Shootfighting: The Forgotten Hybrid Martial Art That Still Works

At Scythe School, we honor three roots: Boxing, Judo, and Shootfighting. Boxing gives hands and footwork. Judo gives balance, throws, and clinch control. Shootfighting glues it all together with striking-to-grappling transitions and submission pressure.

What Is Shootfighting?

Shootfighting is a hybrid system mixing catch wrestling, kickboxing, and submission grappling—popularized by the 1990s Japanese scene and events like Pancrase. Think: hard striking, fast takedowns, no pause between phases, and finishes via chokes or joint locks.

Why It Still Works

• Phase Switching — Punch, clinch, throw, submit. No gaps to breathe.
• Submission Threat — You can end fights without trading brain cells.
• Pressure Conditioning — Live drills under fatigue make calm under chaos.

Boxing + Judo + Shootfighting = our unarmed skills

Our base combo: jab and angle like a boxer; off-balance like a judoka; finish like a shootfighter. That means you’re dangerous at every range—and you don’t freeze when the fight changes shape.

Training Pillars We Use

• Hands-to-Entry Rounds — Box for 20–30 seconds, then shoot a takedown or body lock.
• Wall Work — Clinch and pin drills that end in throws or trips.
• Catch Holds — Neck cranks, wrist rides, and rides that force the opponent to give the choke or arm.
• Submission Sprints — Timed rounds where you must secure any finish under fatigue.

How It Compares to Modern MMA

MMA is a sport rule set; Shootfighting is a method. The method is priceless: seamless transitions, mean pressure, and the mentality to finish when it’s time.

"Hands set the trap. Clinch steals balance. Submissions end the argument."

Bottom line: Shootfighting is one of our roots for a reason. If you want a system that rewards aggression, control, and finishes—build this into your training.

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