Grappling Point of View (diary entry)

26.05.12

Vagabond Warriors 2.2

As a change from previous Vagabond Warriors seminars this year, we looked at everything from a grappling perspective. The usual structure and model – C.S.I. (Clarification, Scepticism and Individuality) and the Hierarchy of Training (Specific Training, Attribute/Cross-Training and Functional Fitness) – used to base all training activities. The exercise decision chart, a Ken Robinson lecture, a functional fitness circuit and the compass/martial path map were all amongst the material used in today’s seminar.

Physical activities began with a series of 30% specific training sparring drills. We isolated grappling footwork and low-line defence with a mirror and sprawl exercise, then head/neck control with head-wrestling and then isolated mid-line control with pummelling (underhook/overhook training). Looking at tactics we first worked on taking the back as a sparring exercise. We then looked at basic postures in grappling using Mo Teague’s “fight for the pad” grappling exercise. Here one student holds onto a pad from a set posture and the other tries to prize it off him. This is done from standing from the front, standing from the back, from a pin, in the guard and the turtle position. After doing all these positions with different variations (e.g. student fought to hold onto the pad holding the guard and when in the guard), we went through them all again as specific sparring exercises. Where appropriate these exercises were also performed against the cage. We looked at takedown attack and defence, going up through the levels of resistance from compliant to competitive.

Attribute training focused on MMA striking from grappling positions. This helps develop a tighter defence for the grappler as well as makes him more mindful of how to defend against a striker. It also offers the striker the opportunity to understand striking whilst being grappled. This was done using focus mitts from various different positions and with a coach holding a single focus mitt whilst he grapples the striker with the other hand. At the request of those in attendance we looked at transitioning and moving on the ground – attack and defence. This was addressed using a simple pin transition pattern drill. A simple pattern taking the student around the body through basic pins – side control, scarf-hold, north- south, knee pin, reverse scarf-hold and mount – was introduced. Then it was reversed. Once the top position student was up to speed the one on the bottom position student began his defence work, bridging and snaking to each position. This was all done up to about 30% resistance. Next we moved into a freestyle flow-drill. Both students compliantly exchange one attack for a defence and flow through a series of ground moves, until the coach shouts “fight!” and both students then struggle to get a strong position and submission.

Our functional fitness circuit consisted exercises focused on grappling, the ground and takedown defence:

1.       Tyre war – takedown defence

2.       Bridging with sandbags – defence from the bottom position

3.       Jump to the feet and pass slosh tube – attacking inside the guard

4.       Sprawl/press and clean – takedown defence

5.       Transiting on stability ball against resistance – top position

Vagabond Warriors will now take a break and will be re-launched as part of a new certificated programme. Contact jamie@clubbchimera.com or through Facebook or Twitter for more information.

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