| Without a doubt the most crucial phase of a fight | | | | indirect attack) attacks are the most commonly |
| whether Mixed Martial (MMA), Muay Thai or self | | | | known and utilized methods of entry and should |
| defense is moving from the out of range distance | | | | be incorporated early when learning mixed martial |
| to where we engage the opponent whether | | | | arts. |
| offensively or defensively commonly known as | | | | 4) Developing and drilling techniques for precision |
| "Bridging the Gap". | | | | and economy of motion - learning, training and |
| This transitional phase is also a part of many MMA | | | | drilling attacking techniques that have a minimal |
| fighter's games that is often not well developed, | | | | amount of preparation and maximum economy of |
| most relying on speed in their offense of stand | | | | motion is crucial, when learning mixed martial arts, |
| up combinations and take down shooting | | | | so that the number of potential that your |
| techniques, or on a sprawling and smothering | | | | opponent will have a chance to react to |
| cover tactics to get a clinch that they may or | | | | (telegraphing of strikes) is minimized. This also |
| may not win in their defensive tactics. | | | | requires precision and correct use of body |
| When we break down this transitional "Bridging | | | | biomechanics to launch an effective attack which, |
| the Gap" phase we find that the success of an | | | | in turn, facilitates... |
| entry to engage the opponent is dependent on a | | | | 5) Training and developing speed enhancing |
| number of factors that include the movements | | | | movement - as mentioned above correct body |
| and intentions of the opponent. | | | | biomechanics play an integral role here together |
| At first, when learning mixed martial arts and | | | | with the use techniques that take advantage of |
| Muay Thai fighting, the apparent inability to know | | | | the stretch reflex and the use of physiological and |
| an opponent's intentions may seem to be out of | | | | neuro-physiological enhancing methodologies such |
| your control, in a mixed martial arts match, and | | | | as plyometrics. |
| so the reliance on speed of entry or an | | | | 6) The use of psychological upsetting tactics that |
| overwhelming attack flurry is a workable strategy. | | | | take the opponent of his/her game plan - tactics |
| However, both of these strategies have a degree | | | | that unsettle the opponent due such factors as |
| of risk that is proportional to the speed of the | | | | their perceived inferiority, lack of conditioning and |
| attack launched, particularly against an | | | | accumulation of debilitating hits that slowly weaken |
| experienced fighter. | | | | them and lead them to "gassing out" and the |
| Let us take a brief look at several strategies that | | | | introduction of self doubt (psyched out). |
| we can train, when learning mixed martial arts, | | | | 7) In addition another area we must consider is |
| Muay Thai or self defense, that will increase our | | | | that of the defensive entry - Attention to good |
| ability to reasonably predict or pre-empt an | | | | defensive tactics with effective counter-attacks is |
| opponent's movement in MMA or Muay Thai and | | | | crucial. When learning martial arts techniques for |
| therefore greatly reduce the risk factor of our | | | | this situation we must also be aware of the fact |
| entries and increase our probability of dominating | | | | that if our purpose is for the mixed martial art |
| the fight. | | | | and Muay Thai fighting arena there are certain |
| 1) Learning how to get and utilize angles of entry | | | | tactics that we should, and must drill, to the point |
| - The use of angular foot-work for body | | | | of unconscious competency, whereas, for street |
| positioning and the manipulation of the opponent's | | | | self defense these tactics may be totally useless |
| position by pushing and pulling are found in this | | | | and a different set of strategies must be learned |
| class of entry. The angular concept is also used in | | | | When learning mixed martial arts, Muay Thai or |
| defense and counter where the maxim "make | | | | for that matter any fighting system taking the |
| him miss, make him pay" is a favorite strategy. | | | | time to seek out and learn tactics that teach us |
| 2) Establishing and breaking rhythm - The induction | | | | how to use angles, rhythm, economy of motion, |
| of a rhythm in the process of a fight can give | | | | misdirection and speed enhancing movements will |
| opportunities for manipulation of the opponent | | | | pay big dividends in the way we can influence and |
| that open excellent opportunities for attack. Once | | | | control the opponent. |
| a rhythm is induced - often with the jab - it can | | | | This together with disciplined drilling of techniques |
| be broken to give an opening for a decisive | | | | that maximize economy of motion, reduce |
| attack that catches the opponent completely | | | | telegraph and increase the opponents reaction |
| unguarded. | | | | time, due to confusing entry signals, will greatly |
| 3) Developing techniques and combinations to | | | | enhance your ability to engage the opponent in a |
| misdirect and confuse the opponent - The use of | | | | manner that increases the probability of |
| feints, combinations and redirected (progressive | | | | domination at this point of the fight. |