The Immobilization Attack is an offensive action made possible due to the immobilization of one or more members of the adversary.

In martial arts, one speaks about immobilization when an action which makes it possible to control the movements of the adversary. It limits the opponent number of attacks and creates openings. The immobilization can be of short time (fraction of a second) or it can also be maintained (to prevent the adversary from getting clear). The unfavourable combatant who is immobilized can be more foreseeable and can also compromise his balance. He is thus more vulnerable.

The first stage for the execution of The Immobilization Attack is to find the good distance.

In “Striking Mode” and in “Clinch”, one must reduce the distance with an aim to immobilize an element of the adversary to attack it. Feints are very good tools to reduce the distance with a maximum of security. One can immobilize several parts (the hands, the legs, the head, the body…). In the phase of “Grappling”, the attack with immobilization is more frequent. The distance being already reached, the goal is to maintain the position with an aim of exerting a control which will limit the defense of the adversary.

The Immobilization Attack in Striking

• The method of attack with the most popular immobilization in my opinion, in stand up stance, is the “Trapping” or “Hand Trap”. The goal of the “Trapping” is to wedge or remove a weapon of the adversary to prevent it from attacking and creating an opening or an opportunity. Vasyl Lomachenko is a boxer who frequently uses “Hand Trap”.

 

• To catch the leg of the adversary is another popular way to carry out an attack with immobilization. One wants to catch the leg of the adversary when it launches a kick and to strike back with an offensive action while he is in balance on a foot.

 

• In the Clinch position, there is a lot of techniques of immobilization attack. The best techniques of immobilization in clinch are those where one is able to control the two arms of our adversary, with only one arm.

 

The Immobilization Attack in Grappling

The Fighting on the Ground brings more possibilities for attack with immobilization. Contrary to the stand up game, one can make use much more of his body to control an element of the adversary. Especially used for the “Ground and Pound”, it is not impossible to use the attack with immobilization to carry out a submission or to improve your positioning. One can also use the “Trapping” when one is in “Full Mount”.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is the one which, in my opinion, became the Master in the art of the attack with immobilization. With its great force and its background in Sambo, he have a great control on its adversary.