sparring elbows

[twtguy]

A blindfold sounds really interesting. Ill have to give it a try, thanks.

[tenzen]

Ok well back to your topic. You want to use elbows in sparring and be safe as possible... get head gear with face cages pad up real good and use control in your strikes. Make it even better blindfold yourself and work the clinch with just feeling. This is a good way to learn to sneak elbows in. Sometimes your eyes are not the best way to see things.
Good luck with your training.

[twtguy]

BTW, I was being sincere about the advice.

[twtguy]

I agree, and I always try to learn what I can from who I can, no matter their skill level compared to mine. No one ever said I didn't go to those gyms for a little while at least. Another assumption was made, and I feel like I have to write a martial arts autobiography.

If you want a real sparring session get out of the back yard and forget the going gym to gym thing and start signing up for fights. I for one am a firm believer of learning thru experience. U wanna be a good fighter its simple... go fight

That...is probably just the advice I needed. Thanks for that push, but let's try to stay on topic, eh? I get it. I'm ignorant and close-mind. Whoo-hoo. There's more than one way to skin a cat, so let's agree to disagree about the next five things that you guys tell me about myself.

[tenzen]

Many gyms will allow u to compete openly at their events if u have signed up prior. U can go fight as an independent. Have one of your willing sparring buddies work your corner. I mean truthfully it doesn't matter who's in your corner u can't hear them during the action and anyone you train with should have an idea of your style so they would do fine to give u water and tell u good job keep your hands up and stay off your back in between rounds. Also just because u think you r better than an instructor or can beat the instructor doesn't mean they have nothing to teach you.

If you want a real sparring session get out of the back yard and forget the going gym to gym thing and start signing up for fights. I for one am a firm believer of learning thru experience. U wanna be a good fighter its simple... go fight.

Good luck

[twtguy]

My understanding of having a instructor appears to be a lot different to yours bro,I wouldnt dream of wanting to beat the shit out of mine even it had been possible!.

I see where your coming from regarding going to different gyms and trying what you know,also I see where your coming from in learning things yourself,but belive me thats a long hard path,a Good Kru can teach you things it may take you a lot longer to figure out if you ever do.

Out of curiosity what Muay Thai Thai gyms have you been to,and have you competed yet? in the ring I mean?.

Im happy you got something out of the rest of my post.

I'm sorry. I didn't really mean kicking the "shit" out of them. I should have chosen better words. Maybe dominated? That doesn't matter, anyway. However, I agree with what you are saying. Part of the problem is finding a decent gym. I'm sure if I found a good kru, worth the money, then my questions would be answered faster. But, I have not. TBH, I have only been to one Thaiboxing-only school (other schools billed as MMA with Thai classes). They didn't offer any other classes. The instructor was straight from Laos, I think. He was the real deal for sure. I did not get the privilege of sparring with him, sadly. But, the problem with his school was the cost vs time (location was a problem as well, but I have to assume only for me). It was approximately $75 a month for about 4 hours of stretching, shadow boxing, and few drills. That's 4 hours TOTAL a month. THAT, primarily, is why I train at home. I feel like if I learn at home, then it's like writing down a definition several times. It just gets pounded in, and I feel like I have a better understanding of the concept. AND, it is at the cost of a book, DVD, or internet connection. It would be nice to have someone intermittently correcting my form, or just explaining an aspect of the game from what they've learned. Perhaps I'll visit a gym every three or four months. Also, I have not yet competed. I hope to very soon. But, I would really like someone I can count on in my corner first. A good gym would be nice to compete under, but I'd like to find one first. As you can tell, I have difficulty finding a gym that suits my needs. There is an MMA gym I may soon join. They are from west Michigan called Team Challenge. The only problem is that they move around a lot. I've counted about 5 times in the last 5 years and and a decent distance apart each time. I am currently waiting to see if their new gym stays open. In the meantime, I thought I could use the experience of defend.net to answer some questions while I train myself, with some friends, at home. I apologize for my disrespect earlier, and I thank you for your patience and helpfulness.

[fire cobra]

Are you kidding me? Not to be rude, but this thread wasn't meant for your preconceived ignorance. It was to ask how to make sparring elbows safer. It wasn't to defend the fact that you don't need an instructor. Are you just upset that you, fire cobra, can't comprehend and apply some techniques without an instructor telling you how? That's what it seems like. I HAVE gone to different schools, and I DO know how I would do. I've gone into at least half a dozen schools here (boxing, thai, mma, karate, bjj, etc), and when I can kick the shit out of most of the people there (and i did)...including the instructors, then no, i def will not learn much. "You're only as good as the people around you." There's some truth to that. So, I build up my techniques with willing training partners. Then, we travel to a new gym for sparring partners. There's no use paying a lot of money for mass instruction (little one-on-one). Learn the moves yourself (if you're intelligent enough), then go to a gym and try out your skills on some new faces. It's cheaper and I for one benefit more from it. I know because I've been without AND with. Again, I don't mean to be disrespectful, and I do appreciate the rest of your post, but please don't assume.

My understanding of having a instructor appears to be a lot different to yours bro,I wouldnt dream of wanting to beat the shit out of mine even it had been possible!.

I see where your coming from regarding going to different gyms and trying what you know,also I see where your coming from in learning things yourself,but belive me thats a long hard path,a Good Kru can teach you things it may take you a lot longer to figure out if you ever do.

Out of curiosity what Muay Thai Thai gyms have you been to,and have you competed yet? in the ring I mean?.

Im happy you got something out of the rest of my post.

[twtguy]

I know most of you guys know this already but thought its worth saying for the OP who does better without a Kru even though he doesnt know how he would do with one!

Are you kidding me? Not to be rude, but this thread wasn't meant for your preconceived ignorance. It was to ask how to make sparring elbows safer. It wasn't to defend the fact that you don't need an instructor. Are you just upset that you, fire cobra, can't comprehend and apply some techniques without an instructor telling you how? That's what it seems like. I HAVE gone to different schools, and I DO know how I would do. I've gone into at least half a dozen schools here (boxing, thai, mma, karate, bjj, etc), and when I can kick the shit out of most of the people there (and i did)...including the instructors, then no, i def will not learn much. "You're only as good as the people around you." There's some truth to that. So, I build up my techniques with willing training partners. Then, we travel to a new gym for sparring partners. There's no use paying a lot of money for mass instruction (little one-on-one). Learn the moves yourself (if you're intelligent enough), then go to a gym and try out your skills on some new faces. It's cheaper and I for one benefit more from it. I know because I've been without AND with. Again, I don't mean to be disrespectful, and I do appreciate the rest of your post, but please don't assume.

[fire cobra]

Lmao. Fire cobra your the man.

Thank you sir lol

[tenzen]

Lmao. Fire cobra your the man.

[fire cobra]

We use elbows regularly in sparring and have never had a cut(yet), we use the Amm elbow pads and dont go full power.

As to when to use the elbow well thats already worked out in Muay Thai and taught by the Kru Muay,all we have to do is find the timing.

Whilst not a great scorer in Muay Thai(unless shown to have effect) it can be a fight swinger by opening a big enough cut!.

I know most of you guys know this already but thought its worth saying for the OP who does better without a Kru even though he doesnt know how he would do with one!

[tenzen]

Its the ulnar nerve.

[twtguy]

Interesting. I wonder what that nerve is called?

[tenzen]

Well it does expose the bone more but its not going to add any distance on the strike. But the purpose is a nerve. There is a nerve there that is very prominent when the fist is clenched. This is the same nerve attributed to the "funny bone" effect. And u don't want to lose power in your arm during a fight. Hitting that nerve makes it quite difficult to clench your fist properly.

[twtguy]

Thanks. Thats great advice. And, I do keep my hand open. I've been told it's to expose the bone more and also for better range (it allows my wrist to flow easier into my torso). Are there other reasons? Also, I would NEVER do that to a training partner! lol We're about technique and drilling. No brawlers here