MMA: Utilizing Triangle Points when Striking by Joe Silvia

While many of you are familiar with using the triangle point in the clinch and the ground, you also can use it in the stand-up. If you have an opponent who is walking you down, if you strike his body INTO his triangle points, your punches will have slightly less power, but will have an off-balancing quality to them since you are projecting power into his break in balance. The possible outcomes of hitting into his triangle point:

1. Stops him in his tracks momentarily. He needs to restart his momentum allowing you attack or evasion opportunities.
2. Knocks him off-balance momentarily, and he needs to get back to base camp and renew his attack. A greater attack or evasion opportunity.
3. Knocks him down, even if he is not hurt. This opens up a can of opportunity worms.

A way to amplify your damage is to strike AGAINST his triangle point at up to 90 degrees. This is where his balance is strongest, but it's also where he is most rooted to the ground. This means his body will absorb ALL the power being transmitted without moving. Lastly, the triangle is 3 dimensional. This is why uppercuts and knees are so damaging (or a schoolyard kick to the crotch)....because a person's head was being hit AGAINST the triangle point. Also, why we promote proper posture over being bent over. So to mix and match these with an opponent, you need your footwork. Don't just look at footwork as something you "do." It should have a purpose, a plan. One of the uses is to get an angle to strike into and against triangle points. In this GIF of James Toney vs. Roy Jones you see a fine example of punching INTO a triangle point.

Thanks to the unknown GIF maker.

In this image of Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott you see a fine example of someone who was great at punching AGAINST triangle points.

Photo credit:  http://www.rockymarciano.com

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