Mixed Martial Arts Training - Muay Thai and Self Defense - Considerations When

[Shari Blair]

Without a doubt the most crucial phase of a fight whether Mixed
Martial (MMA), Muay Thai or self defense is moving from the out of
range distance to where we engage the opponent whether offensively or
defensively commonly known as "Bridging the Gap".
This transitional phase is also a part of many MMA fighter's games
that is often not well developed, most relying on speed in their
offense of stand up combinations and take down shooting techniques, or
on a sprawling and smothering cover tactics to get a clinch that they
may or may not win in their defensive tactics.
When we break down this transitional "Bridging the Gap" phase we find
that the success of an entry to engage the opponent is dependent on a
number of factors that include the movements and intentions of the
opponent.
At first, when learning mixed martial arts and Muay Thai fighting, the
apparent inability to know an opponent's intentions may seem to be out
of your control, in a mixed martial arts match, and so the reliance on
speed of entry or an overwhelming attack flurry is a workable
strategy. However, both of these strategies have a degree of risk that
is proportional to the speed of the attack launched, particularly
against an experienced fighter.
Let us take a brief look at several strategies that we can train, when
learning mixed martial arts, Muay Thai or self defense, that will
increase our ability to reasonably predict or pre-empt an opponent's
movement in MMA or Muay Thai and therefore greatly reduce the risk
factor of our entries and increase our probability of dominating the
fight.
1) Learning how to get and utilize angles of entry - The use of
angular foot-work for body positioning and the manipulation of the
opponent's position by pushing and pulling are found in this class of
entry. The angular concept is also used in defense and counter where
the maxim "make him miss, make him pay" is a favorite strategy.
2) Establishing and breaking rhythm - The induction of a rhythm in the
process of a fight can give opportunities for manipulation of the
opponent that open excellent opportunities for attack. Once a rhythm
is induced - often with the jab - it can be broken to give an opening
for a decisive attack that catches the opponent completely unguarded.
3) Developing techniques and combinations to misdirect and confuse the
opponent - The use of feints, combinations and redirected (progressive
indirect attack) attacks are the most commonly known and utilized
methods of entry and should be incorporated early when learning mixed
martial arts.
4) Developing and drilling techniques for precision and economy of
motion - learning, training and drilling attacking techniques that
have a minimal amount of preparation and maximum economy of motion is
crucial, when learning mixed martial arts, so that the number of
potential that your opponent will have a chance to react to
(telegraphing of strikes) is minimized. This also requires precision
and correct use of body biomechanics to launch an effective attack
which, in turn, facilitates...
5) Training and developing speed enhancing movement - as mentioned
above correct body biomechanics play an integral role here together
with the use techniques that take advantage of the stretch reflex and
the use of physiological and neuro-physiological enhancing
methodologies such as plyometrics.
6) The use of psychological upsetting tactics that take the opponent
of his/her game plan - tactics that unsettle the opponent due such
factors as their perceived inferiority, lack of conditioning and
accumulation of debilitating hits that slowly weaken them and lead
them to "gassing out" and the introduction of self doubt (psyched
out).
7) In addition another area we must consider is that of the defensive
entry - Attention to good defensive tactics with effective counter-
attacks is crucial. When learning martial arts techniques for this
situation we must also be aware of the fact that if our purpose is for
the mixed martial art and Muay Thai fighting arena there are certain
tactics that we should, and must drill, to the point of unconscious
competency, whereas, for street self defense these tactics may be
totally useless and a different set of strategies must be learned
When learning mixed martial arts, Muay Thai or for that matter any
fighting system taking the time to seek out and learn tactics that
teach us how to use angles, rhythm, economy of motion, misdirection
and speed enhancing movements will pay big dividends in the way we can
influence and control the opponent.
This together with disciplined drilling of techniques that maximize
economy of motion, reduce telegraph and increase the opponents
reaction time, due to confusing entry signals, will greatly enhance
your ability to engage the opponent in a manner that increases the
probability of domination at this point of the fight.

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