Ground Self-Defence with Master Patterson

Ground self-defence is an essential part of a realistic Taekwon-Do syllabus. It prepares you for the moments when a confrontation does not stay on the feet and you are forced to defend yourself from the ground.

In this class, filmed at an ITFNZ Instructors Course, Master Patterson walks instructors and students through the New Zealand Ground Self Defence syllabus. This is the required material for 1st to 2nd dan grading in New Zealand, and the video shows exactly how to perform, coach and assess each component.

New Zealand Ground Self Defence Syllabus

For the 1st to 2nd dan grading in New Zealand, candidates must demonstrate a clear understanding of ground self-defence: how to fall safely, protect themselves on the ground, escape from common positions and return to standing in a controlled way. Master Patterson breaks this down into practical drills that instructors can take straight back to their dojang.

Why Ground Self-Defence Matters

Many real-world situations do not play out like a sparring match. You may be pushed, tripped or tackled, and suddenly find yourself on the ground in a very vulnerable position. Ground self-defence training builds confidence in these scenarios and gives you simple, functional tools to survive, escape and stand up again.

Rather than focusing on complex sequences, the syllabus emphasises principles you can rely on under pressure: protect vital targets, create space, use the closest weapon to the closest target and keep moving until you can safely disengage.

Fall Well: Learning to Hit the Ground Safely

The first step is learning to fall correctly. The syllabus includes progressive breakfall drills, starting from a low position and building up to safe falling from standing. Students learn to protect the head and neck, absorb impact through the arms and body, and come to rest in a position where they are immediately ready to defend or move.

Master Patterson shows how to build these skills step by step, so students develop confidence rather than fear when they go to the ground. This foundation is essential before adding partners, pads or more dynamic attacks.

Fight Well: Defending Yourself on the Ground

Once falling safely is established, the focus moves to fighting well from the ground. The syllabus covers defending against a standing attacker as well as an opponent who is on the ground with you. Students learn how to use their legs to keep distance, kick effectively from the ground and protect vulnerable targets such as the head and ribs.

From there, Master Patterson explores common positions such as mount and side control, showing simple ways to off-balance the attacker, trap a limb and create the space needed to escape. Throughout the class he reinforces the idea that you should not stay fixed in one place; continuous movement is often your best defence on the ground.

Stand Well: Escaping and Returning to Your Feet

The ultimate goal of ground self-defence is to return to your feet and exit safely. The syllabus therefore includes specific stand-up techniques that allow you to rise while still protecting yourself and maintaining awareness of your surroundings.

Master Patterson demonstrates how to post on one hand or elbow, place the front foot, come up on to a knee and then stand into a balanced stance with the guard still in place. Candidates are expected to show they can move away, check for further threats and avoid being taken down again.