The topic of fighting ranges is one that I feel all martial arts or self-defence students should learn from the very beginning of their studies. Without a thorough understanding of what range you need to be in to use all the techniques at your disposal, there’s a very real chance that you will attempt an inappropriate movement and get yourself into trouble. This knowledge will also aid you in always using the most suitable technique for the range you are in, which will greatly improve the odds of you being successful in your endeavours.

 It’s my belief that many fighting systems and Martial Arts over-complicate the topic of ranges of combat. Some systems even identify as many as seven different ranges, making it difficult for students to just remember the names of the ranges, let alone the techniques that apply to each range. A simplified way of identifying ranges will ensure that confusion is kept to a minimum, and we can get on with the business of learning to use our techniques in the most effective manner possible.

To facilitate effective learning for students, it helps to attribute names or labels to each range so that it is easy for beginners to remember, and to associate techniques with their correct ranges. I believe this is where many instructors begin to over complicate the matter by not really thinking through the names they attribute to the ranges. One example is the common practice, particularly within MMA, of referring to 3 ranges called ‘standup’, ‘clinch’ and ‘ground’. The reason I steer clear of using these terms to define ranges is because they are not very clear in where one starts and the other finishes. Generally speaking, the standup label refers to a range that allows striking only but what if an opponent grabs my wrist and is standing at full arms reach whilst punching me with his free hand, are we in standup range or clinch range? I like to look at clinching as more of a component of fight training, or a phase of a fight. We can strike whilst clinched up, so separating ‘striking’ and ‘clinching’ as ranges doesn’t really simplify things for us either. Also, the standup label doesn't factor in the difference in distance required to deliver the different methods of striking such as kicks, straight punches, short punches, elbows, knees etc

In order to meet the criteria mentioned above, at Millennia Academy we have identified four key ranges that cover all facets of fighting whilst keeping the study of fighting methods simple.

          These four ranges of Fighting are (from furthest to closest):

1.   Long Range  – Long Range is that range that allows only the longest of weapons to reach their target. This range includes the use of firearms and other projectile weapons, as well as long handheld weapons such as sticks and poles. The only body weapons that can be employed at Long Range are kicks. It could be argued that this constitutes a number of ranges (you can throw an object from further away than you can deliver a kick), but again I’ve decided to go for simplicity as opposed to detail. The key here is that the martial artist identifies that they are too far away to grab, punch, and knee or elbow their opponent.

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3.   Close Range – Close Range is the first range where the majority of wrestling and grappling techniques can be implemented. This range enables the use of short punches (hooks, uppercuts), most knee strikes, some elbow strikes and most Clinching Techniques.

4.   Extreme Close Range – the shortest of all fighting ranges. This range limits the type of strikes that can be utilised to short punches, elbows, head butts and knees. Extreme Close Range is the range that most takedowns occur at, and is also the range that involves most aspects of Ground Fighting. In this range we also see the implementation of ‘foul’ or ‘dirty’ tactics such as biting, eye gouging etc.

It’s important to note here that external weapons can be utilised in all of these ranges, with the length or size of the weapon generally having to be directly proportionate to the range you are fighting at. As an example, it will be much harder to reach an attacker with a small knife from long range than it would be to do so at close range. Sticks and other long impact weapons are more effective for striking from long and medium range, but can be effectively used as grappling aids at close and extreme close range.

All Martial Arts and fighting systems should employ drills that develop skills in transitioning between the different ranges whilst utilising the appropriate strikes or grappling techniques. This focus in training will aid the student in becoming fluid in their range transitions and will greatly improve their overall fighting ability.

South Australian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Titles