Namido MMA Systems
Overall Explanation of Ranking:
The following ranking system is not all inclusive. Specific facets of the sport of MMA, such as flexibility, conditioning, training methods, and specific training drills are not addressed or included. It is the perogative of the instructor to set requirements and specifications of such things. However, the following ranking system does provide an outline of the technical skills and experiences required for each level in the Namido MMA System. In order to rank to a new level under the Namido MMA System, a student must show an increase in proficiency in regards to techniques required for the previous level, a proficiency in regards to new techniques required for the level being attained, and must have completed a set number of hours in actual dynamic implementation/combat. However, one should note that dynamic implementation/combat is not exclusive to formal amateur or professional level competition. Any and all dynamic implementation of the techniques, such as sparring sessions, in class tournaments, etc…, shall count toward the required number of dynamic implementation/combat hours for each level. Also, an emphasis should be placed on defense. For every offensive maneuver that a student is required to be responsible for, the defense/counter to that maneuver must also be required.
The first four (4) levels of the Namido MMA System are student/combative levels. The requirements for these levels will include and be contingent upon time spent in actual, dynamic utilization of the techniques required for each level. The fifth (5) level of the system will be the first Instructor level. Upon reaching the Level five (5) Instructor level, promotion to subsequent levels is contingent upon time and grade spent providing instruction. The sixth (6) level will be the first Senior Instructor level. Subsequent levels seven (7) through ten (10) will be Master Instructor levels.
Brian Means
Soke Dai, Namido Yudanshakai
Dean of Namido MMA Students
Level 1:
Objectives: The student will be able to:
· Explain the 3 parts of unarmed combat
· Explain the neutral zone and at least 3 ways to cover the neutral zone
· Explain and demonstrate the ways of covering distance: standing, shuffling, stepping, and rear-leg
· Explain and demonstrate different footwork maneuvers: exp., step-shuffle advance, shuffle-step-shuffle advance, etc…
· Explain the box theory of blocking
· Explain and demonstrate the angles of evasion
· Explain and demonstrate proper boxing/kickboxing stance and guards
· Explain the theory behind submission locks: isolation and extension
· Explain the different types of opponents (tall/strong, tall/weak, short/strong, short/weak)
· Explain the 3 different types of standup fighters: runner, jammer, blocker/counter
· Explain and demonstrate the 5 basic pins (scarf hold, shoulder hold, smother hold, side mount, and full mount)
· Explain and demonstrate the bridge and roll technique
· Explain and demonstrate at least 1 way to defend/counter each pin
· Explain and demonstrate both the closed and open guard
· Explain and demonstrate 2 way to pass the guard
· Explain and demonstrate the push sweep and the scissors sweep from holding guard
· Explain and demonstrate how to guard against strikes while at a disadvantageous, grounded positions (i.e., mounted, holding guard, turtle position, pinned, etc…)
· Demonstrate the clinch from several different positions: front, side, rear, overhooks, under hooks, over/under hooks, Muay Thai clinch
· Explain the three parts of a judo throw/takedown
· Explain the 8 points of kuzushi/angles of evasion
· Explain the five ways of breaking balance
· Demonstrate 3 throws/takedowns: O Soto Gari, Morote Gari, Tani Otoshi (Throws may vary in accordance with the individual requirements of the instructor)
· Demonstrate the sprawl takedown defense
· Explain and demonstrate the following: bobbing, weaving, slipping, shifting, rocking, retreating
· Explain and demonstrate covering and driving
· Explain and demonstrate the jab, cross, hook, uppercut, and overhand strikes
· Explain and demonstrate the front/push kick, side kick, roundhouse kick, and the back kick
· Fully explain and demonstrate the down kick and the cut kick
· Explain and demonstrate 2 ways to defend the down kick
· Explain and demonstrate any miscellaneous techniques that the instructor may require
· Complete a minimum of 25 hours of dynamic implementation/combat
Level 2:
Objective: The student will:
· Explain and demonstrate all criteria required for the previous level: all techniques which were required at the previous level should be demonstrated with an increased level of proficiency
· Explain and demonstrate 3 more ways to pass the guard
· Explain and demonstrate the spider guard, butterfly guard, and the figure-4 guard
· Explain and demonstrate the use of pain distratctions: i.e., elbow grinds, chin grind, head rub, knuckles to the spine, framing out, etc…
· Explain and demonstrate the cross-body armbar (juji gatame): should be demonstrated from different positions
· Explain and demonstrate the americana lock and the kimora (variations of an ude garami): should be demonstrated from different positions
· Explain the difference between a choke and a strangle
· Explain and demonstrate the rear naked choke: including variations of application
· Explain and demonstrate the rear mount (setting the hooks, maintaining control, stretching out your opponent, etc…)
· Explain and demonstrate the triangle choke (sankaku jime) and the applicable options (danged if you do; danged if you don’t)
· Explain and demonstrate the guillotine choke: should be demonstrated from different positions
· Explain and demonstrate ways to counter/defend cross-body armbar (juji gatame): at least 2 ways
· Explain and demonstrate ways to counter/defend the americana lock and kimora (variations of ude garami): should be demonstrated from both top and bottom positions
· Explain and demonstrate ways to counter/defend the triangle choke (sankaku jime)
· Explain and demonstrate ways to counter/defend against guillotine choke
· Explain and demonstrate ways to counter/defend against rear naked choke
· Explain and demonstrate different striking techniques from a grounded position and how they can be used to set up submissions
· Explain and demonstrate 6 more throws/takedowns: single-leg take down, O Goshi, Tai Otoshi, suplex, O Uchi Gari, Kata Garuma (these throws are suggested but may vary as the individual instructor desires)
· Explain and demonstrate the use of knee strikes from the clinch
· Explain and demonstrate 2 more ways of defending against the down kick
· Demonstrate jab, cross, hook, uppercut, and overhand techniques in several punching combinations
· Explain and demonstrate the different elbow strikes from both standing and grounded positions: elbow strikes should include rising, downward, lateral, lateral-rising, lateral-downward, rear, rear-rising, and rear-downward
· Explain and demonstrate any miscellaneous techniques that the instructor may require
· Complete a minimum of 30 hours of dynamic implementation/combat
Level 3:
Objective: The student will be able to:
· Explain and demonstrate all criteria required for the previous levels: all techniques which were required at the previous level should be demonstrated with an increased level of proficiency
· Explain and demonstrate the calf squeeze and the achilles squeeze
· Explain and demonstrate heel hook: should demonstrate the lock from different sides of the opponent’s body and different positions
· Explain and demonstrate the knee bar: should be demonstrated from different positions
· Explain and demonstrate ways to defend against the calf/achilles squeeze, the heel hook, and the knee bar
· Explain and demonstrate the arm triangle: demonstrate from different positions
· Explain and demonstrate defense/counters to arm triangle
· Explain and demonstrate 2 more ways to pass the guard
· Explain and demonstrate at least 4 ways of taking down a standing opponent while holding guard (grounded on your back)
· Explain and demonstrate all boxing techniques from the clinch: student should be able to explain how to adapt the long range techniques for use in a short range situation
· Explain and demonstrate ways to create space for strikes while in the clinch: exp., shoulder bump, wing brush, bicep strike, breaking balance, etc…
· Demonstrate all punches and kicks in several combination sets
· Explain and demonstrate 6 more throws/takedowns: corner-drop, Ko Soto Gari, Hiza Garuma, head-control takedown, Uchi Mata, Ko Soto Gaki (these throws are suggested but may vary as the individual instructor desires)
· Explain and demonstrate 2 more takedown defenses
· Explain and demonstrate any miscellaneous techniques that the instructor may require
· Complete a minimum of 30 hours of dynamic implementation/combat
Level 4:
Objective: The student will be able to:
· Explain and demonstrate all criteria required for the previous level: all techniques which were required at the previous level should be demonstrated with an increased level of proficiency
· Explain and demonstrate 2 more ways to pass the guard
· Demonstrate the ability to put together multiple submission combinations: Exp. Going from uma palata to a sankaku to a juji gatame
· Demonstrate 2 more ways to escape from a mounted position
· Explain and demonstrate 5 more takedowns/throws: heel-trip reversal, Tomi Nagi, single-leg lift, double-leg lift, Da Ashi Harai (these throws are suggested but may vary as the individual instructor desires)
· Explain and demonstrate defensive standup maneuvers. These should include: parrying, clipping, and basing to the elbow
· Explain and demonstrate how to utilize wrenching techniques in the clinch
· Explain and demonstrate any miscellaneous techniques that the instructor may require
· Complete a minimum of 30 hours of dynamic implementation/combat
Level 5
To attain a level 5/Associate Instructor level in the Namido MMA System, the student must complete, in addition to all of the requirements listed above, 18 hours of instruction/teaching.
Level 6
To attain a level 6/Senior Instructor level in theNamido MMA System, the Associate Instructor must complete a minimum of 45 hours of instruction/teaching.