Rahde

I've been training in muay thai for a little while. I've got the basics down but of course there is much more room for improvement. There was a "martial arts" tournament at my college so I participated. However, it seems by martial arts, they meant Karate. I seemed a little out of place in shorts and a t-shirt with everyone else wearing Karate uniforms but that didn't bother me.

The tournament was point based, no kicks below the waist, no knees, no elbows, no clinching. Not exactly the best conditions for a muay thai fighter but I figured, why not? If anything, just to get some experience in sparing.

Now we come to the problems I discovered. I was placed in an intermediate group with others around my level. They seemed intent on using spin kicks and sidekicks, nothing else. I tried to deliever some roundhouses but I really couldn't get within a nice range as their sidekicks kept me away. Even when my opponent and I both threw kicks at the same time (him sidekick, me roundhouse), his kick would land a fraction of a second sooner and get the point, with me on the ground as a result.

I had pretty good success with pushkicks as they didn't know how to defend against it. Later on, I really had to switch up my style. Mostly pushkicks, and sidekicks with some quick jabs. However, I would rather prefer to do muay thai, instead of the "freestyle" I ended doing. I ended up 1-3, not a good record, and more importantly, I felt as if I let down my team. Believe me, if lowkicks, knees, elbows, and clinches were allowed, it would have been a different story but they didn't want anyone to get seriously hurt as it was a school sponsoring tournament. (although a girl kneed me in the balls, twice! my own fault for being poor and not having protective gear though).

Does anyone know any good techniques to use against this type of point based karate sparing? Or any pointers they can give me. Keep in mind, I'm only a beginner.

Thanks in advance.

Abe

sounds like your only reasonable solution is to box them.

seems to me, that going into a point sparr with karate/tkd people is like a rugby player playing soccer. and yea, to call it a "martial arts" tournament with competitors and rules like those is pretty stupid.

Rahde

I agree calling it a "martial arts" tournament was a bit misleading.
The only problem with trying to box is that I could never get close enough to do so. Their endless sidekicks kept me away

Abe

hahaha, had this image of a "karate kid" chucking all this side kicks with you standing there with "wtf" on ur face.

but seriously, im pretty sure u can slip one or something since its above the waist, then go in and box this rib open. its like saying hes jabs are keeping me away, risk it and step in.

Rahde

the only problem is that the fight is stopped once he gets a hit, i.e. one of his kicks land on me above the waist. even if i catch it, the fight is stopped and he gets a point. I was fighting this one guy, taller than me with slightly longer reach, he would just stand there, not moving, just preparing for that kick as soon as I step in. I tried to step in fast then throw a roundhouse kick but his kick reached mine before mine landed, therefore, he gets the point. Then I tried to run in with some quick jabs, got countered with more side kicks. But I did end up push kicking this guy into humiliation. He did a spin kick, I moved out of range, and while his back was exposed, I went in and push kicked him straight in the ass, which sent him flying across the floor, face hitting first. Score 1 for muay thai :P

Abe

hahaha! u go dude.

sounds like a game of taps now..

JkD187

So You Guys Were Playing tag i see......

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Shooto Or Die.

blitz

Try to dodge a kick or two make them move around alot and when they try a spinning kick or a high kick go in for a strong side kick or a hook ;p

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gabbah

If it's stopped as soon one of you tags the other then it's not even remotely fighting in my book, so you shouldn't worry about that little game.

chalambok

I think you should keeyai louder. And slap your chest with your hand so it sounds like you hit him first.

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ciscodog

As a Thai boxer in a shorin ryu studio I think i can help........first learn to set them up for example jab high then low, maybe 3 times in a row, then go high high. Dont reach to block, use a rear leg straight or snap kick to close the gap then use your hands. When you land the rear leg front or snap kick, try tp lace your foot on theirs, they will try to back away and fall backwards or be atleast unbalanced and hit their head. Sweep their front foot with a foot to foot sweep, you can also grap their arm and spin them slightly. (some grappling is allowed in karate pt fighting.) Watch their shoulders to tell you when they are going to punch. When there shoulder lowers or there arm cocks back slightly they are going to punch. If their in a side or Kubidach stance throwing side or spinning kicks, you need to close the gap before the kick reaches you and as their head comes around, you take it off. Be patient and work on being able to counter by moving outside the box on 45 degree angles. Catch their kicking leg and hit them in their nose. I use my shins and elbows in my defense and this will make an attacker wary when they throw a rib high round house and they hit their leg against mine and they hurt themselves. a good elbow or forearm block will also break their toes or knuckles but as i said earlier, dont reach let the strike come to you and let your defense work against them. Also try to jam their kick as they are getting ready to throw it rather than beating them to the punch. hope these suggestions help. Oh and for the side kick, kepp 18 inches min between the two of you, when they throw the side kick, slide forward and out at a 45 to their backside and punch or kick away. If they cock the leg to sidekick improperly you can jam it with your foot as its going up and in.

Khun Kao

MY SOLUTION: Kick 'em really hard in the leg once and take the warning. Then as they limp around unable to kick, you can pick them apart using MT within the rules....

(I'm KIDDING!)

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Kru Brooks C. Miller
GCA MuayThai Board of Advisors
USMTA Director of DC, MD, and VA
http://khunkao.com/

EmptyneSs

thats actually not a bad idea

blitz

A kick to the gut could do it! :P

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MT&BJJ@noob

Muaythai is not for those touching and get points game which don't allow you to fight.
When it comes to a full contact fight, those karate guys can never get you.
remember Karate=game Muaythai = fight
Certainly you will have trouble if you use Muaythai to play game because those games have too many rules to set you up, brother.