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Know The Era of Muay Thai

Muay Thai is referred to as “The Art of Eight Limbs”; and using eight points of contact the body mimics weapons of war. The hands become the sword and dagger; the shins and forearms were hardened in training to act as armor against blows, and the elbow to fell opponents like a heavy mace or hammer; the legs and knees became the axe and staff. The body operated as one unit. The knees and elbows constantly searching and testing for an opening while grappling and trying to spin an enemy to the ground for the kill. high kick muay thai http://www.defensapersonalypolicial.com/tips-to-mastering-muay-thai-high-kick-technique

The King of Thailand is an avid fan of Muay Thai. Since being crowned its popularity has grown more than in any other era in history. The Sukhothai Era

In 1238 (Buddhist years), the first Thai army was created in the northern city of Sukhothai, Siam being its capital. The recorded history shows that a need to defend the capital city was spawned by many wars being fought between neighbouring tribes and kingdoms. The Siamese army was created to protect the government and its inhabitants within the city and surrounding villages. Soldiers were taught hand-to-hand combat and how to use weapons, as well as how to use the entire body as a weapon. Their training is what eventually evolved into Muay Thai and Krabi Krabong.

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Learning the military arts or “Muay Thai” became engrained in the culture of the early Siamese people. With the constant threat of war, training centers slowly began to appear throughout the kingdom. These were the first Muay Thai camps. Young men practiced the art form for various reasons: self-defense, exercise, discipline; monks even instructed at many Buddhist temples, passing down knowledge and history from one generation to the next.

As Muay Thai became popular with the poor and common people, it also became a required staple for the high-class and royalty. The two sons of King Phokhun Sri In Tharatit, the first King of Sukhothai, were sent to learn at the Samakorn training center. The common idea was that good warriors made brave leaders and this would prepare them as future rulers of the kingdom.

Phokhun Ram Khamhaeng university is named after the writer of the first ancient text of Muay Thai. It is located in Bangkok along with the Sport Authority of Thailand.

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The Krungsri Ayutthaya Era

With many wars being fought between the developing countries of Thailand, Burma (Myanmar) and Cambodia, the development of large armies became necessary to protect and ensure the survival of the Thai kingdom. Young men were trained in warfare at training centers throughout the country, devoting themselves to learning hand-to-hand combat, the sword, staff and stick (“Krabi Krabong”). Phudaisawan Center for swords and pole arms became the most famous of the these training centers and was considered to be the eras equivalent of a college or university education.

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The Era of King Naresuan

King Naresuan loved Muay Thai and fighting competitions. He would eventually become a Muay Thai legend, calling upon the men who had been beaten and displaced by the Burmese warriors to become scouts and jungle warfare soldiers that would eventually liberate Thailand from it’s Burmese occupants around 1600.

The Era of King Narai

During this era Muay Thai became a national sport, developing the fundamental traditions that would remain the same for the next 400 years. The Mongkong (headband) and pa-pra-jiat (armband) were both introduced and the first “ring” was made by laying a rope on the ground in a square or circle as a designated fighting area.

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The fighters used hemp ropes and threads as hand coverings which wrapped around the hands and forearms. A thick, starchy liquid would sometimes be used to bind the threads and make the striking surface harder. Now, 400 years later, TWINS is Thailand’s #1 Muay Thai equipment manufacturer.

In the first professional fights, fighters were not matched up by weight, height, experience or age. There were no time limits on fights; they continued until there was a definite winner. Local champions would represent their city or village, and often times fought on behalf of wealthy businessmen or royalty as a way for them to settle disputes. Losing a fight often resulted in the fighter and/or businessman losing face. Gambling on Muay Thai matches was as popular then as it is now in stadiums across the country.

King Prachao Sua “Tiger King” Era

King Prachao Sua loved competing in Muay Thai. He was known for entering tournaments in small cities and villages disguised as a commoner. Because no one recognized him as the King, he was allowed to participate in a tournament against several notable fighters. According to the legend, he defeated three fighters named Nai Klan Madthai (Killing Fists), Nai Yai Madklek (Fists of Iron), and Nai Lek Madnok (Strong Fists). The “Tiger King” was forced to disguise himself because Thai people hold their King in such high regard that out of respect, no one would have fought him.

Prachao Sua loved the sport so much that he made his two sons, the princes of Thailand, study Muay Thai, sword fighting and wrestling. During this time the Department of Royal Boxing was founded with the responsibility of finding and recruiting worthy men to fight as entertainment for royalty and to become guards in Thani Lir, the royal court. As royal guards, they were also given the task of training the members of royalty in combat and Muay Thai, as they were still at war with Cambodia and Burma.

The Thonburi Era

During this period known as the Thonburi Era, Thailand began to see peace and the kingdom was slowly being reconstructed. Training in Muay Thai was generally for Soldiers in the military and a favored past-time for those who were not. With the country’s new found peace, the sport began to turn more competitive. Camps would match their best fighters agasint each other for entertainment. As there were still no formal rules, they lasted until a clear winner was left standing.

The Ratanakosin Era

By the time of the reign of Rama I, Muay Thai had become a national fighting art and rules and regulations were introduced. The sport had become an integral part of celebrations and festivities across the country. The length of each round was measured by a coconut with a small hole that would float in water. The coconut filling with water and sinking to the bottom of the barrel signified its end, though there was still no limit to the number of rounds per fight. Combatants continued to fight until a clear winner was chosen, or one person was left standing.

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Difference between modern and old muay thai Modern Muay Thai

Muay Thai has progressed significantly over the past 100 years. Due to the noticable national popularity, it began to garner international recognition and exposure. In World War II, after formally being introduced to Muay Thai, foreigners named it “Siam Boxing”, as Thailand was formerly Siam. The French labeled it as “Le Sport Orient” or the fighting style of the orient. Soldiers from Europe and America would watch attentively as the Thai soldiers practiced Muay Thai amongst themselves. They were so impressed with the style of fighting that they asked the Thai soldiers to teach them the fundamentals and traditions of Muay Thai. As it became more popular internationally, the rules began to change so it could be better organized and governed like established sports such as boxing. In the 1920’s, rings were introduced to replace open courtyards, which ultimately planted the roots of modern Muay Thai.

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Gloves similar to those used in boxing matches replaced the old horsehide, hemp rope or leather bindings and a hard-cover groin protector was added as extra protection from brutal kicks and knees.

The first formal rules were introduced to the sport of Muay Thai after WW II ended. Fights were divided into 5 rounds with a time limit on each; a clock was used to determine the length of each round instead of a coconut shell with holes sinking in a barrel of water, and major Muay Thai stadiums were erected in large cities thoughout the country (namely Bangkok, Sukothai and Chiang Mai). Bangkok’s Lumpini Stadium is now almost considered the “holy ground” to the masses of Muay Thai fighters, local and foreign. An integrated system of weight-classes, absolute rules and championships was brought to life in the years ahead as the organization of the sport began to resemble boxing.

Unlike boxing in Europe and America, Muay Thai fighters make very little money fighting. Many will take fights every 3-4 weeks, earning 4000-6000 baht ($100), which is barely enough to support themselves, let alone a family if they have one.

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Muay Thai fighters train many hours a day and often begin when they are 6-8 years of age. They typically take their first fight when they are 8-10 years old and may accumulate as many as 120-150 (3 times as many as an active boxer) before they reach their mid-twenties. Due to how physically demanding the sport is, and how early the average Thai begins fighting, Muay Thai fighters generally do not have long careers. Muay Thai fighters are known for their tough skin and ability to ignore pain and injuries, which are quite common. The fighters deal with everything from cuts and lacerations to the face and head to broken bones and severe sprains throughout their careers.

Today Muay Thai is becoming very popular on a global scale. It was recently accepted as an Olympic sport, finally gaining it’s deserved recognition. Professional martial artists from all sides of the fighting spectrum agree, Muay Thai is essential to becoming an all-around multifaceted fighter. As new training camps and gyms open around the world, Muay Thai will continue to grow in popularity.

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Early Muay Thai Style Training Methods

Before there were TWINS Muay Thai heavy bags, agility balls, long banana bags and other equipment we use to today, Muay Thai fighters had to be resourceful and rely on readily available tools to help them train and condition. Thailand’s tropical environment garners an abundance of banana and coconut trees, rivers and streams and manual labor; all of which fighters relied on to become better and more skilled in the sport. One of the most popular and well known training techniques of “old-style” Muay Thai fighters was kicking banana trees. The soft and porous nature of the banana tree was ideal for practicing leg kicks and knee strikes. Fighters would practicing striking using a tree around 18-24 inches in diameter, and slowly wore it down using a variety of techniques until it fell over. The banana tree was preferred because it was soft enough to not damage the fighters leg, but hard enough to powerfully strike with kicks or knees many times before it would fall over.

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Often times fighters would roll small logs along their shins or strike them with bags of sand, the intention being to toughen the skin and build calluses which would provide extra protection during a fight. Hard shins and tough skin were an important part of being a good Muay Thai fighter.

The Thai women would collect the fallen leaves of the banana trees in an effort to not waste anything. They would use them as serving plates for food and cut sections from the tree to form “Kratongs”, which are small, floating decorations used on the Thai holiday “Loy Kratong.”

The coconut tree was also utilized in many creative ways when it came to training. The Thai fighters would often climb them to strengthen their legs, slowly pushing with their feet and contracting their thigh muscles. The rough bark helped harden their feet, and even the coconuts themselves were used to aid in training. The fighters would place half of a broken coconut shell on the ground, partially fill it with sand, and then repeatedly strike their elbows into the shell and sand. This helped them practice their aim while similtaneously toughening their elbows, making them hard and coarse for fighting.

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To practice striking accuracy on a moving target, the Thai warriors would often hang a coconut or lime from a string or vine and punch, kick, elbow and knee the moving target which mimiced their opponent in the ring.

It is also believed that the fighters would slowly and methodically strike the hard husk of a coconut with their fists until it split, exposing the fruit inside. This can still be seen at Muay Thai shows for tourists throughout the Kingdom of Thailand.

Another popular and effective method for strength training was digging a small pit from knee to waist deep to jump in an out of. The fighter would only use the strength and explosive power of his legs to propel him upwards and land on his feet. This is very similar to the modern practice of plyometric training popular among Muay Thai and MMA fighters today. Thai fighters would also practice walking against the current of a strong stream and through thick, muddy rice fields to help build strong calf and thigh muscles.

In order to practice not blinking their eyes when getting struck in the face, the Muay Thai fighters would stand in rivers and slap the water into their faces while attempting to keep their eyes open. rivers to force themselves to keep their eyes open and not cover them as water splashes into their faces.

Another favored and very popular Muay Thai training technique is called the Muay Thai circle. A group of fighters would form a circle with one person in the middle. The fighter in the middle would then train with each person in the circle for a designated amount of time, switching at even intervals. They would often go through 5-6 opponents in a row, for approximately 10 minutes, to improve their clinching skills while building endurance and stamina. If a fighter can train for 10 minutes without a break, then a 3 minute round in the ring will be much easier to endure. The Muay Thai circle of training is still practiced today, and is a training technique commonly used at Tiger Muay Thai and MMA training camp, Phuket, Thailand.

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Essential tips for muay thai beginners

As a Muay Thai beginner, being armed with some preliminary advice will help you make the most out of your time, money and effort. So whether your current focus in training Muay Thai is recreational or competitive, here are some guidelines to help you begin.

1. Assess Your Fitness Levels

Before you start training in Muay Thai, really be honest about your current fitness level. You don’t have to be in top shape to begin training Muay Thai. Rather, it’s important to understand your strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement to better help you find the training that’s right for you.

2. Research Gyms

Not all gyms are suited for all people, regardless of how remarkable a gym’s reputation. With this in mind, research Muay Thai gyms via word of mouth, online and visit them before making a decision. Take a drop in class if they’re offered and try a few gyms out. high kick muay thai http://www.defensapersonalypolicial.com/tips-to-mastering-muay-thai-high-kick-technique

What you want to look for is a gym that supports your personality type, your current fitness level and your goals. For example, if your goal is to compete in Muay Thai, ensure that the gym genuinely promotes their fighters and has the connections needed to take you where you want to go.

If you’re interested in training recreationally and you’re a newbie to fitness in general, ensure you’ll receive adequate attention in training and won’t be left behind. Some gyms focus predominately on their fighters and competition, while others offer a variety of classes for all levels and are interested in teaching Muay Thai regardless if someone wants to compete. Each gym has its own culture; find one that resonates with you.

Trust your intuition. If everything in a gym seems to fit what you’re looking for but you still have a sense that something is off, listen to it. If you have other options in your area, investigate them. If you don’t and/or you decide to go with a gym despite your intuition telling you otherwise, maintain an open mind. Meaning, don’t write your negative feelings off, temper them and see where things lead.

In retrospect, when I first began training Muay Thai in Toronto, I ended up at a gym where, despite what everyone else I knew who trained at this gym said in favour of the owner / head trainer, I had a less than positive feeling about him. I expressed this to the people who recommended him and they convinced me that I was wrong. In time, the feelings increased and ultimately after a couple of years and thousands of dollars spent at his gym, everything I felt was confirmed to the extent that I willingly lost months of training fees to leave the gym and train at a competing one.

3. Be Kind To Yourself (And Others)

Muay Thai is a sport that requires a lot of skill and conditioning. Building on both will take time. Be patient with yourself and refrain from expecting too much of yourself too soon. Aim for a little better each day and you’ll reach your goals without the self-defeating talk that will sabotage them.

Additionally, it’s equally important to be patient with those you train with, including your training partners. Sometimes your trainers and partners may frustrate you. This is normal and it’s best to take it all in stride. People improve at different rates and each person can learn from another, even if the lesson learned is patience itself. Patience is an important skill in competition and it increases your overall mental strength. muay thai pad drills http://www.defensapersonalypolicial.com/top-muay-thai-pad-drills-the-things-that-make-you-stronger

4. Eat Well And Get The Rest You Need

As Muay Thai is a physically demanding sport, it’s important that you respect your body and give it the nourishment it needs to recover and build upon. Eat balanced meals loaded with whole foods and avoid processed foods heavy with refined sugar and chemicals.

You may notice you need to eat more; this is normal. However, your increased appetite could sabotage your training goals if you don’t fuel and refuel your body with the right foods. Even if your aim is to increase your weight, you’ll recover and repair more efficiently, perform better in training, and look and feel overall better when you eat nutrient rich, unprocessed foods. Sleep is equally as important in recovery and post training gains so ensure you get the hours you need.

5. Have Fun

Training should rarely be a chore and when it feels like one, the sentiment often sabotages your goals (not to mention your life outside of training). Have fun while training efficiently at the gym. See the humour in the mistakes you’re bound to make acquiring new skills. You perform better when relaxed. You’re also less apt to injure yourself (and others).

Training Muay Thai offers you the ability to increase your mental and physical strength, learn a variety of new skills, develop an understanding of your body you didn’t have before, while being in the company of people who are at different levels doing the same.

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Effective Muay Thai techniques for Beginners

Muay Thai Techniques employs eight points of contact: feet, knees, fists, and elbows.

That leads to a diverse fighting tactics and striking combinations. All of that relies heavily on a fighters movement speed and agility which is an important category itself. All of that has to be combined with strength training and a body conditioning to create a complete fighter. When you master those skills you will be prepared to face even the toughest opponents.

In general, we can divide Muay Thai techniques into 5 major categories:

Elbow strikes: • elbow slash • uppercut elbow • horizontal elbow • spinning back elbow Elbows can also be used a head kick defense measure.

Elbow strikes are a very effective close range attack. It is utilized to block the opponent's vision by cutting his eyebrow, so that blood may obscure it and if the cut is deep enough the fight may end by KO or TKO. It is also effective in delivering a spectacular knockout by hitting his chin. Read more about elbow strikes

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Muay Thai clinch:

Various techniques used in a clinch and neck wrestling skills. It includes: • throws • knees to the body targeting stomach, liver and solar plexus • side knees targeting ribs and the kidney section • knee to the face from a dominant clinch position • knee leg attacks aimed to cripple the opponent movement • leg sweeps Clinch and neck wrestling are integrated parts of Thai boxing. It gives fighter a perfect opportunity to use devastating knee and elbow strikes. One of the effective ways to set it up is to throw a combo of a few punches, close the distance with a short hook, and then follow up to a clinch position. Read more about clinch techniques

Kicks, which includes:

• Round kick [roundhouse kick] • Head kick [kick to the neck] • Push kick [a teep] • Low kick [leg kick]: inside leg kick and outside leg kick • Cartwheel kick: a special kicking technique often employed by Saenchai Kicks are one of the most powerful strikes in every Muay Thai fighter's arsenal. The main difference between Thai boxing kicks and any other martial art kicks is that they utilize shin instead of a foot to deliver a blow. This makes them more powerful and reduces a risk of an injury to a kicker.

Many of Muay Thai kicking techniques have found their way into a modern Western Kickboxing arsenal of kicks and combinations. Fast and precise, a truly devastating weapon. Read more about Muay Thai kicks

Punching techniques: • jab • cross • hook • shovel hook • uppercut • swing • overhand • superman punch • and other like spinning back fist Traditional Muay Thai punches were initially very limited with straight jabs and circular punches being the most used strikes. It all changed with a globalization of Thai boxing. Western Boxing techniques have been adopted by Muay Thai practitioners and enriched Thai Boxing with a new kind of strikes and combinations. On the opposite side, Western kickboxers implemented some of the Muay Thai kicking techniques and Dutch style kickboxing was born. Some of the most exciting matches between native Thai fighters and "Farangs" [Western fighters] are being fought in this formula. Read more about Muay Thai punching techniques

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Knee strikes:

• knee strike: 1. straight knee aimed at stomach, ribs and solar plexus 2. side knee which targets ribs and a side of the abdomen 3. flying knee aimed at the same area as straight knee • knee defense, like 1. mid section knee block in the clinch 2. or a nasty low kick knee block which may injure your opponent. Chris Weidman used it against Anderson Silva in UFC fight to break his leg.

"The knee is the king". There's no doubt about it. Muay Thai knee techniques are one of the most powerful strikes in any martial art. It possesses a knockout power - especially flying knee strike - and it is great for wearing down your opponent in a clinch. Read more about Muay Thai knee strikes

And combinations of aforementioned techniques. Effective use of Muay Thai employs using all sorts of setups. There are combinations crafted for most of the situations encountered in a fight: • defensive combos, where you protect yourself first and foremost even when attacking • offensive combos, where you unload on your opponent and taking risk of a counter attack or just going for an exchange • counter attacks, where you wait for your opponent to attack and block/deflect/evade his strike to be able to hit back straight after It all depends whether you are a more offensive or a more defensive fighter.