MMA 101 – Class 06

How’s it going class? It’s another Thursday, so you know what that means. However, I have some good news. After today’s class I’ll be giving you guys a short break. Yes, no class next week. You’ve earned it. No need to thank me, I know you appreciate it. Now, notepads and pencils ladies and gentlemen, because today, as promised, I will be presenting you with part three of my favorite part of MMA, the striking game. In today’s class we will cover the elbow strike as well as two forms of the knee strike. The elbow and knee can be used in various forms and various positions. The Flying Knee can only be used while a fighters is standing. You’ll see. It’s a lot of information, even though it’s only three strikes, and I do not wish to crush your fragile little minds. As last week, I have provided some nice instructional videos for your viewing pleasure to help you better understand the strikes. I even included a bonus Flying Knee video because it shows one of the craziest Flying Knee KOs I’ve ever seen. Watch it. Ready? Good. In my best Joker voice: Here we go…

Elbow Strike

An elbow strike (commonly referred to as simply an “elbow”) is a strike with the point of the elbow, the part of the forearm nearest to the elbow, or the part of the upper arm nearest to the elbow. Elbows can be thrown sideways similarly to a hook, upwards similarly to an uppercut, or downwards with the point of the elbow. Elbows are also used as part of the ground-and-pound fighting tactic. Fighters often use elbow strikes in conjunction with punches while in the full guard, half guard, side mount, or full mount in order to knock out or overwhelm the opponent.

Knee strike

The straight knee (also known as a front knee) is a typical knee strike, and involves thrusting the front of the knee into the head or body of an opponent. The straight knee can be applied from a stand-up position both, when the combatants are separated, or when they are clinching. A particularly effective clinching position for throwing front knee is the double collar tie, where the head of the opponent is controlled. On the ground, front knees can be effective from a few top positions such as the Side control and north-south position. Typical targets for the front knee include the head, hips, ribs, solar plexus, stomach and thighs.

Flying Knee

A flying knee (sometimes called a jumping knee) is a knee strike very similar to a front knee, except that it is performed in stand-up fighting by jumping, and often by rushing towards the opponent. A more reckless application of the flying knee strike can be applied by rotating the body so that the side of the knee strikes the opponent, used more as an offensive pushing attack rather than a concussive KO attack. Generally, flying knee strikes can be effectively applied when the opponent is off-balanced, recovering from previous strikes, or as a counter to a strike by the opponent.

Bonus Flying Knee Video

Well, that’s it for today class. By know you should be somewhat knowledgeable about the MMA fight game. At least the basics. Now you won’t seem like such a noob when all your friends gather around the TV and watch the fights. Enjoy your break. I know I will.