Two-Hour Workshop on Countering the Muay Thai Long Guard
- jamie03066
- Sep 22, 2025
- 3 min read
11.09.2025
In martial arts, the ability to adapt is vital. On Thursday, I had the pleasure of leading a two-hour workshop focused on countering the Muay Thai long guard at the Chimera Stable gym. This event, tailored for students from Hinnerup Karate in Denmark and Zanshin Karate in the UK, was more than a class; it was a hands-on learning experience filled with interaction and teamwork. Drawing from my recent teaching sessions, I integrated fresh insights into our strategies.
The long guard, a core feature of Muay Thai, serves both defensive and offensive purposes. To counter it effectively, understanding its functions is essential. In this blog post, I will share insights from our workshop, the techniques we practised and the lessons learned.
Understanding the Long Guard
We kicked off our workshop by exploring the purpose of the long guard. This technique is crucial for maintaining distance, controlling the opponent's movement and setting up attacks. By reaching out with their lead arm, fighters create a barrier that makes it challenging for opponents to close in without risking a hit.
For instance, a fighter utilising the long guard can keep an opponent at bay, allowing them to generate offensive strikes while minimising their own risk.
Sparring Exercises: Exploring Counter Tactics
Building on our understanding of the long guard, we moved into practical sparring exercises focused on counter tactics.
Jab to Set Up a Lead Hand Trap
We used a jab as a Trojan Horse to initiate a lead hand trap. The jab is thrown on the inside whilst slipping the long guard's outstretched arm. This technique is not designed to hit the obvious target - catching the guarding rear hand is fine - but to trap the straight lead arm at the wrist on the return path. Trapping the wrist is more effective than trapping further up the arm due to the opponent having less strength to resist. The trap is then immediately followed up with an an angled overhand punch.
Attacking the Rear Hand
Next, we focused on targeting the opponent's rear hand. This tactic aimed to disrupt balance and create striking opportunities. Timing and precision were crucial, as students learned to slip through the long guard to land effective punches. The rear hand of a long guard is often disproportionately weak due to the opponent directing most of their upper body strength to the lead arm.
Punching the Outstretched Arm
Another effective counter technique was punching the outstretched arm. This rather crude but simple and effective technique is reminiscent of Rocky Marciano's strategies and the approach taken by various southeast Asian weapon systems i.e. defang the snake.
Going to the Body
We also highlighted the importance of targeting the body when confronted with a long guard. Again, this leans into the obvious and perhaps even more than the previous answer. The long guard, just like any high guard, leaves the mid-section vulnerable. Hunt the body.
Proper Execution of Thai Round Kicks
To conclude the workshop, we turned our attention to executing Thai round kicks. These kicks are an essential component of Muay Thai and can effectively be integrated with the counter techniques we practiced.
We discussed the mechanics of the round kick, covering aspects like hip rotation, foot positioning, and follow-through. Participants practised in various contexts, focusing on balance and control. Proper execution of the round kick not only improves striking ability but also complements the counter techniques learned earlier.
Reflecting on the Experience
The two-hour workshop on countering the Muay Thai long guard provided an enriching experience for students from Hinnerup Karate and Zanshin Karate. By breaking down the long guard's purpose and practicing various counter tactics, participants gained deeper insights on navigating this challenging technique.
As martial artists, adapting and countering are crucial for growth. This workshop was a reminder of the benefits of collaborative learning across styles. I am excited about future workshops where we can continue refining our techniques and ensuring we remain effective in our martial arts journey.
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