Understanding Pressure Fighting: It’s NOT Just About Offense
In the field of martial arts, as practitioners, we have to consistently evolve and adapt, breaking common misconceptions and stereotypes for the best results. A significant misconception that was recently addressed by Hard2Hurt’s Icy Mike concerns pressure fighting. This type of fighting is often mistaken as being solely about offense. However, Icy Mike’s contrastingly fresh perspective provides us with an innovative approach to pressurizing opponents — it’s all about defense. Breaking the Stereotypes A common assumption is that pressure fighters need to be highly aggressive, almost wild and headstrong. Mike confronts this stereotype openly, demonstrating that aggression isn’t the key. When under pressure, fighters are often fixated on launching an offensive attack, leaving their defense vulnerable. Instead, if the pressure fighter employs an excellent defensive approach, they can not only ward off the opponent’s incoming strikes but also place them in unfavorable situations. Predict and Control Mike highlights the critical aspect of fighting as a balance between predicting your opponent’s actions and forcing them to make certain movements. The analogy is compared with the prediction levels involved in parrying and head movement. While the lowest level consists of mere reactions, the next level is about anticipating your opponent’s moves. The highest level, which Mike clearly favors, is about compelling your opponent to act in your desired manner. Moving is Winning A critical component of fighting pressure is mobility. In the video, Mike emphasizes not just moving forward but also to the sides, like executing a waltz, acting as a catalyst to break your opponent’s rhythm. By continuously moving, a fighter can disrupt the opponent’s OODA Loop (observe, orient, decide, act) – a pragmatical concept originally developed for military tactics. This continued disruption leaves the opponent unbalanced and guessing, giving you, the pressure fighter, a distinct advantage. Not Just Defense, But Proactive Defense What many fighters fail to capitalize on is proactive defense. Defensive moves are not just about blocking or dodging, but strategically crafting situations to force the opponent to act as per your prediction. As Mike puts it, your defense should be a bait that tempts the opponent into a less favorable situation. This way, you can control the outcome of the exchange using your moves. Don’t Fear, Just Win Fear is a natural response in fights, but it’s also a hurdle to victory. The idea is not to focus on avoiding losses but to gear yourself towards winning. Many new fighters may want to be counter fighters because it seems like a safer choice, but they end up only trying not to lose, forgetting that they are there to win. Final Takeaway Pressure fighting is not equivalent to pure aggression. While the sport may glorify the aggressive, offense-focused fighter, we should not forget the power of an impeccable defense as a strategic tool for pressure fighting. The entire process of pressure fighting is a deliberate balance between defense and offense – a rhythm between evading, predicting, and controlling the opponent’s moves. As we make progress in our martial arts journey, let’s remember that we are in control of the fight, not just reacting to it. And most importantly, never forget to win.Blablabla
Hard2Hurt is a YouTube channel owned by Icy Mike, dedicated to personal safety, fitness, and self-defense. Mike, an ex-law enforcement officer with martial arts background, shares skillful techniques and practical survival tips. With his real-world experience and approachable demeanor, he demystifies self-defense, making it accessible for all viewers.
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If you prefer more detailed instruction, I have a couple of in-depth courses up at http://hard2hurt.teachable.com
Chuck Liddell was one of the greatest counter punchers in ufc he dealt with pressure fighters very well
0:27 and 10:20 🤣
Makes sense. You can only build up pressure in a gas tank if the tank walls are sturdy enough to resist the gas set under pressure.
Sensei Seth, if martial arts don't cut it anymore at some point, you can always go into the lip synching business. You really got that down! 🙂
Breaking and wearing a guy down
bruh was Sensei in a fight ever? I mean no disrespect but.. he doesnt look like someone who can take a punch or even throw it. If he is legit than I am sorry
Pressure fighting is about making the other guy work and get tired.
Reminds me of how ippo moves when he's trying to do a dempsey roll in Hajime no ippo, he pressures by diagonally pressing forward and literally driving the opponent back by intimidating movements and checks, and when he has the opponent mentally fucked he just straight up digs into their liver and spleen with the dempsey roll.
What hurts more than getting punched is Mike with the burns.
OODA loop (Observe,Orient,Decide,Act)
3:13 reacting, predicting, forcing (parrying and head movement)
perrying
"…But on my way on gonna doing this arms start rotating If you get hit, it's your own fault!"
i'm totally guilty of this and this video will help me a whole ton , Thanks Guys !
Icy Seth and Sensei Mike? That's some red kryptonite ** going on there.
True, if your defence sucks, it’s very hard to come forward without getting mashed in the face.
Icy Mike can you teach me a comedian I am style s p brother or lox and king crooked brother with Horshoe gang about protection of my family uncle Prempeh my elderly mother and my nieces and Henry 8 th steff London is to gangsta for me say with lady banks they don’t sweets boys , Tion Wayne is what they even wanted them sally I can’t have them , Icy Mike speak with Professor David James of Jijitsu he has same realistic concepts on self defence, I would like to meet pick each other brains for to help to someone who does have a clue how to fight or defend myself and my family and loved ones I’m like Akala , I’m not a gangster From Michael smith or NOk
Crazy the being of this video basically explains how terrance crawford beat errol pressure
I gotta problem with trying to tank shots