Anti-striking

[YouKnowWho]

I was a little confused from YKW’s comments. The drill showed opponent striking, first. But, the comments he made seem to show he likes to punch (initiate) first to engage opponent. (Although, he said he does drills both ways, initiating and defending.)

I assume we are still talking about "big fist" here. For simplicity, the "big fist" is used to get a "head lock" on your opponent.

[intercept8]

I assume we are still talking about "big fist" here. For simplicity, the "big fist" is used to get a "head lock" on your opponent.

Yes. To my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong), Big Fist (you) punches towards opponent's face, with "big fist." Opponent counters with punches. Then, Big Fist (you) gets "head lock." You don't want to wait for your opponent.

[YouKnowWho]

Yes. To my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong), Big Fist punches towards opponent's face, with "big fist." Opponent counters with punches. Then, Big Fist gets "head lock." You don't want to wait for your opponent.

That's the correct process. To make it a bit more complicate, you will always start from a knee kick. Instead of to wait for your opponent to kick you, you kick him first, and put him in defense mode. If your opponent kicks you first, you will use different drills to deal with that.

[Faux Newbie]

Okay, sorry about that, I missed that point. With the kick, it makes sense to me, as the kick provides a real threat. Without, since, by having the hands close, you lose reach (as opposed to strikes, where one arm reaches and the opposite shoulder retracts, providing some power and reach), in order to get in range to make the big fists a realistic threat, you use your forward body position and forward movement to allow you to be in a closer range, thus also in range for the takedown/throw. I follow now.

[YouKnowWho]

The knee kick and foot sweep are the most safe kicks to apply when using "entering strategy". The "knee kick" play a very important part of the training. It's always be better to put your opponent in defense mode.

[intercept8]

Ranges:

For simplicity, say there are 3 ranges of combat:
1) Long – just outside of kicking range
2) Medium – kicking, punching
3) Close – clinch, head lock

If I stay in the medium to long range, it will be more difficult for Big Fister to get me in a head lock. Excluding kicks, I might try hooks or check hooks at angles constantly staying in medium to long range to punch Big Fister in the face, like this:



or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIYFjSG4wRQ

A similar drill could be done with Big Fister throwing “big fist” and opponent pivoting & trying to punch big fist in the face with hooks. I would be interested in how this works out.

[YouKnowWho]

If I stay in the medium to long range, it will be more difficult for Big Fister to get me in a head lock.

This is why the guy with big fist has to move in by using knee kick or foot sweep to close in. The big fist is only used in the punching range unless you hold a big fist and run toward your opponent like a mad man.

[intercept8]

This is why the guy with big fist has to move in by using knee kick or foot sweep to close in.

Or you could step on his foot :

[YouKnowWho]

To step on your opponent's knee is even better. The moment that your opponent looks down, the moment that you punch at his face.

[Faux Newbie]

The distinction between the knee kick and some foot stomps is often one of target selection.