Blow to the back of the head

asronn · 05-26-2007, 10:37 AM

I was just rewatching the last TUF and Arloski vs Cruz and a few other fights. I was wondering about the back of the head rule. I mean, if I guy goes into a turtle shell and all you can really attack is the back of the head what are you supposed to do?? Timidy is a foul in the UFC so maybe they should get the foul.. On the last tough they stopped a fight because of an elbow to the back of the head, but that is really all the guy was showing. He was just balled up like a turtle. If he isnt gonna fight you might as well stop it. Same thing with Arlovski. It seems like the blows to the back of the head is enforced loosly at best. What do you guys think? Is covering yur face and balling up like a turtle intelligently defending yourself? Should the fighter be penalized for blows to the back of the head in this instance?

RockemSockem · 05-26-2007, 11:20 AM

Body shots, body shots, body shots.

asronn · 05-26-2007, 11:28 AM

yeah but if you just do bodyshots the ref starts to warn you that you need to work or he gonna stand you up. It happens all the thime

RockemSockem · 05-26-2007, 11:34 AM

I don't remember hearing a ref say that to the guy on offense when one guy is in turtle position and the other is using body shots. Maybe if you're throwing crappy punches. But if the guy is in turtle there's no reason to not throw Fedor style. No ref is going to tell you to work if you're throwing heavy punches that are connecting.

Daniel · 05-26-2007, 11:52 AM

Studies show that in Judo competition, when attacking an opponent that's defending in the turtle position, only 3.9% of the time does the attacker actually succeed. There just isn't enough you can do from that position, even in MMA. Whenever someone is pounding someone, it becomes a game where the defender has to try to block the shots with the back of his head so his opponent can't throw anymore. Ridicules. Especially seeing as -in a real fight- one downward elbow to the spine or back of the head would end the fight right there.

What people need to do, is:

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockemSockem

Body shots, body shots, body shots.

I don't understand why people don't go all out when swinging into a body shot. They always go for light ones, why? You can break a man's ribs with a body punch with boxing gloves on, surely you can snap ribs and wind him easily with that superior position, and with those tiny gloves. If anything it'll open him up for a pounding, RNC, or arm bar.

Body shots, body shots, body shots.

Switch · 05-26-2007, 02:58 PM

Another technique is to attack the arms themselves. I usually just blitz with punches to wherever they land. The punches might not knock them out but trust me any blow you deliver takes it toll. Even if the referee does reset you back to your feet this isn't a bad thing when someone is just covering up.

duke09 · 05-26-2007, 03:19 PM

this has always kind of bothered me. when the guy is on the ground flailing around, is the aggressor not supposed to throw head shots for fear he may accidentally hit the back of the downed opponent's head? i think this may be the reason for the latitude when it obviously isnt intended.

i am all for the rule based on the safety of the fighters, but i think that this thread has certainly brought many of the difficulties and issues with this rule to light. nice work ff members.