Grappling and Tumbling Skills

Grappling and tumbling skills have been employed historically by military and by law enforcement personnel as a means of subduing adversaries such that enemies may be killed or captured, or perpetrators arrested.

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Grappling involves the use of grip, with or without closure of the opposable thumb to effect trips, takedowns, throws, holds, locks and pins, and to evade, escape or reverse such effect.

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Tumbling involves falling safely by minimizing impact, such that grappling skills may be trained by both partners through a full range of motion. Thus tumbling skills facilitate the safe execution of grappling skills in training, and minimize injury when falling in actual engagement and in other contexts, such as accidental loss of footing.

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Grappling and tumbling skills are designed as ancillary skills for use while armed, and are often based on the design and use of specific weapons. Therefore a sound working competence with projectile weapons (firearms), blunt weapons, and edged weapons is primary, and should be augmented with a basic competence in boxing and trapping skills.