MMA vs The Stomp

My neice had a fight over the weekend, she has a really good half guard overhook game transition to butters, rubber guard etc. However we did not realize how dangerous it can be to get tunnel vision and stay too long in the overhook position trying to stomp. While she was setting up her stomp, she was getting pummelled. We trained not to use the pimp hand as it inhibits your ability to block their free hand, but she was still unable to stop the onslaught. She was able to get to safety of the rubber guard/ butterflies, but not without sustaining some damage. And although she was able to put up some great sub attempts, she lost by submission. We are going to start working her underhook game in some more so she does not get tunnel vision again, but is there a way to improve the stomp to minimize damage?

In my opinion, you should be able to at the very least get a weak super stomp while completely clinched and then mermaid if need be. If I'm in half guard or closed guard I am always looking for the clinch and never letting go once I have it. Jaws of life and whip down to pdu, with a great lockdown game, are essential to have a complete clinch game. You have to be able to transition between guards. Also, it's incredibly important to have a good prison guard too to complement your lockdown.

In my opinion, lockdown is the corner stone of the clinch game. Trying to rely soley on rubber guard without some game in lockdown is not desirable, in my opinion.

Do you have video?

I can't think of how she'd get hit while going for the stomp.

Have someone on top of you in half guard and try not to get hit, not easy. (with an overhook, your other hand is either pimping or blocking shots, take your pick) I was blind to it also.

I know that having an underhook game is vital, I am just trying to salvage the overhook game.

Hellllllppppp!!!! Abort Abort Abort!!!!!!! help please!!!

Unfortunately, video might be required for more feedback. She very well could have been making a mistake that could be fixed and there's no way for us to see that. What was she doing with the free hand because you said she wasn't "pimp arm"ing? Was she following the bicep or something else?

Originally Posted by Dwight Roux

Have someone on top of you in half guard and try not to get hit, not easy. (with an overhook, your other hand is either pimping or blocking shots, take your pick) I was blind to it also.

You said she was getting pummeled. I can see arm punches, but I can't think of how I'd get pummeled when going for the stomp.

So the way I'm picturing this, the guy on top has me flattened out with head and arm control, so I start working for the stomp. As long as he has head and arm, I'm safe. Can't punch me from head and arm because your hands are occupied maintaining head and arm. The moment he lets go of head and arm, I have a window to go straight to double unders. I'm thinking I can even dive for the electric chair position with a pimp hand in their armpit. But if I'm getting punched, I don't see a need for the stomp at all.

The stomp is a back up plan for when the person on top won't let go of head and arm. The moment they start punching, they let go of it. Pummel to double unders and work from there.

Does that help? Or am I picturing this wrong?

Just do a head and arm control from the bottom. Stay clinched. Go super stomp instead and don't even bother with the pimp arm. Secure the over hook after getting to super stomp.

Or, since it's mma, just use the stomp hook to sweep: get the far side over hook and use the stomp hook to lift towards the far side over hook. Super easy to do if they have all their weight on you as usually happens in half guard AND it sets you up for some sweet mono control/gogo clinch/upside down rubber guard.

But my biggest suggestion is to stay completely clinched, at all times. Clinch = limited punches

To improve the stomp to avoid damage I'm guessing you can move your head to the overhook side. Or use the underhooking arm pull yourself tight to the opponent's shoulder and keep your chin on their shoulder, facing their ear. Basically just put your head/face in a place where they can't reach. Not sure if it's legal, but you can also dig your chin into their collarbone. That's some CACC pain compliance type stuff, but pain compliance can get guys to open up.