Video of my Thaiboxing Instructor Test...

[ULIKEIT]

O cool. A whole week with the man himself. So when was this event. Someone earlier mentioned it was the younger you ^_^. and then I think that you mentioned that you took the test again was this the first one or the second one that you passed...That was pretty hard core. Also how long was the rest period between the rounds>??

[Tim Mousel]

This event was in the summer of 1990. This was the first test I took and I took the second test 6 months after this one. Each round was 3 minutes with a 1 minute rest period.

Tim

[Britt]

I'm still young!!

The leg injury was a brand new injury as a result of the test.

Tim

Sorry, I should have said a younger Tim.

I told the future Mrs. Britt last night about the video of your test and your subsequent bone injury, and she got a little pale and looked like she was going to barf. When I told her on top of that you didn't pass that go around, she looked offended.

[Tim Mousel]

I'm a year older this month so I'm a little age sensitive at the moment!

That's funny about the future Mrs. Britt! Did she see the video or did you just tell her about it?

Tim

[eXcessiveForce]

great video.

All of the JKD people around me Trained with Mr. Gibson so it was nice to see a vid of him in what appears to be his prime. Even if he was trying to beat you to a pulp

The question is, Did you have any idea how bad it was going to be before you stepped in?

And If Ajarn Chai had not asked would have have tested again?

I think to myself I would like to do that, but then reality sets in and I feel that it is best left for others.

[Britt]

I'm a year older this month so I'm a little age sensitive at the moment!

That's funny about the future Mrs. Britt! Did she see the video or did you just tell her about it?

Tim

No, she didn't see it; that was all purely from my lengthy and graphic description of it. She's coming to pick me up in a moment (car wouldn't start this morning), I'll show it to her then...if she'll watch it!

[treelizard]

OUCH! My knees literally started hurting just watching that!!! Great job getting back up (and retesting).

[Tim Mousel]

The question is, Did you have any idea how bad it was going to be before you stepped in?

I had an idea. Greg Nelson had shown me his test and I heard a lot of stories. John Fehling tested right before me. Dean Lessei and I were watching Greg Nelson go to work on him and we looked at each other with that "oh, oh" look on our faces.

And If Ajarn Chai had not asked would have have tested again?

I would have tested again. At that point I had gone through too much training and rehab not to accomplish my goal.

Britt - looking forward to her reaction

Thanks treelizard.

Tim

[Britt]

Britt - looking forward to her reaction

She watched it when she picked me up from work. She had kind of a pained smile on her face; halfway through it she said it was kind of hard to watch it knowing what was going on inside your leg. After it was over, she shook her head and said "sheesh...he's tough as hell, I'll say that much." Then I told her about the time you got your broken jaw wired shut under a local anesthetic.

[chalambok]

Damn, Gorilla Palmz !! Much as I hate to admit it, you bring up some very valid points. Of course, I also endured the government-sponsored ritual trial of Vietnam so I may have already been brainwashed. In krabi-krabong we have no test like this, but the art is descended from survivors of actual combat and has managed to retain its effectiveness. We usually test heart with day after day of 12 hour+ training. I suspect now the most valid reason (if there really is one) for testing in the TBA is to forge bonds between instructors. As a side note, the best boxing trainers/managers haven't been fighters. As I have said before, the real test is of the holder and how trained his eye has become. I will talk with my seniors and if they are willing to give me an opinion I will post them here.

[treelizard]

I thought padmen were SUPPOSED to mimic a fight by hitting you while you're trying to get your kicks in.

[chalambok]

Originally, before knees were required, you had to put up 80 kicks per round, a little less than 1 kick every 1 1/2 seconds. If you were putting out, the holder did not have time to hit the testee between kicks, but everyone tried to double-kick, which left plenty of time for the holder to attack. When knees were added the kicks were reduced to 60, knees being 40. A few years ago, the requirement was again lowered to 60/35, which is current. The test is not a feeder/student relationship; the testee should demonstrate his ability to defend himself by kicking and kneeing. If he has done his homework he will not be hurt, blocking with his shins and covering himself. As a holder, I have been kneed in the face, kneed in the nuts, and kicked in the hip by someone too tired to get their leg up to the pad. The problem usually is an unprepared person wanting to test, or a holder with a grudge. Everyone going in knows the testing requirements, and most failures are for poor wai kru and/or technique demonstration. Women do not get a break, most having been tested by men who outweigh them by 20 or more pounds. Every female instructor I have met thinks of her test as being one of the defining moments of her life. I should point out, and I believe Tim will concur, neither of his holders was vindictive, or even particularly aggressive. Also, at any time during the test the testee can simply stop.

[Tim Mousel]

If he has done his homework he will not be hurt, blocking with his shins and covering himself.

I don't think that is 100% true. Nothing can be done to defend the cut kicks. The holder knows a kick is coming and can time the cut kick at will.

The day before my test I told Dean, "I sure hope I get Terry Gibson as a holder, he's such a nice guy". Turns out Terry is the last guy I want holding for me!! Dean was sure to point out that I got what I asked for!! ")

However, neither of my holders were vindictive. There was no emotion involved as they were merely doing their job of holding pads and making sure it was a challenge for me.

Tim

[osopardo]

Whew!! The cardio!

One can see the strength and stamina progressively draining out of you and by round 2 you're just hanging in there! Well done!

[DJColdfusion]

Tim, as you look at your technique from the video and think about your technique now . . . where do you think you've made the greatest improvements and what did you focus on to make those improvements?

Thanks