Grappling / BJJ

Grappling is a very broad term used by Progressive Martial Arts Academy to categorise the close range arts that are taught here. The grappling arts are primarily drawn from three sources: the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of the Machado Brothers, the Jun Fan Grappling of Larry Hartsell, and the grappling blend of Guro Dan Inosanto (including Filipino Dumog). Further complementing these arts are techniques and skills of Shoot Wrestling and Erik Paulson’s Combat Submission Wrestling.

Larry Hartsell’s Jun Fan Grappling and Guro Dan Inosanto’s grappling are themselves blended arts incorporating various styles of Western Wrestling, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Shooto, and Dumog. The use of grappling techniques is determined by the combat situation already being at close range or by the desire of the practitioner to fight at close range. The term ‘close range’ implies a number of different positions or situations, and the combination of situation and desired outcome then determines which techniques are employed.

The instructors at Progressive Martial Arts Academy International work closely with and also regularly train with Master Jean Jacques Machado, Guro Dan Inosanto and Shooto champion Erik Paulson, both here and overseas. As conflicts often move to the ground, whether by choice or loss of balance, the ability to maintain a degree of control and effectiveness in close-range and ground-based fighting is paramount. The variety of wrestling and blended arts provides a wealth of techniques to apply while also resulting in the refinement of the core skills and subtleties that hold true through all forms of grappling.

Shooto is perhaps not as well-known as other more prominent arts and is deserving of more recognition than it currently receives. The predecessor to modern-day UFC, Shooto is a popular martial art and combative sport in Japan founded by Sousai Satoru Sayama and brought to the US by former Shoot Wrestling champion, and highest ranking instructor under Sousai Sayama, “Shootist” Yorinaga Nakamura. Shoot Wrestling, also called “Shooto”, “Shoot Fighting”, or “Shooting”, is a unique blend of Russian Sambo, Judo, Jujitsu, Catch-As-Catch-Can Wrestling, and Thai Boxing. A truly combative martial art, Shoot Wrestling utilises long range kicking, punching, kneeing, evasion, and footwork. Practitioners are allowed to throw, tackle, take-down, or sweep the opponent, and continue to ground fighting where practitioners can engage in submission and locking. Training in Shoot Wrestling will develop attributes such as balance, speed, agility, coordination, endurance and sensitivity.