
Understanding the aerial combat position in BJJ
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a highly dynamic martial art that relies on positioning, movement and technique. Many positions in BJJ are considered essential to remaining competitive on the tatami. A good example of this is the half guard air combat position. It is a very useful position in all fighting situations, including mixed martial arts. Today we will discuss this position in detail.
Location before sending
Positional dominance is perhaps one of the most critical skills to learn in grappling. Being able to physically dominate someone using proper leverage ensures you stay on the offensive while simultaneously forcing your opponent to exert more energy in a given exchange.
Focusing only on positional dominance can help you win matches, as pinfalls and reversals are awarded points in most wrestling rules. Many of the best BJJ athletes of yesterday and today are masters at using their bodies to positionally overwhelm their opponents. Some examples of these great athletes include Ricardo Arona, Andre Galvao, Kaynan Duarte, and the late Orlando Sanchez.
Becoming a submission expert is always a valuable asset, but there is no guarantee that you will be able to get a submission in your matches. For this reason, we encourage you to spend more time on positional work than submission drills.
The Dogfight Half Guard
Dogfighting is a position in half guard where you are side by side with your opponent while on your knees. The main advantage of using the aerial duel is that it keeps you relatively safe from submissions and, at the same time, opens up opportunities to sweep, take the back and recover the guard.
Check out this video where 10th Planet black belt Brandon Mccaghren shares the basics of aerial combat half guard.
The best time to start dogfighting is when your opponent decides to destroy you using his body weight. From the basic knee guard position, allow the opponent to initiate the attack by lowering the defenses slightly. This will encourage them to move forward and make a pressure pass. Keep everything tight by keeping your arms close to your torso as they try to break through.
When you see them come forward, now is the time to work on getting the hook as you lock their cross face and switch legs. The final step is to get on your knees while holding the hook. Performing these movements correctly should land you in the dogfight position.
A typical reaction from your opponent is to grab the whizzer and push past you. Counter these threats by moving in a circular motion to deflect their force and open up opportunities to sweep and take the defense.
Offensive air combat
Here’s a follow-up video that teaches two techniques you can apply in the aerial duel: the old-school sweep and plan B. We mentioned earlier that your opponent would most likely counter your hook with a whizzer. Once they’ve performed the whizzer, reposition your body while holding the hook and move towards their side while grabbing their foot.
Once you grab the foot, you can push it forward by pushing it towards the side of the grabbed foot; this technique is called Old School Sweep. This sweep is an extremely high percentage move and will catch many unsuspecting training partners. If your opponent defends by relying on or extending his unhooked leg, you can use the Plan B sweep to turn him away.
These two sweeps will form the basis of your aerial combat sweeps, as they are considered the essential techniques in the position. There are many other techniques available in aerial combat, but for now it’s best to master these sweeps and you’ll be on your way to becoming a better and more dangerous grappler.
Play with these techniques and feel free to switch between moves depending on how your opponent reacts to your movements. The dogfight is a technical position with many moving parts. Be aware of your position relative to your opponent and always be alert to incoming attacks.
Punch air combat
Air combat is a position that requires many hours of deliberate study and training. The stance is unique and can definitely add more firepower to your game, but it’s also very nuanced, meaning a small mistake can spell disaster on your part.
Of course, to participate in the dogfight, you must first enter half guard. If you are new to half guard, we suggest exploring the basics of the stance first, as many of the principles behind half guard also apply to aerial dueling. From here, slowly integrate aerial combat into your game by going for the underhooks when you see the opening. Don’t forget to stay on your side and use your arm to ward off attacks against your head and neck as you look for an opportunity to attack.
Practice entry into air combat from the knee guard. You can remove the shield while shooting the hook. Alternatively, you can also play possum and allow your training partner to move forward and attack. Take more time to learn the leg change, as it is the most subtle movement for most beginners.
Using air combat half guard essentially means fighting on your knees. Expect to experience a lot of moving, pushing, and pulling while in this position. It may take a few weeks (even months) of consistent practice, but you’ll get a lot out of the pose once you get more comfortable.
Conclusion
The aerial duel is a great offensive technique to learn if you play half guard. You can use it as the central technique of your half guard game and it is a powerful hub from which to initiate attacks. Regardless of your size, strength, and age, we guarantee you’ll learn a thing or two by exploring this position. Study and start wiping out your opponents with ease!
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