Video of my Thaiboxing Instructor Test...

[delbert]

well, seeing as i was the one being critical, i guess your post refers to me.

first of all, no fighter would say the tba test is harder than training and actually fighting. maybe those who think the tba test is hard should go fight-train with a true thai boxing trainer for a month, then get in the ring for 3x2 class c fight. try that a couple times. the tba test is hard in its own way, granted - it's obviously set up to deal out punishment, not test for technique. what does the test actually show, as far as thai boxing skill goes? who can't hit someone that can't hit back (at least the seniors should have to spar a round with the guy they just held pads for, to show actual thai boxing skill)? and what "instructor" qualifications does it show? it's the equivalent of board-breaking - difficult but pointless, in terms of showing skill. it's classic hazing, it allows senior members to haze prospects and reaffirm the hierarchy. it's the equivalent of a martial arts fraternity.

i give much more props to those who train their ass off and actually get in the ring and fight, at whatever level. some of those people are tba certified, but they get props for the fighting, not for "testing." there's nothing like passing the tba test? try winning your first fight, man. like a lot of people, i hit pads to train, i don't train to hit pads, and certainly not for the promise of some certificate that has nothing to do with the sport. "the belt is in the ring" is a popular thai boxing saying, i don't know why that should change.

as far as respect and humility go, some of us are adults, we don't want to be treated like children with some transparent carrot-and-stick ploy. i don't need anybody threatening me with 3-mile runs or a million push-ups or promise of some certification to get something done.

that being said, i think master chai is a good guy and, you know, maybe he's just giving the western audience what they expect from martial arts - karate, but thai boxing style. the instructorship certificate is like having a black belt, i guess. i mean, who wants to go out and train and fight (or even just train active fighters properly) to earn respect when you can just hit pads all day and get an instructor's certificate? i mean, to each their own, but whatever.

Well I dont get into internet sparring Hairy Palms or Hairy Gorilla or whatever you are.
I have already won fights and had my hand raised. All amateur and all muay thai rules. Have you? A lot of people like to talk and have never walked
Yes, the TBA test is one sided. Its hard b/c you cannot punch back. You have to show what you have to keep from getting knocked out minus a few tools. Anybody can go in and spar once you have enough experience. I dont think that anyone said that it was harder than a fight although I have heard some compare it. Pretty damn hard though. Especially for those who dont, wont or cant take it.
For all the others who just want to judge something they wont ever understand or have the courage to do
But its all good, so enjoy your training and I hope there is something for you at the end of the tunnel to strive for. See you at the next test or camp Me and the others will be looking for you to congratulate you on your internet prowess.

[ryangruhn]

Tim,
Any clips of technique yet?

Gruhn

[delbert]

I personally have held for many tests. I have personally been kicked down to the ground several times during my own test. I feel that people who question the integrity or "initiation" of the TBA test should go test and then maybe they can tell me what it is or isnt. I have always had only the amount of meanness that Ajarn has dictated. While I have delved out more than my fair share of punishment to very talented fighters and martial artist, I have yet to have Ajarn drop the feather(all who know, know). I have even under my better judgement looked out at a couple of testees and with gritted teeth mumbled through my own mouthguard" Keep going, you got it". I have even questioned if they really needed to be abused the way I was abusing them. I have also wanted to keep abusing them for one reason or another.
There is nothing like the accomplishment of making the test. I am a TBA instructor, I have been a fighter in the ring, I have been a mentor and friend to many of my fighters.
Can you stand the pressure of the muay thai test with humility and confidence and respect? Respect being the key?
For all who will judge something that they do not understand, try to prove to yourself that you are even worthy enough to be there and then show us that you can overcome it. For all who care, sorry I have lost my temper just a little. I cant help but feel affronted by people who talk junk about a test that they know nothing about. I hope that they can succeed in overcoming something like the test just once in their life.
Kru d out

[gregimotis]

.............................

[DJColdfusion]

Tim, as you look at your technique from the video and think about your technique now . . . where do you think you've made the greatest improvements and what did you focus on to make those improvements?

Thanks

[osopardo]

Whew!! The cardio!

One can see the strength and stamina progressively draining out of you and by round 2 you're just hanging in there! Well done!

[Tim Mousel]

If he has done his homework he will not be hurt, blocking with his shins and covering himself.

I don't think that is 100% true. Nothing can be done to defend the cut kicks. The holder knows a kick is coming and can time the cut kick at will.

The day before my test I told Dean, "I sure hope I get Terry Gibson as a holder, he's such a nice guy". Turns out Terry is the last guy I want holding for me!! Dean was sure to point out that I got what I asked for!! ")

However, neither of my holders were vindictive. There was no emotion involved as they were merely doing their job of holding pads and making sure it was a challenge for me.

Tim

[chalambok]

Originally, before knees were required, you had to put up 80 kicks per round, a little less than 1 kick every 1 1/2 seconds. If you were putting out, the holder did not have time to hit the testee between kicks, but everyone tried to double-kick, which left plenty of time for the holder to attack. When knees were added the kicks were reduced to 60, knees being 40. A few years ago, the requirement was again lowered to 60/35, which is current. The test is not a feeder/student relationship; the testee should demonstrate his ability to defend himself by kicking and kneeing. If he has done his homework he will not be hurt, blocking with his shins and covering himself. As a holder, I have been kneed in the face, kneed in the nuts, and kicked in the hip by someone too tired to get their leg up to the pad. The problem usually is an unprepared person wanting to test, or a holder with a grudge. Everyone going in knows the testing requirements, and most failures are for poor wai kru and/or technique demonstration. Women do not get a break, most having been tested by men who outweigh them by 20 or more pounds. Every female instructor I have met thinks of her test as being one of the defining moments of her life. I should point out, and I believe Tim will concur, neither of his holders was vindictive, or even particularly aggressive. Also, at any time during the test the testee can simply stop.

[treelizard]

I thought padmen were SUPPOSED to mimic a fight by hitting you while you're trying to get your kicks in.

[chalambok]

Damn, Gorilla Palmz !! Much as I hate to admit it, you bring up some very valid points. Of course, I also endured the government-sponsored ritual trial of Vietnam so I may have already been brainwashed. In krabi-krabong we have no test like this, but the art is descended from survivors of actual combat and has managed to retain its effectiveness. We usually test heart with day after day of 12 hour+ training. I suspect now the most valid reason (if there really is one) for testing in the TBA is to forge bonds between instructors. As a side note, the best boxing trainers/managers haven't been fighters. As I have said before, the real test is of the holder and how trained his eye has become. I will talk with my seniors and if they are willing to give me an opinion I will post them here.

[Britt]

Britt - looking forward to her reaction

She watched it when she picked me up from work. She had kind of a pained smile on her face; halfway through it she said it was kind of hard to watch it knowing what was going on inside your leg. After it was over, she shook her head and said "sheesh...he's tough as hell, I'll say that much." Then I told her about the time you got your broken jaw wired shut under a local anesthetic.

[Tim Mousel]

The question is, Did you have any idea how bad it was going to be before you stepped in?

I had an idea. Greg Nelson had shown me his test and I heard a lot of stories. John Fehling tested right before me. Dean Lessei and I were watching Greg Nelson go to work on him and we looked at each other with that "oh, oh" look on our faces.

And If Ajarn Chai had not asked would have have tested again?

I would have tested again. At that point I had gone through too much training and rehab not to accomplish my goal.

Britt - looking forward to her reaction

Thanks treelizard.

Tim

[treelizard]

OUCH! My knees literally started hurting just watching that!!! Great job getting back up (and retesting).

[Britt]

I'm a year older this month so I'm a little age sensitive at the moment!

That's funny about the future Mrs. Britt! Did she see the video or did you just tell her about it?

Tim

No, she didn't see it; that was all purely from my lengthy and graphic description of it. She's coming to pick me up in a moment (car wouldn't start this morning), I'll show it to her then...if she'll watch it!

[eXcessiveForce]

great video.

All of the JKD people around me Trained with Mr. Gibson so it was nice to see a vid of him in what appears to be his prime. Even if he was trying to beat you to a pulp

The question is, Did you have any idea how bad it was going to be before you stepped in?

And If Ajarn Chai had not asked would have have tested again?

I think to myself I would like to do that, but then reality sets in and I feel that it is best left for others.