Grappling for Self-Defense

Michael van Ginkel

April 3, 2025

#ConceptualGrappling

Drew Ash Interview

Here we interveiw Drew Ash. He is a jiu-jitsu black belt under 10th planet founder Eddie Bravo and has spent the last 15 years honing his grappling skills. He currently runs 10th planet boulder, where he’s known for his technical and in-depth instruction.

Drawing from his extensive experience, including competitions in submission grappling, jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts, Drew emphasizes the importance of strong fundamentals in both his regular classes and self-defense seminars.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The 10th Planet System

As someone who started their jiu-jitsu journey in a more traditional school, what convinced you to start training under Eddie Bravo and his 10th planet system?

DREW ASH: I got beat up in an MMA fight because I was looking for grips that weren’t there. I couldn’t control his posture well enough in guard. Eddie’s system was all about clinching and posture control, so I went all in!

“Eddie’s system was all about clinching and posture control, so I went all in!”

How do you reconcile Eddie Bravo’s emphasis on a more bottom heavy game with the gravitational advantages offered by the top position?

DREW ASH: Training off your back is preparing for the worst case scenario. Being on top is strategically more sound, but I always wanted to be most prepared for the worst case scenario.

Training Effectively and Efficiently

After 15 years of training, competing, and teaching jiu jitsu, what advice do you have for practitioners that want to ensure their bodies can withstand the stress of training well into the future?

DREW ASH: I think there are several factors that can keep you training longer. You need to be lifting weights in an intelligent manner. You will need to build muscle to protect your joints, but also need to spend time working on mobility. I would love to have all my competitors spend 6 months to a year with a strength coach who knows about mobility and can teach them the principles they need. On top of this, a yoga practice will help keep those muscles limber and mobile. With all that being said, if the person doesn’t rest properly and always toughens through injuries, they won’t last long. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so letting injuries heal so they don’t become chronic has always been a struggle with people who love grappling.

Some combat-sports oriented techniques are less applicable to self-defense. In gyms that cater heavily to competitors, what steps do you believe practitioners should take to ensure their skill sets can be used effectively in self-defense scenarios?

DREW ASH: Self defense is a broad, undefined term. I liken it to going to a ymca and asking if they do “sports”. Grappling is one aspect of self defense and people who don’t train it are lost if the fight goes to the ground. However, I think training/sparring with punches is the best way to make sure you’re prepared for a self defense situation. The truth is that the Gracie’s teach a ton of moves that I’ve never seen them use in a fight! They usually close the distance, clinch, go for takedown. MMA based jiu-jitsu seems to be the best self defense. Knowing how to avoid punches and getting the takedown is paramount in a street fight.

“MMA based jiu-jitsu seems to be the best self defense”

Attributes for Grappling

What attributes have you most consistently seen in top combat sport athletes? Does the same apply to grappers that frequently compete as well?

DREW ASH: The best grapplers are the ones who do it the most. There are so many different body types, from the Miyaos to Orlando Sanchez. There is a style of jiu-jitsu that can work for any body type. You have to adapt your style to your attributes and train/study like you’re going for a master’s degree.

About the Author

Michael van Ginkel

Armed with a master’s degree in conflict archaeology and heritage, I’ve researched and excavated sites of conflict across the globe. I actively train and compete in grappling, the oldest combat sport in history