Will The real Muay Thai please stand up !

[marino13]

How come there are so many variations to thai boxing ? I've learned several different ways to do different moves, and all claiming there's is the right way. From elbows to round kicks. So which do I believe ? My teacher trains in thailand several times a year and so do others. How do you know which is right ? If I practice a thousand times but I'm performing it wrong, then all I become is really good at doing it wrong !

Rich

[pittbulldog]

Technique

Please give an example.

[marino13]

Take the elbows for instance. I've heard some say you don't pivot your hips as much with the elbow, because it's such an effective weapon that you don't need to commit your whole body into it. Then I here others say that you should pivot your whole body into it. Plus you also have different variations of elbows ( vertical, horizontal, etc. ) I've heard many disagree on the proper way of executing these.

Then you have the stance and punches, some say more of a boxing approach for punches and some say no it should be more of a Muay Boran style. In the clinch I've heard people say you should lock the fingers behind the opponents head and I've heard others say that it's wrong to do that because of breaking or jamming the fingers. This is just a few examples.

Rich

[chalambok]

What you have discovered, and most people still haven't, is that muay Thai, just like karate and kung fu and every other martial art, has different styles. Some schools (styles) swing their arm when they kick, some don't. Some styles do not use the back leg when they use the knee. Some schools stand very sideways and long, some stand more square and short. You just have to do your homework, find what works for your body type, your reflex type, your speed.

[JKDFIGHTER]

If you go to 10 different coaches in western boxing and ask about the jab, you'll probably get 10 different answers on the right way to jab. It's normal and part of the game.

There are 5 Machado brothers in BJJ and they will each one tell you slightly different ways to do something 'correct'.

Chalambok is correct in that you have to find the way that works best for you and not worry so much about what others say. It's better to learn the principles of why something works in the first place and use those principles rather than trying to adhere to a 'style'.

Scott Elliott

https://www.AFSacademy.com

[joeuser42]

I think you just need to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages when you performing a technique a certain way. One variation may be quicker, but leave you open for a counter. Another varitation may be more powerful, yet is telegraphed and easy to see coming. One variation may work well against a certain opponent and not another. My $0.02.

[Muay Siam]

there is no "real one" in your interpretation,
muaythai, same as chinese martial arts, differs from each region. there are many styles.