Evolutionary Training Patterns (diary entry)

17.03.14

General Lesson

We continued our theme centring on the jab/cross/hook. This began on the focus mitts. I then added the slip at the beginning. Here we looked at how equipment can dictate and corrupt training behaviours. Typically a fighter strikes the focus mitt that is opposite to him, crossing their centre line. However, this is impossible to do if you are training the slip/jab. In order for this counter-attack to be efficient the jab needs to be fed as the fighter slips past the coach’s jabbing focus mitt. If the fighter hits the opposite focus mitt (the one the coach is using to jab) it will with a delay. Therefore the same side focus mitt needs to be used in this isolated example. We then trained the roll after the cross into a lead hook. Here we looked at the importance of using the bobbing and weaving motion to generate maximum force in the hook. 

Changing from stand-up to clinch, we did some low-intensity specific sparring. One fighter clinched and worked for positions whilst the other fighter was restricted to using whatever means to get the jab/cross/hook to connect. Here the striking fighter learnt how to strike under, over and inside grappling arms. He was permitted to counter-grapple in order to blend this with the combination. Slipping and rolling takes on a different context when a fighter is being grappled, but should be a natural part of using the combination.

Training was then taken to the ground. Here the fighter in the guard fed the combination as the grappler on the bottom worked to try to sweep or submit him. This exercise helped the fighter appreciate better posture and balance when putting the combination together.

The lesson was finished with four rounds of MMA sparring and then a warm-down. 

Private Lesson

Our self-defence programme is currently exploring postures and transitioning. We are layering the various basic positions of standing, kneeling, seated and lying on the back to create better movement and improved striking. After a warm-up of going through the postures and regaining the feet as efficiently as possible, we began with the basic self-defence straight hand striking through postures.

We then isolated the straight and hooked hand strikes. I used the rear straight elbow into straight strike to help better promote the sawing action required. We then did forehand/back hand curved strikes into a combination to improve the torqueing motion required for the hook. These two exercises are examples of how aspects of tactical training can be very useful training methods to improve technique. Returning to postures both clients trained jab/cross/hook/cross going through all the positions.

Using the hook as a lead into the next exercise I began a new topic on the side headlock. We trained using hook whilst holding another fighter in a headlock. This gave me the opportunity to teach the correct application of the side headlock, a very primal move in grappling. Next lesson we looked into using the headlock to take down another fighter and the various stages of escaping the hold.