11.01.17 Tonight’s focus was on takedown defence. We studied this mainly within the context of MMA fighting rather than self-defence, but the fundamentals are pretty much the same. Although anti-grappling tactics feature this isn’t the same as takedown defence, which features a lot of grappling. In fact, I would go so far as to say that wrestling offers the richest and most proven base for this part of the clinch fighting range. I know! Shock horror! Wrestling – […]
Tag Archives | Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Feedback Loop Training in Action (diary entry)
14.12.16 Tonight we continued our sparring themed series of classes. These are lessons specifically designed to test and correct certain aspects of my client’s personal range of skills as well as tactics. It is not always easy to do this on a one-to-one basis for various reasons, but there are general observations that can be made that will aid a client to reach his potential as a martial artist and fighter. We use feedback training loops whereby drills and […]
Bringing it under Mixed Martial Arts (diary entry)
07.12.16 Tonight it was time to start taking stock of all the recent material covered and bring it together. We looked at it from an MMA sport context. Areas covered and revised included Muay Thai, shoulder throws, fireman’s carry throw and attacking the turtle position. We began on the Thai focus mitts. The warm-up consisted of various standard combinations performed lightly first, focusing on technique and then increased to full power. We looked at setting up for low […]
Shoulder Throws Continue (diary entry)
23.11.16 We continued our shoulder throw theme tonight, looking at two variations and bringing it into the ground game plus a submission. The colder temperature inspired a more vigorous warm-up with careful attention taken towards promoting progressive mobility and the inputting specific actions in view of the techniques about to be taught. We began with tight forward rolls, backward rolls, break falls and (combat) base squats. Then we did some turtle drilling in preparation for the groundwork […]
Shoulder Throw (diary entry)
16.11.16 Tonight after a three lesson hiatus off our clinch-to-ground programme we returned to some throwing practice. Previously we focused on more wrestling-based takedowns, throws and slams; this included suplexes and single and double-legged takedowns. Tonight we looked at the shoulder throw. This technique and its variations can be found in most grappling styles, but Judo possibly has the best reputation for its refined execution under pressure. The throw’s continued teaching in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, submission grappling and […]
More Pins and the Kimura (diary entry)
19.10.16 My second lesson of the night was also on submission fighting. This is my client’s third lesson in her course on Basic Submission Grappling (Groundwork) for Martial Arts Cross-Training. We revised the Americana, introduced the Kimura and spent a good portion of the lesson transitioning through pins. The lesson’s warm-up consisted of simple muscle activation and mobility exercises for groundwork. We used bear crawls (backwards, forwards and sideways), spider-man crawls (forwards and backwards), seals (backwards and forwards), […]
Double Leg Takedowns (diary entry)
05.10.16 Tonight, this particular client returned to his stand-up grappling/wrestling programme. We worked on lowline attacks. This began with a simple double leg takedown for MMA. The fighter drives into the target pressing the head into the middle of the body and pulling the opponent’s legs back. This technique is executed explosively, impacting against the target and driving the opponent into the ground. This usually results in landing in the opponent’s guard, which can be fine for a […]
On the Inside (diary entry)
31.08.16 My client’s twentieth lesson in Mixed Martial Arts for Martial Arts Cross Training worked on the theme of attacking inside the jab and inside attacks in general. I have always considered going inside the jab to be a more dangerous than than outside the jab due to the fighting immediately going into the line of fire and it requires far tighter movement. Using the slip to get inside the jab, we began […]
A Combination Structure for MMA (diary entry)
24.08.16 The nineteenth lesson in my client’s second course on Mixed Martial Arts for Martial Arts Cross Training concerned devising combination structures for different ranges. Modern Western Boxing serves as a good basis for MMA combination work. This is largely due to the speed and accessibility of punching. Punches work well tactically to set-up other techniques when initiating an attack and also encourage faster movement from the other ranges. Obviously certain adaptations need to be […]
Arm Triangle through the Arts (diary entry)
21.08.1 We began my client’s second course on Personalised Martial Arts Cross Training looking at moving offline using the arm triangle structure. Having just covered rounded movement in the previous course we used the bobbing and weaving tactic from a collar and elbow clinch position. Here the fighter weaves under the necktie grip on the back of his head or neck and encircles the neck and shoulder with an arm triangle position. Muay Thai […]
Rolling Choke and Other Animals (diary entry)
18.08.16 Tonight’s private class was my client’s eighteenth lesson in his second course of Mixed Martial Arts for Martial Arts Cross Training. We continued with our theme of rolling attacks in grappling that we have been covering for the past three classes and also kick-catch counters that was introduced in the previous class. We warmed up with some shadow boxing, focusing on targeting and stance-work. Then we moved onto the various rolls – standard forward and back rolls, […]
Fourth Anniversary Lesson (diary entry)
14.08.16 Today’s second private class was a two hour session focused on combat conditioning with a special request for work on kicking. The format was roughly divided into three sections: muscle memory drills for MMA, technical training for Muay Thai kicks and high intensity interval training. Muscle Memory Drills for MMA A feature of my coaching programmes is to prioritise actual martial arts techniques over most exercises. Although I have been a long-time opponent of just mimicking […]
Time to Cover the Cover Part 2 (diary entry)
10.08.16 The second private class of tonight was my client’s seventh lesson in Personalised Martial Arts Cross Training. We are currently working on cover concepts. Last time we had a double lesson that mainly looked at self-defence methods for using the cover to regain the striking initiative. Tonight we looked at grappling options, where we trained three lines of attack: high, mid and low. The grappling option is a back-up method if, for some reason, returning striking is […]
Not Pulling your Leg (diary entry)
10.08.16 The first private class of tonight was my client’s seventeenth lesson from his second course on Mixed Martial Arts for Martial Arts Cross Training. We are currently focusing on rolling attacks and also looked at kick-catch counters. In short, we were more leg-grabbing focused than a frustrated Jack Russell or his embarrassed owner. The class began with a series of mobility and muscle activation exercises. This began with reverse Indian press-ups, which place more pressure on the […]
Moving from Gi to No-Gi to MMA (diary entry)
23.07.16 Today’s second lesson saw the return of a long term client. With a strong background in Judo and Western Boxing, he adopts a more buffet-style approach to cross training with me, selecting certain specific areas he wishes to explore. After an initial discussion we decided to focus on gi ground work, no-gi ground work into no-gi clinch and then MMA clinch and MMA ground work. We warmed up with some solo specific exercises followed by […]
Pivoting, Hooking, Throwing and Evading (diary entry)
23.07.16 Today’s first lesson was the second in my new client’s course on Personalised Martial Arts Cross Training. Having discovered my client’s natural inclination for throwing hooks or rounded hand strikes as a basic combative instinct, we have been building on this movement through different arts. We began with a simple torso rotational exercise using wide spread arms. Torso rotations do come under a fair amount of controversy due the pressure placed on the spine. I advise that […]