Starting Muay Thai

[BadgerFu57]

I have limited access to a Muay Thai gym where I live. What are some ways to either teach myself Muay Thai or drills that will make it easier to adapt to Muay Thai should I find someone to teach me.

For example, "shrimps" are drills that help BJJ guys, and neck bridges help wrestlers, and jump roping helps boxers. What can I do to help Muay Thai besides beat up my shins every chance I get?

[Damian Mavis]

I hope by beat up your shins you mean kick the heavy bag or pads.... anything like actually hitting your shins with a hard object would be unwise.

I'm sorry I don't have any other advice to help you learn Muay Thai with no trainer.... just be safe.

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[zghfd]

Yeah, dont kick anything harder than your shins, thats just stupid.

You could get fitter, the better shape you are in the harder you will be able to train and the more you will be able to learn. So just running, pushups, chinups, situps, squats etc.

Oh yeah this is an awsome site that has helped me alot:

http://stickgrappler.tripod.com/mt/mt.html

[Heel-hook]

The strength of MT is the drills, and conditioning, not the techniques.

[SOUTHPAW]

I would have to agree, conditioning is key. The fight game is about 80% wind so don't neglect your road work! Other than that, try to find a couple of training partners about your size,they can be boxers or other types of experienced fighters, and work on the basics and pad work. Shadow box and work the heavy bag a few times a week. There are some pretty good video tapes out there that you can pick up some things from (althought they aren't a substitute for a trainer). Especially good are Rob Kaman's series. Good luck.

P.S. you might try and find a regular boxing gym...lots to be learned in that environment.

[Great Sage]

Originally posted by Heel-hook
The strength of MT is the drills, and conditioning, not the techniques.

How did you come to this conclusion? Yes, I agree that Muay Thai guys are among the most well-conditioned fighters, but their techniques are equally impressive.

For instance, the Thai Clinch is very hard to escape. You have two forearms around your neck and pulling down. Then you have knees if you lift up, not to mention elbows. I would say that's strength in mechanics.

Another technical strength would be the submarine kick, or a plain low roundhouse kick. It looks simple, yet is very effective.

[Damian Mavis]

Ya... you can be in the best conditioned shape in the world and get your butt handed to you if you don't know the techniques and strategies of Muay Thai.

Damian Mavis
Honour TKD

[Heel-hook]

Originally posted by Great Sage


How did you come to this conclusion? Yes, I agree that Muay Thai guys are among the most well-conditioned fighters, but their techniques are equally impressive.

For instance, the Thai Clinch is very hard to escape. You have two forearms around your neck and pulling down. Then you have knees if you lift up, not to mention elbows. I would say that's strength in mechanics.

Another technical strength would be the submarine kick, or a plain low roundhouse kick. It looks simple, yet is very effective.

If guy knew muay thai techniques, but wasn't conditioned, he would hardly be a threat on the street. The Techniques are extremely dangerous, but the most dangerous part about them is the conditioning aspect.

[kh_s]

untrained person that throws a decent elbow or knee, or even head butt is already effective enough, just imagine a trained fighter doing it to you.

[Lizard]

What is a "submarine kick"? I probably know it, just not by that name.