How Do You Become Good at Muay Thai

Becoming a master of anything, especially Muay Thai, can be very easy as long as you understand the steps required to take you there. Therefore, you have to pay attention to the steps that will catapult you to become a Muay Thai master.

What do you have to do to become a Muay Thai master?

It is simple, just follow these steps.

Basically, there are 4 steps which can be considered as building blocks to mastering Muay Thai. The four steps include:

Learning the Right Technique
Drilling the Muay Thai Technique
Situation Drilling of That Technique
Trying the Technique in a Live Situation
Let's have an in-depth look at each of these steps and what you are required to do in each of them.

The 4 Steps to Mastering Thai Boxing

1. Learning the right technique.

First and foremost, you have to master the right techniques depending on the situation you are in. perhaps, you might be learning about the fundamentals of the round kick, how to tackle a push kick or even training on how to handle your opponents jab punches.

Regardless, of the move of the move you are trying to master be sure that it is the right one and that you master it the right way. The best way to learn the right technique is by attending professional Muay Thai classes. That way, you can be assured that you are on the right track. It makes no point in learning the wrong moves.

2. Practicing the Muay Thai Technique

Once you have learnt a technique, it just does not end there. You have to practice it from time to time to ensure that you have mastered the technique until it becomes a reflex in such a way that you even don't have to think about when doing it.

Techniques can be practiced both in class and outside class. Personally, I would recommend both. Even when not in class, you take some time out and practice your technique. It doesn't have to take hours. Practicing for even 20 minutes will help you in becoming a Muay Thai master.

3. Situation practicing of That Technique

What does this term even mean? This is practicing using Thai pads but having a goal in mind. The goal is usually testing something new or perfecting a certain technique you have already learnt. You could put yourself in a scenario whereby you have learnt a new technique and you have to execute it within a limited period. Using situation practice, you can test it out and ensure that your strikes are synchronized with the time limit

4. Trying the Technique in a Live Situation

What does this even mean? Well, it is also called controlled sparring. It is one of the most efficient and safest ways to test out your techniques. It is not only for you to test your techniques but also for your partner or friend to test theirs also.

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It is a golden opportunity to test out your skills in the real world and at the same time ensuring your partners safety. Controlled sparring is best when mastering a new technique.

If the technique doesn't work, there is no reason to be surprised. Most techniques will fail during the initial trials but this doesn't mean that you should abandon the technique. With more and more practice, the technique will work out.

If you notice that the skill is not working after a series of trials, it is time to let it go. Maybe it wasn't made for you. And this doesn't mean that the technique doesn't work, perhaps your body type is built for such techniques. There are several others out there you can try.

The Techniques Of Muay Thai

The Techniques Of Muay Thai

A majority of the offensive techniques that are used in Muay Thai utilize a students hands, feet, elbows, and knees to strike an opponent.  In order to bind the opponent for both defensive and offensive reasons, there is a small amount of grappling on the feet that is used - the clinch.

The clinch occurs when someone gets in your circle of radius, inside of your comfort zone.  To execute knees and short kicks from the inside, the clinch can be very useful.  The Thai fighter makes great use of the clinch, tying up on opponent on the feet then pounding his stomach, ribs, knees, and legs with brutal knees. Knees are very popular techniques with Muay Thai, as Thai fighters spend a lot of time training their strikes - especially knees and elbows.

Although high kicks to the opponents head looks amazing during the fights, experienced Thai fighters always say that knees and elbows have a lot more impact, and they do the most damage to the body.  If a Thai fighter is very experienced and has enough power in his strikes, he can quickly and easily kill someone with his techniques.

In all Muay Thai techniques, two in particular have become very popular with other styles of martial arts.

The roundhouse kick
The roundhouse Thai kick is a very useful technique for both self defense and competitions, proving to be very efficient when it is executed properly.  Thai stylists execute the roundhouse kick by a straight leg and the entire body rotating out from the hip.  The hip is locked shortly before the thrown leg makes impact with the opponent.  If executed properly, the roundhouse kick can easily render someone unconscious.

The low kick
The low kick is a common Muay Thai attack, that involves a circular movement from the stylist’s body to kick the opponent in his upper shin area.  If the low kick isn’t blocked or defended, it can quickly lead to fight being ended.  After a few well placed low kicks, the opponent will be unable to put pressure on his legs due to the bruising, and will eventually crumble.

With other martial arts styles, such as Tae Kwon Do, stylists use snapping kicks that are indeed faster to execute, although they have less power. Muay Thai on the other hand, teaches stylists to follow through with kicks, using the shin instead of the foot.  Nearly all of the techniques involved with Muay Thai emphasis movement with the entire body, which means rotating the hip each time the stylist kicks, punches, or blocks.  The techniques are slower, although they are far more powerful that techniques found in Tae Kwon Do and even Karate.

As a lot of people already know, the training and conditioning training found in Muay Thai is nothing short of legendary for the intensity and rigorous training.  The training in Muay Thai aims to harden the weapons used in the martial art to a high degree.  Students who have been training in Muay Thai for many years can absorb a beating, yet if they land a shin kick it will feel as if you have just been hit with a sledgehammer.

All in all, Muay Thai is a very dangerous martial art that teaches punishing blows with very little grappling.  Thai stylists are physical strong, capable of taking an opponent out with just one well placed strike.  Muay Thai is also one of the most well known and most popular styles in the world today - which is why you shouldn’t hesitate to study.

3 Martial Art Weapons Every Martial Artist Should Know About

Martial art weapons have been around since man has had a need to defend himself.  The history of martial art weapons is an interesting one and has included a multitude of armaments.  Some of these weapons were everyday tools and some were not so common and maybe even bizarre.  Three of the most popular martial art weapons today include the bo (staff), sai, and nunchaku.

1.The Bo (Staff).  The bo is an ancient martial art weapon and has been a part of nearly every culture in every country.  It probably made its first appearance in Asia and gradually developed into a sophisticated martial art weapon by Buddhist monks and commoners.  The staff evolved into the bo when it become part of the Okinawan martial art weapons system known as Kobudo.

 Most bos were a rokushaku bo, meaning they measured approximately six feet in length.  The advantages of the bo lie in its ability to be used as a long distance martial art weapon and its ability to be multi-dimensional.  Every part of the weapon can be used to block or strike and is not limited to any one method of attack or defense.  Its versatile arsenal of techniques includes parrying, re-direction, entrapments, and even sweeping sand into an opponent’s eyes.

 The bo is considered to be an “extension of one’s limbs” and is used in similar ways to open hand methods.  For example, when thrusting the wrist is twisted much like punching.  To generate power, the back hand moves away from the body while the front hand merely guides.  This is usually coupled with evasive footwork to put oneself in a strategic position.  This martial art weapon is one of the most popular and well known in use today.

2.The Sai.  The origins of the sai can be traced back to several Asian countries.  Among these countries are India, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and others before the inception of the sai into Okinawan Kobudo in the early 17th century.  Interestingly enough, the sai represents an important Hindu-Buddhist symbol and may have been developed by this cultural group.  While we may never know with certainty the true origins of this historic martial art weapon, we do know it was an effective instrument of self-protection against many different threats. 

Most modern day sai feature a long, pointed shaft with two yoku (prongs) towards the base.  The prongs are very effective at trapping and re-directing a blow.  Along with its ability to hook and grapple it can also be used to stab, strike, or punch using the handle end.  Due to its unique design it is effective against martial art weapons such as the sword and staff.  There are many different Okinawan sai kata available, and though the martial art weapon is not seen as often as the staff, it is still well known and entertaining to see performed by a competent wielder.

3.The Nunchaku.  This is probably one of the most obscure, yet popular martial art weapons today.  Its popularity was more than likely sparked as a result of old Kung Fu movies, namely Bruce Lee.  However, when it comes to martial art weapons the nunchaku (pronounced nun-chok-oo) traditionally was not a popular choice.  This is evidenced by the fact that no known nunchaku kata exists, perhaps due to its inefficiency against other martial art weapons such as the sword.

Many theories exist surrounding its origins.  Many say it was originally used to thresh rice or soybean, and yet other stories indicate it was developed as a result of the martial art weapons ban on Okinawa in the 17th century by the invading Satsuma clan.  The idea of rebellious peasants with farm tools as martial art weapons is more than likely popular folklore (not all martial art weapons were banned- nobility were still allowed to carry).  Another important point to mention is that the aristocracy was the only ones allowed to practice martial arts, so this sort of dispels the myth of rebellious farmers. 

There are also Chinese legends that tell of the nunchaku being a variation of the two-sectional staff.  Regardless of where it came from, most modern society is use to seeing the martial art weapon used as a fast, swinging contraption.  This is great for keeping opponents at a distance, but the nunchaku was not always used in this manner.  Generally it was used in similar ways to a “mini” bo. 

It was often utilized as a blocking and hitting weapon that could also trap or lock with its chain.  Often it was used as a concealed weapon (hid in the sleeve) and quickly deployed to surprise and overwhelm an aggressor.  While the nunchaku may not have been a popular martial art weapon then, it certainly is now and is here to stay.  Many different martial arts styles train with this weapon now and it is being seen more and more at competitions and demonstrations.

These three classic martial art weapons have both an interesting history and are all effective as self-protection devices.  Training with martial art weapons in general opens the mind up to use the body in similar ways to these martial art weapons as well as everyday objects.  We are probably not ever going to have to use these classic weapons in a real situation, but the training received from them can allow us, just like our ancestorsFeature Articles, to improvise and adapt to our environment around us.

Will My Martial Art Get Me To The UFC?

Will My Martial Art Get Me To The UFC? 

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity and ratings over the past couple of years. Love it or hate it, it looks like the UFC is here to stay. Consequently many men in the 18 – 34 demographic are becoming more interested in the martial arts.

 After watching great strikers such as Chuck Liddell, Anderson Silva and Houston Alexander and watching the incredible grappling and wrestling skills of Randy Couture, Matt Hughes and BJ Penn, many martial artists are asking themselves the question “Will my martial art get me to the UFC?” 

The answer to this question is very simple. 

No, your martial art will not get you to the UFC! Make that a maybe, instead of a definite no. 

OK, I can already tell that some of you may be shocked at that one line put down of you, your chosen martial art and your UFC aspirations. After all I don’t know anything about you but let me expand on my answer so you know where I’m coming from. 

First of all, it is important to understand that no one style has all of the elements of a complete fighting system for success in the Octagon, but many styles have a lot of them. The UFC, Pride, WEC and Elite XC are all labeled under the category "Mixed Martial Arts." This should tell you a lot in relation to the question of whether your martial art will get you to the UFC. Mixed martial arts is exactly what it says it is – a mix of several different martial arts pulled together to create the full skill set of techniques needed for survival in the ring, cage or octagon (or the street for that matter!) 

To be a successful UFC fighter you need to have a great stand-up game and a great ground game. In addition to this you need to learn take-downs and take-down defenses. This doesn’t even include the physical conditioning or the mental aspect of preparing for a fight. So here are some suggestions as to which styles you should study to give yourself the best chance of becoming a good fighter.

· Striking Skills: Boxing, Muay Thai, Shotokan, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Savate 

· Take-Downs: Judo, Hapkido, Sanda (San Shou), Sambo 

· Grappling and Submissions: Wrestling, Brazilian Ju-jitsu, Japanese Ju-jitsu, Aikido 

There are many other martial arts not on this list that are also worthy of in-depth study; and some of them on the list include all of the above skills to a greater or lesser degree. 

So will your martial art get you to the UFC? Not by itself, but if you combine the strength of your chosen art with the missing elements that you need from some of the other styles above, then you will be well on your way. 

The Art Of Hapkido

The Art Of Hapkido

The martial art known as Hapkido is an art of complete self defense.  Those who study it are more than capable of defending themselves in any type of situation, being more than able to apply their confidence and discipline from the art to enhance their lives, protecting themselves and those that they love as well.

Hapkido teaches students to use minimal force with any stronger opponent.  Contrary to other martial arts, it doesn’t involve strength to execute the techniques.  To control the opponent and take him down, Hapkido focuses on pressure points and the impact they have on opponents.  It also involves a very powerful arsenal of thrusts, spin kicks, and sweeps.  If they are executed properly, the moves from this martial art can be very effective against opponents and attackers.

Along with kicks, punches, and pressure point attacks; Hapkido also uses wrist and joint manipulation locks, along with several throwing techniques.  All together, there are nearly 300 categories of special movements in Hapkido that involve nearly 3,500 techniques.

Hapkido is a very popular martial art, which is mainly due to the fact that just about anyone, regardless of age or weight can practice the techniques.  The martial art also involves systematic training and stamina exercise, which can improve your health.  You don’t need to be in the best shape either, as Hapkido can actually help your body as well as your health.

Studying Hapkido will also help with developing your muscles, along with your posture, controlling your weight, developing confidence, self control, even fulfilling your spirit.  Although it is mainly based in self defense techniques, it also teaches you how to become a better person and get yourself back in health and in touch with your spirit.

Throughout the style, the linear techniques work together to form a solid base in which all of the circular techniques can be perfected.  Everything in Hapkido is tried and tested, in order to come up with a balanced blend of techniques and skills that are apt for any situation.  With Hapkido being a martial art of self defense, there is a lot of practice involved blocking attacks in many different situations.  This way, the stylist can be more prepared for any situation he finds himself in.

Today, Hapkido is practiced by men and women of all ages, even little children.  It is a very beneficial martial art, one that can be utilized from nearly any position or direction, such as lying, sitting, and standing.  It is an art of self defense, and can even be deadly if the stylist is proficient with the techniques.  What makes it even more deadly though - is the fact that a lot of people aren’t familiar with it.

Sparring

Sparring is something that all martial arts use.  There are numerous sports, such as boxing and wrestling that use sparring as well.  It is a very useful technique, helping students become better with their techniques and what they have learned.  By practicing with other people, students learn their arts better and become more apt at performing the techniques quickly and efficiently.

If you are studying martial arts in a dojo, you’ll find sparring to be very exciting as well as beneficial to your training.  The instructors and teachers will be right there watching and guiding students, making sure that no one gets hurt.  Students use full body gear, including headgear, to ensure safety during practice.

Depending on your skill level and martial art you are studying, you may end up using no protective gear.  Students that are very skilled won’t normally need protective equipment, as they are good enough with sparring and their techniques that they can go a few rounds with other skilled students and not make any type of contact at all.

Martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, that focus on grappling, make the most use of sparring, as it is needed to properly execute the techniques.  Martial arts that focus mainly on grappling use joint locks and submission techniques, which will need to be practiced quite a bit before they can be used effectively during a competition or even as self defense.

During sparring, students go back and forth, competing with each other and testing each other.  The rounds will vary, although most last several minutes.  Students will also receive help and insight from their instructors to let them know how they are doing and if they need to change anything they are doing.  This also gives instructors the chance to see just how well you are progressing in training and what areas you need to work more on.

Sometimes, sparring is done by yourself, without anyone else working with you.  If you are sparring by yourself, you’ll use equipment such as punching bags, tackling dummies, or other forms of equipment that will help you with your martial art.  The foam or rubber dummies are most often used with grappling techniques or punching on the ground, as they represent the opponent that you are trying to pummel into submission.

All in all, sparring is an excellent way to practice the skills you have learned against equipment or other students.  Students are fun to spar against, especially if they are at a higher level of skill than you are.  You can use sparring to your advantage, learning what others do and how they react to your movements and techniques.  The longer you spar and practice your moves - the better you will get in your training, speed, and the execution of your skills.

An In Depth Look At Muay Thai

Also known around the world as Thai boxing, Muay Thai is an ancient art of self defense that was created and tested in battle by the fearless warriors of ancient Thailand.  Today, Muay Thai is used all around the world.  The United States Navy SEALs, Thai military, and even the CIA takes full advantage of the devastating and bone crushing techniques this martial art offers.

Unlike other martial arts, students of Thai don’t earn belts for their skills and their progression.  Instead, their skills are tested in the ring.  Since Thai fighting first began, the only things that the fighters themselves are interested in are the championship belts which showcase their dominance in Muay Thai fighting.

The skills that are taught with Muay Thai are far more dominant to other striking based martial arts.  Muay Thai uses very little grappling, but focuses more on crushing kicks, punches, and bone shattering elbows.  Students of Thai fighting can often take an opponent down with just one shot, often times breaking bones and sometimes even killing them with just one lethal kick or elbow.

The reason why Muay Thai didn’t utilize ground grappling or submission holds is because it was developed in ancient battlegrounds where there were always multiple attackers.  These attackers were knowledgeable in sword fighting skills, which made the need for a dependable martial art more or less a necessity.

Muay Thai used swords, spears, sticks, and hard strikes.  In this type of environment, you didn’t want the fight to go to the ground.  The strikes and weapon movements needed be fast, hard, and very precise.  With these types of conditions and the type of environment, Muay Thai needed be a very fast responsive martial art with an excellent weapons system.

Even though grappling and submissions were planned for Muay Thai, the martial art became more of a ring sport before grappling could be implemented.  With Thai originally being a martial art for striking purposes, a lot of martial artists have started using the techniques that have been proven time and time again with time boxing.

Although there are other martial arts that put a lot of emphasis on striking, Muay Thai is quite different.  The first area in which Muay Thai differs is the effective use of both elbows and knees.  The elbows and knees that are used with most Thai techniques are feared all around the world by boxers and other stylists.

Kicking and kneeing is the main objects in Muay Thai.  In order to become efficient with kicking, the shins need to be conditioned - which can be quite painful.  Once the Thai stylist has conditioned the nerves in his shins for impact, the shins can be used just like a club or a baseball bat.  This is something you should really see for yourself in action - as the sound of the impact alone can send chills down your back.

Through years of training and conditioning, Muay Thai fighters can become lethal and deadly weapons.  A properly trained fighter can make deadly impact, meaning that his knees, shins, and elbows are quite possibly deadlier than a gun or other type of weapon.  For this very reason - Muay Thai is one of the deadliest and most feared martial arts in the world.

All in all, Muay Thai is a great martial art for defense and competition.  Thai is one of the best martial arts in the world, proving it time and time again - in both ancient times and anytime it is used today.