new to muay thai

[frode]

Hello, I'm new to Muay Thai as a practitioner but have been around combat sports for over a decade, so I have some exposure to it. I'm 35 years old now, but still feel like I'm 25. I think I can attribute a lot of that feeling to my past martial arts experience, which has kept me fit and healthy.

Anyway, I have some general questions that will help me prepare for my fight in about a month (it's just a friendly meet between two gyms, nothing special).

1. A sparring partner clocked me in the jaw with a left hook that got under my headgear and really rung my bell. It was my left jaw, but for some reason my right jaw and ear got sore. If I close my mouth, it gets pretty sore too. My instructor told me I needed to clench my teeth, but I never saw the punch coming. Question is, is this an injury I need to be concerned about? I don't think it is, but I'd be interested in hearing what you think it might be. I bought a new mouthguard, one with the holes in the middle so you can breathe while clenching. Is this a good mouthguard for MT?

2. Can you throw knees to the opponent's thighs? I keep trying to watch for this in videos but it seems like knees are taught to be thrown at the head or torso. I would think that solid knees to someone's thigh would be pretty effective.

3. I currently spar with 18 oz. gloves. I'm 6'3, 200#, so I'm assuming this isn't unusual for a guy my size. I bought them off another student. I feel like I'm slower than most people with my punches, but that it will translate into speed with smaller fighting gloves. Am I off base here?

4. I absolutely hate jogging, but have been told that I need to do it. I'd rather do sprints and interval training. I'd like some guidance here. My cardio isn't fabulous, but I do have strong legs.

Any help would be appreciated. I will post more questions in this thread.

[the tick]

Hello, I'm new to Muay Thai as a practitioner but have been around combat sports for over a decade, so I have some exposure to it. I'm 35 years old now, but still feel like I'm 25. I think I can attribute a lot of that feeling to my past martial arts experience, which has kept me fit and healthy.

Anyway, I have some general questions that will help me prepare for my fight in about a month (it's just a friendly meet between two gyms, nothing special).

1. A sparring partner clocked me in the jaw with a left hook that got under my headgear and really rung my bell. It was my left jaw, but for some reason my right jaw and ear got sore. If I close my mouth, it gets pretty sore too. My instructor told me I needed to clench my teeth, but I never saw the punch coming. Question is, is this an injury I need to be concerned about? I don't think it is, but I'd be interested in hearing what you think it might be. I bought a new mouthguard, one with the holes in the middle so you can breathe while clenching. Is this a good mouthguard for MT?

I wouldn't worry too much. I once kicked a sparring partner on the ellbow. But instead of my shin my cave was turning blue.

2. Can you throw knees to the opponent's thighs? I keep trying to watch for this in videos but it seems like knees are taught to be thrown at the head or torso. I would think that solid knees to someone's thigh would be pretty effective.

Sure you can. It's usualy done from the clinchposition when your to close to throw them into the body. They aren't that effective though. Unless your opponent is realy brittle. If you wanna work the legs nothing beats a lowkick.

3. I currently spar with 18 oz. gloves. I'm 6'3, 200#, so I'm assuming this isn't unusual for a guy my size. I bought them off another student. I feel like I'm slower than most people with my punches, but that it will translate into speed with smaller fighting gloves. Am I off base here?

Ummmm...maybe. No offense. But it could be just your age. Not sure since I haven't seen you in action. Maybe you just need to work more on that.

4. I absolutely hate jogging, but have been told that I need to do it. I'd rather do sprints and interval training. I'd like some guidance here. My cardio isn't fabulous, but I do have strong legs.

You and me both. And honestly I don't realy see any benefit from jogging. Other then losing weight that is. IMO explosive bursts of attacks and counters are more important then beeing able to run for 10 miles without stopping. But thats me.

[Marksmarkou]

The guy above me answered most of your qeustions well. I would like to point out though, be acrefull when throwing knees to the thighs. If you clock him in the nuts once thats fine, but if it keeps happening you could get penalised. ( A great technqiue though). I would not do just jogging to build your stamina, but mix it up with other excersises (swimming, rowing etc) so as to work a wide range of muscles.

[tekshow]

Welcome to the club in regards to jogging. Maybe it's because most typical "players" are of stalky build, especially the middleweights these days. Not exactly built for distance running are we?

Interval training would be great for you, the only thing might be that Muay Thai is naturally going to be your interval training anyway. What about jumping rope? I did hate it at first, but now I like getting the rope going for a few minutes. Maybe try that?

[frode]

Thanks for the tips

Appreciate the info.

I love running sprints, so maybe I'll do more of those. I think they're more useful to MT anyway.

I spar with 18 oz. gloves, which are bigger than most of my classmates' gloves. So, I've decided to wear 1.5 lb. wrist weights a few hours a day to try to get used to them. I think they'll help my speed, over time.

[Scott Bolinger]

sounds like your on the right track.
and sprints for this type of sport is better for ya. You have to have the explosive energy, and thats were sprints and stairs come in.
And then with intervals you can do intervals running upper cutts and jab, crosses
and then intervals on jumping ropes.