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28.11.11
The agility/footwork programme using the cones continued today after a freestyle warm-up of specific exercises and shadow boxing (at all ranges) as well as breakfalls and rolls. With the class now quite familiar with many of the exercises we added in a competitive component. Two sides raced each other, relay fashion, with the following exercise combinations
1. Run around cones and three long jumps to extra set of cones on the way back
2. 45 degree footsteps (guards up) and long jumps back
3. Side lateral bear crawls with sprawl/double leg takedown combination on the way back
We started a new theme – using strikes against grappling. Understanding this crucial area is the strength of MMA and good self-defence training. Many people dwell on either striking or grappling, and we tend to instinctively strike strikers or grapple with grapplers. We play to our opponent’s strengths. Our opponent instinctively relies on this response. When someone closes down a striker they expect the striker to to try to outwrestle them and, true to form, many instructors teach grappling defences using grappling-based techniques. There is nothing wrong with this and all students at our club regularly train these moves. However, one of the biggest paradigm shifts in mainstream mixed martial arts competition was when strikers learnt how to build their strikes on solid grappling defence. From there they learnt how to strike better from grappling positions.
We began with some clinch-work without takedowns. Using muay Thai as a good technique base, we looked at various strikes to limbs, the torso and head. This began with some 60% sparring. We then went through some basic breakaway tactics from Thai. Then we opened the field more into wrestling aspects and some more intensive sparring.
The session was finished with focus mitt work with a difference. The coach held one focus mitt and then used his free hand to grapple, push and move his student. This teaches striking whilst being thrown around in a grappling situation. We then warmed down with some shadow boxing and stretching.
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