????

[ApC23]

is there a belt system in muay thai kickboxing? im pretty new at it but today i noticed my instructor handing out a belt to two students....how does it work?

[swisscom]

Praciats are used as a grading system in America. They are arm bands.

[Python]

Swisscom, that is not entirely accurate. The Prajied (arm bands) are worn on both or one of the fighters arms on the high part of the arm (bicep/tricep) area. They wear them for good luck in their fights, well that is one of the reasons. Some used to weave strands of their father's hair or clothing in the prajied which would be the part for the good luck.

As far as using them for a grading system, I have never heard of any school in the states using that. Not saying none of them do, but I have not heard of it. So saying it is used in America (like generalizing) is not correct, if that is what you meant.

I make my students earn their first pair of shorts, from that point on, it is just certificates to show their progression. We have two student levels and two instructor levels (these would be instructors under myself), from that point if the student takes it further, they have to test for Ajarn Chai, to reach Khuen Khru level. I know some schools use colored shorts, colored t-shirts, some use patches they sew on the shorts, and yes...some even use belts, but I don't know if they actually wear them with Thai shorts...to me that doesn't seem right. Personally, I prefer to keep it as traditional as I can when it comes to Muay Thai and not put our 'American' ways into the mix (meaning the way we rank). But that is just me.

Hope this helps.

[chalambok]

There are TBA schools in the US (don't know about affiliated schools overseas) which use colored armbands as a sign of internal (meaning within that school only) rankings. Some schools have their own Level 1, Level 2, etc. rankings preparatory to the TBA Level 1, Level 2, Apprentice Instructor (or Basic Level, having passed the TBA test), Affiliate Instructor and Full Instructor rankings. Currently in the TBA under Master Chai we have about 1202 Basic (or Apprentice Level) Instructors, 27 Affiliate Instructors and 5 Full Instructors at a worldwide level. I believe the names are accessible from the TBA website.

[OctaviousBP]

Hi Ajarn Steve. Do you know of a list (available online would be wonderful) that has the instructors and their level? The TBA site seems to only have a list of schools. I assume there is some sort of list because the numbers you gave were quite specific. Thanks in advance .

D

[Khun Kao]

There are many ways to denote rank. I've heard of certificates, shorts, tshirts, armbands, and belts. I've even heard of colored handwraps or ankle supports.

My coach, Master K, uses the armbands. My other coach, Master Danny, uses certificates. The school where I teach is going to use tshirts.

The only important thing to remember is that your ranking within your school means absolutely nothing outside of that school (or its affiliates). The only universally accepted rank is your fight record, and the quality of your fight record.

[swisscom]

Swisscom, that is not entirely accurate. The Prajied (arm bands) are worn on both or one of the fighters arms on the high part of the arm (bicep/tricep) area. They wear them for good luck in their fights, well that is one of the reasons. Some used to weave strands of their father's hair or clothing in the prajied which would be the part for the good luck.

As far as using them for a grading system, I have never heard of any school in the states using that. Not saying none of them do, but I have not heard of it. So saying it is used in America (like generalizing) is not correct, if that is what you meant.

I make my students earn their first pair of shorts, from that point on, it is just certificates to show their progression. We have two student levels and two instructor levels (these would be instructors under myself), from that point if the student takes it further, they have to test for Ajarn Chai, to reach Khuen Khru level. I know some schools use colored shorts, colored t-shirts, some use patches they sew on the shorts, and yes...some even use belts, but I don't know if they actually wear them with Thai shorts...to me that doesn't seem right. Personally, I prefer to keep it as traditional as I can when it comes to Muay Thai and not put our 'American' ways into the mix (meaning the way we rank). But that is just me.

Hope this helps.

Well, ok. That was generalizing... someone asked this question way back when. Different color praciats are used to represent ranks at my gym, mike miles says so ~ :P

[Python]

Wow, I guess I stand corrected. I didn't realize how many used the arm bands to rank...especially in TBA schools. Hmm, learn something new everyday.

[OctaviousBP]

We use a phase system... my praciats are white. I wear them when I fight.

[Garland]

I've never heard that.

One of the gyms I trained at had a shorts test for senior students/ fighters, which was essentially a "black belt".

The TBA school that I trained at...was also a FMA/JKD school...and my instructor only gave belts out when he was going to leave to go to LA...
and he did a Thai test for us too, the TBA levels 1 and 2. (the belts were an assessment based off of our basic understanding of his curriculum; FMA/JKD-Jun Fan Gung Fu/ Muay Thai all rolled up into one overall thing...needless to say, my Gung Fu sucks... (; )

Still...a belt, in my opinion, is only good to hold up your pants.
Still, having some sort of real documentation of passing your TBA Thai test would be really cool, I mean, the TEST WAS HARRRRRDDDDD!!!! almost like being jumped into a gang, good god!

what was it, something like several three minute rounds of two hundered kicks and a few million more knees? (I know, it's an exaggeration...but, DAMN, thats what it felt like) I can't remember, because the whole time the instructors were taking their turns hammering at me with kicks and punches.
It was worse than an actual thai fight!!