The Grappling Angle (diary entry)

07.02.2023 Tuesday morning introduced the grappling version of the angling/circling footwork pattern to Athena School of Karate's course. Due to the large shift in technique from the Boxing and Muay Thai versions, we spent a large portion of lesson going through some stand-up grappling

fundamentals. This included the box-step footwork pattern, side break-fall, sprawl variations and the single-leg takedown. A big part of making these wrestling shoots work is understanding the transition from a strike to a clinch. Once again angling and circling play a big role. This third combination has more pronounced tangents than the previous two due to the nature of takedowns. Therefore, we have versions with and without successful takedowns. Full combination: 2 x jab/cross advance and retreat/advance triple slip/single leg takedown blocked/uppercut/cross/triple jab circle/double-leg takedown blocked/sprawl from counter double-leg takedown/circle back First tangent combination: 2 x jab/cross advance and retreat/advance triple slip/single leg takedown/side control/ground 'n pound Second tangent combination: 2 x jab/cross advance and retreat/advance triple slip/single leg takedown blocked/uppercut/cross/triple jab circle/double-leg takedown/posture in guard/ground 'n pound Third tangent combination: 2 x jab/cross advance and retreat/advance triple slip/single leg takedown blocked/uppercut/cross/triple jab circle/double-leg takedown sprawled/Sit out/Take the back/2 x side-to-side hook punches Fourth tangent combination: 2 x jab/cross advance and retreat/advance triple slip/single leg takedown blocked/uppercut/cross/triple jab circle/double-leg takedown blocked/sprawl from counter double-leg/post on head/spear knee/soccer kick Fifth tangent combination:2 x jab/cross advance and retreat/advance triple slip/single leg takedown blocked/uppercut/cross/triple jab circle/double-leg takedown blocked/sprawl from counter double-leg/anaconda choke into gator roll Sixth tangent combination: 2 x jab/cross advance and retreat/advance triple slip/single leg takedown blocked/uppercut/cross/triple jab circle/double-leg takedown blocked/sprawl from counter double-leg takedown/back mount/rear naked choke Slip/Single-Leg Takedown The single leg in this new combination comes off the third slip, replacing the cross with the aforementioned takedown. Here we see the angle of the blind side offers a strong line of attack for a single leg where the fighter can step forward into a reverse side stance (orthodox to southpaw for example) and isolate the opponent's lead leg. Again, chaining the boxing-style slip off the opponent's jab with lowline shoot is crucial level change transition. Single-Leg Blocked/Uppercut/Cross/Triple Jab Circle/Double-Leg Takedown If this takedown is blocked, the fighter transitions with a lead uppercut/cross combination. The lead uppercut is selected due to the upward nature of coming off a failed lowline shoot and also its success rate at close range. This is another crucial range/discipline transition and goes in the opposite direction of the previous one. The cross covers the beginning of the fighter moving to the opponent's power hand and is then combined with the familiar triple jab/circle found in the previous two combinations. This part is then combined with a double-leg takedown. By circling to the inside the opponent is more square-on and open for this type of takedown. Double-Leg Sprawled or Blocked Depending how the double-leg is countered, the fighter has different responses and then has further responses from here. If the opponent's counter is just block or a shallow sprawl, as is the case in the full combination, the fighter has to deal with a returning double-leg takedown. This is not a bad idea and many grapplers are taught this as a good counter-attack. The failed shooter will be vulnerable as they get back up from their own attempt. Here the fighter will initiate a full sprawl and has further choices of attacking with an anaconda choke into a gator roll, taking the back where they can attack with hook punches to the body and side of the head or go for the full-mount into a rear naked choke or post on the head to knee and soccer kick or just circle back to the blind side angle. Should the opponent's counter to the double-leg takedown be a full sprawl of their own, the the fighter needs to counter with a sit-out to the back.     https://clubbchimera.com/services/