26/02/2011: Asymmetrical Engagement – Striking vs Grappling

An interesting and educational session today, in which we explored the effect of giving and removing consent to engage symmetrically, ie. with the same methodology as an opponent.  The overall conclusion arrived at is that attempting to engage someone who does not consent to fight in the same way as oneself is a lot more difficult that it may at first appear, while giving (or appearing to give) consent to do so tends to lull an opponent into a frame of mind suited to a controlled, limited conflict - a fight with 'rules', as it were. 

From a technical perspective, the uses of fundamental standup grappling controls to facilitate close-up striking were explored, as well as to smother strikes while on the way in to execute takedowns.  For a change of pace, instead of a set of conditioning exercises after class today, we played a game of 3-on-3 Kabbadi with house rules, as detailed in the log.  I am glad to report that much fun was had by all.

Homework assignment is as follows:

1.) IntuFlow joint mobility series: I can't emphasise this enough.  Without a limber, supple body that moves exactly the way you want it to, much of the potential of Systema is lost to you.  It only takes 10-15 minutes and zero energy, so EVERY DAY, folks.  Without fail.

2.) Basic rolls, falls and other ground engagement:  As all of you have already attended at least two or more classes, you will know by now that you can expect to fall down a lot during class, whether by accident or design.  5-10 minutes each day doing slow, smooth rolls and falls, preferably on hard ground.  The more comfortable you are with the ground, the more friendly it becomes when things kick off. 

3.) Breathwork: Square breathing and burst breathing.  I will detail these in a short article immediately following this log.  Practice both these breathing methods in addition to what has already been taught in class.

4.) Specific conditioning callisthenics: Pushup/plank for upper body striking alignment (involving the whole body), squat for spinal and lower-body structure for level changing and developing a strong, supple base.  Those of you who haven't learned this yet, get the methods from your mates who have during the week, or else approach me before class next week.  These take literally 3 minutes to do each day, so they can be done completely extemporaneously.

5.)  General conditioning syllabus (TacFit Commando routines): What you get out of training depends on what you put into it.  The better your work capacity and rate, the more you can put into training, plus the greater your functional reserve of strength and endurance during actual combat.  Assuming you attend training without fail every week, do this at least once more each week on your own, preferably two (for a total of three, including weekly class).  You can either use the free Gymboss app for smart phones to time your session, or Daniel's audio timer, which can be found HERE.

Objectives
 
- Learning the importance of controlling consent to engage in symmetrical struggle (ie. the same ‘type’ of fighting) with opponent; learning to give and remove consent

- Blunting grappling attacks with striking and defensive grappling

- Smothering and defeating strikers with offensive grappling


Warmup

Intuflow Beginner/Intermediate routine


Prep Drills

- Pinned Limb rolling

- Neck and body pummelling

- Strike absorption – free-standing reciprocal and restricted motion (use a wall or other obstruction if third parties are insufficient)

- Marionette/Sweater-snag drill

- Hair-brush defence

Weaponised Drills

- Slipping punches to clinch – tori aims to slip past uke’s punches to secure a head clinch; drill begins at half speed and creeps up in speed according to comfort; uke may aim to actively fend off clinch attempts from time to time.

- takedowns from clinch – tori and uke begin in collar-and-elbow tie; tori aims to execute any takedown of choice from the clinch; drill begins with passive resistance on uke’s part and creeps up to more active resistance according to comfort level and mutual consent between partners

- strike absorption from clinch – tori aims to maintain clinch on uke while absorbing strikes from uke; drill begins with simple absorption and may creep up to uke attempting to break or seize control of the clinch and tori aiming to manhandle uke in the clinch to diffuse the strikes.


Asymmetrical Sparring

Partners begin the fight in head-and-elbow tie. Designated grappler will attempt to secure a full clinch and takedown, while the designated striker will aim to either break the clinch with strikes or else seize control of the clinch and continue to strike from superior position. If clinch is broken, drill continues with grappler attempting to close and regain the clinch and striker aiming to fend off grappler with strikes.

Circle


House Rules Kabbadi

Two teams of three lined up roughly five metres from a central boundary line. Each team takes turns sending a single raider across into the opposing team’s territory, whose goal is to carry, drag, push or otherwise manipulate an opposing team member across the boundary line into their own territory. Raider must perform all actions in a single breath, chanting, “Kabbadi,” repeatedly at all times while on the opposing team’s side. If the raider inhales while on the opposing team’s side, the round is lost and no point is scored. All members of the defending team may act in any way to prevent their members from being moved across the boundary.