MMA Striking Drills for Fighters – The Higher Level System with James Doolan

Learn MMA striking drills for fighters with world-class coach James Doolan and discover how he develops striking specifically for the demands of Mixed Martial Arts.

Striking effectively in MMA requires much more than transferring Boxing, Muay Thai or Kickboxing techniques into the cage.

Smaller gloves change defence. Takedowns change stance and distance. The fence restricts movement. Opponents switch stance. Kicks can expose you to wrestling attacks. And every striking exchange can transition instantly into another phase of the fight.

MMA Striking Drills for Fighters – The Higher Level System explores how James Doolan prepares fighters to solve those problems.

Founder and head coach of Higher Level MMA in Scotland, James has spent decades developing athletes for elite-level competition. His fighters have progressed to organisations including the UFC, Bellator and Cage Warriors.

This was James's second full-length Warrior Collective instructional and builds directly upon the integrated approach introduced in MMA Drills for Elite Level Fighters – Chaining Attacks.

This time, the focus is specifically on striking for MMA.

Through movement games, kicking systems, feints, distance management, phases of attack, open-stance tactics, defensive frameworks and fence work, James demonstrates how he develops striking that works within the realities of the complete MMA game.

 

 

Striking for MMA Is Different

An MMA fighter cannot always move, attack or defend like a pure striker.

Every decision has consequences.

Overcommit to a punch and you may expose your hips.

Kick without considering distance and your opponent may wrestle.

Use a conventional high guard with small gloves and punches can find gaps that larger gloves would cover.

Retreat without understanding cage position and suddenly your back is against the fence.

James therefore approaches striking as part of the complete MMA environment.

The objective isn't simply to make fighters better strikers.

It's to make them better MMA fighters who can strike.

James Doolan and the Higher Level MMA System

James Doolan is a former professional MMA fighter, BJJ black belt and the founder and head coach of Higher Level MMA in Scotland.

During his own career, James competed professionally 28 times, finishing with a 17-9-2 record. He subsequently built his reputation through coaching and athlete development. Higher Level has produced fighters who have competed at UFC and other major international levels.

That development continues apace. Featured Higher Level fighter Steven Clancy Simmons has emerged as one of Scotland's notable Amateur MMA prospects and is well regarded as one of the best young fighters in the world today.

What makes James particularly valuable as an instructor, however, is his systemised approach to coaching.

Rather than collecting isolated techniques, James looks at how fighters learn to recognise situations, make decisions and connect skills together.

Volume 1 explored that philosophy across striking, wrestling and grappling.

Volume 2 applies it specifically to MMA striking.

   

    

Building the Rear Kick for MMA

The rear kick remains an extremely powerful weapon, but MMA changes how and when it can safely be used.

James explores different ways of setting up the rear kick while accounting for stance, distance, opponent reactions and the threat of takedowns.

Rather than simply learning how to kick harder, fighters begin understanding when the kick becomes available and what can follow it.

 

Using Kick Feints to Create Reactions

A convincing attack can be valuable even when it never lands.

James demonstrates how kick feints can manipulate an opponent's reactions and create openings elsewhere.

The objective is to make opponents reveal their intentions.

Once you understand how they respond, you can begin building subsequent attacks around those reactions.

This fits directly into the wider Higher Level philosophy:

create the problem → observe the reaction → exploit what becomes available.

 

Distance Control

Controlling distance is fundamental to successful MMA striking.

James introduces drills designed to help fighters recognise when they are:

outside the exchange

entering attacking range

actively exchanging

or

exiting back to safety.

Understanding those changing distances becomes especially important when the opponent can transition immediately from striking into wrestling.

 

 

The Higher Level Phases of Attack

One of the most valuable sections for coaches is James's framework for understanding phases of attack.

Effective MMA striking isn't simply about the combination itself.

There is an entry.

There is the exchange.

And there is an exit.

James breaks those phases down so fighters learn to attack while retaining an understanding of where they need to move next.

This helps prevent athletes from becoming static after completing a combination and provides a framework for developing more intelligent MMA sparring and drilling.

 

Scoring Shots vs Hurting Shots

Not every strike needs to be thrown with maximum commitment.

In MMA, overcommitting can create opportunities for counters, takedowns or positional reversals.

James explores the distinction between strikes designed to score, occupy or create reactions and moments when fighters can commit more heavily to damaging attacks.

Learning that distinction can make fighters more efficient and considerably harder to read.

 

       

MMA Defensive Frameworks

Small gloves fundamentally change striking defence.

Techniques that work effectively behind large Boxing or Kickboxing gloves may leave significant openings in MMA.

At the same time, fighters cannot become so defensively focused on punches that they become vulnerable to kicks, knees or takedowns.

James introduces MMA-specific defensive drills designed to help fighters develop a more complete framework for surviving and responding to striking exchanges.

 

Calf Kicks, Low Kicks and Off-Balancing

Leg attacks have become an increasingly important component of modern MMA striking.

James explores how Higher Level fighters use calf kicks, conventional low kicks and stopping kicks within a broader tactical system.

The objective isn't simply accumulating damage.

Leg attacks can disrupt stance, interrupt forward movement, create reactions and help establish the distance required for subsequent attacks.

 

Stopping Kicks and Controlling Pressure

Against an aggressive opponent, sometimes the priority is not launching another combination.

It is preventing them from establishing theirs.

James demonstrates how stopping kicks can interrupt pressure, disrupt rhythm and provide fighters with the opportunity to regain useful distance and position.

Again, the weapon is taught according to the problem it solves.

 

   

MMA Striking Drills for Fighters – What You'll Learn

Throughout MMA Striking Drills for Fighters – The Higher Level System, James covers:

• Movement games and MMA-specific footwork
• Sport-specific warm-ups
• Rear-kick systems for MMA
• Kick feints and reaction building
• Using the teep in MMA
• Distance and range control
• The Higher Level phases of attack
• Scoring strikes vs damaging strikes
• Southpaw vs orthodox tactics
• Attacking the open stance
• MMA-specific defensive frameworks
• Calf kicks and off-balancing
• Low kicks and stopping kicks
• Pressure management
• Striking against the fence
• Progressive MMA striking drills
• And more

 

Built for MMA Coaches

Like James's other Warrior Collective instructionals, this volume has particular value for coaches.

It doesn't simply give you combinations to copy during your next pad session.

James provides frameworks that can be incorporated into the way you develop fighters.

Movement games can become part of warm-ups.

Phases of attack can structure technical sessions.

Open-stance concepts can create situational sparring.

Defensive frameworks can be developed progressively.

Kicks and feints can be trained according to the reactions they create rather than through predetermined combinations alone.

For MMA coaches looking to move beyond simply combining separate Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling and BJJ sessions, the Higher Level system provides a different way to think about athlete development.

 

Learn the Higher Level MMA System

This is the second full-length James Doolan instructional released through Warrior Collective.

It now sits within a growing collection documenting different parts of the Higher Level approach to MMA training. Warrior Collective currently carries four James Doolan volumes.

Volume 1 – MMA Drills for Elite Level Fighters: Chaining Attacks

The starting point for the series.

Learn how James connects striking, wrestling, takedowns, mat returns and ground control through chained attacks and progressive MMA drills.

Volume 2 – MMA Striking Drills for Fighters: The Higher Level System

This instructional.

Develop MMA-specific movement, kicking, feinting, distance control, attacking phases, defence and fence striking.

Volume 3 – The Twisting Body Lock System: Higher Level MMA Training

Explore James's systematic approach to body-lock wrestling, control and the positional problems created through his twisting body-lock framework.

Volume 4 – MMA Pressure Striking for Fighters: The Higher Level Counter System

Take the striking concepts further with James's approach to pressure, reactions, counters and creating opportunities against resisting MMA opponents.

Together, these instructionals provide something considerably more valuable than four unrelated collections of techniques.

They provide an expanding insight into how James Doolan thinks about, structures and coaches MMA.

 

 

Who Is This Instructional For?

MMA coaches who want better frameworks for developing striking specifically for Mixed Martial Arts.

Competitive MMA fighters looking to improve movement, distance, defence, kicking and decision-making on the feet.

Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Boxing coaches working with MMA athletes who want to understand how striking needs to adapt when wrestling, small gloves and the cage are introduced.

Developing MMA athletes who already possess basic striking skills but struggle to connect techniques effectively during live MMA exchanges.

Students of MMA coaching interested in understanding the systems used to develop high-level professional fighters.

 

Don't Just Become a Better Striker. Become a Better MMA Striker.

There is an important difference.

MMA striking needs to survive the threat of takedowns, smaller gloves, stance changes, pressure and the cage.

Every attack needs to exist within the wider fight.

That's what makes MMA Striking Drills for Fighters – The Higher Level System different from a conventional striking instructional.

James Doolan isn't simply showing you more punches and kicks.

He is showing you how he develops striking for MMA.

For fighters, that means learning to make better decisions on the feet.

For coaches, it provides a framework you can take back into your own training room and continue developing with your athletes.

Start Volume 2 of the Higher Level MMA series and learn how James Doolan develops striking for the complete MMA game.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are MMA striking drills?

MMA striking drills are designed specifically around the demands of Mixed Martial Arts rather than a single striking sport. They must account for takedowns, smaller gloves, stance changes, cage positioning and transitions between striking and grappling.

In this instructional, James Doolan uses progressive drills and games to develop movement, distance control, kicking, defence, feinting and attacking phases within the wider context of MMA.

How is striking for MMA different from Muay Thai or Kickboxing?

MMA fighters must strike while remaining aware of takedowns, wrestling, smaller gloves and the cage. This changes stance, distance, defence and how heavily fighters can commit to individual attacks.

James therefore teaches striking as part of the complete MMA game rather than simply transferring Muay Thai or Kickboxing techniques directly into the cage.

What are the best striking drills for MMA fighters?

There is no single drill that develops complete MMA striking. Effective training should expose fighters to different distances, opponent reactions, stances and tactical problems.

James uses movement games, kicking drills, feints, phases of attack, defensive exercises, open-stance work and fence-based striking to develop fighters who can adapt their striking to changing situations.

How should you use kicks in MMA without getting taken down?

Kicking effectively in MMA requires an understanding of distance, timing, positioning and the opponent's potential wrestling response.

Rather than simply throwing kicks in isolation, James explores how rear kicks, teeps, calf kicks, low kicks and stopping kicks can be set up and integrated into a wider MMA striking system while reducing unnecessary exposure to takedowns and counters.

How do you use the teep effectively in MMA?

The teep can be used in MMA to disrupt forward pressure, manage distance and create reactions, but the threat of takedowns changes how it should be applied.

James demonstrates how the teep can be adapted to the MMA environment and incorporated alongside movement, positioning and other striking threats rather than treated purely as a traditional Muay Thai technique.

How does striking defence change when wearing MMA gloves?

The smaller surface area of MMA gloves means fighters cannot rely on the same defensive shell commonly used with larger Boxing or Kickboxing gloves.

Effective MMA defence therefore requires a combination of distance management, movement, positioning, parries, evasions and appropriate guard structures while remaining prepared for kicks and takedowns. James explores these problems through his MMA-specific defensive framework.

How do you fight southpaw vs orthodox in MMA?

When an orthodox fighter faces a southpaw, the open stance changes available angles, kicking opportunities, lead-hand interactions and movement patterns.

James examines how fighters can recognise and exploit these differences rather than simply using the same striking strategy against every stance. The concepts are also useful when facing opponents who regularly switch stance.

What does James Doolan mean by phases of attack?

James breaks MMA striking exchanges into different phases, including entering range, attacking and exiting safely.

This encourages fighters to think beyond the combination itself. Instead of completing an attack and remaining in position, athletes learn to consider how they entered, what happened during the exchange and where they need to move afterwards.

What is the difference between scoring and hurting strikes in MMA?

Not every strike needs maximum power. Some attacks can score, occupy an opponent, disrupt rhythm or create a reaction, while other opportunities justify greater commitment in pursuit of damage or a finish.

James teaches fighters to recognise this distinction so they don't unnecessarily overcommit to every attack and expose themselves to counters or takedowns.

How do you practise striking against the cage in MMA?

Cage striking should account for the opponent's restricted movement, potential wrestling exchanges and the possibility of position changing rapidly.

James demonstrates how fighters can safely pressure opponents towards the fence, maintain useful position and create striking opportunities without forgetting the grappling threats that make cage exchanges fundamentally different from conventional Kickboxing.

Is MMA Striking Drills for Fighters a standalone instructional?

Yes. You do not need to watch James Doolan's first Warrior Collective instructional before studying Striking Drills for Fighters.

However, Volumes 1, 3 and 4 provide additional insight into James's wider Higher Level MMA methodology. Volume 1 explores connecting the different phases of MMA, while Volume 3 applies many of those problem-solving principles to body-lock wrestling and Volume 4 expands upon the concepts of developing striking for MMA found in this Volume.

   

Below is an extract from the volume.  This clip is from Video 8 - Attacking the Open Stance