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  • Classical or Modern

    What's your preference? Why?

    Modern Muay Thai

    The legs are slighty crouched little more than shoulder width apart, back foot on the ball, front foot slightly on the ball, hands by the jaw, body slightly angled. Lots of solid boxing skills, head/body moving plus the kicks, basic clinch knee.

    Pros: Allows for throwing fast boxing combinations to set up solid kicks. Boxing footwork and movement is elusive and thus harder to hit. Lower stance provides better balance and more 'sit-down' for power punching. Being lower might make it more difficult to elbow without a clinch.

    Cons: Being lower might seem easier to clinch. Bob and weave exposes head to knees. Kicking head level is easier.

    Classical Muay Thai

    Legs are allmost straightened just about shoulder width, about 50/50 on both feet on the balls of both feet, body more forward facing, hands up higher near the forehead with palms facing outward. Focus on setting up the clinch with punches and hard kicks and wrestling in the clinch to control momentum for knees and elbows.

    Pros: Allows for rapid kicking and kneeing. Keeps the legs ready for shin blocks. Higher hand position good set up for getting neck clinch and blocking/delivering elbow strikes. Being higher up allows you to blast knees up from the clinch

    Cons: Legs closer together and upright not best for balance. Hands up so high expose ribs and body. Hands high and forward expose the face to uppercuts and the head to hooks.

  • #2
    Depends what "classical system" you're talking about. If I'm not mistaken, there are 6 different systems. I could be mistaken. People studying the Chaya system (Southern style) would definately disagree with your description:

    "Classical Muay Thai

    Legs are allmost straightened just about shoulder width, about 50/50 on both feet on the balls of both feet, body more forward facing, hands up higher near the forehead with palms facing outward. Focus on setting up the clinch with punches and hard kicks and wrestling in the clinch to control momentum for knees and elbows. "

    Although a good topic.

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    • #3
      Some of the older Muay Thai I saw Ajarn Sumai doing looked like pretty low stances. Chalmbook would know more, but my understanding that some of the low stances came from stepping across dead, bloody bodies on the battlefield. The footing wasn't good and the consequences of loosing your balance was very high.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by OctaviousBP
        Depends what "classical system" you're talking about. If I'm not mistaken, there are 6 different systems. I could be mistaken. People studying the Chaya system (Southern style) would definately disagree with your description:

        Although a good topic.
        Thanks. Haven't trained in Thailand yet, but one of the MT coaches here in Houston teaches the upright stance on the balls of both feet, rather forward facing with hands high (about forehead) with palms out. I only identify it as 'classical' because I see alot of Thai trainers teach this stance.

        Can you explain the Chaya system stance? Is it lower like a western boxing stance?

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        • #5
          I only have minimal experience in Muay Boran, in fact up until a couple weeks ago I had none. Most of my time in Thailand has been dedicated to the ring sport, and I didn't look into classical teachings at all. So far it is my only regret.

          I was learning a little simultaneously with my Krabi Krabong, which has a lot in common with the Chaya system.

          The footwork resembles very much the upright movement of the ram muay. There is a deep bend in the knees, and the steps that are taken are small. The lead hand comes up as if holding a shield, with the rear guard pointing to the leads forearm. (If that makes sense). The back is straight, however the hips are "sunken" minimizing the torso target. I wish I was better at explaining this in writing.

          David

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