NFL players like DeMarcus Ware use MMA skills to sack the opposition
NFL players are increasingly using mixed martial arts (MMA) training to help them become better football players. A recent AP story highlights how some top pass-rushers are spending time off the field honing MMA skills in order to get around offensive linemen and to the quarterback.
In particular, the Denver Broncos' DeMarcus Ware, the Vikings' Brian Robison, and the Packers' Datone Jones all say that MMA techniques are crucial to their gridiron success.
From AP:
Packers pass rusher Datone Jones said MMA training helps his "hand-eye coordination, balance, body control and just being able to strike, being able to endure more." The ancillary benefit, he said, is greater flexibility, "so it's working on more areas so you get stronger, flexible, faster, looser."
Vikings pass rusher Brian Robison said mastering MMA techniques and transferring them to the football field "allow you to rush the passer a little bit easier."
Eight-time Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware has trained with Valentin Espiricueta of AppliedMMA in Dallas since his rookie season, back in 2005. Understanding grappling gives Ware more tools to get around massive, quick and handsy O-linemen than some of his teammates have.
"If I didn't learn martial arts, I'd be just a basic dip-and-rip guy just trying to go around the corner," Ware explained.
UFC title contender Matt Brown explained how MMA skills help you learn to control the body of an opponent. "What we're doing at least in the grappling aspect of our sport is we're manipulating another man's body, putting it where we want it, whether that's putting it on the ground or moving it to the left or right or off-balance," he said.
Ware says that the football benefits of martial arts was taught to him by former NFL defensive end Greg Ellis. Ellis advised the young Ware to learn skills that would allow him to rely on more than his athleticism, which would fade with age.
From AP:
"Greg Ellis told me, 'You're not going to have this speed forever. But you can have the quickness.' So, one thing I learned when I did have a lot of ability, like Von Miller, was I would actually just beat guys from here," Ware said, tapping his right temple, "instead of beating them just with athleticism."
Read the full story to hear more about some of the MMA training programs that are specifically tailored to NFL players. Then, take to the comments section or Twitter and let us know which NFL players you think would do well in MMA!
