ADD SIDEKICKS TO YOUR MMA GAME
Mastering the Art of Sidekicks in MMA and Kickboxing
Welcome to another deep dive into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), a space where strategy and technique converge to deliver powerful and effective combat styles. Today, we're zooming in on a particular kick that can transform your fighting game if executed right: the sidekick. Whether you're a seasoned fighter or an up-and-coming enthusiast, learning how to integrate a sidekick into your style, especially if you often switch stances, can be game-changing.
Why Sidekicks?
Sidekicks, when done from an open stance, can become one of your most formidable weapons. They're particularly useful if you're someone who frequently switches between orthodox and southpaw stances. This versatility can give you a strategic edge over your opponents.
Understanding Stances
Stance switching is common in today's MMA matches. Fighters like Drake, Izzy, and Jack Della Madalena are known for their ability to switch stances, making them unpredictable and difficult to deal with. But why is stance switching beneficial for sidekicks? Let's take a closer look.
Open vs. Closed Stance:
- Open Stance: Involves an orthodox fighter facing a southpaw. It offers a direct line of attack and defense, making sidekicks more accessible and less risky.
- Closed Stance: Orthodox versus orthodox or southpaw versus southpaw. Here, the risk of receiving leg kicks is higher, particularly because of the traditional bladed stance, which is not ideal for sidekicks.
Why Choose a Sidekick?
Sidekicks mainly serve a defensive purpose, but they are versatile enough to become offensive when necessary. The key to their effectiveness is precision and timing.
"The real danger in doing it in the closed stance is that leg kicks. Leg kicks are very hard to deal with if you're in a very traditional bladed stance."
In an open stance, sidekicks can protect you from leg kicks that might be harder to deflect otherwise. Fighters can execute sidekicks while staying largely protected, provided they maintain the appropriate stance.
Perfecting the Technique
If you're just getting started with sidekicks or looking to refine them, here's a step-by-step approach:
- Start Slow: Concentrate on accuracy before speed. Practicing slowly will help you perfect your form.
- Focus on Stance: Make sure you are comfortable fighting in an open stance. This minimizes the risk of absorbent leg kicks.
- Work on Balance: Bladed stance helps in maintaining balance when executing a sidekick. Stability is crucial.
- Progress Gradually: As your accuracy improves, gradually increase the speed of your kicks.
Defensive Strategy
Sidekicks act as a great deterrent against opponents looking to close in. They create space and keep your adversary at bay, disrupting their rhythm and offensive strategies.
Defensive Tactics Include:
- Low-Commitment Kicks: Sometimes, it's effective to throw a sidekick without the intention of landing it. This tactic forces the opponent to back off instinctively.
- Psychological Advantage: Even a leg lift can make your opponent step back, giving you control over the pacing and distancing.
My Experience: Learning from the Past
I first incorporated sidekicks into my fighting strategy about a decade ago. Notably, I used them effectively during my fight against Francisco Trinaldo in the UFC. Facing a Southpaw like him, my sidekick arsenal came in handy for defense, allowing me to land numerous sidekicks while staying largely unscathed.
"The first time I really threw a lot of it was when I fought Francisco Trinaldo in UFC."
Fights like these underline how tactics like sidekicks can mitigate risk and optimize offensive maneuvers. They illustrate how a well-timed sidekick can shift the dynamics within a ring, turning a tight match around.
Navigating Leg Kicks
Leg kicks are a formidable force to contend with. From the open stance, they're easier to step off from or counter, even though checking can sometimes lead to risks, as it did for Anderson Silva against Chris Weidman.
Learning from the Pros:
Watching skilled martial artists navigate leg kicks can offer valuable insights. Fighters often use sidekicks to control range and maintain a safe distance, thereby minimizing the risk of a successfully landed leg kick.
Emulating the Greats
Switching stances and effective sidekick use are traits embodied by martial artists like Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. His intuitive use of open stances for kicks and closed stances for boxing exemplifies how to best employ stance switching and sidekick techniques strategically.
"He stands Southpaw more for kicking, and then he stands orthodox more for boxing."
The New Generation
Younger fighters keen on mastering these arts are already following in the footsteps of athletes who perfectly execute these techniques. Watching and emulating their stance and style transitions can be quite enlightening.
Concluding Thoughts
Incorporating sidekicks into your fighting style isn't just about adding one more move to your playbook—it's about creating more opportunities for defensive and offensive maneuvers simultaneously. If you, as a fighter, can switch stances and feel at home in open stances, then a sidekick could be a surefire addition to your arsenal.
Feel free to ask questions or suggest topics you want more insight into. For those new to martial arts, check out my book, "The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Martial Arts School and Instructor," to find the right gym in your area. As always, keep evolving and embracing every facet of combat sports.