Issue 159

October 2017

Protect yourself from ground and pound with a simple defensive technique.

Trainer: Greg Jackson, MMA’s most in-demand coach demonstrates the best techniques for the cage, aided by UFC bantamweight, John Dodson.

1) Greg starts o on the mat with John inside his guard

2) John postures up to try and land some more powerful ground and pound on Greg from inside his guard. 

3) As John begins to try and land punches, Greg pinches his knees, then elevates his butt and lower back on the floor. 

4) By keeping his knees tight, Greg can keep John at range and prevent most strikes from reaching his face. 

TOP TIPS:

AMATEUR

• Just covering your face probably won’t stop punches from hitting it.

REGIONAL PRO

• Just because you’ve created distance, don’t stop protecting your face with your hands. A shift in weight or failure to maintain position could still give your opponent an opening to land.

WORLD CLASS

• The knee shield position gives you a platform to move your feet to your opponent’s hips, grab their ankles, or a number of other grappling opportunities.