Gravity isn’t your pal while you’re defending against takedowns. It’s running along your opponent to get you on the ground. Fortunately, you also have an best friend: the cage. The cages utilized in present day MMA are as strong as walls, permitting you to lean your weight to live balanced.
Cage taking walks, also called wall-walling, is the artwork of the use of the cage to help you get lower back in your feet. The wall can be simply as useful in protecting in opposition to takedowns. This article will discover a way to use the cage to increase your odds of successfully stuffing takedowns, how to wall stroll, and different sneaky procedures you can do with a cage.
Why The Cage Wall Matters In MMA?
The cage separates blended martial arts from conventional martial arts like Judo, Karate, and Kung Fu, which usually occur on platforms or mats. MMA introduces a brand new variable into fights with the cage wall. It’s no longer only a boundary; it’s a device that combatants can use to their gain. The cage can work as a 3rd base during scrambles, a backstop that prevents opponents from using you lower back and completing takedowns, and an get away ladder you operate to get lower back on your feet.
Some ways to use the cage on your benefit in blended martial arts include:
1: Don’t Get Flattened
Don’t permit warring parties to flatten your frame towards the cage if they successfully pressure you backward. That’s the worst function to be in, as your alternatives are restricted. Instead, pummel and comfy an underhook on one aspect even as posting your different arm for your opponent’s hips or the floor.
2: Get To A Hip
Wall-taking walks is one of the precious capabilities MMA warring parties could have on the ground. When carried out successfully, it should be extremely tough for combatants to interrupt down your posture and drag you returned to the ground.
Here’s the breakdown:
Turn for your facet. The first element you want to do is shift your weight to considered one of your hips. The cardinal BJJ rule holds here: by no means allow all of us to flatten you at the ground. Post your hand or elbow. Use it to create a base so that you can prop your self up. If vital, body to create space. Plant the foot of your bottom leg towards the cage. You’re going to use this base to push your self up.
Lean in opposition to when pushing yourself up so that you’re now not carrying all your weight. Let the cage do a number of the paintings. Pay attention on your head positioning while trying to wall stroll. Keep your brow near your opponent’s head or shoulders so you’re tougher to control. You’ll have a far tougher time returning for your ft if they are able to pull or push your head down.
3: Win The Underhook Battle
Going for underhooks is always an amazing concept whilst grappling, providing you with extra manage over your opponent’s body. You’ll have an less difficult time combating your manner again up towards the cage when you have an underhook. Secure double underhooks, and you need to have no trouble reversing the location and disengaging. The fighter who’s better at securing underhooks generally dominates clinch positions.
Can’t get an underhook? No trouble—use a whizzer (an overhook). A strong whizzer with a extensive base can stuff takedown attempts and open up reversals. To shield takedowns with a whizzer: Thread your arm over your opponent’s shoulder and below their armpit. Dig in as deep as you may and widen your base. Drive your hips into your opponent and circle to the facet of the whizzer to escape.
4: Secure Wrist Control
Wrist control is the next high-quality thing whilst you can’t cozy underhooks. Controlling one of an opponent’s wrists prevents them from locking their fingers together and completing takedowns. Wrist manage additionally makes it simpler to peel their manipulate of your legs or torso, flip and escape, and submit. Wrist manipulate is one of these tiny information which could considerably effect clinch positions.
Practicing Your Wall-Fighting Techniques
Practice makes ideal, especially on the subject of scrambling in opposition to the wall. Here are a few drills in an effort to improve your capability to apply the cage to your benefit:
Wall-Walk Stand-Ups: Start seated along with your lower back towards the wall and a education associate on top. Work through posting, turning on your aspect, and on foot up the use of the cage. Perform so many reps which you’re able to wall-stroll to your sleep. You’ll also have to worry approximately punches, knees, and elbows during an MMA healthy, so this movement need to become instinctive for you.
Pummeling: Start in a clinch at the wall. Fight for underhooks and head role with a training associate. This drill helps you learn how to pummel and use the cage to create angles.
Wrist Control And Grip Breaks: This accomplice drill entails your associate trying to lock their hands even as you try and control one in all their wrists. You can carry out this drill even as standing or on the floor.Whizzer To Escape Or Reversal: Have a education accomplice shoot in on you at the same time as you operate a whizzer to sprawl out of it and escape.
Final Thoughts
Using the cage to guard against takedowns or fight your manner again for your ft is one of those competencies that separates beginners from veterans in MMA. Remember, the cage can be an additional base in case you understand a way to use it.
