So this has been in the back of my mind for awhile now. As some of you know, I believe Aikido is a weapon based system. The wrist grabs and what not revolving around a weapon bearing hand.

So I also figured that Bjj submissions are really done to stop the weapon bearing hand. Things like jujigatami make great since, if someone is trying to stab you.

So today, I decide to drill some of this stuff on the ground. We went from top mount and side control, the guy on bottom was armed with a wooden knife. They guy on top was told to treat the knife like it was real. The drill reset if there was a submission, escape (position change), or a knife take away (the guy on top taking the knife).

Now I normally school my students. Most of them are smaller then me. We don't do much ground fighting in class, and I'm just better. But the knife changed things. While others watching said differently, I felt like I had never rolled before. The knife changed my game so much that I didn't feel in control at all.

A lot of the time when I have top position with my students I can just keep good position, and wait for openings. But with a weapon I really had to work. I had to stay focused on the knife, and be ready to change quickly. Needless to say, I got "killed" quite a few times.

I was amazed at how different it was! Has anyone else done much of this kind of ground grappling with knives? What were your experiences?

-Chris

Yes, Chris!

In LEO training, we do weapons grappling and clinching with guns and knives. Gives you a real wake up call!

Also, we do a drill where on guy has the weapon in his pocket and tries to get it out as he grapples...you try to prevent him.

What the Archer said.

Want an even hairier challenge: ground grappling with firearms. You each hold your own (sims gun) in your firing hand, holding the slide/muzzle of the other guys gun with your other hand. Start.

Some examples here after the car evolutions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPySwhoGNDw

Haven't tried it yet, but my gut reaction is that I'm more scared of a Knife in a grappling situation then a firearm.

You'd be right, after the first round is fired, provided it was under the right circumstances.