Grandmaster Ken MacKenzie - Taekwondo Times

Top position
fighter is
controlled in
opponent’s
full-guard.
He then forces
his body upward
to create
space.
Immediately,
he follows with
an elbow to
his opponent’s
jaw.
With regard to distance, striking on the ground
is no different than the standup game. Striking
range is striking range. The issue is really one of
mobility; the space needed to achieve striking range
is easier to create when standing. A standup fighter
can change range by stepping forward and back,
altering a stance, or leaning to a side. Movement
will force openings that can be quickly exploited
with a well placed strike. Since one of the primary
defenses on the ground is to restrict mobility, the
capability (or the decision) to move may not be
there. Additionally, experienced ground fighters are
well aware of how to reduce the range by controlling
an opponent’s head. So what is the take-home
message? Finding the range to strike is more difficult
on the ground and the ability to do so may
determine the effectiveness of each blow. That
is why so many MMA fighters constantly try to
achieve a full-mount. This position creates ample
space while leaving the bottom fighter totally
defenseless.
What is the best way to create space? There
are a number of ways, two of which are the most
popular. First, when initially closing in on a downed
opponent, the striker can dive in with hopes of
connecting on the way down. This is risky as the
fighter on the ground has an opportunity to either
move out of the way or, more likely, will execute an
up-kick to the approaching striker. Diving in as a
tactic is generally something found in sport MMA
and not recommended for self-defense.
The second approach assumes the striker is
on top in the opponent’s full-guard as the latter
attempts to keep the range close for grappling.
One technique that a top position fighter
can use is called “posturing up.” It requires some
level of strength as the striker tries to elevate his
or her upper body, creating the necessary space to
attack. This maneuver is then immediately followed
up by strikes to the bottom position fighter’s head
and torso.
Asking what works is a loaded question. Most
fighters will tell you that the best technique is
the one that lands; however, some are clearly better
than others. For martial artists, according to
Mr. Del Real, the first rule to remember is that
there are no rules for self-defense—ever! Given
that strikers may have to work for the needed distance
that comes naturally while standing, it is no
surprise that Del Real endorses short, powerful
strikes. For him, there are three specific techniques
that produce the best results; elbows, European
uppercuts, and knee strikes.
Elbows are an excellent choice because they can
generate enormous power in a very short distance
from almost any angle. In addition, elbow strikes
are notorious for cutting opponents and inflicting
serious soft tissue damage. This technique is at the
top of the list because it is equally effective from
either the top or bottom position.
A close cousin of the elbow strike is the
European uppercut, which Mr. Del Real describes
as a boxing uppercut using the forearm as a striking
surface instead of the fist. The advantage of
72 November 2009 / taekwondotimes.com