MMA Techniques and Topics
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in its current form arrived in the United States in 1993 when Royce Gracie won the first Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament. MMA combines concepts and techniques from many martial arts to create a truly efficient and modern fighting system.
At Broad Street Kickboxing, we offer classes for athletes to learn the principles of Boxing, Wrestling, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai, and to develop the skills necessary to practice techniques both safely and efficiently
Our classes cover a wide range of techniques and topics, including:
Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport that involves two athletes wearing gloves and throwing punches at each other.
In MMA, boxing is a crucial component of striking and athletes will learn the principles of boxing as it pertains to MMA.
This includes techniques such as footwork, punching combinations, and head movement, as well as defensive boxing techniques such as slipping, blocking, and parrying punches.
Boxing can also be used to set up takedowns, and our athletes will learn counter wrestling techniques to defend against takedowns and get back to their feet.
Overall, boxing is an essential skill for any MMA fighter, and our coaches will help our athletes develop their boxing skills to be effective in the cage.
Wrestling
Wrestling is a combat sport that involves grappling techniques such as takedowns, throws, and pins.
In MMA, wrestling is one of the key components of grappling and ground fighting.
Athletes will learn the principles of wrestling, including techniques such as double leg and single leg takedowns, as well as techniques to control and pin opponents on the ground.
In addition to offensive wrestling techniques, athletes will also learn defensive wrestling techniques such as sprawls and guillotine chokes.
These techniques are essential for defending against takedowns and submissions and getting back to a standing position.
Wrestling is an integral part of MMA, and our coaches will help our athletes develop their wrestling skills to be effective in both offensive and defensive situations.
By mastering the art of wrestling, our athletes will be able to take control of their opponents and dictate the pace of the fight.
Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a combat sport that combines elements of boxing with techniques from martial arts such as karate and Muay Thai.
In our kickboxing classes, students will learn the principles of striking with punches, kicks, and knees.
Although traditional kickboxing rules do not allow the use of elbows, some forms of kickboxing such as K-1 permit the use of knees.
Athletes training in kickboxing for MMA competition will learn how to effectively use knee strikes, as they are permitted in MMA.
Our coaches will guide them on the various techniques to utilize these techniques in the cage, as well as teach footwork and head movement to create openings for strikes while avoiding incoming attacks.
Unlike Muay Thai, where knees and elbows are frequently used to attack, in kickboxing these techniques are often used defensively to close the distance or create separation.
However, like Muay Thai, kickboxing emphasizes the importance of combinations, angles, and timing, which are all key in MMA.
Our training also focuses on situational drilling, where athletes learn how to respond to specific scenarios that commonly arise in MMA fights.
This training helps our athletes to effectively adapt their kickboxing skills to different situations in the cage.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Head Coach Jake Skelly is a Black Belt in BJJ and a national champion in MMA, with over 15 years of experience in the sport. With his expertise, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the coaching team at Broad Street Kickboxing.
To further enhance our BJJ program, we are proud to share our gym with Osagame, one of Philly’s top BJJ clubs. Osagame is headed by Black Belt brothers Ray and Ron Huxen, who have trained and competed extensively throughout the USA. This partnership allows our athletes to train with some of the best BJJ practitioners in the region and learn from their years of experience in the sport.
Under the guidance of Coach Skelly and the Huxen brothers, our athletes will receive top-notch BJJ training that is specifically tailored for MMA competition.
By learning and training advanced BJJ techniques, students can gain a significant advantage in their MMA fights by controlling and submitting their opponents on the ground.
Some specific BJJ techniques that are commonly used in MMA include the triangle choke, armbar, rear-naked choke, and guillotine choke. These submissions are highly effective in taking down an opponent and can be executed from various positions, such as the guard or mount.
Overall, our BJJ programs are an essential part of our MMA training at Broad Street Kickboxing. With the expertise of Coach Skelly and our partnership with Osagame, our athletes will receive the best BJJ training in the city and be fully prepared for MMA competition.
Judo
Our Judo training is an exceptional aspect of our MMA offerings at Broad Street Kickboxing.
Judo is a martial art that focuses on throws, takedowns, and grappling techniques, making it a perfect complement to our striking and grappling programs.
Many of the throws and takedowns taught in Judo are commonly used in MMA, and our coaches teach these techniques with a focus on applying them in a live sparring situation.
In addition to throws and takedowns, Judo also emphasizes groundwork, making it an effective grappling system for MMA.
Our gym shares a home with The Philadelphia Judo Club, which is the longest-running martial arts school in Philadelphia and one of the longest-running martial gyms on the East Coast USA.
This gives our students the opportunity to train under Ray Huxen (Godan), also a third-degree black belt in BJJ and an expert in Judo, who provides world-class instruction and expertise to our students.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a crucial aspect of MMA training, as it is a striking-based martial art that teaches athletes how to use their fists, feet, knees, and elbows in a variety of combinations.
Known as “The Art of Eight Limbs,” Muay Thai allows athletes to strike their opponents using multiple points of contact, making it a highly effective form of striking in MMA.
In addition to striking, Muay Thai also teaches athletes how to clinch, which involves holding and controlling an opponent from a standing position. This can be useful in MMA for setting up takedowns or defending against an opponent’s takedown attempts.
Clinching also provides opportunities to strike an opponent with knees or elbows from close range.
Another important aspect of Muay Thai is its emphasis on sweeps, which involves using a leg or foot to sweep an opponent off balance and bring them to the ground. This can be an effective technique for taking an opponent down or defending against a takedown attempt.
Overall, Muay Thai is an important discipline for MMA fighters to learn as it provides a well-rounded striking foundation that can be used in combination with other techniques such as wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. By learning the principles of Muay Thai, athletes can become more well-rounded fighters and gain a competitive edge in the world of MMA.
Coaches
At Broad Street Kickboxing, our coaches are experienced competitors who have trained with many of Philadelphia’s top professional athletes. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our classes, and they are dedicated to helping our athletes reach their full potential.
Beginner Classes
All of our programs are designed with the beginner in mind.
Classes consist of a warm-up specifically designed to isolate the body parts that will be targeted during class. This may consist of jumping rope, doing bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats, or simply following the directions given to you by the attending coach.
Our coaches will provide guidance and support as you learn the basics of MMA. You will be introduced to a multitude of concepts, including distance management, striking to set up takedowns, defensive boxing, and counter wrestling, as well as highly technical Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai techniques.
With our help, you will develop the skills necessary to practice techniques both safely and efficiently.
Advanced Classes
For athletes who are serious about competition, we offer advanced training programs to help them reach their full potential. Our coaches will work with you to develop a personalized training plan based on your goals and skill level.
Our advanced training programs include:
Sparring sessions: Athletes will have the opportunity to practice their skills in a controlled environment against other athletes.
Strength and conditioning: Our coaches will design a strength and conditioning program to help you improve your overall fitness and endurance.
Technical drills: Athletes will work on refining their technique and developing new skills.
Competition preparation: Our coaches will help you prepare for competitions by developing a strategy and analyzing your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
