From setting up to countering

25.02.13

General Lesson

Today we focused the nature of setting up techniques. This involved drawing opponents onto strikes and takedowns. We began with the fence and how the concept worked as an effective line-up. It was drilled as a muscle memory exercise. This led onto jab/crossing, setting up the rear hand strike. We then carried onto the clinch range. Here we used a simple judo sweep, something resembled a scruffy looking variation of the kosoto gari (small outside reap). This was set up with the initiator pushing his opponent’s shoulder, prompting the opponent to push back. The initiator then sweeps the leg the opponent pushes his weight onto. We performed two variations of this sweep. The class then did some takedown sparring, followed by a couple of rounds of MMA sparring.

Private Lesson

We looked at counter-attacks, using economy of motion. This began with simple slipping and jabbing. I was often impressed with Mike Tyson’s 1980s training camp and their use of the slip bag. They taught their boxer to move and hit almost simultaneously, allowing even a much shorter boxer, like Tyson, to reach much taller opponents. We then did some follow on combinations with overhand rights and low kicks.

Going back to the jab, we conducted a timing drill. Here one partner fires consistent and uninterrupted jabs to the other partner’s head. The defender looks and acts on the opening provided. This helps mimic the action of the slip bag. We used this drill to work in a side Thai clinch, followed by knee strikes to the front and back. This hold is very easily turned into a takedown. Once on the ground we covered the arm-triangle and then a reversal into an armbar.