Diary / Training Notes

Kickboxing and Muay Thai are dynamic martial arts that rely heavily on precise striking techniques. One of the most effective strikes in these disciplines is the low round kick. In my recent remote online martial arts personal training session with a client from Drum Martial Arts and Fitness in Galway, we focused on breaking down this technique to its essentials. This post shares insights from that lesson, explaining how to master the low round kick and how remote training ca

Returning to boxing after a long break can feel like stepping into a different world. For me, at 50 years old, getting back into boxing personal training was both a challenge and a rediscovery. The third hour of my client's training course focused on refining the basics and strengthening my defense. Revisiting jabs and crosses, while layering on defensive techniques, reminded me how much boxing is about precision, timing, and resilience.

Red boxing glove hits a heavy bag in a warm gym, with bold text: MAXIMISE YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH and Transform your body.

When my Muay Thai client asked to focus on attacking during our 1.5-hour session, I knew this would shape the entire training. We dedicated 12 rounds of 3 minutes each to specific sparring drills that sharpened his offensive skills. I took on a mostly defensive role, starting with a passive approach and gradually moving to active counterattacks. This method helped him develop a deeper understanding of timing, distance, and weapon combinations.

Tonight’s personal training session with my advanced client focused entirely on stand-up martial arts. We dedicated the full 1.5 hours to exploring the traditional conventions of boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, rather than blending them as separate ranges in MMA. This approach allowed us to dive deep into the unique techniques and strategies each art offers in its purest form.

Submission grappling demands more than just knowing individual techniques. Success often depends on smooth transitions and the ability to chain attacks fluidly. One drill that highlights this approach is the "heat-seeking kimura," a sequence that links multiple arm locks through positional changes. This post explores how this drill fits into training from the north south position, its practical applications, and how it builds a stronger grappling game.

There is an overly simplistic adage that one should master one discipline before moving on to another. Well, it's not really much of a wise proverb outside of the often tribalistic and insular subculture of martial arts. Go to a regular school, and students are expected to not only study a wide range of subjects but often several similar subjects. Yet, when it comes to martial arts, there appears to be this pervading idea that you need to get to a certain level before you sho

When my couple clients asked to focus more on hip control during our submission grappling personal training sessions, I knew this would be a game changer. Hip control is a fundamental skill that often determines the success of transitions, chokes, and necktie techniques. By drilling deeper into this area, we can uncover weaknesses and build stronger, more effective grappling strategies. In this post, I’ll share how we approached this focus, the benefits of hip control, and pr

Starting a new martial arts discipline can be both exciting and challenging, especially when moving from a familiar sport like boxing to kickboxing. My senior client recently made this transition after a year focused solely on boxing. This change aims to build a solid foundation for an upcoming Muay Thai course. In our latest session, we concentrated on mastering the teep, a fundamental kickboxing technique, using constraints-led games to sharpen precision and timing. This po

Muay Thai Personal Training The fifth hour of my teacher client’s Muay Thai personal training course at Cotswold Karate took a deep dive into the art of elbow striking. This session built on previous lessons, pushing the boundaries of technique and application. Today, we also tested elbow strikes against round kicks in a live environment, adding a dynamic challenge that sharpened timing, distance, and decision-making. As a martial arts teacher, I found this phase of training

When my new client first came to me, he wanted to learn boxing. After discussing his goals and preferences, we decided that the Triple C Fitness course would suit him best. This programme uses martial arts techniques focused primarily on fitness rather than sparring or competition. Many clients like him want the benefits of boxing for fitness without the pressure or risk of sparring.

Here’s how I approach a 1.5-hour Muay Thai personal training session focused on sparring, moving through 12 rounds of 3 minutes each. I’ll share practical tips on how to get the most from your sparring, whether you’re new to Muay Thai or looking to refine your skills.

Training in mixed martial arts requires a blend of skills from various fighting styles, and mastering these techniques demands a well-rounded approach. In my recent 1.5-hour session with an advanced client, we revisited a comprehensive MMA cross-training routine that covers all ranges of combat. This lesson reinforced the fundamentals while building endurance, strength, and technical precision.

Scarf-hold side control is a powerful position in submission grappling that offers control and multiple submission opportunities. In lesson three of my client’s first Submission Grappling Personal Training course, we focused on refining this position, transitioning between scarf-hold and back control, and exploring defenses. We also introduced no-hands sparring drills to emphasize hip movement and mobility, which are crucial for effective ground fighting. This post breaks dow

When my couple clients chose to focus their martial arts cross-training personal training course on Submission Grappling for their latest session, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to return to the basics. Submission grappling is a complex and technical discipline, but mastering its fundamentals is essential for any serious martial artist. This session was all about refining their movement, correcting errors in real time, and building a deeper understanding of hip positio

Boxing is a sport of strategy as much as strength. When training remotely, it can be challenging to convey the nuances of different fighting styles and tactics. In my fourth Remote Online Boxing Personal Training session with my client from Drum Martial Arts and Fitness in Ireland, we focused on mastering southpaw tactics and refining jab techniques. This session highlighted how remote training can effectively develop skills that are often thought to require in-person coachin

Distance management is one of the most critical aspects of Muay Thai. It dictates when and how you can effectively land strikes or defend against your opponent’s attacks. Kicks and elbows operate at different ranges, so mastering the transition between these distances is key.

Before diving into the lean back, the training session began with a warm-up focused on dynamic muscle engagement. This included exercises that promote blood flow, increase mobility and activate the nervous system. Incorporating actual footwork patterns and shadow boxing helped the clients transition smoothly into the technical drills.

In this post, I want to share how we worked on transitioning between submissions, specifically around necktie attacks, and how this can improve your grappling game while deepening your partnership.

Man with red boxing gloves focuses on laptop screen. Text: "Online Boxing Session Breakdown," techniques listed. Dark gym setting.