muay thai fighters and that "headshake"

[dkm]

how come when muay thai guys are sparring they shake their heads sort of like side-to-side. I don't mean like boxers where boxers sway their head from side to side to be in consistent motion and avoid getting head, but I mean where these guys simply shaking their head like a dance. What is the added value?

[wael k]

never do what u say ,the only i shift my head side ways is to dodge a blow that's it no dancing no nothin..

[JIMI]

My best stab at what you are trying to explain, My guess is that some fighters use that as a show that they are not hurt by the blow that you just may have connected with them. Its like you get hit and your saying " naw, nothin on that" . Does this sound too far fetched?

[Apex]

If you watch fights from Thailand, fighters will have a certain rythym and motion that is very unique but not necessarily done by every Thai fighter. I think it depends on the camp the fighter is from.

Some Thai MT fighters display a very western boxing rythym, others tap the front foot with hands very high, etc. Is that what you mean? Most westerners who practice MT maintain a more westernized kickboxing stance and motions, so maybe the guys you have seen are doing a bad imitation of a Thai muay Thai figher.

[haumana2000]

Hmm.. I know what you mean, my cousin James does Suntukan (Filipino boxing) and has that motion, not really a side to side, but he tilts his head to the left with his eyes forward as if he's resting his chin on his left shoulder. I'll ask him. Could just be the time I threw a dirt clod and hit him in the head when we were kids though!

[jules]

It could just be a habbit of theirs. Or they are consciously over weaving to remind themselfs to move?

[wael k]

good friend i think i understood what u mean probably it's done as a fake although we do it in slow motions but it's used as a fake this way ur opponent will feel a bit uncomfortable wetheir to hit the head from the left or right side ,i think that's what u mean although am not 100 percent sure...

[Ice]

The notion of the motion...

Hello all,

Ajarn Chai taught us to do both movements mentioned by Apex.

The slow motion side-to-side 'head shifting' is a method of moving or appearing to move forward - or not as it were. As I understand it, the slow rhythm is to lull your opponent off guard - short steps [if any], slow relaxed motions, etc. Getting into range and attacking without your opponent realizing you can hit them.

The 'foot bobbing' movement is defensive and allows for a quick counter-attack.

My humble two-cents - I hope that helps,

~W2