johnwang wrote:
Their question can be as simple as "How to move in to obtain a clinch in a kick/punch environment?". Since this is also my current interest. I don't have problem to spend a great deal amount of class time to work on "entering strategy" only.
John...i'm just curious, is this a serious question or are you trolling as a joke?
The reason I ask is because I have a great respect for your martial arts background and your Rhino Guard isn't too shabby either. (Actually i'd love to test myself against it one day as a side note.) In a friendly way ie. haha. and then we can go to the PUB!
If you are serious...are you just looking for input from people who have done MMA themselves? Btw, I applaud your guys for going in and finding out (field testing their sh!T for themselves), very good!
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This topic right here is my passion and I say this stuff only cause someone of your quality (JohnWang) asked.
OK THEN "How to move in to obtain a clinch in a kick/punch environment?"
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I ASSUME YOU MEAN STAND UP CLINCH? For example, As in both guys have come close enough to grab eacthother with "Over or Under hooks". Like it happens in MMA when they are standing near the fence?
Really?? Ask yourself... what are the core basic strikes you see used in MMA? Jabb, Cross and Hook from either orthodox or southpaw.
Without giving it all away .... you have a few basic choices:
1) When they punch, you can intercept and attack at almost the same time to sting him or get him to pause just slightly. (you could duck or slip and counter as well, btw)
For example, a guy is throwing jabbs. I get into his timing after his 2nd or 3rd one. Then on the next one, I (Intercept it) slightly parry it and attack back at the same time. This will get him to put is guard up and block it or if you're lucky you might also connect and sting him with it. If you're a fighter, you would easily see what i'm saying. Especially if you can distract his attention for a split second.
- This break in time is a good place to shoot under if you know how to lower your level and get in there.
* What will be the result? he will have to wrestle to contend with you closing in and you will end up in a clinch or it could lead to the ground. Otherwise you'll just separate and it will start over.
If all I needed was to get close enough to clinch...this is very easy, especially if you have a wrestling background to compliment your strike game.
2) You can be the aggressor:
- You time with your opponent and learn to attack so that "your hands do not come back empty"
If I press on my own attack with a simple jab, cross, hook...and my opponent is willing to (i.e. NOT BACK AWAY) stay close enough to keep his hands up and block me...then it's easy to step in and clinch with him. Peace of cake.
3)Stopping a striker from retracting. This is more advanced IMO and a big reason that many TMA get into trouble sticking their arms out too far trying to engage or block or bridge and they get KTFO.
* If you can stop a strike from returning...you also prevent his other side from striking effectively. Which in turn can lead you into a clinch.
- But when a puncher is fast and efficient this isn't easy to do. Think about how fast a guy can punch or jab...and then it returns to position?
- If you wait for a guy to attack you 1st and for you to block it 1st...it will be gone and returned to it's owner before you can utilize it.
* It's the quintessential problem for most TMA demos. THAT NOBODY WOULD LEAVE THEIR ARM OUT THERE LIKE THAT FOR ME TO DO FANCY STUFF ON!
Again as a side note, Bruce Lee was smart when he was thinking intercept but there are other ways to bait a guy or get him to do what he wouldn't normally do...and that's to leave his arm out there a little bit longer than he wanted to. Even if it's only for a split second...it can make a huge difference.
I suppose there are many ways that other teachers think they can do this. I know that from all my experiences, I believe that I also have my own theory and methods to achieve this. This is the main thing people come to me for and I've been dropping hints about it for years on Youtube.
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For kicks...it's too easy. Unless your dog tired...but then, it's tough for anyone when they are sucking wind.
I catch kicks...and I'm damn good at it. I like to work front, round and side kicks because they are the most common. Really low leg kicks just check but if they go higher...it's pretty easy to do. Once you caught them...the clinch is easy. If you fail or his leg slips away...you just keep trying until you get it.
Anybody who's done San Da / San Shou can do most of these easily.