Fighters Only

Issue 051

June 2009

The ability to sprawl properly is critical in defeating an offensive wrestler. Weight distribution, foot position and grips are all key elements of an effective sprawl.

Sprawl position

Sprawl 1 Pete has sprawled on Rob’s shot and collected a front headlock. Pete is on the inside blades of his feet, so when Rob drives in to attempt another shot, Pete simply slides backwards along the mat and keeps his headlock position.

Sprawl 2 Here Pete keeps his hip pressure on and cross faces Rob, driving the blade of his forearm against Rob’s cheek.

Incorrect sprawl

Sprawl 1

Wrong! Pete has pushed his hips in correctly but has stayed on his toes.

Sprawl 2

As Rob drives in his double leg, Pete is pushed back upright and will be taken down.

Stance

When faced with a strong wrestler you must make adjustments to your stance, movement and range in order to strike effectively without leaving yourself vulnerable to the takedown.

Step 1

Pete and Rob square off. Pete stands tall in a typical Muay Thai stance, on his toes with his elbows up high.

Step 2

As Pete jabs he leaves space for Rob to shoot in, giving away the double leg easily.

Step 3

This time Pete has lowered his stance, his base is planted and his forearms protect his body.

Step 4

When Rob shoots the double he is met by Pete’s first lines of defense. Pete steps his lead leg back and jams Rob’s shot.

Uppercuts

The uppercut is a good weapon against the takedown, and has the advantage over the knee of remaining legal at whatever stage of the shot. Look at footage from Bodog’s Russia vs USA event to see how Andrei Semenov used this technique to defend the takedown against Trevor Prangley.

Vs takedown

Step 1

Rob has shot in past Pete’s first line of defense (his hands and arms) and has a hold on Pete’s thighs. Pete is working a cross-face to break Rob’s grip on the legs and has sprawled his hips

Step 2

Pete posts his hand on Rob’s shoulder and steps back, his left uppercut is ready if Rob shoots again.

Uppercut in action

Step 1 Pete and Rob square off.

Step 2 Pete jabs, leaving space to shoot in.

Step 3 Pete anticipates Rob’s attack and steps back as he throws a low uppercut.

Step 4 Pete steps back again, putting himself out of range if Rob shoots again.

Knees to the head

You must be careful not to contravene the three-point rule when kneeing the head. If you knee too late and your opponent has a knee or hand down on the mat you can lose a point or even face disqualification.

Using a Thai plum clinch allows you to control your opponent and you will be able to see or sense when the knee strike is legal. Look at footage of Anderson Silva or fellow Brazilian Wanderlei Silva to see how this position can be used to great effect when your opponent is trying to take you to the mat.