Combat Sports Conditioning - Working the Sprawl

Combat athletes take a beating on a daily basis. Combat sport conditioning programs should not add any further trauma to the combat athlete.

Sprawls in particular is one exercise that can beat up combat athletes if consisently done on hard surfaces as well as performed frequently during conditioning sessions.

Two videos below highlight proper sprwal training. On the first video, professional mixed martial artist, Lamont Lister demos how to get one hip down to the ground by actually turning the hips. This will help avoid single-leg takedowns.

The second video demos how to use a stability to train that combat sport specific skill while avoid contact with a hard surface.

Thanks Daniel for the great variation !

Anthony "The Animal" Gatt

We've only been working with Anthony for a couple months but his work ethic and the love of his combat sports is inspirational.

Anthony had a fight only 11 days ago in Oaks, PA. This week he got a call about a fight in Butler , PA. Before we knew it Anthony was on his way to Butler... ready for war.

It was a tough fight with the local fighter winning a 4-round decision. Anthony was knocked down early in round one but quickly recovered and outpaced the local fighter for the next 3 rounds. The number of power-punches Anthony threw was astounding. Even the announcers were amazed.

I might be biased, but I gave Anthony that fight. Great fight Anthony, it's honor to work with you.

Speed Training for Combat Sports

One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive is," How can I get faster ? "

Speed training for combat sports is an interesting topic that deserves some detailed attention.

Speed is your ability to move quickly and it's one of the most important
bio-motor abilities required in combat sports.

Speed is also multi-directional, since movement is performed from
multiple angles and positions during a match or a fight.

Speed not only includes the speed of your own actions, but also the speed of
your RE-actions. Or how quickly you respond to your opponents movement.

Generally, there are 3 elements to speed training:

1.Perfecting Reaction Time

2.Speed Training Proper

3.Strength and Power Exercises meant to enhance power output (Sozanski and Witczak 1981).

There are also many methods used to train for speed. The main method, and the one I'll discuss here is known as the Repetition Method.

To make improvements in speed 3 elements must be present:

1. High Quality of Movement

2. High Frequency of Movement

3. High Specificity of Movement

Let's take a more detailed look at those 3 elements.

High Quality of Movement

Motor Learning research shows that it takes 300-500 repetitions to learn a new movement, however, it takes 3000-5000 repetitions to correct a faulty movement
(Motor Learning and Performance, Schmidt,1941).

Taking your time and focusing on high quality movement will ensure that you're actually developing the skill that you're attempting to refine and improve.

Speed is movement specific, developing poor quality movements will only hinder the development of speed in the skills that you wish to be quick in.

There is no correlation between speed of leg movements and arm movements and very little correlation in movements that require different coordination (DeVries 1980).

High Frequency of Movement

Once you have mastered the mechanics of the skill that you wish to improve, it's time
to focus on your frequency of training.

This directly applies to The Repetition Method. All too often intensity is stressed before consistency or frequency, which can lead to poor quality of movement and develop competeing motor patterns or skills.

Remember, speed is movement specific.

Set aside training time everyday for practicing, not sparring the skills that you wish to be quick in.

Really practice and go deep into the skill. Only when that skill becomes
concrete within your nervous system will you start developing speed.

I suggest you actually track how many repetitions you perform of each drill.
We've made this easy for you, just print out our Combat Sports Skill Acquistion Chart
and take it with you to your academy.

High Specificity of Movement

I've said it 3 times now, speed is movement specific. Practicing a right Cross will not improve the speed of your Jab or low kick, simple enough.

In following articles I'll spend more time discussing the other methods for developing speed.

But remember, keep those 3 elements at the forefront of your mind when training for speed:

1. High Quality of Movement

2. High Frequency of Movement

3. High Specificity of Movement

All the best,

Jason C. Brown BS CSCS

P.S. If you're a self-taught Combat Sport Athlete, you're probably also highly-
motivated. You teach yourself to do the things that will move your
fitness and Combat Sport Conditioning forward.

And you're probably looking for Combat Sport Conditioning programs and
resources that you can study and test out on your own time.

I designed Combat-Sports-Conditioning.com
for Combat Sport Athletes like you.

Check it out here: Combat Sports Conditioning

deVries H. A.1980. Phsyiology of Exercise for Physical
Education and Athletics.Dubuque, IA:Wm. C. Brown Company Publishers.

Schmidt. 1941. Motor Learning and Performance.

Sozanski H., T. Witczak.1981. Trening szybkosci. Warsaw: Sport i Turystyka.

Band and Medicine Ball Drills for Grappling Combat Sports

My introduction to this band drill for grappling combat sports came from Rhadi Ferguson. I'm not sure if Rhadi took it from this gentleman but I'm glad he passed it on.




If you'd like to take this drill one step further please check out the second video below. In my opinion, this Drop Seio Nage drill performed with a Tornado Ball has even more carry over into the actual throw.

If you'd like to learn more about Combat Sports Conditioning please click here !

To check out some sample articles please click here: Combat Sports Conditioning Articles