NHB advice.

[Robert V]

I am not a NHB fighter, but I train with some to help them and myself.

I'm training with one fighter who is trying to improve his standing defense and striking. I'm working on my "gi-less" judo or throwing. We train with him trying to KO me and me trying to take him down. I don't punch because of my elbows, but he does, along with elbows, knees and kicks. My goal is just the throw, his is the KO. I am somewhat protected.

Once I'm on the inside, I'm good. IOUF all the way! But, his boxing has improved tremendously. I am having trouble entering.

Can anyone give me a little wisdom on entering against a good boxer, not just a guy that throws punches? or references?

Thanks,

Robert

[Chuck Kechter]

Robert,

Have you seen Rodney King's Crazy Monkey? It works extremely well for what you want.

I have been boxing (and kickboxing) for decades, and in the last few months have switched over to the CM, especially if I am sparring with someone that I feel is a threat to me.

CM is cool because, unlike "regular" boxing, it is not attribute driven. It is an extremely tight defensive method, where structure takes the place of speed and reflexes.

One method you could try is crashing the line, or crashing in. If you are at close "range," where your partner can tag you with just about any shot, start with a tight defensive structure, hands up, on your cheeks, or temples, back hunched, elbows tight to your sides. Slip and move as much as you can, block shots with your forearms (try NOT to remove your hands from your head), or spike a fist on the end of your elbow if you think you can do it safely (raise your arm as if you were running your fingers through your hair--try and maintain contact between hand and head-to elbow spike--return to cover position). On a spike, or a raised cover for a hook, bring both arms up, one will be in cover position, the other will brace on the inner forearm, until it is about forhead height, crash in (stepping deep, or lunging). The cover arm grabs the punching arm in the crook of the elbow (no thumbs!) and rides the arm back. The other arm circles to a neck tie position, and you have a head and arm position.

That's one of the easiest ways I know. Hope you can make sense of the writing.

Good luck!
Chuck

[Monkey]

Remember you can stop the soldiers leaving the barracks, jam the arms when they are in the guard position or returning (jam the forearms or gloves).

Watch an old Mike Tyson fight, look how he moves in, tight and swaying for good coverage "peek-a-boo" style entries.

Good luck

monkey

[Robert V]

Thanks Chuck. I am an admirer on Chico. I will take your advice. I've yet to get his clinch material.

[Chuck Kechter]

Let me know how it goes.

Like most on this board, Matt Thornton, and the SBGi crew are a pretty amazing lot.

Take care,
Chuck

[Robert V]

I'd like to hear your opinion, Scott.

Thanks.

[Scott Sonnon]

Robert,

If he's the draw-and-sprawl type, don't play his game. Force him to move on the attack by remaining on the outskirts of his reach. As soon as he moves to close, change angle, change level, and penetrate. When he does, you create emotional inertia closing of the gap.

Remember that the "gap" can be closed by the first major joints: wrist/ankles. If you don't level change checking his guard, get "wrist control" (not necessarily the "wrists" themselves but the lower third of the forearm, which controls even his elbow attacks.)

Even if you can "only" get wrist control on one arm, as soon as you do, his power is toast. Control the potential chain of tension from turning kinetic as soon as he tries to root for power. You can sense the potential chain as he weight transfers and begins to bear down in the ground.

Pay little attention to anything else he throws without rooting. They will only be surface attacks bearing no juice or substance. You should be able to absorb the shock of those strikes without being phased. This will also unnerve him and cause him to retreat to a "shoving" strategy to regain his power generation (supporting leg and subsequent rotational torque). If you have control of one arm (hopefully two on one, but one on one will suffice), play with his weight transfer and allow the efficient takedown to "appear" as a result of his counter-maneuvering to his perception of a threat (the manipulation of his power generation).

His confidence is built upon his ability to stay away from you. Reflect upon that psychological position for a moment. His finds his confidence from staying away from your power. In other words, you control his confidence. As soon as you begin the emotional inertia of creating an angle, you control the fight. He is in a beta position; you - alpha. Realize the implication of this and then exploit his psychologically inferior position.

Over the years I developed the following Forward Pressure Strategy to fighting in such a format. Use this as you wish. It is only one strategy, not appropriate to all situations, but seems to suit your situation in this case. My syllabus is very basic and composed of strategies, tactics and tools: -->Stance (Mobile/Supporting Leg – Locking/Power Transfer Arm)
-->Movement (concealing the Triangle Point; Creating an angle or create/compress distance)
-->Stance plus Movement creates Level Change ("Frame" in IOUF vernacular).
-->Movement plus Frame creates Penetration/Absorption (offensive/defensive) to control the Joint Mass Center.
-->Frame plus Penetration/Absorption creates Drive/Lift.
-->Penetration plus Drive/Lift creates Takedown/Throw specifically landing in a dominant position.
-->Takedown/Throw creates Ground Control (Arthrokinetics).
-->Ground Control creates Submission. If your partner is open to new modalities, run through Soft-Work to refine and Hard-Work to check in various Fluid and Dynamic Drills in each one of these steps; then all of them combined. So this is the Strategic and Tactical to improvise the technical through the protocol (Static-Fluid-Dynamic Drills, Soft-Hard Work).

But all of this finds its basis upon controlling the "joint emotional center" of the fight. Since his strategy begins at psychological disadvantage, by increasing the forward pressure, you control his emotional (autonomic/hormonal) arousal. Controlling his emotions, your tactics will become easy.

This is an easy arrangement for someone of your abilities, amigo.

[Chuck Kechter]

Great advice Scott!

Chuck

[Robert V]

Wow!

First of all, I am ashamed I didn't think of that strategy first. It the FORWARD PRESSURE strategy is what I use with the LEO I train with, but you have(like always) sophisticated it to a fine gem. It's funny how we sometimes compartmentalize combat strategies.

I can see its success already. My partners are very open-minded for the soft work/hard work.

It's funny, as he warmed up for our fight, he was doing a crab/scorpion kinetic chain and spinal rocks. I was pleased to see that.

I can't wait. This will be growth for us both! I'll keep you informed.

Thank you,

Robert

[Scott Sonnon]

Robert, my pleasure. Please report back with your progress.

[Brian Martens]

Coach-

Your reply reminded me of something I remember reading on the old forum; one of the strategies of ROSS is to maintain contact (once it is made) until the conflict is terminated.

In my intermittant training, I've adopted this idea into my sparring with generally good results.

Very interesting post.

[Michael Brown]

Coach Sonnon,

Is this strategy demonstrated in any of your videos?

If so, which one?

Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Scott Sonnon]

Mike,

No it's not. The course is called "Troubleshooting" - which I've been teaching for a few years, but the MMA/NHB crowd is so small (compared to the martial art industry at large). RMAX.tv Productions had been considering releasing it on video, but thought that it would unwise. RMAX.tv Productions carefully considers the image I portray when I release a course. A few years ago people were branding me "just" a MMA coach. We wanted to avoid being placed in that box, so we nuked the idea of releasing the course to the public, though I continue to teach it in seminar format.

I'll be happy to answer any questions that may help your MMA career and performance.

[Robert V]

Mike,

If you get IOUF(leg fencing), Fisticuffs and Arthrokinetics, you can do your own "trouble shooting". But not looking at each product as an individual, but part of a whole.

I was simply in my own way and could not see it initially, until Scott wrote his wonderful statement above.

I know that seems like an expensive investment, but take it step by step. To get close, also considering most fights go to a clinch=IOUF .....to strike and finish=Fisticuffs(flow fighting)....to control and/or submit Arthrokinetics.

A fight doesn't always go in that order, but it is something to begin with.

I must also add that the Zdorovye system sharpens the tools for your tactics, which is needed for all of the above.

I guess you see it is really all one complete progressive system.

I'm fortunate enough to practice the Zdorovye in my yoga, while simultaneously being active in combat sports, so the links have been a little clearer for me. Fascinating! I could go on for hours about this subject, but I wont bore you.

Good Luck!

Robert