Although rarely spoken about, most fighters, including those at an elite level, encounter pre-fight nerves. The biggest difference between an amateur and a professional (besides experience, of course) is how they deal with it. Feelings of self-doubt, fear, anxiety, and nervousness are completely normal, especially high-pressure situations, such as competitive sports. They exist as a
“A house built on a shaky foundation will eventually collapse.” – Toni Payne. Every martial art has a primary stance that each student must master before any real progression can begin. Having the right stance can improve power, speed and defense. Ignoring its importance can mean slow defense and movement as well as making you
The suplex is one of the most exciting but dangerous moves in wrestling. It is an offensive move, allowed in both amateur and professional circuits. It involves flipping an opponent over the head, and onto their back. They can be performed from all angles, but the most common are either a ‘front facelock’ or ‘belly
Whether you are a novice or a professional, choosing a suitable martial arts gym deserves time and proper consideration. It’s all too easy to rush a sign-up based purely on location, price, or to train with a famed coach or athlete. While there are advantages to considering either or all of these factors, choosing a
The clinch is a unique skill set belonging to muay Thai, that helps differentiate it from other striking sports, like kickboxing. It is most easily described as a form of stand up wrestling. To outsiders, it may look like “hugging”, but that is too simplistic. The clinch is a very technical and strategic area of
As humans, it is in our nature to always be on the move and explore new things regardless of age. But many people still think age plays a factor when it comes to training martial arts. These people believe the classes are for young people only and that their bodies just can’t keep up with
Almost half of all adults in the US will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lifetime. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, while anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness in the US. Despite the alarming numbers, less than half of those suffering receive formal treatment, but
The Golden Era of Muay Thai, beginning in the 1980’s and ending in the mid 90’s is lauded as the peak of the sport. The decade created and showcased some of Thailand’s best talent. Reasons vary as to why this era in particular maintained such a high standard of competition, but one area regularly visited
Pad Holding is an art in itself. It’s a skill that requires confidence, speed, spatial awareness and strong communication skills. It’s an essential component in the repertoire of a Martial Artist and many sports incorporate pads as an indispensable part of the curriculum. The type of pad will vary from sport to sport. Thaiboxing uses
Has one ever truly practiced a martial art without engaging in sparring? Honestly, it’s a no from me. Sparring is an essential part of the learning process and without it, you are only exposed to a fraction of your chosen discipline. It is the glue that binds all other areas of your training together. In
BJJ is widely known as one of the most challenging martial arts in the world. To become proficient, one must spend years on the mats and learning the science behind every move. So, it’s not a surprise that BJJ beginnings are hard as well. What’s more, they are perhaps the hardest ones compared to the
Muay Thai, the national sport of Thailand, is an ancient martial art form that is derived from a form of hand to hand combat used by the first Thai army. It is also known as ‘the art of eight limbs’ as the hands, elbows, knees and shins are used to replace fallen weapons on the
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is perhaps the most effective and the hardest martial art in the World. But, if you decide to step on the mats and put on a gi, jiu jitsu will take you on the emotional journey full of passion and learning. What’s more, Brazilian jiu-jitsu will change your life. The truth is, have
We have to make a few things clear right from the start. In both street and professional fighting, size does matter! In fact, it is arguably the most important advantage a person can have in a bout. Since the introduction of combat sports way back in ancient time, one of the first established rules were
Muay Thai requires a ton of gear, but one of the most important pieces of equipment is shin guards. This is a breakdown of the best shin protection you can find for Muay Thai. Shin guards are important for Muay Thai training for a lot of reasons. Not only do they protect your legs while
Every sport in the world and every generation has its own hero. We can all recall at least one such athlete who dominated the game like no one other. Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and Diego Maradona are just some of the most famous athletes who have become larger than life figures. In the Muay Thai