War of the Eight Limbs - Muay Thai Personal Training

17.12.2025

Muay Thai Personal Training for More Advanced Clients

My client finished his training off this year with a series of rounds that pitted the various weapons of Muay Thai against one another. During our sparring, we took turns to isolate certain techniques and compare them to another isolated technique. Each of the three-minute rounds highlighted various factors.

1. Straight punches versus teeps

2. Teeps versus straight punches

3. Hooks versus round kicks

4. Round kicks versus hooks

5. Teeps versus round kicks

6. Round kicks versus teeps

7. Punches versus kicks

8. Kicks versus punches

9. Elbows versus knees

10. Knees versus elbows

11. Clinch

12. Free sparring

Rounds 1 and 2 were understandably very linear in style, but the puncher also needed to exploit angles. Moving in straight gave the advantage to the teep kicker who had the range and could fight defensively. However, once the kick had been thrown, the straight puncher needed to counter and move in efficiently.

Rounds 3 and 4 were far more fast-paced with both fighters looking to dominate the angles. The round kicker especially benefited from stepping off to the side to land the big body kicks and also attacking the legs as the hook puncher attempted to encroach on the closer range. An effective principle for hook punchers is to wade in somewhat, shifting weight from side to side in a rolling fashion. It builds momentum for follow-ups either on the same side, going to the body and head, and also to attack on the opposite side. However, it is a risky tactic allowing the head to come into perfect range for head kicks.

Rounds 5 and 6 saw two perfectly matched weapons. The main concept here was to anticipate each other's actions and to capitalize on the opening provided. A round kicker can be thrown off balance by the direct pushing power of the teep, but the teep kicker can be totally exposed to round kicks after their kicks are scoop-blocked.

Rounds 7 and 8 were a battle of ranges. The puncher needs to use his footwork carefully. Boxing provides excellent opportunities to find positions to attack, but the mobility is severely compromised by low kicks. This leads to intelligent adaptation, blocking and covering on the way in whilst attacking with the faster strikes provided by punches. Meanwhile, the kicker might have more striking opportunities at range and also more power, but legs can be caught and the greatest vulnerabilities are presented after executing the kicks.

Rounds 9 and 10 weren't just about getting the clinch, but it was very much about managing levels.

Rounds 11 and 12 were more open rounds, providing occasions to integrate everything.

Hamstring Injury Prevention - Nordic Curls and Warm-Down

We then went through our usual hamstring strengthening routine. With both of us around the 50-year mark, we regularly assess areas of fitness that need special attention. The hamstrings are often placed under a lot of strain in certain martial arts and the Nordic curl is a challenging exercise that has a lot of scientific evidence to support its place as an injury preventative. Our routine consisted of sets of bent-over curls with a plate, negative Nordic curls, partial Nordic curls, and Nordic pulses.

In line with the above, we finished with a complete body warm-down of dynamic, PNF, and static stretching.

Muay Thai personal training is provided at various different levels. This particular client has been training with me since 2014. Over time, his lessons have progressed from 1 hour to 1.5 hours.

Click Here For More Info On Martial Arts & Fitness Training