- Nurturing Self-Dicipline. All martial arts have a grounding in self discipline. Kids today get rewards for almost everything and while this works very well lessons in self-restraint and personal discipline aren't easily to learn. Kids doing Martial Arts are taught this discipline at every lesson. After all - punching or kicking someone just because you disagree is totally unacceptable.
- Enhancing social skills - the fact is we as parents keep our kids on tighter leashes than we were given as parents, the press paint a very constant and negative picture of the dangers that may be out there. socialising is left for school or social media. Martial Arts clubs allow kids to make new friends, friends with a common interest. Most Martial Arts training is completed with friends in a partner-driven formal. It also promotes camaraderie and teamwork.
- Getting the little ones off the computer is a great idea in theory, but there only so much that you can do. Enrolling your kids into an Art that is physically demanding and fun will keep your kids healthy and give them the right foundations to take into adulthood.
- Setting and achieving goals - Most Martial Arts systems are based on a syllabus with periodic examinations called gradings. When your kids are selected to take a grading examination and then pass the sense of achievement is very hard to beat. This teaches them a valuable lesson about setting and reaching intermediate goals.
- Improved Self Esteem - Confidence comes with achievement, every new friend they make, every new technique they learn, every grade they pass, every competition they take part in helps to increase your kids confidence. Kids with a low self esteem often grow in confidence in short periods of time.
- Respect - Something that is missing in modern life, respect is achieved through Martial Arts training, the arena that you train is steeped in tradition. It will be taught through repetition and will automatically be carried forward into everyday life.
- Conflict Resolution - By teaching kids self defence through Martial Arts training they will also be taught that conflict is the last option. Frequent training teaches kids that they have no need to prove themselves on the playground and respect for others is more important than caving there skulls in. It also gives them the ability to defend against an aggressor as a last resort.
- Better Listening Skills – In order to master the skills kids are being taught through the grading syllabus, your child will have to listen. combining verbal instruction with physical moves is a proven way of promoting better listening skills. The instructors can see what children are not processing information correctly because it will be obvious in the techniques performed they can then spend extra time on the kids ensuring that listening objectives are met.
- Improvement in Other Areas of Life – The benefits of martial arts training don’t end in the gym. The boost in confidence, increased fitness level and new cooperation skills will also help your child navigate school life, behaviour will improve at home and generally they have an all-around good influence on you child as he develops into an adult.
- Becoming a more considerate person - as they progress thought the grading syllabus children will take on more responsibility in the club, they will be chosen to demonstrate techniques and even given new students to mentor. This again has benefits outside the gym with more consideration being taken at school or at home with siblings.
Saturday, 28 December 2013
Why kids should do Martial Arts
Saturday, 21 December 2013
Guide to being a cornerman
Thursday, 19 December 2013
Get Fit Team
The challenge is to complete a series of 8 Sunday morning activities that will take place over the first few months of the year.
Each Activity will be repeated several times allowing participants to monitor an improvement in fitness.
An example would be the town park run, where each time you complete it you can increase your reps on each base showing you an improvement.
The cost of the challenge is a one off payment of £20, this includes transport when we are not in Telford.
We will be covering AMRAP, FARTLEK & TABATA training techniques.
If you would like to take part in the challenge you should also think about making some temporary lifestyle changes like stopping drinking / smoking & changing your diet for the duration of the challenge..
FAQ
Why Sunday Morning?
Sunday morning has been identified as the day of the week that you are most likely to 'cheat' on your new years resolutions.
How hard will it be?
Its about pushing your own limits, it will be as hard as you make it..
What if i can't make every event?
You should try and make each activity so you can monitor progress, however each activity can be completed in your own time. The challenge is about changing your lifestyle and by learning routes in your neighbourhood you will be able to continue your hard work after the challenge has been completed.
How do I pay?
The cost is £20, this can be paid via paypal to mk07817205304@gmail.com or in cash during on the 2nd January.
Can I pay on the day?
NO SORRY, we can't leave cash in the cars / bus and we can't risk carrying around with us during the activity - Paypal is the best option send it to - mk07817205304@gmail.com
Can I join later on in the challenge?
NO SORRY, the challenge is about continuous improvement - beating previous times, reps etc.. If you start half way through you won't have any data to beat..
Can my friends come?
NO SORRY, this is a Telford Thai Boxing club event. Members have already signed a disclaimer for participation in club activities. We can't take the risk. Get them to join the club and they can take part ;-)
NOTE - this challenge is NOT to replace your current training at TTB - its designed to accompany club train
Christmas Opening Times
Saturday, 30 November 2013
The Nerve Of Other Clubs!!
Monday, 18 November 2013
Shin Conditioning In Muay Thai
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Does Religion Clash With Martial Arts?
Monday, 21 October 2013
Judging and Scoring - by Tony Myers
Throwing an opponent using the hip, shoulder or leg (as used in Judo)
Wrestling, back or arm locks or any similar judo or wrestling hold
Using trips and sweeps; it is legal to kick an opponent off their feet. A kick is considered to be an action that uses the top of the foot and/or front of the shin. It is possible to hook the foot and kick as long as the top of the foot and/or shin, and not the side of the foot, make contact with the opponent’s leg.
Grabbing the lower back, forcing an opponent’s spine to hyperextend
Grabbing the ropes to kick, knee or punch an opponent
Deliberately using the ropes to defend or counter attack
Using the ropes as a weapon, for example pushing an opponent’s face across the ropes in an attempt to cut them
Attempting to ‘pile-drive’ an opponent’s head into the canvas
Catching an opponent’s kick and pushing an opponent for more than three steps without attempting to deliver an attacking technique
Not fighting; this includes a fighter turning their back on an opponent, running away and dancing backwards away from an opponent
Biting, eye gouging, spitting, or head butting.
Deliberately falling on an opponent.
Swearing or the use of abusive language during the match.
Knocking out or injuring an opponent after the referee has ordered the match to stop for any reason.
Deliberately striking the groin area (A boxer, who the referee considers to have been hit in the groin with force may request a 5 minute break before continuing the match. A boxer considered by the referee to be faking an injury from a groin kick would be asked to continue to fight and may receive a warning or a count)
Any aggressive act by the boxer or seconds against the referee
In amateur fights intentionally losing the mouth guard (gum shield)
Amateur bouts are competed over four two minute rounds. In amateur bouts, unlike scoring in professional fights, each round is scored equally and is equally important. It is possible for a fighter to win an amateur bout and lose the final two rounds; this is extremely unlikely to happen in a professional fight. Most rounds in amateur bouts are scored 20:19. Only one point is deducted for a knockdown and not two as in professional fights.
Professional A Knock-Out (K.O.) is awarded:
when the opponent is knocked down and unable to continue within the 10 second count
A Technical Knock-Out (T.K.O.) is awarded:
when a boxer is seriously hurt or weakened
when the referee stops the contest before 10 is counted due to the condition of the counted boxer
when a boxer cannot continue the match after the break.
on the doctor’s recommendation, when the referee is unsure whether a boxer can continue the match due to injury or being seriously weakened.
receiving a count three times in the same round and unable to continue the match
Winning due to the opponent’s retirement because of injury
Winning due to the opponent’s violation of the rules
Winning on points
No decision is awarded:
as a result of both parties colluding together to cheat or not fighting properly.
No contest is awarded:
as a result of the ring being damaged and the match not being able to continue, or if an external event occurs during the fight, causing it to be stopped
Equal Score
when both boxers’ scores are equal
when both boxers receive a count of 10
Referee stops the contest (RSC) due to:
a boxer being “out-classed” or is losing by a very wide margin.
a boxer receiving an injury so that they are unable to continue. The site of the injury is detailed on the score card (head or body)
a boxer receiving their “count limit”; three standing eight counts in one round or four in the span of the bout.
a boxer is being severely punished and unable to defend themselves
A boxer wins by “withdrawal” when:
their opponent intentionally withdraws from the contest due to injury or other reason.
A boxer wins by “walk-over” when:
their opponent doesn’t show for the contest.
A “draw” can be awarded in friendly competition or single elimination bouts but not in tournaments
If you have to judge a fight yourself, it is worth being aware of the following common mistakes. Being aware of these mistakes can help you avoid making them.
It is easy to allow the crowd’s cheers or a corner-man’s praise to influence to your decision on whether a technique landed on target or not.
Example: A good kick is delivered and then you hear the cheers of the crowd and the congratulations from the corner. You presume the kick to has landed on target when it actually missed
How to avoid this mistake:
- Totally ignore the sounds at ringside and focus on looking carefully at each technique.
Marking a technique you saw being delivered and what seemed like an effect but which you didn’t actually see land.
Example: A boxer has his back towards you when his opponent grabs his neck and delivers a series of knee techniques. Although you can’t actually see the knees land the body of the boxer being attacked moves back as if it had taken a strong impact. You see what looks like an effect on the boxer being attacked; however, the fighter was merely pulling his body back to allow the knee to miss its intended target.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Only score techniques which you actually see land. If you are sitting at the wrong angle to see a technique actually land on target, don’t presume it landed. Remember if it was a good scoring technique the other judges who are sitting at a different position will score it.
Scoring a technique because it was spectacular but without really assessing it’s effect.
Example: A boxer performs a jumping round kick and makes some contact with the opponent’s face. You consider the technique to be a good because of the level of difficulty in delivering such a technique, when really the technique had no effect on the boxer being kicked as only the toes made weak contact.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Focus on how effective a technique is and not just on the technical quality or difficulty of delivery.
Human memory is such that we tend to remember the first thing that happens (primacy effect) and the last thing that happens (recency effect). Humans also have a tendency to remember things which are out of the ordinary, among other things. It is therefore easy for high action which happens for a short period at the beginning or end of the round to influence scoring.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Keep an ongoing mental record of the actual scoring as the round progresses.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
Teacher Respect / Etiquette
An art is best learnt in its culture. One remarkable difference between the culture of the east and the west is the respect shown to a teacher. In this connection some students of Muay Thai have little or no idea of what constitutes respect and generally show lack of respect, sometimes utter disrespect, shown to them. (See my blog on respect)
Often it is because of the western students' ignorance of eastern ways rather than their willful discourtesy. The following are some simple and helpful points both eastern and western students may follow to show the respect deservedly due to their teachers no matter what art you are learning.
Addressing the Teacher Correctly
First of all you must know how to address your teacher correctly, something which many western students are ignorant of. Never, never, never call your Kru Muay by his name, especially if he comes from a eastern culture. In some western societies it may be considered personal and desirable to call your senior or even your boss by his first name, but in the east it is considered extremely rude.
It is worthwhile to remember that your teacher is not your peer or equal. Your teacher is at least one, but usually many levels above you, otherwise he cannot and should not be your teacher. The proper way to address your Muay Thai instructor is Kru (teacher) pronounced "Khru" and this should proceed a bow (Wai) - other arts demand addressing a senior by title or if unknown "Sensei"
Actually if a teacher answers you when you call him "Kru", you are honoured that he thinks so much of you to warren this time; it shows he accepts you as a student. In Thai culture a senior may not return a bow especially if you are inferior, however it's common practice to return the a bow. (Like returning a "hello" when meeting someone for first time)
Showing Propriety
Besides showing propriety in your address, you should also show propriety in your behavior. Do not, for example, put your hand around your teacher him, don't pat him on his shoulder, or hug him - leave that to his wife, which following eastern social etiquette is also only done in private.
When you stand or sit in front of or near him, hold yourself upright. You need not stand at attention like a private in front of his sergeant major, but you should not stand sloppily, with arms akimbo or hands in your pockets. When you sit do not cross your legs with a foot pointing at him, showing the soles of your feet is considered very disrespectful which is why we kneel.
It is only sensible that you should listen when your master speaks, especially if he is explaining some points to aid your development in the art.
Entering and leaving a class
It is also bad manners to arrive at your class late, In the past in the east, late students would be asked to go home, or to leave permanently if they were late habitually. The logic is simple: the teacher has something invaluable to offer; if you come late you tacitly show that you do not value his teaching. But if there is a valid reason for your being late, you should first greet him from the door, walk quietly but briskly to him, respectfully wait if he is pre-occupied, then explain your reason and apologise. Giving prior notice of pending delays is also essential.
On the other hand, you should wait patiently if the master is late -- even for hours! If you think this is unfair, you are probably not ready for learning great martial arts. There are stories of great masters who purposely arrived late, not for hours but for days, and then passed on their secrets to the few wise, patient students that remain. Although it seldom happens nowadays, it will reflect a splendid grasp of Thai culture if you and your classmates stop whatever you are doing, stand up respectfully, bow and greet your teacher as he comes in.
Do not leave your class half-way. But if you have to leave early for some reason, explain that to your teacher before-hand and politely ask his permission. At the appointed time, ask his permission again, then bow and thank him before leaving. At the end of a class, the students should leave after the teacher not before he does. However, if the teacher stays back for a considerable length of time, such as explaining some points to some students who stay behind to ask him, other students may leave first, after bowing to the teacher.
In the east, it is customary for the teacher to arrive last and leave first. Interestingly, it is often the reverse in the west. The teacher, western in culture if not in race, often arrives the earliest, sweeps the floor and prepares the gym and cleans the toilets all for the students, who will joke and laugh. At the end of the class, the teacher will stand at the door, shake the students' hands and thank them for their attendance. He will then throw away the garbage his students have left behind if he still has energy left, and check that everyone has gone home before he closes the door.
Offering a cup of tea
In eastern culture it is always the students who offer drinks to the teacher. When you offer your teacher a cup of tea for example, it is preferable to do so with two hands. In eastern societies, accepting a cup of tea and drinking it has deeper significance than merely quenching thirst.
In the past, even if someone had done you great wrong, if he or she offered you a cup of tea, usually while kneeling down and then knocking his or her head on the ground, and you, sitting down in front of other witnesses, accepted and drank it, it meant that you accepted his or her apology, were ready to forgive all the wrong, and would not take any action whatsoever in future.
The students should also offer a seat to the teacher and the seat chosen is usually the best one available. If the teacher is not seated, the students should remain standing, unless the teacher asks them to sit down. If they dine together, the students would wait until the teacher has made his first move to eat or drink.
Don't be Insulting
When your teacher is explaining or demonstrating something to you, listen attentively and respectfully. Do not bluntly say you already know what he is teaching, even if you really know, doing so is not being straight-forward, it is being insulting -- you are implying that the teacher does not know what he is doing.
I recall some occasions when my teachers taught me something that I already had learnt quite well. Thanks to my training in eastern culture, I followed their instructions faithfully although they appeared very simple and below my level then. Only much later did I get it - it was a test - that had I not follow these apparently simple instructions I would not have acquired the necessary advancement.
Do not ever make the fatal mistake of telling a teacher what or how to teach you. This is not only unbecoming, it is also very foolish, for you will be denying yourself the very purpose why you need him. If he is a Kru Muay, he knows best what and how to help you attain your best results; he is able to see your needs and development in ways far beyond your limited perspective.
Constant interruptions delay your learning, talking at the same time as your teacher is forbidden and likewise shows that you don't value his knowledge.
For the Students' Interest
Some westerners may find the above-described Kru-student relationship odd, just as those accustomed to eastern culture would find the behavior of some western students unbelievable. It may be more surprising, especially for those who think they are doing the Kru Muay a favor by paying him a fee to learn, to know that all these customs of respect for the teacher are actually for the students', not the teachers, interest.
Someone who is not qualified (there are many) will probably care more for your fees than your respect, but a Kru Muay (of which there are few) whose art gives you good health, vitality, mental freshness and spiritual joy actually does not care whether you respect him more or your dog. But those students who have experienced the wonderful benefits of genuine martial arts will understand that the respect given to the Teacher is not only a sincere token of appreciation for sharing his art, but also constitutes an ideal psychological state for the training to take place.