MMA Striking Drill: fighting your way in and out of close range

This is a drill from a while ago in class. We do a lot of these for a variety of reasons. Check out the video and then read the explanation below.

Here’s how it works::

• The attacker fights his way into close range with the body kick and then punches. Plant the foot of the kicking leg hard on the retraction and then accelerate forward into the jab, following up with hooks. Adjust the footwork to keep on advancing to close range.
• The defender fights his way out of it by backing up the attacker with short-range techniques like hooks or elbows. As the attacker is forced back and the distance increases, the punches need to lengthen from tight hooks to wider hooks, to straight punches. As soon as there is enough space, throw the body kick instead of leaning forward into punches and overextending. Throw it with power to both stop the attacker from countering you, but also make him pay for closing the distance.
• This is one possible way, there are plenty of others. There are also plenty of variations for this drill. Adapt it so it works for you.

Train hard, train smart!