Academy of Combat: Christchurch Martial Arts

When we are engaged in a fight, whether mixed martial arts or Muay Thai fighting, we tend to take on a rhythm for entering, retreating, attacking and defending. If you watch a fight from the outside you see this rhythm establish itself fairly quickly; the fighter that takes the lead with the offensive dictating the rhythm.

To understand rhythm, when learning martial arts, we must take a moment to understand beats. Just as in music, where the bass drum sets a beat rhythm, in a fight this is set up by an offensive movement from the attacker inducing a counter movement (such as moving back) by the now, by definition, defender. The attacker may then, if the attack failed, retreat or redirect the attack by changing direction or retreating. To which the former defender moves back in on or mounts a counter-attack. Therefore we get a rhythm of attack – defend – attack (or counter-attack).

What we want to do is take advantage of this fight dynamic - learning how to manipulate the rhythm and break it by inserting a strike in between each full beat at say a half beat. We can do this by making the expected strike, which is in beat, a feint and then follow it immediately by a full strike.

Generally, when learning mixed martial arts, we set up rhythm with the jab and footwork, moving in with the jab and if countered we move to the defense, and if conditions permit we attack again. By applying the offensive jabs we set up a rhythm which we can break. A useful strategy for this when learning mixed martial arts or Muay Thai fighting, would be to step in with the jab and step back, then repeat the action. This is then followed by a feint, that is based on the movement used in establishing the rhythm, followed immediately by an attack on the half beat. For example Jab, Jab, feint Jab (to draw defensive parry) followed by full jab and overhand right punch.

The breaking of the rhythm catches the opponent in mid position change either physically (actually moving in a direction that they thought would be moving with you) or with a mind set to move; either actually beginning to activate motor movement or relaxing because the pressure has come off e.g. if you have moved out on the beat. This leaves the opponent very vulnerable for attack.

When learning mixed martial arts fighting this strategy can also be used with the footwork changes and different combinations using hands, feet and takedowns. For a greater in-depth look at this advanced gap bridging strategy check out my Mastering the Danger Zone DVD series here at http://www.UltimateFightingSystems.com which is packed full of more in-depth rhythm manipulation and breaking strategies along with over 100 other gap bridging techniques that will put you ahead of the game when learning mixed martial arts and Muay Thai.

PS. and while you're at it check out the great review if the series at http://www.FightersReview.com