Pinning in Self-Defence (diary entry)

The ninth part of the CCMA course for submission grappling/ground-fighting for martial arts cross-training brought the client back to the self-defence line. For this and the final lesson in this particular course we look at principles and techniques learnt over the past eight sessions that can be adapted for a counter-assault situation. This lesson we largely looked at pins. We warmed up going through standard pin transitioning. This helped my client develop flow for practical mobility when fighting from a top position. I gradually increased pressure and then we reversed the situation with him working on his basic escape procedures. Both were progressed from compliance all the way up to specific sparring. Next we looked at striking from the top position. A key area of concern for the fighter is to stop the other fighter from holding underneath. The hold needs to be broken effectively so that the bottom fighter cannot simply hold on whilst allies can attack the “sitting duck” on top. We began with the knee pin, which serves as the main default position and where all top fighting in symmetrical ground-fighting should be headed. The pin allows for the fighter to stand and better defend himself from other attackers. The pinning knee can also be easily turned into a stamping strike. We used the mount and then side control to get to this position whilst striking and using other attack weapons. There are various methods, but we began with close range strikes such as eye gouges, head butts, elbows and knees. Taking us back to the basics of self-defence, these close range tactics are used to get hand striking back on the other fighter. We also looked at using the ground as a weapon. Having spent a good amount of time exploring a mat-based combat sport, it is easy to forget these factors.