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.
Credit: Steve Hardman
1/ Pete (left) and Jason start to roll from their knees.
Credit: Steve Hardman
2/ Pete goes for inside controls, taking a collar tie and bicep tie.
Credit: Steve Hardman
3/ Pete snaps down on Jason’s collar, pulling his head under his chest as he kicks back his leg.
Credit: Steve Hardman
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.
Credit: Steve Hardman
5/ With the arm blocked, Jason can’t grab Pete’s leg as he steps around to the back.
Credit: Steve Hardman
6/ Pete places his knee down next to Jason’s knee.
Credit: Steve Hardman
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.
Credit: Steve Hardman
1/ Pete and Jason begin from the knees again. This time Jason has established inside control.
Credit: Steve Hardman
2/ Jason snaps Pete down to the mat.
Credit: Steve Hardman
3/ As Jason attempts to lock up the front headlock, Pete begins his escape by looking under Jason’s arm.
Credit: Steve Hardman
4/ Pete steps up his power leg on the same side he is ducking under.
Credit: Steve Hardman
5/ Pete slides his far leg through, looking upwards as he moves.
Credit: Steve Hardman
6/ Pete kicks his leg straight, sliding behind Jason as he leans back on Jason’s armpit.
Credit: Steve Hardman
7/ Pete turns in towards Jason.
Credit: Steve Hardman
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.
Credit: Steve Hardman
1/ Pete has established inside control on Jason’s collar and bicep again.
Credit: Steve Hardman
2/ Jason counters the risk of being snapped down again by sitting to his guard.
Credit: Steve Hardman
3/ Pete steps his far knee up to prevent Jason from closing his guard.
Credit: Steve Hardman
4/ Pete drives his knee through and forces Jason’s shoulders down, preventing the sweep from sitting guard.
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