Everyone agrees that range and distance are crucial concepts in the free-movement phases of combat. Experience in MMA competition has show, however, that range and distance change so rapidly in the course of a standing fight that hey are exceedingly difficult to control. If a fighter closes the distance with determination and commitment, the fight always ends up in the clinch and free movement will be lost. In addition, there is no way to predict which techniques will be used at any given range, since every category of technique has many variations, each of which can be used at any range. The only concept of range and distance that has proven useful in MMA competition is the basic division between contact and non contact range. By this, we mean that if a fighter can reach out and physically touch this opponent, then you are close enough to strike him or take him down. If you cannot touch him, then any offensive technique is useless. You will have to use some form of movement take you forward into contact range, where you can successfully apply offensive technique.
The concept of contact versus non contact range is loose. It does not try to specify a range at which a given technique is appropriate, nor does it try to divide ranges into short, medium, and long. Experience has shown that range changes so quickly in the free-movement phase of combat that such a division is not helpful. Our new concept of range enables a fighter to know that if he is far enough away from his opponent that neither one can reach out and touch the other, he is safe from attack. He has sufficient warning to evade and counter whatever form of offense his opponent attempts.
Our simple concept of range and distance does not attempt to limit, a fighter to certain types of attacks at certain ranges. It recognizes the fact that once contact is possible, then any form of attack is possible - from kicks, punches, elbows, knee strikes, and takedowns. If contact cannot be made with your opponent, then the chance of an attack being successful are quite low.
Because it seems to say little about range and distance, such a simple concept of range seems open to obvious criticisms. There is a reason for this- there is not much that can be said. Previous theories of range tried to legislate too heavily, and they quickly came into conflict with the observable facts. Another criticism is that there are different ways in which I can reach out and touch my opponent. If I reach out with my lead leg, I can touch him sooner than if I reach out and touch him with my lead arm. Which method is correct? The truth is that the small difference in reach between lead arm and leg is not significant enough to matter. Remember, range and distance change with tremendous speed in a real fight, thus; small variations in distance are unimportant.
So then, we have put forward a new theory of range and distance. It is exceedingly simple, and it deliberately avoids dividing range and technique into categories that are of no use in actual combat. Its simplicity makes it easy to apply even under the stress of combat, and it has proven itself a reliable guide to successful application of technique without limiting a fighter's option.
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