#muayman

[krujuice]

I love finding classic photos of my martial arts Master, #ajarnchai! #WTBA #Thaiboxing #muaythai #muayman #muaythaibata https://www.instagram.com/p/CCCt--yppoE/?igshid=1wmcety7a9gfk

[evolvedcatholic]

Knee drill

This drill is simplistic, however, I have my class do this drill virtually every class! It develops the muscles you use for knees and kicks at the same time.

Keep your body tall

Straighten the supporting leg every time your leg thrusts up

ONLY the balls of the feet, HEELS NEVER TOUCH!

Twist your arms downward in a fast movement, side to side, works the core

unlike practicing knees on a bag, DO NOT thrust your hip forward into the air, instead pop them straight upward

Do this drill for no less then two minutes at a time

[evolvedcatholic]

Knee defense against Jab and Cross

Some techniques have transitioned well from the old world styles to the modern day, one of those is the Knee defense against the Jab and Cross!

The key is in the details, so follow it exactly! (this instruction is assuming your in the standard stance)

As the Jab flys at you, scoop the Jab out away from your body far enough so the elbow cannot come at you

Shoot the other hand straight back along the same side of the body along his head

curl your hand around his neck so that your fingers are beneath the opposite ear

push the fingers inward and use it as a grip

Take a small step to the outside of your opponent with the foot that is on the outside of your opponent

With the foot that is on the inside of your opponent, pivot to the outside, dragging your opponent with you to disrupt his balance

you should now be facing an outstretched and exposed opponent, sink your knee into his bread basket!

This same technique works on both sides, and is the same setup and delivery. Make sure you apply a decent amount of pressure when grabbing the neck, as it hits a pressure point while you grab. Normally the foot that you pivot on is the one you use to knee with, neither side is wrong and situations do change during combat however, so don't feel that one knee is preferable over the other.

The timing can take some getting accustomed to, so practice of course is key. 

Enjoy amigo's, Kru Juice of the Muayman Alliance!

[evolvedcatholic]

Sawk or Elbow strike!

The Sawk or elbow, is a fascinating weapon for Muay Thai and MMA. A simple bend in your arm that becomes a crux of quick devastating power! Although the power from it is great, it's not meant to knock individuals out. The Sawk is often referred to as "Sword" or "Blades" because of their uncanny ability to cut! Don't think of it as a KO weapon, but one that opens wounds over eyes and foreheads to impair your opponents sight or possibly stop it from excessive bleeding. My Master, Ajarn Surachai Sirisute, has related the story before of how, with one upward diagonal elbow strike, a fighter had to get sixty stitches across his face! So along with quick snappy power, various angles make this the ultimate cutting weapon! Second only maybe to actually holding a sword! Historically it comes from warriors using the "Mai Sawk", similar to a Tonfa in Karate, the difference being that it was traditionally strapped to the forearm. Things to kep in mind:

Snap from the hips, don't pivot on the front foot unless you want a leg kick!

make sure your other arm is tight against your body and chin, or you may break your arm or wake up on the canvas!

make sure your shoulder is covering your chin from your striking arm.

Make sure the hand of the striking arm is on the Inside of the body so you don't get pulled into a clinch.

Keep your body high or your more susceptible to eating your opponents elbows.

Hope that helps my friends, Kru Juice of the Muayman Alliance!

[evolvedcatholic]

Body Defense

When defending the body in Muay Thai and MMA, there are many times when you need to keep it short and simple. That's when you call on the inward deflection and body block. Part of the techniques I like to refer to as "Short hand Muay Thai", These techniques are short simple and to the point. They are primarily used against the Teep(Thrust kick), Tdae(Round kick) and Kao Drong(Straight knee). The Inside Deflection, or shucking as I affectionately refer to it(I spent time on the farm when I was younger!), is a quick snappy movement used against straight attacks such as the Teep and Kao Drong. Keep your palms against your head, extend your elbows straight out just a bit, as your opponents weapon comes near striking range twist at the waist, snapping your forearm inward and striking the side of the leg with your elbow, you not only disrupt your opponents flow and cause it damage, you have also set yourself up for the perfect counter! The Body Block is also a quick movement used specifically against The Tdae(Round kicks) aimed at the body. As the kick swings toward your body pull your arm tight against your body and your hand tight against your head, turn slightly into the kick to take some of the momentum away. now immediately follow up with an attacking movement and your good to go! Remember, when you have to keep it short and snappy the key is to follow up immediately after the defensive movement! Godspeed my friends, Kru Juice of the Muayman Alliance!

[evolvedcatholic]

Muay Thai Shield

When someone swings a thunderous round kick at you in Muay Thai or MMA, what do you do? You shield! Raise your palms to your temples, this both guards your head and prevents you from being pulled into a clinch. Arms come out just to the outside of your leg, creating a roof like effect, so as to cause your opponents kick to roll off, like rain off a roof. Your leg comes up on a 45 degree angle relative to your opponent, waist high in practice, shin facing straight out with the knee, toes point up. Your shin faces out as a barrier against the kick, pointing outward on a 45 because that's the angle the kick is coming in from. waist high because you should always practice high; if you can go high you can always go low! Toes up. I know this has garnered much controversy, however it's based on biology. If the toes are pointed down, then you are using a set of muscles that pull your defending leg toward your supporting leg; conversely, if you raise your toes you are using a set of muscles that pull your leg away from your supporting leg. Last of all, Make sure you don't bend over as you defend, or you are going to eat a knee followed by a second course of canvas for dessert! Brought to you courtesy of Kru Juice of The MuaymanAlliance!

[evolvedcatholic]

Teep or thrust kick

The teep is a varied weapon able to defend and attack interchangeably. There are four main types of teep, also called a thrust or push kick, which we will go over briefly here. Lead Teep: The lead teep is used primarily for defence and as a feeler, similar to a jab or a straight lead punch. bring your leg straight up slightly bent, remaining on the balls of your feet as to keep forward momentum; otherwise you push yourself back as you push your opponent away. Keeping your hands up to defend your face, as you kick out, push your hips into it. Rear Teep: This is your battering ram, it's mostly used for offence and can actually generate more power. Performed in the same manner, just using the rear leg rather then the lead equals extra power! Long lean: the long lean is utilized when the opponent is just out of range because it gives you another 6 to 12 inches. It can be used with the lead or rear foot. As the opponent comes in range of the long lean, you initiate the kick the same as you would for the standard teep, however, you drop the hand on the same side as the one your kicking from,keep the opposite hand tucked into your chin for protection, lean back just a bit as you thrust your hip into the kick and pivot on the supporting leg; staying on the balls of your feet. In Muay Thai Long Lean is used to keep an opponenet outside of your "Yard", or the area just outside of kicking range. "The Yard" is the actual kicking range, and when you are in your stance it's often referred to as being in your "House". You will hear these terms and many more when talking about ranges and strategies. Godspeed from Kru Juice of the Muayman Alliance!

[evolvedcatholic]

Tdae or Round kick

The round kick, or Tdae as they say in Thai, is one of the more powerful moves in the martial arts. Most people liken the Tdae to a bat, being swung by a home run icon! However, it is often more like a mace, not quite as stiff as swinging a bat, a bit more flexible, being able to change direction midstream. Never forget to pay attention to your footing, when you go to throw the kick, step out on a 45 degree angle, staying on the balls of your feet; don't ever let your heel drag, it slows your momentum and can potentially cause injury to your knees. If the kick is targeted above the waist: Throw the same arm back as the leg you are kicking with, opposite arm covers in front of the same shoulder as the arm you threw back, creating the first line of defense by guarding the face; staying high on the balls of your feet and straightening the supporting leg. If targeting below the waist: The arm that was being thrown back goes straight out in front of your face as you corkscrew down by bending at the knee, staying on the balls of your feet. In Muay Thai and MMA, the round kick is an essential weapon, without which your arsenal is far from complete. If you don't believe me watch any UFC, Pride, WEC or Bellator event and you will see it employed time and again, either devastatingly or sometimes even in a KO!! Brought to you from Kru Juice of the Muayman Alliance! Godspeed!