The Clinch is a Cinch

A private lesson on the clinch. First about the grip:

• Classic plum position your make your hands two hooks and grab the neck
• Fist grip: Place the thumb of one fist behind the neck and grab this hand with your opposite hand.
• Gable grip: Grip palm to palm keeping one forearm across the back of your opponents neck, use this to leverage, e.g. twist down to be able knee to the head.

You can if necessary head pummel in so that your head is under or lateral to your opponent’s chin. This allows you to see where your knees are going.

Pressuring drill

Throw soft hook knees. Your partner pressures into you, either on the left, right, or middle. If they push to one side, drop step away from this side, If they push center, choose a side and drop step. Deliver a knee with the drop step leg.

Knee drop step, knee takedown

Throw a hook knee, place this foot near and lateral to your opponent. Drop step with the opposite foot and throw a knee with this side. Repeat as you move them around the ring. From the hook knee, place your foot next to your opponent and transition into a lunge, bending them backward with your body. Pull with your far hand and push with your near hand over your leg.

Countering the overclinch

You have your opponent in the full clinch, they clinch over your arms. Rapidly elevate the elbow on one side, twisting your body to bring it nearly vertical. This should throw them off you.

Countering the counter to the overclinch

If you are the one clinching over your opponent’s arms and they attempt to do the elbow lift, go limp on that side and pummel inside to get underhooks.

Sensitivity as a Combat Attribute

Today I made an appearance at Goshin Jitsu. I hope to make many more. With the beginners we taught basic footwork, forwards, backwards, to the sides, and the rear 90° pivot. The two stepping drills we worked on:

1. Shuffle retreat, switch retreat, 90° pivot
2. Circling the mat using any step less than three times in a row, avoiding the blue pads, and trying to catch our team mates

We also introduced kicking, helping each other stretch and turn on the ball of the foot.

With the advanced students, I reviewed the jab range finder I learned at Top Level Gym. This strategy prunes your opponent’s decision tree by throwing the jab, followed by two “range finds” extending the arm and using the palm of the glove to make contact, you step laterally to set-up an outside line. This gives you information, if you cannot reach they are out of range, if you can just reach they can likely be hit by a kick or cross, and if your arm is bent it is likely best to throw a short cross or round knee. If you check their arm and it’s loose you know that it is likely you can push it aside to set up your shot and if they are rigid that they will be more easy to turn.

We did four 2-minute rounds:

1. Jab-range find-range find cross
2. Jab-range find-range find rear kick
3. Jab-range find-range find rear round knee
4. Any of the above with the holder feeding different energies.

"That's NOT Kickboxing!" when your son's second class has made him an expert

Defending the “flying” side kick to the knee (seen more often in MMA as of late):

• Step back
• Point the knee
• Drop the lead leg back to evade, land on your toes and return a kick to the head
• Step out 45° and circle step to kick the back of their leg

Plum defense

• On the grip side, bring your shoulder medial and superiorly popping their grip off, inserting your hand inside
• Overhook by grabbing their neck, pivot your shoulders toward midline

Catching kicks with more panache. Step with the kick, overlooking at the ankle, take a half-step back with your rear leg and drop their heel to the palm of your glove. Keep the leg off-line with your body.

• Throw across your body and follow with a kick
• Fake the cross body throw then pull back to the original side and throw their foot this way, follow the a kick
• Pull their leg straight back as you rotate your hips to throw a head kick
• Pull their leg straight back as you throw the round knee to the solar plexus, your free hand goes to their face, step forward and throw the elbow
• Pass their foot to the opposite hand, either step back with your lead leg to reach across their body and trip or step in with your rear leg as you reach across to trip with the contralateral leg to the foot grabbing hand

Jab Slip Counters

Worked four jab slip counters:

1. Opponent’s rear hand low, throws jab, slip outside. Your medial hand wraps behind your opponent’s neck far from you, hook with wrist, palm of lateral hand just distal to jab arm deltoid. Step up with your rear leg, then drop step and pivot 90° with your new rear foot laterally from your opponent.  Attempt to put your weight on top of your opponents, shoulder/back. Deliver knee with rear leg to body.
2. Opponent’s rear hand low, throws jab, slip outside. Your medial hand wraps behind your opponents neck far from you, hook with wrist, palm of lateral hand just distal to jab arm deltoid. Step up with your rear leg and knee with your new rear knee to the medial side of their leg at midline, simultaneously pull with the neck control and push their arm, as your body twists.
3. Opponent’s rear hand high, throws jab, slip outside. Hug at waist, deliver knees, stepping with foot posterior to opponent behind their leg, bending them laterally away from you, trip over your rear leg.
4. Opponent’s rear hand high, throws jab, slip outside. Your medial hand wraps at their far waist, palm of lateral hand just distal to jab arm deltoid. Step forward next to opponent, leaving about a fist distance between your shoulders, then pivot 90° toward opponent and deliver downward elbow.

Quick Evasion

A late update:

Rather than doing a two step evasion, sometimes it is necessary to do a quick evasion. Imagine a right triangle in front of your opponent, who is standing inside it, the right angle pointing to your midline. We are going to move both feet off line simultaneously. This will place you on a neutral stance, on the 45° diagonal. To your lead side it is a slide, to your rear side you will have to switch stance and end up in the neutral on the opposite diagonal.

The set-up is off the jab, using the bounce to throw the jab and then retreating, so that you have time to step off.

From either side you can:

• Throw a short kick or round knee
• Push their counter off-line and throw the cross, pivoting into your stance as you do
• Pull their arm down at the elbow, throw horizontal elbow

Dedication or Desperation

Today I did a 7:30 am private lesson in muay thai. If you had told me 10 years ago that I would ever train before 10 am I’d have called you a crazy person. But with maturity, comes responsibility without a loss of the desire to be a better martial scientist. Ian worked with me from the clinch, a lá judo tie-up each person with one hand behind the neck and the other on with lateral control of the elbow. We traded hook knees to the ribs and flanks, alternating sides, until one person rolled the elbow grip hand underneath their partner’s arm securing medial control of the biceps. Stay hips close, head on your partner’s shoulder. It behooves the partner with outside control to roll an “overhook” over the elbow and underneath their partner’s axilla. Otherwise push their arm away and deliver a horizontal elbow to the face.

1. As your partner throws their hook knee on the side you have biceps control, twist their body by pulling with the neck control hand and pushing with the biceps side. They should fall, particularly if the movement is done from a hips in position and rapidly.
2. As your partner throws their hook knee on the side you have neck control, pull with both your grips as you sweep the their base leg with your ipsilateral foot.
3. Your partner delivers the straight knee on the neck control side, slide your arm control hand to the shoulder to push and throw the hook knee ipsilaterally to sweep them.

Possibly violating the Geneva Convention

Today I worked on more jab counters. In this set-up you step laterally 45° off line switching to the opposite lead. Simultaneously slap their jab offline.

1. Pivot 90° to original lead and deliver cross
2. Pivot 90° to original lead and deliver rear kick to the back of their leg
3. Pivot 90° to original lead and deliver rear kick to the kidneys
   1. Step through to throw cross
   2. Step through and in to throw rear elbow
   3. Step through and throw the rear knee to the midsection
   4. Step back and use this hip torque to throw a lead kick to their midsection
   5. If they create space due to injury or trying to escape, you can pursue by stepping through to throw the kick again
4. Throw the (new) rear kick to the midsection by lengthening and pivoting
5. Throw a jabbing side kick with the (new) rear leg to the lateral side of your opponent’s knee. Then pivot 90° to original lead and deliver rear kick to the back of their leg (careful you could really jack up somebody with even mild overzealousness).

Light Bulb

So after an unholy warm-up of sets of 10 individual then rapid kicks we worked on a series of simple “same-side” combos:

• Cross-same side kick
• Same side kick-“simultaneous” cross: that is throwing the cross immediately after the kick lands with your kicking leg in the air. Formalizing what I already do sometimes when the target presents itself right after I’ve kicked
• “Superman”: Fake the kick, by lifting the knee then winging it inferiorly as you throw the cross

The idea is that is you are throwing opposite, e.g. jab-kick, the breaking of the cycle or rhythm with the cross and same-side kick will be more likely to score.

In order to make this kicking sequence more effective we worked on the step-out bounce. Previously I’ve been rocking foot to foot, but sometimes it helps to bounce foot to foot, bring in the lead foot to the base leg (think Matee’s warm-up at his seminars). Bringing the lead leg back, loads it allowing your to spring forward, switch leads to step back retreat, or to easily reset for tiip or kick.

Years ago I trained for a week in Kyoto Japan. While sparring, I had a number of folks do exactly this to me. It was incredibly frustrating because they could transition into and out of range more rapidly than I could. Having it broken down makes it more easily added to the arsenal.

I still do muay thai...really...

Today’s private lesson focused on the reaction after defending the lead kick:

• Use the rear leg cover to defend their lead kick, rather than returning the cover leg to its original position, use it to step backward and retreat. Read your opponents reaction. You may have to do this multiple times to read them appropriately.
• If they stay there, rear leg cover, return the rear kick.
• If they retreat, step with the lead kick to close, return the rear kick.
• If they are aggressive, that is step in after each kick but without punching, check the kick with the lead leg, return to your original stance as you throw the cross.
• If they step in with a cross, rear step with the kick but leave the lead foot in place (a rear slip). Use the lead hand to cup their wrist, keeping your arm parallel with the ground, pull laterally, tipping them forward into your short hook or elbow. Use the sudden twist of your hips, without turning your legs, to increase power.

Always remember to circle out when you get near the ropes to restart the process of pulling them into this game.

You don't have to push very hard, they're standing on one leg

Today I warmed up with three rounds of progressively faster:

• 1-2
• Right kick
• Left kick
• Alternating knees
• Alternating tiip

First round was at my own pace, the second had at least 20 kicks and knees, and the third at least 30, in the same time interval.

Next we worked against the fighter who is attempting to close with a knee. That is, throwing the ranged knee to close, because that is either their style or you have shut down the game elsewhere. At first you read your opponent by check hand (simply extending your lead hand to push/guide them away as you step away), jab, and tiip. As they wear down, you work into landing your shots.

Throwing their left knee, you will typically evade to your left, and vice versa.

Lead evasion

Step your lead foot off 45° and your rear foot follows shifting but not changing your stance, simultaneously your lead hand checks, followed by a rear kick or cross. Alternatively, you can step and throw a diagonal downward  lead elbow, trying to cut the eye. Your hand will tuck to your ribs.

Rear evasion

Step your rear foot through to the 45°, bring you off line but not switching your stance, throw the downward diagonal elbow with your stepping leg. Alternatively, use this hand to check, and bring your lead foot back (switching to the alternative lead), to throw the kick with your new rear leg.

A final alternative is to catch the knee and sweep, again “circling” the knee (they knee left, you step left). In the direction you are circling, this hand will push on your opponent’s chest while the other underhooks their knee. You can throw a knee to their thigh, before sweeping them backward by pushing and lifting while placing your leg behind theirs.

I used the bag to work on this, giving it a shove or a kick to move and then as it swung back toward me to work on any of the above. I would try to push to hard, and the bag would push me aside. My coach, Ian, explained that this provoked set-up was for a fighter trying to knee you, they are standing on one leg, when they do this is when you check. This necessitates less physical force, to stop and place them at range.

Asthmatic Obscene Phone Call

Is what I sounded like after:

5 sets on each side of 10 kicks then 10 quick kicks

2 x 3 minute round of jab, right knee, right kick, right kick x2, cross, left knee, left kick, left kick x2. 10 kicks each side at the end of each round

1 x 3 minute round of jab retreat, jab cross retreat, and jab cross hook retreat

1 x 3 minute round of jab cover, jab cross cover, and jab cross hook cover

Vicious Details

On the Gaussian distribution of vicious, I’m at least in the 90th percentile of humanity. I cultivate methods of hurting other human beings. But I’m an amateur compared to the likes of muay thai former world champion, Matee “Dragonleg” Jedeedpitak, as demonstrated by his seminar at Top Level Gym. Matee has an apparently inexhaustible set of ways to control and inflict damage in the ring.

We started with a light warm-up of bouncing on the balls of our feet, then translating this into stepping out on alternating sides throwing a jab-cross. We then did one sided kicks and knees.

When you slip it is a more lateral motion and slouch than boxing to avoid getting kicked or kneed. It is important to keep looking at your opponent. Recover to your original posture, slipping back and then to the angle off the cross. To warm this up we slipped our partner’s jab, then cross, then the combo jab cross.

The jab slip counters:

• Elbow: As you slip, step deeper bringing your inside elbow up, fist pointed at the floor, and rotate the shoulder to provide power. In practice, target the flat part of your proximal forearm to their chest. In a fight, consider the axilla or chin (depending on your rules).
• Hook: Whip a hook to the chin, using the second knuckle (index finger) thumb down as of you were stabbing at a 45° degree angle into their neck. It is like throwing an inverted back hand but hit with your knuckle. We subsequently drilled this with the pads, but threw it to the belly pad for safety, followed by cross-hook-cross.
• Lead Kick: As you slip, slap/check their jabbing arm at the elbow, spinning them away from you. Now from there deliver the lead kick to the ribs, no step, simply use the spring rotation of the check. It is even more important to keep your rear heel elevated to allow the pivot.
• Hop Rear Kick: Again use the slap/check, if they step away use a small hop to deliver the kick to the leg with your rear leg. It is important to note that if they are in motion Matee recommends delivering the kick to just above the knee while if they are stationary to hit the mid-thigh.
• Side clinch: Enter as if throwing the elbow, but roll the hand up to (a) either grab the neck and push on the trapped arm or (b) clinch the hands together. Step back and knee, then pivot out to knee again.
• Body clinch: Lower your level and clinch at the waist, place your leg behind their near leg, bump it and throw them over this leg.

In order to apply this concept we drilled:

• Jab slip practice: Slip the jab laterally, straight back and medially but pretend you are sparring so that the jabs come in a broken rhythm.
• Jab-cross slip practice: As above but now slipping the jab and cross.
• Jab slip counter practice: As the first drill, but now try to apply the slip counters.
• 4-strike clinching: They throw any four alternating punches and you slip them all, return two strikes to their gloves.

Lastly we worked on some clinch counters:

• Side clinch escape: Your opponent has you side clinched. Drop your weight by bending your knees and post on their hip with your lateral hand. Lean laterally and lift your medial (formerly trapped) arm up and back (think backstroke) to escape.
• Face push clinch defense counter: You have the plum position and your opponent is pushing on your face. Look to your strong side and snap your opponent toward you (down if they are taller) as you lift the elbow on this side. Pummel your head to their triceps.
• Side clinch forearm insertion counter: Your opponent defends the slide clinch by placing a forearm in your neck, rotate your shoulder (catch their elbow between your pectorals and deltoid) and pass their frame, step behind them.

Of course Matee stressed relaxing, but also pointed out that anticipation and nervousness did not make things better. He points out not forcing your counters but having them as options depending on the rhythm of the fight.

Matee "Dragon Leg" Jedeepitak Muay Thai Seminar

Today I had the opportunity to attend a seminar by Matee Jedeepitak, a Lumpinee Champion for 6 years (something like 14 years longer than me j/k).  He is humble and humorous, apologizing when in his excitement to teach he slips into Thai.  His legs are massive, his calves are nearly spheroid from bouncing on the balls of his feet for decades.  His grace as he demonstrates footwork and technique is like watching fine art but I have the distinct impression that getting within range of his eight limbs would be akin to stepping into a man-sized blender.  Thanks to Ian Ransburg and Top Level Gym for hosting the seminar.

Warm-Up

“Footwork” consisted of being high on the balls of the feet and gently bouncing from foot to foot while keeping your hips over the feet.  We then did alternating lead jab cross, by shifting the weight forward with the new lead, going through the “footwork” steps for two beats.  Next was kicking, one side repeatedly bringing the knee and leg straight up to throw rapid kicks.  No hip rotation for this warm-up.  We then did same side knee kick then transitioning to the opposite side.

Catch Lead Elbow

Use your rear hand to catch and hook their jab, curling the wrist to grip their glove at their wrist.  Rotate the shoulders, pulling their jab hand and throw the lead elbow, bring the hand to the opposite side of your head, acting as a defensive shield should the elbow miss.

Catch Catch Lead Elbow

Catch the jab with your rear hand, catch the cross with your rear hand, simultaneously step 45° on the ball of the foot and rotate on your lead foot, letting their momentum pull them by while you throw your lead elbow.  The elbow is horizontal if your opponent is your height, downward diagonal if shorter, and upward diagonal if taller.

Slip Outside Clinch Drop Step Knee

Slip to the outside of your opponent’s jab, the contralateral hand on their elbow.  Step forward with your rear foot while your free hand grabs their neck on the far side.  Push their arm to cinch the grip, drop step your new rear foot and pivot 90°.  Slouch and keep the knees bent, keep your shoulders horizontal, your goal is to make your opponent support your weight.  Throw the rear knee.

Fake Jab Clinch

Throw the jab, provoking your opponent’s catch, now fake the jab and step to catch their neck on the outside.  Drop step and pivot 90°, pulling them forward, push against the side of their head with your free hand, throw the rear knee.

Catch Catch Cross Clinch Clear Drop Step Knee

Catch jab, catch cross, reach your rear hand (that caught their jab) and grab your opponent’s neck on the opposite side.  Sweep their hand clear with your lead hand and drop step for the rear knee.

We subsequently did a variation of this where we just tapped our opponent’s hands to clear them and then used a forearm that might accidentally be an elbow to the face to secure a cross clinch grip, not cheating but certainly not sporstmanlike.  From here we cleared the arm to then drop step pivot them to the rear knee.

Defense From the Above

Bring your swept hand thumb up and grab their neck, use your free hand to cup their elbow and rotate upward, setting up your own clinch (cupping the far neck and putting pressure with your other hand on their arm), either step back and knee, or grip palm-to-palm and do the same.

Underhook Kick Catch Pass

Your opponent throws a Thai kick to the body, they will hit your arm and you catch their kick by reaching across your body with your contralateral hand, hook their distal leg with your glove by curling the wrist.  Drop step your lead leg as you pull their leg across your body, drawing them to you.  Grab their neck with your free hand.  Now knee to the near butt cheek as you lift their leg and pull them backward for a throw.

If they throw their kick low, use the underhook catch to pull the soft part of the shin into your elbow.

Overhook Kick Catch Pass

Step with their kick and cinch a tight overhook kick catch.  Drop step your lead leg and pull them toward you as you pull their kick to the opposite side by letting it slip to the hand that caught it and passing it to the curled wrist grip on the opposite side.  From here you can either clinch if you are close enough, punch, or knee.

Freestyle Rounds with Single Element

We finished with a freestyle round where the holder called various combinations.  During each round we highlighted one of the techniques learned above, and in order to integrate the technique into our arsenals, it was set-up without a verbal cue.  We did catch lead elbow, jab trap forearm “elbow” knee, and out choice of catching the kick to clinch.  After each round we did 30 seconds of punches, knees, and kicks. After both sides had done their rounds we did 30 seconds of push-ups, crunches, push-ups, and seated cross toe touches.

Conclusions

Matee wasn’t trying to provide us with answers, combat sports are too chaotic, too uncertain to be definite, instead he was giving us options.  Options that are dependent on our body type and our opponent.  He repeats the advice that every champion I have ever trained with has told me: play, don’t force it.  A personal aside, I need to to keep my torso upright when I kick.