Obstructions in sport and self-defence (diary entry)

16.06.14

General Lesson

This is the third session dedicated to training around obstructions. We revised all that was covered in the previous two lessons, but applied them to the focus mitts so the students could test their power. As before, this covered slip/jab/overhand, sidestep/liver punch, slip/jab/low round kick, break clinch/mid-high round kick, arm-trap/knee strike and striking inside the guard from the top position.

We then moved onto obstructions in self-defence. Here we looked at bodyguard exercises in order to teach cover defending another person. This opened up the whole issue regarding a person’s decision to come to another’s aid. As with everything in self-protection, this is a judgement call. We ran through the exercise using the protected person – known in professional close-protection circles as “the principle” - as the fence. As the threat moves forward to intercept the principle, the bodyguard steps from behind, placing themselves in front and responds with their counter-assault action. In this instance it was a straight hand strike.

The lesson was finished with bodyguard sparring. This is a game unrelated to the actual body exercise. I included it not to cause confusion, but help emphasise footwork and angles related to the early obstruction training. This was done with boxing and wrestling variations.  

Private Lesson

The lesson was primarily concerned with applying principles taught last Monday to my client. We did this through live practice or sparring. Footwork has improved in the boxing section although still a lot of work needs to be done in economizing movement. The client has a tendency to rush and use his strong side. This is a very common error, and can work very well within basic self-defence. However, against a trained adversary and particularly during a sporting situation this is a folly. Such rushing tactics do have their place, but without control the rusher only ends up walking into traps. Kick boxing exposed the dangers of telegraphing kicks and exposing the hamstrings to leg kicks. I coached the importance of switching between hands and legs, blending combinations.

Wrestling saw a steady change of techniques. My client was inclined to stay too long on a highline attack when he should have switched to another level, but he made some excellent recoveries and pulled off some great single leg takedowns. The submission grappling is progressing too with some nice top game work using side control and back mount, although the hooks need better securing.

We finished with MMA sparring with a good deal of the fight ending up in ground fighting.