Muay Thai great Sanchai Sinbimuaythai avoids a kick.
Welcome back to my online diary documenting my very amateur experience training in Muay Thai. If you missed the previous entries on Bloody Elbow, read them here.
This week, I am proud to say I reached a new milestone in my training. For the first time, I sparred in an actual ring.
The ring is a new addition to our facility, and it's pretty nice, providing a very different experience in the sparring. We still weren't having full on sparring matches, as there would be two pairs sparring in the ring at a time, but I was surprised at the way the ring did have an impact on my game.
First up, the grip is very different from our normal mats. The canvas on the ring just feels better on the foot, making me feel more comfortable on my feet. I found that pivoting on my lead leg while throwing a kick was a lot easier.
Second, there's using the ring to your advantage. Perhaps it comes from just having watched an awful lot of Muay Thai and MMA, but this was something I immediately identified as a key difference. Many times I was able to trap my partner in the corner and connect on him, while at the same time keeping myself out of the corner and away from the ropes. But it wasn't perfect. I realized afterwards that my big mistake was in my movement, as I tended to move in and out in straight lines - forward and backward. My goal for this week is to work on coming in from the side, and to circle away from my opponent's power hand. Against an opponent in orthodox stance, that will take me to my right, and that's going to be a tough change. My tendency is to start a lot of combos with the jab, which means stepping in with my left. I also stay light on the left foot, lifting the left leg to check often. Both of those moves cause me to drift left, into the power side. So it will be a tough change, but I think will benefit me in both making my combos a bit less predictable, while also protecting me from power shots. Hopefully we will spar tonight and I'll be able to report back how that went.
Last thing to work on - stop dropping my hand to catch leg kicks. When I first started sparring, this was a bad habit. I worked past it, but when sparring with my coach last time, I kept bringing the hand down instead of checking the kicks. No good at all, and not sure why that came back after I thought it was out of my system.
This week's question: anyone else out there a taller fighter? I'm 6'4", and try to use my height and reach to my advantage. It generally works, but causes trouble when working drills where I duck and slip a hook. Still a good skill to develop, or as a tall fighter, is this just a bad way for me to avoid hooks?
0 recs | 110 comments
I’m 6’1, around 230 pounds and I train in a gym with either taller fighters or heavyweights. I can tell you that slipping (backwards and side to side) is seen as the second, most important line of defense for the taller fighters and its a skill that is absolutely crucial when a smaller fighter can get on the inside.
Ducking, on the other hand, is rarely used by the taller fighters, for obvious reasons, and in my opinion, it can cause even more problems, especially if you’re sparring against someone adept at either knees or uppercuts. This being said, it can certainly be used for offensive purposes ala Fedor-style feinting and the movement can literally freak out many of your opponents.
andrew861 - January 23, 2012
I was gonna say the same thing.
I’m 5’10 and struggle a lot with taller fighters who slip punches and usually find much more opportunities when they duck. I’d say as a taller guy focus on slipping the punches as ducking sometimes lets a smaller guy get opportunities he wouldn’t have otherwise.
Sweet Scientist - January 23, 2012
Cool. Training in a ring/cage is fun; makes it feel more real.
I’m a bit taller (6’1" 170lbs), but most of the pure Thai guys in my gym are shorter than me, so I can relate. As a taller fighter the fundamentals still hold true. My guess is that when you’re rolling to avoid the hook, you’re probably bending at the waist. This effectively moves your head closer to the punch and opens up your face. Not what you want.
You should just practice two things: 1) bending at the knees and stepping out when rolling under the hook. I work this every time I shadow box and it’s paid off for me. 2) countering the hook with straight punches (while keeping your opposite hand up, of course). The hook is an arching punch, so it’s a bit slower. And if you’re taller than your opponent they’ll have to close the distance before they can land it. If you’re countering with quicker, straighter punches while keeping your guard up, you’ll find that you land a lot of really crisp counters while catching the hook on your glove.
Hope this helps.
POW - January 23, 2012
I'm not a tall guy (5'11")
But maybe I can give some insight from the opposite perspective. I generally get countered much more effectively by guys who block my hooks than those who duck, since them coming down low opens them up for knees and the clinch game, where I feel like I have an advantage.
As far as catching leg kicks, don’t completely drop it from your arsenal, but use it sparingly as part of a counter combination – i.e. check, check, check, then once you have their timing figured out grab the kick and come over the top with an overhand. Catching low kicks shouldn’t be the go-to strategy, but it does have some applications.
Patrick Wyman - January 23, 2012
6'3 here
Stockier guys tend to be better power punchers, so make sure you assert your length and don’t allow them to blitz you in the pocket or from the clinch with hooks and uppercuts.
ElliotMatheny - January 23, 2012
Even if you're short
you should still fight tall.
That’s something I’m learning more and more about Muay Thai.
TheFilt - January 23, 2012
It's so weird
To see shorter guys abandon the jab and their kicking games simply because they’re fighting someone taller. Jose Aldo is the perfect example of a shorter guy who doesn’t do this; against Florian, he was still throwing his full arsenal.
Patrick Wyman - January 23, 2012
It's all about what range you're comfortable at
and how much taller/longer your opponent is. I’m 5’6", pretty much one of the smallest guys in my gym but still love to strike from my middle range. Now the rest of the guys are 5’9" and up and I’m under no illusions they fight/spar their optimal range, which just so happens is their mid range. Due to length that’s my long range if i’m lucky else i’m completely out of range.
Love the ring cause it’s easier to help cut distance so i can go into my middle range/their short range. If I can trap them at that distance, and we’re not doing take downs/grappling, I can wreck them pretty well (chopping leg kicks to bring down the tall tree :D )
squaresphere - January 23, 2012
As far as fully extending punches, absolutely.
But the strategies for a shorter fighter are obviously different.
ElliotMatheny - January 23, 2012
What I'm saying is
Even if you’re 5’3", you want to fight as the tallest, longest 5’3" you can be.
Short guys should throw long, straight punches and stand up tall, too.
Tactically, everyone is different. There’s more than one way to fight a tall(or short) fighter.
Ironically, its actually the taller guys who are usually natural punchers. After all, longer arm equals a harder punch.
Most short guys don’t use power punches any more than tall guys do.
TheFilt - January 23, 2012
You certainly want to maximize your reach, no matter your height.
The part about shorter guys was specifically a reference to throwing punches in the pocket. Think of guys like Zambidis and Matt Serra- they stay on the outside, draw the taller man to them, jab their way inside, and once inside- let loose with vicious hooks, upperuts, and overhands. That is where they are at a natural advantage, because they can generate much more power in close.
ElliotMatheny - January 23, 2012
I’m 6’, but I typically spar with taller guys… I agree that it’s still important to throw long, straight punches (and not abandon your jab, etc), but I disagree that it’s always good advice for the shorter fighter to stand up tall against taller opponents (especially when countering, threaten/working the body, etc)
I also disagree with your statement about taller guys usually being better natural punchers (tall natural punchers stick out… for that reason). Short guys do tend to throw more power punches against taller opponents (many times a result from simply not having success with their jab or cross).
If there’s two guys that weight 200 lbs and one is 5’10 and the other is 6’6", I’m going to be more concerned about power punches coming from the stockier guy. There are certainly exceptions to the rule, but from what I have seen it’s not even that close…but I think taller/shorter is a bit of misnomer/over-generalization.
Diz D - January 23, 2012
Scientifically
Its been proven that longer arms hit harder. Its physics.
I used to think like you about being short, but my instructors beat it into my head(literally) that I should always fight tall.
Your last point is completely personal preference.
I’d watch out for the taller man’s power punches more than the shorter man’s, but mostly because he’s probably much faster and longer than a heavy set short man.
I’ve never seen a trend of short guys being better at throwing power punches which is what the OP said.
Boxing has long proven the opposite, that men with longer arms are often the hardest hitters.
But yes, everyone is different and its all relative.
TheFilt - January 23, 2012
If all things are equal, then yes, the longer arm (or whatever) is going to have more force because it is covering a greater distance. Middle school physics aside, there is at the very least a point of diminishing returns when other variables are fixed (IE: weight). There are also other factors to take into consideration when taking the human body into account and boxing technique, but that’s a different discussion.
Also, please not I was specifically referring to power punches: hooks, uppercuts, overhands (not just punches thrown with power). I think I’d have to disagree and say that boxing has shown that the most devastating power punchers tend to be the more compact in build (a la Mike Tyson, Foreman, Tua, etc, etc).
If you’re talking about which boxers have the most powerful cross, etc… That’s an entirely different discussion.
Diz D - January 23, 2012
*note
Diz D - January 23, 2012
*Foreman still works, but meant Frazier.
Diz D - January 23, 2012
George Foreman is compact?
At 6’4" with a 82" reach?
There are many, many, many more examples of heavy hitters with long arms.
Earnie Shavers, thought to be the hardest puncher of all time, was 6’ with an 80" reach.
TheFilt - January 23, 2012
I said I meant Frazier… it’s not like Foreman was lanky anyway.
Since when does having a long reach mean you don’t have a compact build?
Diz D - January 23, 2012
Pictured Above: Earnie Shavers
Diz D - January 23, 2012
Dude hit so fucking hard
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Clearly
You don’t understand what you’re talking about
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
He's actually not wrong
Compact just means dense, tightly packed together. Take Bob Sapp for instance; he’s 6’4 and has an 84’ reach. But I would definitely consider him to have a compact, stocky build.
“Stocky” and “compact” just carry connotations of being short, because most people aren’t that tall and that built at the same time.
Dude’s built like a bowling ball.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
How can you seriously compare Bob Sapp to Shavers?
For the purpose of this argument, long arms are the exact opposite as compact.
Seeing as we are talking about punching ranges.
Really, I think this silly to even argue.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
The word compact never refers to a tall, muscular man with long limbs.
It is used almost exclusively to mean the opposite.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Just because that's how it's generally used
doesn’t mean that words can’t have different definitions and purposes. I would absolutely consider Bob Sapp’s physique compact/ stocky. He’s fucking huge, but he doesn’t have a lanky frame.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Well if words mean nothing
Then sure.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Words don't mean nothing.
Words can have several different (if similar) uses and meanings. No point in being a grammar stickler when words aren’t limited to the most commonly used definition.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
I've never heard it used or defined as what you're saying
Once.
In fact, it is always the opposite.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
You lack imagination then.
Your own definitions say that compact doesn’t necessarily mean short.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
That's a stretch
A huge stretch.
Long limbs is the exact opposite of that.
There are several definitions which are clearly referring to a small, short human body.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Not a stretch.
Sure- short and stocky is ONE of multiple different possible meanings of the word “compact”.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Bascially
If Jon Jones roided out to 300lbs he would be compact according to you.
I disagree. Let’s leave it at that.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Well, even at 300 lbs I think Jon would still have chicken legs, and couldn't be considered compact or stocky.
But I will agree to disagree. I just think you were getting a little emotional in your argument, and nitpicking minor semantic details is counterproductive.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
I'm not at all
Saying a tall man with long limbs is compact is wrong and that’s okay.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
84 inches is a very long wingspan,
being “long” doesn’t preclude something from being girthy and compact.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Christ
It really does.
Unless you make up a new definition.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Do I have to keep posting the same definition over and over?
I know you’re a stubborn guy, Filt, but cmon. Clearly your reading comprehension is good enough to understand that the word “or” means that the word has multiple connotations and uses.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
I'm not reading it the way you are apparently
It is extremely clear we were talking about short fighters vs tall fighters.
I said that longer fighters usually hit harder.
We were clearly comparing tall guys to short or ‘compact’ guys.
I don’t see what we are debating.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Seriously
If Ernie Shavers or George Foreman are compact then clearly Jon Jones is too.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Foreman in his 40's was pretty stocky
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Yes
Cause that’s comparable….
In his prime, Foreman was 230lbs.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Who's to say Foreman WASN'T in his prime?
He did very well for himself, knocking the shit out of guys in his 40’s.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Everyone
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Sapp is basically the opposite of compact
by every dictionary definition and the way I’ve heard the word used in sports.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Doesn't matter how it's used by other people
Compact can mean dense, and only dense. It doesn’t have to mean dense AND short, and especially considering the context, it’s clear that compact is meant to say that he’s built.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
It is only you who is using it tht way
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Notice that it's the "b" definition.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
When talking about people
The word means the exact opposite of what you’re saying.
The exact opposite in every dictionary.
And I don’t see how you can compare Sapp to Shavers or Foreman.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Shavers wasn't as beefy as Sapp
But he isn’t a bean pole, either.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Only 100 30lbs less huh?
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
6' 210lb Earnie Shavers
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
210 is pretty beefy for 6'0
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Eliot...
You’re comparing him to 6’4 350lbs+ Bob Sapp….
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
I'm not comparing anyone.
I used Sapp as an example to illustrate that you can be tall and stocky at the same time.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
Well, that's a bad example
for a lot of reasons.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Sorry if I was being a dick.
Got back from a long night of drinking and went on BE.
At least Rampage didn’t bang my wife thought, right?
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
that explains much
I was like
Man filt is just not feeling it… wtf
Elliot is right ,and you are also right
golly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - January 24, 2012
Find one definition
That says what you’re saying.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Note the word "or"
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
.....
Still doesn’t work
Its really clear that a compact body is a short, small one.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Still doesn't work?
You do understand that words are flexible and can mean slightly different things, based on context… right?
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
I just don't see it that way
Let’s just drop it.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
This context is actually makes it even clearer
We were specifically talking about lanky vs compact fighters.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
That wasn't his point though.
His point was that being tall & long doesn’t preclude someone from also being considered compact.
Which it doesn’t.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
It does
It really does.
And it was the point.
The one definition you are trying to use doesn’t even make sense because it is not describing human bodies.
Even if it was, it wouldn’t even mean what you think it does.
This is getting really dumb to argue bout.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Yay… At least Elliot isn’t a completly blind idiot.
That’s why I was saying earlier that taller/shorter is a misnomer (and an over generalization). When I talk about body types, I’m typically talking about somatotypes: ectomorphic, mesomorphic, or endomorphic…and if we’re talking boxing, then usually just the first two.
When you look at it that way, height or reach don’t matter when judging someone’s build. That’s why I can consider someone who is tall with a long reach to be considered compact… even though that appears to be a complete mind fuck for you.
Diz D - January 24, 2012
sapp doesn't have good punching form
BIGNAT - January 24, 2012
Duh
Fucking duh.
You didn’t make a single point.
TheFilt - January 23, 2012
Diz D - January 23, 2012
Well
You literally don’t know shit about boxing and it was obvious.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
Yes… that is one possibility…
Sigh.
Diz D - January 24, 2012
most people don't know shit about boxing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeTB7_NrJiA
www.youtube.com/watch?v=STMeQlu8jA4
me myself I prefer the former instead of the latter, mainly because the Uncle impersonation is spot on
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - January 24, 2012
"I’ve never seen a trend of short guys being better at throwing power punches which is what the OP said."
Nah man, i’m saying that up close, in the pocket, stockier guys can generate more power with their punches.
It’s all about leverage/ centrifugal force. With the proper space- yes, the longer a punch travels, the more it accelerates. But in the pocket, a shorter man has you on the end of his punches, while your punches aren’t at their sweet spot. It’s why lankier fighters have success with elbows and knees inside, because they travel less distance and require less space to achieve their optimal momentum.
I was STRICTLY talking about stocky fighters being able to generate more power with their punches on the inside, in the pocket.
ElliotMatheny - January 23, 2012
I know what you're saying
and that’s common sense; but I don’t really agree about short fighters excelling in the pocket.
Its all circumstantial, but most short guys aren’t taught to fight in the pocket anymore than taller guys.
TheFilt - January 23, 2012
The good ones are.
Just watch Mike Zambidis fight. He fights nearly perfect for a shorter, stockier guy; draws the opponent in, jabs to get inside, and then punishes the opponent with power punches and hard round kicks. Serra used his (lack of) height very well also. Mike Tyson was famous for using his peak-a-boo guard to get inside of his opponent’s range and crush them with brutal hooks + uppercuts to the head and body.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
There's literally thousands of other great boxers
who fight nothing like Tyson.
The vast, vast majority of fighters would get destroyed if they fought like Tyson.
I wouldn’t use Serra as an example of striking.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
I think that Serra is a good example of an effective, short striker.
After all- he DOMINATED Georges in their first go around. People act like that punch was a fluke, but Serra was moving very well, hitting the body, and picking his shots.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
I completely disagree on that one
One good MMA fight does not make you a great kick boxer.
TheFilt - January 24, 2012
He looked great against Trigg, too.
And considering that Georges is a fantastic striker himself, I would definitely consider Serra’s win over him as a practical indicator that he was a very effective striker.
ElliotMatheny - January 24, 2012
That’s actually a good point. Serra didn’t land one lucky punch and it was over. He landed repeatedly until Georges tapped out.
discoandherpes - January 24, 2012
Even before the big right hand that took away Georges' equilibrium
Serra was landing the better shots. After KTFO’ing Hughes, GSP had fallen in love with his high kicks and was snapping them off non stop, hunting for the big knockout.
I know it’s hard for people to believe, but Matt Serra really was the better fighter that night.
ElliotMatheny - January 25, 2012
This.
6’1" here, so I spar against guys taller and shorter than me, and even when I spar 6’5" guys, it still helps a ton to fight taller.
T.C. Engel - January 23, 2012
thanks for the tips!
I’m a tall female and the natural consequence of this is that I mostly end up sparring with other women, almost all of whom are significantly shorter than me. And I am so over all of the stomach and rib punches.
mollcutpurse - January 23, 2012
No prob,
I’ve never seen you spar, so I don’t know what it is you’re doing that leaves you open to body shots, but just a few general tips-
Fight like an outside fighter. We’ve all seen what happens when a taller fighter, better suited to be an outside fighter, tries to brawl (Struve), or be an in- fighter (Paul Williams)
ElliotMatheny - January 23, 2012
Eliot has good points, but let me add too that I like to use the body punches myself as a tall fighter. A quick change of level and a straight shot to the body is another good way to enforce your reach. Push kicks are great for this too. In fact, I had to lay off these a bit, as I was getting a reputation as the body shot guy at the gym, and people were not always loving it.
Fraser Coffeen - January 24, 2012
Tall fighters can definitely throw body shots.
The big detail is really bending at the knees instead of leaning over; the taller you are, the more knee bend you need, ESPECIALLY for body shots.
Cigano is a great example of a taller guy using body shots well. His jab to the body is fast and opens up alot of other options for him.
ElliotMatheny - January 25, 2012
first of all, respect sir
sparring in an art like that is not easy.
I took two days of Muay Thai at my academy, and it was a small class so they didn’t really have beginners separated out. You just had to roll with the upper level guys, so I got tossed into sparring on my second day.
I like you, tried to check kicks with my hand, an old habit from my fencing days and guys started throwing up head kicks on me right and left. I had to idea how to deal with them, so I pretty much would duck and run stupidly away. Then towards the end of class I caught my toe on the mat liner and cut it open and had to take a week off of BJJ to let it heal and basically said “Fuck Muay Thai” and just stuck with BJJ.
I have mad respect for all those who do Muay Thai and kickboxing related arts after that.
T.P. Grant - January 23, 2012
Guys who throw head kicks at clearly inexperienced beginners are dicks. I had it happen to me too. It’s tough guy crap I think. In sparring your job is not to KO your partner, it’s to learn together.
Fraser Coffeen - January 24, 2012
yeah most guys were cool
but yeah the two guys that started throwing up head kicks were also in BJJ class, and they liked to pick on new guys in that too.
I might be interested in spending a summer doing Muay Thai again, but only at a place that has separate beginner classes.
T.P. Grant - January 24, 2012
Tangentially related
But since we’re talking about MT and Kickboxing I wanted to remind everybody that:
Badr Hari vs Gokan Saki this Saturday – HDNet at noon pacific!
hardlyworking - January 23, 2012
I'm stoked for this fight!
Sweet Scientist - January 23, 2012
Yes!
Ak.Death - January 23, 2012
FUCK YES I AM HYPE
T.C. Engel - January 23, 2012
When did I AM HYPE become a thing?
discoandherpes - January 24, 2012
Not sure. A few months ago.
T.C. Engel - January 24, 2012
Coverage to come. Stay tuned!
Fraser Coffeen - January 24, 2012
I'm coverage'ing my couch, watchin the fight!
BOOYAH!
hardlyworking - January 24, 2012
personally i don't like ducking
i like parrying or moving in and out or side to side. i like to parry and the hand i block with i attack with. it’s a nice way to throw someone off. parry slide hit with the same hand you just parried with. overall no matter the height speed kills if you can’t see the hit coming your already done.
BIGNAT - January 23, 2012
I am not a tall guy 5’9" but what are your feet and hands doing when you try and slip or duck a hook? If you are crossing your feet that may be the problem and if your hands are all over the place that could cause you to lose your balance. Minor things like that can create a big difference. Also from my personal experience my first few times in a ring were terrible because I was so happy to be in a ring I completely forgot everything that I had learned. It is a very good thing that was not a real fight for me.
Realistically the only correct answer is the one that works best for you. Keep it up thanks for the read!
the jewish conquistador - January 24, 2012
That’s a great point about forgetting the fundamentals in the ring. I do think there was a large degree of that for me.
When ducking I keep my feet planted and my hands up by my ears. I do have a bit of a tough time finding the right width for my stance on the duck though, which can give me some balance issues.
Fraser Coffeen - January 24, 2012
It happens to all of us, how big is the ring? When I was in Utah at the MTIK they would have 3 groups of people sparring in one ring sometimes it was crazy and lots of fun… almost like a hardcore show but with pads and rounds and nobody two steppin.
the jewish conquistador - January 24, 2012
I am not sure about the size, will have to check. Not too big, but not uncomfortably small either. With two groups sparring, you had to be a bit conscious of the other group, but weren’t really stepping on them at all.
Fraser Coffeen - January 24, 2012
Also, may I just say that the comments sections in these articles are consistently a highlight. Thank you to everyone for all the great insight you bring here.
Fraser Coffeen - January 24, 2012
Tai Chi
My Tai Chi instructor was 6’-4", and he loved proving to everyone in the class that he could fight at any level, keeping his head on the same plane as his student, no matter how short they were.
The basics of Tai Chi start off teaching you that sort of balance, how to move to avoid a strike without changing your foot placement. It is a very deceiving technique when done right, and it makes it very easy to sort of “pull” your opponent off balance.
There are a lot of grappling aspects of Tai Chi that I think would translate well into MMA, and I’d love to see it happen. I think Anderson Silva moves like a Tai Chi player when he avoids strikes, but that could be Capoeira, I wouldn’t know.
RobtWeaver - January 24, 2012
Duh...
As an alternative to ducking, is what I was trying to say above. A combination of sinking into your hips, bending at the knee, and using that sinking movement to build momentum for a strike as you come out of the sink.
RobtWeaver - January 24, 2012
Not going to find a lot of love for the Tai Chi here
But nice to know there’s another Kung Fu brother at BE!
For what its worth, and if you are loving your Tai Chi don’t listen to me, but I’ll say this:
Being at a Tai Chi centric Taoist Kung Fu school my sifu had me doing all kinds of crazy shit that I would (now) never, ever attempt to pull off in a fight. #1 among them being cat-stance. Fuck aaaaaalll that.
Now having said that, I loved the “spirituality” of it and at times you really felt “something” more than hand-vs-body.
hardlyworking - January 24, 2012
Circling away from a punch + recommended fights
I think a lot of people covered the topic of striking as a taller fighter, with most people agreeing that swaying backwards or using left to right head motion is fine, but ducking can sometimes be dangerous. For reference from the world of kickboxing, you can watch the fights of Buakaw, Badr Hari, Remy Bonjasky, Artur Kyshenko, and Sato Yoshihiro who are generally taller than their opponents. They all use different styles of defense, but with the exception of Buakaw none of them like to duck under hooks.
One thing I’ve noticed is that it seems to be a meme among MMA sites that circling to the right “away” from an opponent’s power hand is great defensive strategy. As a kickboxer, this always seemed strange to me for a few reasons.
First, most fighters with a few years of experience will have a dangerous straight right AND long range left hook. Same with their kicks. Just circling to your right (if both are orthodox) and running away from their right hand / right leg will open you up for their hook / left leg once you lose the angle. Regardless of which way you are circling, you will always be circling away from some attacks but going straight into others (assuming they know how to kill your angle with their own footwork).
Second, it is easier for many people to set up their offense by circling to the left, especially for fighters who like to start with a jab. If you make an angle by circling to your right, you probably have a openings for some attacks (eg, straight right, cross counter, right low kick), but some other openings will be shut off (eg, jab, left hook, counter knee strikes, teep, etc), especially if the the opponent is fast at adapting.
Third, always circling one way will make you predictable. If you watch pretty much any high level kickboxer, they will generally circle both directions, depending on their defensive and offensive goals. Ideally you can use quick footwork to maintain an angle (whether that’s to the right or to the left), but the reality is an opponent of similar skill will be constantly killing your angles (to make an angle you need to make a step, to kill an angle you only need to pivot) and creating their own, so you need to mix it up.
For me, the most important thing is to recognize what offense you open up by circling right or left (or even backstep), and also what defensive advantages you have. It will be different for every fight, since both you and your opponent will have different body mechanics. Also, using the ring to help you make the decision to circle right or left is critical as well; there are some fighters who have great footwork and are almost impossible to get a good angle on, but once they are backed into a corner or a side their footwork fails.
kyo20 - January 24, 2012
That is awesome stuff. Thanks!
Fraser Coffeen - January 24, 2012
good stuff.
The Hashishin - January 24, 2012
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