Issue 065
August 2010
Getting caught on the outside and picked off with the long jab and kicks is the biggest danger for the shorter fighter. Fighting on the inside is advantageous, where the longer-limbed fighter’s reach inhibits their ability to strike or defend their hips against throws and legs against tackles. Getting close enough to force the fight on the inside and score your takedown against a skilled striker takes good timing and a little patience.
TAKEDOWNS
Taking a shot from outside the range of exchanges can bypass the problem of dealing with an opponent’s reach advantage. When a tall opponent sprawls against a double leg, the long legs can be difficult to deal with. Capturing the hips with a high dive is a good way to beat the sprawl, and using the high leg finish will prevent a taller opponent replacing their feet on the mat as you tilt them.
SHOOTING LOW
1 Leo (red shorts) and Pete square off at distance.
2 Leo level changes right down to the mat, as Pete jabs, and catches the ankle with his lead hand.
3 Leo turns the corner by sitting his leg through and doing a ‘baseball slide’.
4 Leo pivots on his knee to capture both ankles, leaving himself in a sprinter's start position with his head under Pete’s hips.
5 Leo drives forward, standing back up as he pulls away Pete’s ankles. Leo maintains control of Pete’s feet, ready to pass or strike and prevent the upkick.
High dive with a high leg finish.
1 Pete and Leo square off.
2 Pete jabs and Leo shoots in underneath, level changing parallel to Pete’s hips.
3 Leo grips around Pete’s waist, with his lead knee between Pete’s legs. Note that Leo’s head is high and is held tight to Pete’s body, ready to duck under if Pete should attempt a guillotine.
4 Leo squeezes the bodylock, drawing Pete’s hips in and bringing his trail leg up, lifting Pete’s feet off the mat.
5 Leo lifts his knee, further elevating Pete’s hips and preventing him from adjusting his base to counter the finish.
6 Leo continues to twist, slamming Pete into side control.
CLINCHING
Collar ties favor the taller and longer-limbed fighter, but their build, with a higher center of gravity, makes them more susceptible to the bodylock.
Punch counters for plum clinch
1 Pete has Leo in the Thai plum clinch.
2 Leo defends his head position by throwing a stiff arm across Pete’s face.
3 Leo levers Pete’s head away creating space to strike.
4 Leo is free to throw the overhand right… …
5 and come up the middle with the right uppercut.
Bodylock from plum clinch
1 Pete has Leo in the plum clinch.
2 Leo pushes his hips in and looks up to counter the pressure on his neck, straightening Pete’s arms a little.
3 Leo level changes slightly and shrugs his shoulder under Pete’s elbow, stepping deep around Pete’s leg to collect a bodylock.
4 Leo pops his hips in, taking Pete up off the mat.
5 Leo swings Pete’s legs around his body to ensure Pete won’t get to his guard.
6 Leo lands in side control.
THE GUARD
The guard poses a host of potential problems for the shorter fighter; tall fighters can attack with, and lock in, triangles more easily – also, their heads are further away to strike and there is simply more distance to travel when attempting to pass the legs. The greater reach of the upkick has to be carefully accounted for.
COUNTERING THE UPKICK
1 Leo is standing over Pete’s open guard, using his foot under Pete’s butt to limit his hip movement.
2 As Pete upkicks, Leo avoids it because of his high posture.
3 Leo steps his leg across Pete’s straightened leg, trapping Pete’s hips under the weight of his body.
4 Leo pivots on Pete’s hips, ensuring that he passes to side control without letting Pete get to his knees.
