Fighters Only

Issue 076

June 2011

It may never happen in a true fight situation but drilling from your knees is an essential part of any fighter’s training regime

Whilst you will probably never face an opponent in a pro MMA fight with both of you on your knees, the scenario is an important training protocol that allows novice fighters to learn fundamental skills safely. It creates an even starting point when isolating ground sparring and enables more people to practice safely on the same mat. Having a set of well-identified objectives and go-to techniques for this scenario will save time trying to establish the positions you want to work on and help to safely develop transferable techniques that will serve you well in the standing position.

Snap down to go-behind

Efficient movement is the key to a good go-behind. Trying to take many steps quickly will be slower than fewer, more-controlled movements.

1/ Pete (left) and Jason start to roll from their knees.

2/ Pete goes for inside controls, taking a collar tie and bicep tie.

3/ Pete snaps down on Jason’s collar, pulling his head under his chest as he kicks back his leg.

4/ Pete slides his collar tie over Jason’s neck, forcing his head to stay down by transferring his weight on to Jason’s neck with his forearm. Pete faces his palm out, blocking Jason’s arm.

5/ With the arm blocked, Jason can’t grab Pete’s leg as he steps around to the back.

6/ Pete places his knee down next to Jason’s knee.

7/ Pete lands in side ride, ready to strike or take the back.

Sit out from front headlock

The key to escaping the headlock is to sit out before the headlock is properly established. Once the grip is firm, the neck will take too much strain when attempting to sit out.

1/ Pete and Jason begin from the knees again. This time Jason has established inside control.

2/ Jason snaps Pete down to the mat.

3/ As Jason attempts to lock up the front headlock, Pete begins his escape by looking under Jason’s arm.

4/ Pete steps up his power leg on the same side he is ducking under.

5/ Pete slides his far leg through, looking upwards as he moves.

6/ Pete kicks his leg straight, sliding behind Jason as he leans back on Jason’s armpit.

7/ Pete turns in towards Jason.

8/ Pete finishes in the side ride position.

Establishing advantage inside the guard

In this training scenario, pulling guard is a good tactic when faced with a stronger wrestler and can allow the guard player an advantage. It is essential to realize quickly the opponent’s intentions to prevent him from establishing this advantage.