Re: Transition fakes and rabbit punches
Sorry I was actually typing a reply the other day but forgot to send it and lost it all.
In response to your question, as to what the “alternatives” could be - there are just so many. I’ve written so much on the subject and I could easily just write so much more. But let me just sort of... keep this frank.
There are a lot of different ways to approach - and effectively remedy - the specific issue of “grapple advantage”, its connection with the denial system, and the resulting impact on the meta which I mentioned in the OP (rabbit punches, waiting, transition fakes, lack of activity, etc).
Some of these options may, admittedly, require a rather drastic overhaul of the grappling system in place. And thus are unrealistic to expect any time soon.
However, there are also some fairly simple solutions that I believe could be implemented today, into the grappling system we already have in place, with only minor tweaks. And I believe they could work fairly well. So for time’s sake, I’ll just briefly mention a few of these “simpler” solutions - or “alternatives” as you put it - that I believe could really remedy the current aforementioned issues associated with GA, denials, and the resulting meta.
The simplest alternative, off the top of my head, would be to make denials less powerful. They should accomplish one thing: denying. There shouldn’t be an added “bonus” system, awarding faster transitions, major stamina drains, etc. Denials should tactically serve one purpose in an MMA game: stop a transition (and thus control a position).
Reason being, players shouldn’t fear having ONE of their transitions denied as much as they do. In the current system, ONE single denial yields a “bonus” which is so profound, and so punishing, it can cost you the match. As a result, activity is utterly disincentivized due to the dire repercussions of having your transition denied. Thus evolved a non-immersive, visually corny meta mentioned in the OP.
Once transition denials become less punishing, players will have less reason to transition fake, rabit punch, or simply sit idly. They can simply go for transitions, and if it gets denied, it gets denied. Perhaps a small stamina tax is fair, but the current punishment (due to GA’s correlation with denials) must be removed.
On this same theme, regarding a “simple fix”, denials and reversals should be assigned to separate inputs. This is crucial for a variety of reasons - namely the fact that there couldn’t be anything MORE DIFFERENT in the sport of MMA than a denial and a reversal. I’d argue that they’re complete opposites from a tactical standpoint.
A denial allows you to maintain a single position - so as to “settle” into the position, perhaps slow the action down, hell, even stall. Whereas a reversal accomplishes the exact opposite - it’s an active move to change positions entirely. It makes no sense that a well timed denial should be “rewarded” by automatically becoming a reversal or sweep. That’s like rewarding a well timed punch by automatically turning it into a flying knee.
Perhaps you have your opponent wrapped up in your closed guard and want to keep them there, denying their transitions before going for a submission or sweep. This is a legitimate, reasonable strategy players should be able to employ. Yet it’s impossible, because if you deny your opponent from passing your guard, you’ll automatically - against your will - reverse them and take top position.
That’s just one part of one idea, in one category of what I envision as viable “alternatives” to the current system. I’ve written pretty extensively on it before, perhaps I’ll make another post soon.
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