Bouncy Bouncy!

[chris davis 200]

Hi all,

I had a descussion on another forum with a couple of full contact/MMAists regarding the purpose of bouncing around a ring etc.

The main argument was that it made you alive in movement and was easy to move from and too. But they agreed that it produced alot of opportunity to counter.

Due to the lack of contact with the ground when in a bounce - you are intermitantley off balance constantly, generally at a set tempo.

This gives opponents the opportunity to read the bouncing that is displayed and counter when the guy is basically off balance.

This is a trate of Kick boxers and Boxers and explains very well why they do not really effectivley counter throws.

Some of these MMA guys also practice traditional methods - and they said that they didnt bounce which kinda disturbed the opponent - and used the bounce of the opponent to time attacks.

Now! my question is this.

If you do not train in a system that teaches this movement style (such as Karate, JuJutsu, etc etc) then why when in a tournement do you adopt this movement method?

Is it because remaining mobile but stationary is ineffective - or is it a security thing?

your thoughts?

Cheers
Chris

[ap Oweyn]

This is a trate of Kick boxers and Boxers and explains very well why they do not really effectivley counter throws.

Rubbish. "Bouncing" is a really rotten description of this motion if it's done properly. There's a constant and very slight shifting of weight. So slight that you're not committing a significant weight one way or another. You're just maintaining a low level of movement. When was the last time you saw a boxer literally bounce? Or hop? Or anything similar? Most I've seen have a pretty stable stance. They just bob or slip, keep their head moving, keep their level changing.

Kickboxers are less grounded than that because they're kicking. And the act of rising up from a deeper stance to kick can be slow and telegraphed. Whereas (to my mind) dropping into a more stable stance to punch, trap, and grapple is easier.

As for boxers and kickboxers not effectively countering throws, that's more a question of familiarity with the tactics of the thrower. Once a kickboxer has that, he can make modifications to make it work. Look at Maurice Smith for example. And for that matter, is there any empirical evidence that more traditional stances have had more luck resisting throws?

[Thai Bri]

I think you have a point. And bouncing out in the street, yard, alley, grass, mud etc. etc. is asking to fall over. Its almost like some kind of mutual hypnotic dance. Great if you break the rhythm, not so great if you rely on that rhythm.