Muay thai Blocks

[Lizard]

Recently I trained by getting someone I know to put on some shin pads (He plays soccer and has some TKD experience) and I told them to try to low kick me. Then I would attempt to shin block all his kicks. If I let my guard down he would be allowed to punch me (he also decided to wear goal-keepers gloves).

Then someone else had a go throwing only punches (but he didn't have any MA expirience).

My problems are:

I'm too slow with my shin blocks and keep finding myself blocking right AND left low kicks with the same leg (turning it inwards)

I don't really know how I should block (I was trying to block upwards and inwards a bit with my forearms, I think I've seen Thai boxers do it)

I keep turning my back when I get hit (but then again I wasn't allowed to counter attack much so it is understandable)

This method of training is probably dangerous and counter-productive (but fun. Untrained people don't know how to react to a spinning backhand)



Please give me some advice on blocking/dodging. Personaly I'm lazy so I prefer to block.

[delbert]

their is no better way than just doing it over and over. you are on the right track for application fighting
blocking both kicks with the same side is fine as long as you are'nt compromised. i like to do it b/c it enables me to front kick immediately
make a conscious effort to use both legs to block to be able to counter for counter.
never give up your back!
back spinning moves are dangerous to use with a muay thai practitioner. i used to love them until someone elbowed me right in the back when i spinning backfisted about 8 years ago. i havent used it since.

[Khun Kao]

1. "I'm too slow with my shin blocks and keep finding myself blocking right AND left low kicks with the same leg (turning it inwards)"

So what's the problem? LOL! Seriously, this is a common tactic because you're typically able to use your front leg faster than your rear leg. Using both legs to block requires that you shift your weight/balance from foot to foot.

Personally, I only use my lead leg to block. I teach my fighters to do the same, and my coaches have taught me to do the same.

2. "I don't really know how I should block (I was trying to block upwards and inwards a bit with my forearms, I think I've seen Thai boxers do it)"

Depends on WHAT you're blocking, but I'm going to step out on a limb and assume you mean blocking kicks. Lets say your opponent is throwing a right-side roundhouse kick at your upper body. Your left arm should stay TIGHT to your body (Shoulder up to jaw & Elbow into ribs. Forearm should be kept tight to body also). Your right arm is also kept tight, but comes across the body to meet the kick. You should NOT extend your right arm past your left arm, or your arm can get seriously f'ed up.

Hope thats the block you were asking about.

3. "I keep turning my back when I get hit (but then again I wasn't allowed to counter attack much so it is understandable)"

Again, not quite enough information to give you a solid answer, but the mental image that I'm getting is that you're saying that when you block a kick with your knee, you're getting turned around by the force of the kick. If this is what is happening, then you are blocking incorrectly. When you raise your knee to block a kick, you need to point your knee outwards to meet the kick, do NOT lift your knee pointed towards your opponent!

I hope that I was answering your questions. If not, please post more details for a better response.

Khun Kao

[b00]

great topic. i've been meaning to ask about this as well.

when blocking kicks with your leg do you guys curl your toes up (on the blocking leg)? also, when blocking uper body kicks with the forearms, which way are the palms pointed? are you trying to create as much muscle as possible to help cushion the blow or are you trying to meet the blow with the harder bonier part?

[delbert]

i keep my toes "up". this tightens the front of the muscle and keeps it strong. if my toe is pointed down i get injured b/c it is softer and there is a possibility of the ankle getting broke. my shins are really sharp and people dont like hitting them anyway, so the harder i can make them the better off i am.
my palms/ fist is toward my head when i block high kicks. it also keeps me open for upward elbow strikes. i dont really know if the palms would ever be pointed outward. i dont think i can make them do it. maybe im not flexible enough.

[retired]

we have been here many times before about the toes up/down (dont people use the site search engine?)

i was always told that when you lift the leg up to block and the knee is about hip height and to the side (45' from straight forward) the toes point straight down with the foot in a position that is could almost be resting on the other leg making a triangle so that if a heavy kick is thrown at a 45' downward angle then when it contacts with your upper shin it will slide down the shin and not hit the foot on the way down.

BUT many people dont realise that just before the moment of impact you lean back slightlly like when throwing a forward knee & thrust the upper (Biggest) shin downwards against the opponents leg trying to catch them on the lower (Smallest) part of their shin.

i know its easy in theory and hard in practice but training this technique can take out the opponent as seen when viewed in slowmotion of most shin injury tko's.

[Lizard]

Originally posted by Khun Kao
1. "I'm too slow with my shin blocks and keep finding myself blocking right AND left low kicks with the same leg (turning it inwards)"

So what's the problem? LOL! Seriously, this is a common tactic because you're typically able to use your front leg faster than your rear leg. Using both legs to block requires that you shift your weight/balance from foot to foot.

Personally, I only use my lead leg to block. I teach my fighters to do the same, and my coaches have taught me to do the same.

2. "I don't really know how I should block (I was trying to block upwards and inwards a bit with my forearms, I think I've seen Thai boxers do it)"

Depends on WHAT you're blocking, but I'm going to step out on a limb and assume you mean blocking kicks. Lets say your opponent is throwing a right-side roundhouse kick at your upper body. Your left arm should stay TIGHT to your body (Shoulder up to jaw & Elbow into ribs. Forearm should be kept tight to body also). Your right arm is also kept tight, but comes across the body to meet the kick. You should NOT extend your right arm past your left arm, or your arm can get seriously f'ed up.

Hope thats the block you were asking about.

3. "I keep turning my back when I get hit (but then again I wasn't allowed to counter attack much so it is understandable)"

Again, not quite enough information to give you a solid answer, but the mental image that I'm getting is that you're saying that when you block a kick with your knee, you're getting turned around by the force of the kick. If this is what is happening, then you are blocking incorrectly. When you raise your knee to block a kick, you need to point your knee outwards to meet the kick, do NOT lift your knee pointed towards your opponent!

I hope that I was answering your questions. If not, please post more details for a better response.

Khun Kao

2. I was actualy talking about blocking straight punches but thanx for the info on how to block a mid level kick!

3. No my problem was that there was not much space and since I was not allowed to attack I kept retreating and when I couldn't go back any further I turned away from my opponent to protect my front. It's instictive, I was too close to my opponent and wasn't allowed to hit them back.

[JKDfreak]

What i suggest is to tie your hands together and go for sparring,not full but light.Ask your partner to throw combos at you while both of you stay in the same spot.This will force you to dodge/evade/slip etc... the attacks and you'll improve quickly.

[Khun Kao]

AH! I follow you now! LOL Oh well. Hope the free information on other techniques is helpful LOL! But, to answer your actual questions:

2. Sounds like you're trying to Parry your opponents/partners punches. I'm not sure exactly where you feel the problem is, but a couple of things you can start off with...

a) start off Parrying slowly with a partner. Have him throw 1/3 to 1/2 speed punches. Slap the left punch across to your left, and the right punch across to your right. This will help you develop your "eye" and your timing

b) only slap the punch just enough to make it miss your face. Do NOT overextend (or you'll come to regret it, lol) One of my Boxing Coaches tells me that when Slipping a punch or Parrying a punch, if you feel the punch brush the side of your face, you've executed perfectly.

c) alternately, you should also learn to CATCH punches. Rather than deflect them, merely use your glove to stop-hit them, similar to a Baseball Catcher pulling in a Pitch. The difference is that you don't need to "catch" with your palm. You can use any part of the glove.

3. Now, in this scenario there are a number of possibilities. You'll want to check with your coach regarding what method he feels you should focus on first.

a) LATERAL MOVEMENT: The mistake you seem to have made is moving BACKWARDS. You have to learn to move side-to-side to avoid being trapped with your back to the ropes or in the corner. Your coach should have some drills for you and be able to advise you which direction to move based on what your opponent is doing (or how you fight best)

b) STAND YOUR GROUND: This is an important skill, IMHO. Rather than avoiding, stand in place and cover up tight. One of my assistant coaches, Kru Eric Kolesar, likes to tell everyone: "YOUR STANCE IS YOUR GUARD." This is a very important point to learn. In Muay Thai, you should be able to remain in your stance and cover almost any attack with the bare minimum of movement. By focusing on standing your ground, you also help overcome "Gun-Shyness".

Khun Kao

[Lizard]

Thanks Khun Kao.







I wish I was an orc (a fighting uruk-hai). Just thinking out loud.

[John05]

in a real fight you're not gonna be able to block every single straight punch. If your opponent is worth his salt, you won't be able to block/slip past many of his jabs. It's just the nature of the jab, they are fast and meant to open you up for stronger shots.

I'm getting the idea that you're just standing still while trying to block to practice reflexes. Don't do that. I'd much rather have a power punch miss me than have to block one, lol. Practice shifting your weight from left foot to right foot (unless you're using the TKD stance, doing this will allow your head to bob slightly left and right). It'll be more natural for you to slip from straight punches. If you just stand still it'll be a more jerking movement to slip past.

Again, constant (but relaxed) movement and slipping is the best defense against straight punches. Don't rely on blocking exclusively, because:
- If you're keeping your hands near your face like you should be doing but not moving, you won't be taking enough force from a right cross.
- If you're trying to take out all of the force of right cross, you're probably "intercepting" punches, which means your arms aren't close to your body like they should be. You're open to more devastating attacks.

The point isn't really to completely block/dodge a punch but to soften it or make it land somewhere where it would cause the least amount of damage (side of your face instead of the front or chin). Get used to being hit.

[NuffSpeed]

I never seen it mention(probably because its too obvious)-----NEVER TURN YOUR BACK TO YOUR OPPONENT. At the very least, if he has you on the ropes(and your not allowed to hit back---heheheh I like that)just cover(put your fists together to the top of your forehead with bothforearms together in front of your face, try and see through the little crack and periphreals for what he's doing next, and slip out when you get a chance, or clinch. If you are allowed to hit back, this can put you in position for some nice counters.

[wael k]

if u want try tieing ur feet with half a meter rope this way u'll gain balance ,2nd if u can do kicks and punches in water this way u'll become incredibly faster with everything ,3rd try watching some k1's ,they r excellent if u see how they guys attack and defence.

[yenhoi]

We sparr each other at various intensity levels with various limitations and call it progressive sparring.

One progressive sparring drill has you in either lead, rear foot rasied, touching a wall, directly behind you. You are only allowed to move side to side, keeping contact with the wall with your rear foot. You cannot advance and the wall prevents actual retreat.

Then your opponent gos at you with various limits, like, he can only use his lead hand to attack, or rear hand, or both hands, or just lead lead.. etc. All You can do is defend... you cant really retreat.. (besides the movement allowed to you by your stance and footwork..) no attacking allowed.

[delbert]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by retired
[B]we have been here many times before about the toes up/down (dont people use the site search engine?)

i was always told that when you lift the leg up to block and the knee is about hip height and to the side (45' from straight forward) the toes point straight down with the foot in a position that is could almost be resting on the other leg making a triangle so that if a heavy kick is thrown at a 45' downward angle then when it contacts with your upper shin it will slide down the shin and not hit the foot on the way down.

I dont exactly agree with this.
the leg should be at a 90 degree angle, toes up. if the toe is down you may get your ankle broke and it is at a 45 degree angle with the foot against the other leg you will get your foot swept out from under you.
i do agree with the lean back a little.
ive seen guys get there ankle broke from having the muscle relaxed on the shin by having the foot down.
probably both good and it it keeps you from getting hit, all the better