Shooting for the legs was a common practice even before MMA reached its current success. It is a common tactic in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling to take the legs off of your opponent. You will see someone trying for the legs in any schoolyard fight or drunken brawl. However, MMA has made the sport very popular so you need to be able to defend it.
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Use the Sprawl to Defend Against MMA Shoot
First, even though we are discussing sprawl, it is important that we acknowledge other methods discussed in the video. Keep track of all your tools. You need to have your head, hands and hips for the shoot. All of them work together to gain an edge. You have a multi-tiered defense when an opponent shoots at you.
He shows the head first, but I prefer to start with my hands because they have a longer reach. It’s kind of like three levels. There are three levels of defense: long-range, short-range, and mid-range. If the attacker breaches your long-range–hands–then you transition to the mid-range–head. If he breaches your mid-range–head–then you transition to short-range–hips.
Basic Sprawling
Most people who have been trained in martial arts won’t attack you without provocation. Unless you are fighting in MMA, the chances of the shoot not being as smooth and quick are low. It will likely happen quickly and you will have plenty of time to deal.
To stop your opponent from getting your legs, you can throw your legs back and drop your weight on his back. To hold yourself up, you must not drop to your knees and place your hands on the ground. You want him to hold all your weight with your legs extended straight ahead. You should also spread your legs out so they don’t face you. This is essential for mobility, leverage, balance, and mobility.
You can either fight him or punish his back and kidneys by hitting elbows and hammer fists. You can also push him down to the ground and then get up again. It all depends on the situation and the attacker’s skill level.
Sprawling from an Angle Shoot
You may be tempted to sway someone who has some skill. If this happens, you won’t be able to spread your hips straight back. It could prove ineffective and even dangerous. You will need to twist your hips and upper body when you do the sprawl. You will then be in line with your attacker’s body.
Next, grab the nearest leg and roll the opposite hip into him. This will force the forward hip out. Next, place a hand on the head and push it down. This will stop the attacker spinning around or pushing forward and giving you an advantage. Rotate your hips towards the attacker and align your hips with his body.
Ensure that you keep your weight on the attacker throughout the series. You give the attacker an opportunity to take control if you relax. He should be holding you up and your knees should be above the ground.
This all happens very quickly. You can’t just sit there and wait for him to decide. Or he will decide what next steps to take, you must immediately start an offensive.
Keep it real and you’ll be safe.
VIDEO: Defend Against MMA Shoot Using Basic Sprawl Technique appeared originally on Personal Defense World.
