18/7/17: Thai boxing kicks plus syllabus work

THAI BOXING – defending kicks focus

Defending the round kicks with crushes
Drilling in the mirrors to get reps in and refine the motion before applying it.
Key learning points were:
• Eyes up
• Hands high
• Hips high
• Short stance
• Maintain the same level – avoid bobbing
• Both hands on the centre when crushing
• Thigh is parallel to the floor and the knee is pointing sideways not forwards.
• Ankle is flexed.
• Whichever side of the body is raised, the arm on that side of the body covers the head.
• The standing leg side arm is long, looking to disrupt the opponent’s balance and base

Crush 1: Right leg to the right

Crush 2: Left leg to the left

Crush 3: Left leg low and across the centre (against the lead low kick)

Drilling with partners
Working the three attacks to enable the partner to work the three defences. Initially this was in the order which they were presented but after a few rounds, they were in any order. This was to develop aliveness in the drill and a precursor to the kick sparring later on in the session.

Teep drilling rounds
• Eyes up
• Hands high
• Hips high
• Short stance
• Maintain the same level – avoid bobbing
• Lift the knee high
• Push the hips through
• Use the ball of the foot as primary striking tool
• Aim for the waist band
When drilling with our partners, it was in the kick for kick style and either leg could be used and in any order.

Defending the teeps with scoops
Teep defence was same arm as kicking leg, this kept you on the Outside, Zero pressure, or certainly lessUse opposite hand to leg. If he kicks with left leg, scoop with the left arm. When scooping, lift the leg so the palm is facing up and away from you; the kick is on the outside of the forearm. Give it a little shove which will turn his centre and this can then be followed by a round kick to the back of his leg.

Kick for kick (lead or rear round kick, lead or rear teep)

Defend without reply
I found this really hard, I was thinking too much about what to do rather than trying to flow.

Kick sparring rounds
This was not one for one. You could kick several times in a row, use forward or evasive pressure and counter too. At all times, trying to maintain consistent basics outlined earlier on. This was most enjoyable

Syllabus work
We split off into our grade specific factions and worked on areas for development.

As always, another fun yet challenging lesson.