Sylvie Technique Vlog - Getting the Right Hand In (13 min)

This is a specific example of a more general issue that many of us might be facing in how we train. It's especially the case in Thailand, where our trainers/padmen often come from a great deal of experience as fighters, which means that they have built-in habits of their own that may actually become more of an issue the better you get. I've had my trainer, Kru Nu, for nearly 6 years now. He's tall and long, and his style is very keen to snuff out an oncoming opponent. My style is being an oncoming opponent. So, it just so happens that the two of us working together, especially as I've gotten better and been able to create real pressure on him during padwork, he's going to resort to the habits he has from his decades as a fighter to enact real dominance in positions and tactics against me. It's not intentional on his part, but because we work together every day, these patterns create grooves and patterns in me - like water over a rock, or walking the same line through a field to make a path. In this technique vlog, the example I'm giving is how he locks my right arm outside, which has created a habit in me to take outside position all the time, against everybody.

Kevin and I talk about this in our Muay Thai Bones podcasts, but I often say that you're always training something, whether you're aware of it or not. So, better to be aware of it and train it on purpose. But we train bad habits all the time, too, without realizing it. In this technique vlog, I take the specific example of my right arm taking outside position, and various ways in which I can consciously work to 1) adjust from that disadvantageous position when I'm already in it, and 2) regroove my habits to stop taking that position so automatically and mindlessly. These are specific examples, but the process can be applied to the more general issue of the things we practice by accident.

If you enjoyed this video these are my other technique vlogs so far:

#13 Rising on Techniques (6 min) 

#12 Control of the Kick (6 min) 

#11 Body Position First (11 min) 

#10 All About How I Recover (12 min) 

#9 Creating Power and Distance At Close Range (9 min) 

#8 Where Are Your Feet? Foot Position (9 min) 

#7 Evolving in the Long Guard (10 min) 

 #6 The Power of Eye Contact (10 min)  

#5 Dieselnoi's Lowkick in the Clinch (12 min)  

#4 Air Knees in the Corner (8 min)  

#3 Acceleration at the End of Strikes (10 min) 

#2 The Kem Pivot (12 min)  

#1 Dealing With Fear, How to Cut it Out (13 min) 

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