Fusing Sport Into TMA to Improve It

[dancingalone]

I'm starting this thread hopefully to show that the two worlds can bridged for the better.

We all know sport fighters work hard on conditioning and repetition and some traditional martial artists could revisit the topic to their benefit. What else would be useful?

The first idea that comes to mind for me is the 'sprawl' takedown defense popularized by MMA although it certainly was taught in martial arts before the likes of the Gracies made it famous. Considering that a football tackle resembling the double leg takedown is frequently the opening attack by an untrained fighter, the sprawl should be taught at the beginner level in any TKD school.

Thoughts? What other elements of sports training should be brought "back" too?

 

[Gorilla]

I'm starting this thread hopefully to show that the two worlds can bridged for the better.

We all know sport fighters work hard on conditioning and repetition and some traditional martial artists could revisit the topic to their benefit. What else would be useful?

The first idea that comes to mind for me is the 'sprawl' takedown defense popularized by MMA although it certainly was taught in martial arts before the likes of the Gracies made it famous. Considering that a football tackle resembling the double leg takedown is frequently the opening attack by an untrained fighter, the sprawl should be taught at the beginner level in any TKD school.

Thoughts? What other elements of sports training should be brought "back" too?

Some of our fighters crossover into MMA. The take down def is very important and the Sprawl is the first thing that we teach. The transition from TKD to MMA is a very difficult one.

Richard Junio Trains at our school. It was his first fight!

 

[ATC]

The sprawl was something I learned in jr. high wrestleing. I think it was also the first defence taught. The first take down was the single leg take down.

If we are looking at other sports I think basket ball has some good footwork that can be used and football also has some hand techniques that can be used to keep distance or push off an attacker.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I think the sprawl is a staple of wrestlers. Any good wrestling coach can be used a resource to teach it. Where they may be lacking is certain ancilary techniques such as a guillotine choke and going to guard that would not be used by wrestlers.

While a sprawl is a good defense, better yet are drills to keep the person from closing or strike them on the way in.

At a seminar with Rickson Gracie we did a drill where you would attempt to put your palm on a guys head simulating a punch as he tried to close and tie you up or take you down.

 

[dancingalone]

If we are looking at other sports I think basket ball has some good footwork that can be used and football also has some hand techniques that can be used to keep distance or push off an attacker.

I can dimly recall reading an article about sumo experts being brought into some NFL football training camp to help the linemen learn more techniques on how to drive their man back.

I'm sure there are lots of examples to relate to and from other sports. I've even heard that practicing choy lay fut improves one's serve in tennis because of all the loose shoulder arm strikes they practice in CLF.

 

[terryl965]

I believe they can both learn something from each other.

 

[Daniel Sullivan]

The only thing from sports that would say categorically most TMA schools need to look seriously at is the degree of physicality and hard core nature of the training that a good athlete engages in.

Many schools really miss the boat here. Especially given that most TMA are 'do' arts that are supposed to train you for a way of life. The level of hard work and training that high school football players put in at practice often far exceeds what I see at some MA schools.

Daniel