink beer with the victims.
Some people need to express their urge for extreme violence, without going to jail
I hope you enjoyed
First things first.
Grappling did not occur on battlefields.
Yes, thats right.
Grappling did NOT occur in ancient or medieval battlefields.
Why, you are asking?
Well, because, contrary to many people's beliefs, the main infantry weapon was the spear.
And armies fought in formations with spears and shields.
Spears were anywhere between 3 to 6 meters long.
Formations, such as the Macedonian phalanx, were composed by 10 to 16 people in a line, running 16 lines deep.
So, as you can imagine. not much grappling happens in such social distancing level.
Jump to 5:20 mark
In formations, where spears were shorter, infantry was using projectiles (arrows, spears, stones and etc.), so closing in was a very hard task and the last think one would want to do is grapple with one guy, from a line of tight, armored formation of men.
Now, medieval armor made things even more complicated.
Introduction of steel plates armor, on top of chainmail, lead to use of hallebards (a mixture of a pike and axe):
Meaning, the line of guys in front of you, could reach, stab you, gut you and split your head open, from 3 to 6 meters of distance, while they keep formation, covered by arrows from bows, crossbows and early development firearms.


Not much chance to grapple against these guys:

Or these guys:

Meanwhile, in Japan:


Again, not much of a grappling distance.
OK, so where was grappling used, you ask?
Well, in duels and tournaments.
Thats right, same as now, ancient warriors use to hold tournaments, where they would fight 1 on 1 or group vs group.
These events were essentially prize fighting events, where winners won coin, opponent's armor, horses and etc.
The equipment for such fights was different from the ones, used on battlefields.
And since in Europe, the Buhurt (thats how those events are called) events are quite popular, we actually can experience it live now:
Now, those events have rules.
Usually, as soon as one hits the ground, he loses.
Why?
Watch the video above and think a bit if you have any chance to survive an onslaught by heavily armored guy, wailing on you with a mace, war hammer and hallebarde.
So, what kind of grappling is used then?
From personal experience (yes, I also participate in those, when Im injury free), Osotogari is the best

You can combine it with weapon strikes, moving opponent backwards, use the momentum to unbalance and take him down, without a risk to fall together and loose.
OK, so what is with all the talk about ground fighting, pins, submission and etc, in ancient and medieval times?
Well, several occasions:
1. Duels to the death.
Both sides are wearing heavy plated armor and fight continues until one is dead.
So, they will eventually hit the ground and the guy on top will have the huge advantage.
Why?
Because he wears about 20 kilograms of armor on him, that he will use the weight to keep you down, while reaching for a nasty blade, made specifically to squeeze between the plates and go all the way to your internal organs.
This:

So, it was essential to know how to stay on top and control, aka PINS.
Not much submissions were happening.
Why?
Well, try to break this:

or choke this:

2. Law enforcement.
Every feudal wants to keep his shee..., khm, populace safe, so he can get taxes from them.
Hence, LEO history is going quite long back in time.
And LEOs always need to know how to apprehend and incapacitate people, so strong takedown game, complimented by ground control and submission, were a must.
Final:
In a recent thread, someone commented, that people into HEMA and Buhurt been nerds

Well, that might be the case in USA, but in Europe is a bit different.
Our team has me, 2 IMMAF World champions, bunch of wrestlers, a few French Foreign legionnaires and all kinds of other nerds, that enjoy nerding by bashing people's skulls in with maces, axes, polearms or armored clubs, then drink beer with the victims.
Some people need to express their urge for extreme violence, without going to jail

I hope you enjoyed