Deluxe Martial Arts Forums - View Single Post - Video of my Thaiboxing Instructor Test...

Ciaran Daly · 08-20-2006, 11:43 PM

I've both fought in the ring (amateur in Milwaukee & Osaka), taken the test (James Cook & Greg Nelson holding) and held for the test, and regarding the hazing comments above:

To even get to the portion of the test you see on that video, you have to demonstrate to Ajarn Chai's satisfaction all the techniques he asks you to perform, as well as perform the Wai Kru. If he finds either unsatisfactory, you're done. Try again next time. He also makes it a point to hold focus mitts for everyone testing that year. So there's plenty of judging of technique.

Others have already made valid points regarding the difficulty of defending yourself and maintaining offensive output without the crutch of hitting the other guy back. I know for a fact that had Greg wanted to knock me out he could have. The same goes for James (who as I recall muttered "you're doing great homie" to me in the clinch, right before we broke and he popped me one again). As it was, they both made sure I was tested to my limit (I think the bell rang as my 40th knee landed at the end of the 2nd).

Had the character of the people involved been any different, had there ever been anything but respect and generosity of spirit in the whole process, yeah I'm sure the event could have been made into a hazing. You're holding the pads, after all: you can cut kick the guy any time you like. The kid I held for broke the rules and punched me in the face as I recall, and I made sure he spent a lot of time getting up off the floor so that he got the message, but I didn't decide to sabotage his entire test. I just pushed him harder, and made sure he'd have a harder time getting out of bed the next day. But he trained hard and aside from that one lapse, deserved to pass.

Sometimes it does get rough: it IS a test of heart - as well as conditioning, and yes, technique (technique goes to hell quickly under stress after all). Some of the people involved will go on to fight, some won't. I hardly think it matters - that's up to the individual.

I think perhaps Gorilla is coming from a good place, and saw something out of context that looked ugly to him in that video. Noone likes to see people bullied or manipulated. Trust me when I say nothing could be farther from the truth. You saw one of the rougher "old school" tests, but as has been mentioned already, allowances are made and it's not simply a matter of dishing out pain. It's a matter of taking each student to their own particular limits.

Best regards,

~ Ciaran Daly

P.S. Btw yeah it was harder than fighting.

08-20-2006, 11:43 PM	#40 (permalink)
Ciaran Daly Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 2	TBA test I've both fought in the ring (amateur in Milwaukee & Osaka), taken the test (James Cook & Greg Nelson holding) and held for the test, and regarding the hazing comments above: To even get to the portion of the test you see on that video, you have to demonstrate to Ajarn Chai's satisfaction all the techniques he asks you to perform, as well as perform the Wai Kru. If he finds either unsatisfactory, you're done. Try again next time. He also makes it a point to hold focus mitts for everyone testing that year. So there's plenty of judging of technique. Others have already made valid points regarding the difficulty of defending yourself and maintaining offensive output without the crutch of hitting the other guy back. I know for a fact that had Greg wanted to knock me out he could have. The same goes for James (who as I recall muttered "you're doing great homie" to me in the clinch, right before we broke and he popped me one again). As it was, they both made sure I was tested to my limit (I think the bell rang as my 40th knee landed at the end of the 2nd). Had the character of the people involved been any different, had there ever been anything but respect and generosity of spirit in the whole process, yeah I'm sure the event could have been made into a hazing. You're holding the pads, after all: you can cut kick the guy any time you like. The kid I held for broke the rules and punched me in the face as I recall, and I made sure he spent a lot of time getting up off the floor so that he got the message, but I didn't decide to sabotage his entire test. I just pushed him harder, and made sure he'd have a harder time getting out of bed the next day. But he trained hard and aside from that one lapse, deserved to pass. Sometimes it does get rough: it IS a test of heart - as well as conditioning, and yes, technique (technique goes to hell quickly under stress after all). Some of the people involved will go on to fight, some won't. I hardly think it matters - that's up to the individual. I think perhaps Gorilla is coming from a good place, and saw something out of context that looked ugly to him in that video. Noone likes to see people bullied or manipulated. Trust me when I say nothing could be farther from the truth. You saw one of the rougher "old school" tests, but as has been mentioned already, allowances are made and it's not simply a matter of dishing out pain. It's a matter of taking each student to their own particular limits. Best regards, ~ Ciaran Daly P.S. Btw yeah it was harder than fighting. Last edited by Ciaran Daly; 08-20-2006 at 11:57 PM. Reason: P.S.