Reinforcing Combat Behaviours in Telford (diary entry)

22.03.12:

Tonight’s session was pure MMA. We focused on the development of combative behaviours, looking at stand-up and ground. We warmed up with specific movement exercises, which would be layered with techniques, pressure-tested with specific training, integrated into MMA sparring and then further reinforced through functional fitness exercises.

The warm-up exercises consisted of shadow boxing, touch contact striking, “heads and knees” game, 30% pressure grip fighting and 30% pressure ground fighting. By having a trusting partner and being wary of not over-stretching muscles, you can spar from cold. This enables to spend more time performing actual combat movements. We did a little bit of functional fitness with the guard, drilling repetitions of guard jumping and jumping up in guard. This would lend itself to the ground ‘n pound exercises I taught later.

Next we moved onto some technique-based combination work. We covered a simple jab/cross/hook/kick and catch combination. Then after the takedown, we looked at some basic combination work in the guard, including taking down the cover and jumping up in guard to stack against the cage. These were taught separately and then as one progressive combination.

Then we separated them again for specific sparring. This began with the leg-catch. One person had their leg caught and the other worked to get the takedown. The person with the leg caught worked either to break free or turn it into a clinch or a guard jump on their terms. Next they sparred from the guard position. Finally they all sparred standard MMA.

For the last part of the session we did some functional fitness exercises to reinforce areas covered. It began with shadow boxing again and a series of specific technique exercises. Then I introduced different apparatus to add resistance. This included sprawling to a full clean with a weight (medicine ball, sand bag, barrel, kettlebell or similar), pulling guard with a resistance band, striking press-ups and squatting and kicking with a resistance band. We then warmed down with a stretch and a discussion on Vagabond Warriors concepts.

DON'T MISS:

Multiple Attack - Junior Self-Defence Workshop at Eastern Green Junior School 6 - 7:15 on 26th March.

Vagabond Warriors 2.1 on 31st March - book your place now to receive exclusive online coaching support.