Real Grappling

by Geoff Thompson

Grappling (wrestling) is probably the oldest genre of combat known to man. Throughout the world, wrestling and grappling have been part of every culture, probably due to the fact that pulling, holding, lifting and carrying are far more natural to us as living and working human beings than punching and striking. This manual takes the reader step by step through the moves and techniques required to become competent in the grappling arts. These moves can be used to compliment other forms of martial arts, or used alone in close-range self defence. Topics covered include beating kickers and punchers, history of grappling, training equipment, safety in practice, vertical grappling, groundwork, joint locks, throws, stance and grips.

Genres: Martial Arts

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1998

About the author

Geoff Thompson is a BAFTA-winning writer, filmmaker, spiritual teacher, and martial artist with a prolific career spanning multiple disciplines. He has authored books on self-help, spirituality, self-defense, and martial arts, while also writing for film and stage.
Beginning as a martial artist, Thompson specialized in reality-based self-defense, drawing from his experiences as a nightclub doorman. He co-founded the British Combat Association and taught seminars internationally, including for Chuck Norris. His self-defense innovations include "The Wall" and "The Fence," practical techniques for real-world confrontations.
His transition into filmmaking brought critical acclaim. His short film Bouncer (2002), starring Ray Winstone, earned a BAFTA nomination, and Brown Paper Bag (2003), inspired by his brother’s struggles with alcoholism, won the BAFTA for Best Short Film. He later wrote the feature Clubbed (2008), based on his autobiography Watch My Back, as well as The Pyramid Texts (2015) and Romans (2017), starring Orlando Bloom.
Beyond martial arts and filmmaking, Thompson has established himself as a spiritual teacher and self-help author. His works, including The Divine CEO and Live Your Dreams, focus on personal transformation and overcoming fear. He has delivered a TED Talk on conquering fear and hosted a popular podcast on spiritual growth.
In 2020, he released his autobiography Notes from a Factory Floor, chronicling his journey from factory worker to internationally recognized author and teacher. Through his writing, coaching, and filmmaking, Thompson continues to inspire others in the pursuit of self-improvement and personal mastery.

Reviews

[Tom]

Pretty effective and brutal techniques that include sections on eye gouging, finger locks and biting. A fairly short book that takes you through the basic techniques of grappling, takedowns and locks.