Easiest way(s) to tell if somebody doesn't know how to grapple?

Question

Rather than refering to techniques by their proper categories (sweeps, pins, escapes, submissions, etc), they refer to any and/or all grappling technique as 'grapples.'

Anyone else notice that trend -- most often found amongst wrestling fans?

Any other good ones?

Answer 1

I have to somewhat agree with IQ on this, different styles will have different termenoligy that is in line with their culture and language. Kung fu techniques tend to have very poetic sounding names.

In Okinawin karate I am sure there are various names for the standing grappling manuvers, but our school doesn't get that in depth. We would rather you spend more time working on getting the techniques right then memorizing some complicated name. We use the generic terms generally such as rear choke, coller choke, guilotine, forearm, re-enforced forarm, etc.

I do agree that anybody that know's any type of grappling should at least be able to put it into the proper catagory, IE throw, take down, sweep, etc., but I do not feel it is necessary for a person to know the exact terminolagy. For instance the rear naked choke. We have always called it the military choke, because this was taught to commando's for sentry removal, or so I have been told. Different names, same move.

I think it is telling that when an actual question about how to apply or defend specific techniques is asked on here, whether grappling, kata, stances, etc. the number of people who answer is far less then the vs questions or what style questions.

Answer 2

lots of people enjoy watching football... and dont know what a "dime" defense is... your average fan that just enjoys watching... and that is cool, just by watching they are supporting the sport... lets just hope that MMA gets big enough that every man sits at home on sundays with his beer, and chips to watch fights.. just trying to put it in perspective... sometimes it bothers me when people dont fully appreciate what they are watching... like a guys strung out on an arm bar, fighting through the pain to get out of it... but they just havent experienced it... and i am watching holding my elbow and gritting my teeth for the guy... the bigger MMA gets to more ignorant fan will be watching, and believe it or not.. it is a good thing for the sport...

Answer 3

Are you just talking about finding out through speech or are you talking of finding out through physical demonstration?

I've not really run across anybody who says that, though I have run across people who have no idea what they are talking about even though they spit all the names out. I generally let it slide and not mention to them that they don't know their a** from a hole in the ground as it is insulting to their character, and maybe they're just trying to feel accepted.

So I guess I would say that I've not heard anybody use that term unless it is a blanket statement of the situation. They all have used either the biological term or the formal martial name for the term.

Has anybody ever mentioned joint bending or muscle tearing to you?

edit-

I think you missed the point IQ... I can lay out all the dimensions and characteristics of a spade from looking at a picture and researching all I want, but unless I've actually used it on the farm I don't know what to do with it or how it feels.

Answer 4

Yeah , let's roll !

What makes a fighter great is his zeal to learn and improve, call a toe lock whatever name you want but it's action that counts.

Answer 5

A spade is still a spade even if you point at it and call it a dog.

My point...  Just becuase someone doesn't call a technique or position or whatever the same thing as you doesn't mean that they don't know how to grapple.  

Japanese Ju Jitsu will refer to things in Japanese, and remember that BJJ came from traditional Ju Jitsu, Chi Na will refer to things in Chinese or in english translations which may say things such as muscle seperation and stealing the breath ect , and believe me calling it stealing the breath does not make a choke any less effective.

The only way to tell for sure is to roll with someone.