TBA Requirements

[MMAMuayThai]

I was wondering if someone could help me out. I use to train with a TBA instructor who is also one of Inosanto's guys; However, I have begun once again to train with one of his former top students who went on to compete in Muay Thai and become a middleweight champion. He recently re-registered with the TBA as a school so I am not sure how up to date he is with the TBA terminology anymore. However, he is an awesome teacher and fighter. I told him that I definitely want to go through the entire TBA curriculum, but I was wondering where I can get that information. I want to make sure that I am not missing anything that I may later be tested on.

Thanks for your help

[MMAMuayThai]

Anyone? Anyone? Your help would be greatly appreciated. I have seen the TBA's testing requirements on the website. But, I'm not sure if that is the whole curriculum.

[Little Apple]

well, it's kind of hard to say without knowing the things you're training dude. I mean, go to a seminar by Ajarn Chai and write everything you do down and work on the combinations he gives you and put similar ones together for yourself.

It also couldn't hurt to have a little faith in your instructor and his knowledge. But if there's some good reason not to believe he will teach you what you need to know, maybe you should find an instructor you can trust to teach you well.

[MMAMuayThai]

Trust me, I do have faith in him. He is a great teacher and fighter. However, like I said, he has been fighting in the ring for the last couple of years. Consequently, he has his only little tricks and strategies that he has picked up from different fighters on the circuit. He himself told me "Yea, I can take you through the curriculum. I'll have to look for some of my old notes. I do somethings a little different now based on what worked for me in the ring." So, as you can see, this is going to take as much homework from me as it will from him. I thought that if I could get one of the latest copies of the currrent curriculum, he could refer back to it to make sure that I am complying with the exact requirements of the TBA.

[Python]

Trust me, I do have faith in him. He is a great teacher and fighter. However, like I said, he has been fighting in the ring for the last couple of years. Consequently, he has his only little tricks and strategies that he has picked up from different fighters on the circuit. He himself told me "Yea, I can take you through the curriculum. I'll have to look for some of my old notes. I do somethings a little different now based on what worked for me in the ring." So, as you can see, this is going to take as much homework from me as it will from him. I thought that if I could get one of the latest copies of the currrent curriculum, he could refer back to it to make sure that I am complying with the exact requirements of the TBA.

Within each TBA school, the internal rank requirements differ. Some use a belt or sash system to show progression. Others use Prajied, some colored shorts or shirts...the list goes on. Ours uses 4 levels..student level 1, student level 2, instructor level 1, and instructor level 2...this all before you can apply to test under Ajarn Chai.

Ajarn Chai's test requirements are the same across the board, and I believe you can view them on the TBA site, www.thaiboxing.com but don't quote me (haven't looked in a while).

Now, an observation...I have witnessed many tests, and held pads for several as well, and I have seen many variances in technique with each student. Even though the requirements are standard, each Khuen Khru has a different "flavor" and this shows in his/her students. My point is, while your instructor has been out of the "TBA loop" for a while, he will only need to see notes for the sake of getting the exact requirements down. The method he uses to teach them to you may vary, based on his Ring experiences. Personally I think this is advantageous to you, because he has learned what works and does not work, which will in turn make you better. Stick with your current instructor and don't look around for others just to get the requirements. But don't be afraid to travel to a TBA seminar either, and train with Ajarn Chai in person.

Just my thoughts.

[MMAMuayThai]

Thank you for your informative response. Yea, I'm excited about my coach. He is very good. Its good to know that there can be variances in the teaching. For example, I know that the TBA use to adhere to putting your forearm on top of your forehead when delivering an elbow strike. They use to say that it was to avoid your opponent delivering an elbow to you. My instructor simply states that he use to do it that way until he got hit with a left hook and that all changed. He know advocates just keeping your hands tight to your chin or resting your palm on the side of your head while you deliver the elbow. What are some of your experiences?

[Python]

That's funny you mention the elbow...we always did it that way too, with teh back of the hand on the forehead (to catch the oncoming return elbow from your opponent), but in the last couple seminars I have been to with Ajarn Chai, he has us simply putting our palm on our forhead with the arm tight to the face. I can see how this would cover the hook to the head too. Hmmm...

Some of my experiences...well, one example would be the clinch and how we used to gain inside control from our opponent. We were taught some various over/under techniques as student level 1 and 2, but I found it didn't work that well when actually sparring or fighting. So, I modified alot of it for the ring. Also, Greg Nelson has some great clinch material on his Tapes. He has made a whole "art" out of the clinch...second to none in my opinion.

The other thing is, in the states with most events you are not allowed to use elbows to the head, only body (and most don't elbow the body), so that portion of training is not applicable to the ring, in the U.S. But, hopefully that will change soon.

Take everything you can from your instructor and watch every move with detail, BUT, try not to mold your body mechanics to the exact replica of him. In other words, put your own flavor in your techniques, but still keep the essence of the technique or combination in tact. Does that make sense?