Maurice Smith - Vol 2 Pad Work
Online at many places for abour $20 bucks or as part of a four video set in the $50 range.
Maurice starts with the focus mitts and the proper placement for the holder. This is great, the number of times I have tried to get a workout with someone new to pad holding only to be frustrated is immeasurable. Maurice talks about a rythm that develops between a pad holder and the fighter, never were truer words spoke. "The pad man...my friend."
Next up on the menu is working a dynamic drill with the padman using the basics just covered but adding some movement by both parties and some strikes by the pad holder. This is a good solis bit of footage with a lot of Maurice's knowledge coming through. This carries through to the next segment; hitting the pads 'realtime'.
Whereas the first 10 minutes were based on getting the holder working properly and done slow, this section shows the jab, cross, left hook, body hook and uppercuts at speed and in combination. Essentially applying what was earned earlier.
On to the Thai pads, Maurice shows us how he likes to have the pads held. Front kick and round kick tehniques from Volume 1 is reiterated and expanded on. For the low kicks Maurice has the padholder put his arm down with the pad by the thigh.
This goes against everything I have ever seen for practicing these kicks. I was always told the pad holder is learning too and this will only develop the bad habit of putting the arm down to defend the leg kick. To be fair Maurice says to be sure to not go too hard. However my opinion would be just kicking the thigh 'not too hard' to learn the technique would be better.
After a few examples of punch/kick drills we get to the knee section. Again Maurice shows clearly the basic straight knee technique from both in and out of the clinch. However he keeps saying not to do a lot as they are tiring. True they are tiring but they score more in the organizations I have competed in, we always do a lot of knees, enough to make us dry heave in training.
The video finishes up with combos combining all the weapons including elbows. Maurice comes through with great tips and advice for the application in a fight. Overall I think this is a solid volume. I'd certainly like anyone who needs to hold pads to watch it. The message comes through clear on how important it is to be a good holder. The video production is great and Maurice of course is a knowledgeable instructor. The only thing I can find fault in is; as with the first video, this isn't really Thaiboxing, though all the weapons are used it just has a more kickboxing feel.
See also Volume 1
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
Maurice Smith Thaiboxing Volume 1 - fundamentals
available online for ~$20 or as part of the four DVD set for $50.
This is sold as a Muay Thai tape on the sites I visited. It is about half Muay Thai, kickboxing is a better description. There is a difference, and if you are looking for pure Muay Thai you really won't find it here. Shins are used and low kicks covered but not in a fully Thai manner, more in a modified method. Good clear basic kickboxing is what is served up.
2-4 mins each on are spent on the jab, cross, left hook (that would make a boxing coach wince) and an uppercut. Both sides aren't shown and by eight minutes Maurice is onto the kicks.
Defensive front kick with lead leg, inside low kick, more like a JKD lead kick with a shuffle step than a Thai kick. The right leg version of the low kick is much more Thai like. Maurice shows a couple of angles to throw it and does a body kick from one side.
Knees and elbows are next on the list. The video is very clear on both long knees and short clinch knees. Some decent info on holding the clinch and making space to throw knees is included. The elbow section is short and sweet. A few angles are shown and the cutting aspect stressed. Once again the different sides aren't really covered, both arms are used but for different angles.
Defensive manoeuvres are next. Parries and scoop blocks. Defenses for jabs, hooks and uppercuts are shown, again only on one side. Elbow blocks get about a minute and are shown in a clear manner that co-incides with the Thaiboxing I have seen. Next in the defense is kick blocking, including a good section on defending against leg kicks to the lead leg. The last section is knee defense, unfortunately Maurice chose to show a knee defense involving both hands dropping to the opponents hips. Without explaining the timing and recovery involved this defense leads to the blocker getting elbowed and hooked punched everytime.
Maurice is a multiple kickboxing title holder and an accomplished MMA fighter. There is no doubt he has the experience to deliver this material. He does so clearly and concisely. My only complaint is it may be a little too concise. In an effort to cover all the material in the time alotted, some of it feels glossed over. The quality of the video is excellent and sound is fine. If you are a beginner this would be a fine introduction to kickboxing with some Thai technique included. If you have been training for a few months you may still pick up a couple of things but whether it is worth the money is hard to say.
See also Volume 2
available online for ~$20 or as part of the four DVD set for $50.
This is sold as a Muay Thai tape on the sites I visited. It is about half Muay Thai, kickboxing is a better description. There is a difference, and if you are looking for pure Muay Thai you really won't find it here. Shins are used and low kicks covered but not in a fully Thai manner, more in a modified method. Good clear basic kickboxing is what is served up.
2-4 mins each on are spent on the jab, cross, left hook (that would make a boxing coach wince) and an uppercut. Both sides aren't shown and by eight minutes Maurice is onto the kicks.
Defensive front kick with lead leg, inside low kick, more like a JKD lead kick with a shuffle step than a Thai kick. The right leg version of the low kick is much more Thai like. Maurice shows a couple of angles to throw it and does a body kick from one side.
Knees and elbows are next on the list. The video is very clear on both long knees and short clinch knees. Some decent info on holding the clinch and making space to throw knees is included. The elbow section is short and sweet. A few angles are shown and the cutting aspect stressed. Once again the different sides aren't really covered, both arms are used but for different angles.
Defensive manoeuvres are next. Parries and scoop blocks. Defenses for jabs, hooks and uppercuts are shown, again only on one side. Elbow blocks get about a minute and are shown in a clear manner that co-incides with the Thaiboxing I have seen. Next in the defense is kick blocking, including a good section on defending against leg kicks to the lead leg. The last section is knee defense, unfortunately Maurice chose to show a knee defense involving both hands dropping to the opponents hips. Without explaining the timing and recovery involved this defense leads to the blocker getting elbowed and hooked punched everytime.
Maurice is a multiple kickboxing title holder and an accomplished MMA fighter. There is no doubt he has the experience to deliver this material. He does so clearly and concisely. My only complaint is it may be a little too concise. In an effort to cover all the material in the time alotted, some of it feels glossed over. The quality of the video is excellent and sound is fine. If you are a beginner this would be a fine introduction to kickboxing with some Thai technique included. If you have been training for a few months you may still pick up a couple of things but whether it is worth the money is hard to say.
See also Volume 2
Friday, February 10, 2006
Stretching for Athletes
Panther Video
Bill Superfoot Wallace
~55 minutes
Availble for about 10$
Bill Wallace has to be the most flexible guy I have ever seen outside the acrobats of a Chinese circus. Who better to lead a video on Stretching. This video focuses on the legs and hips, as world reknown kicker, again who better than Bill.
This video starts with a good introduction to stretching and the basics of the way muscles attach and work. This is clear and easy to understand. Bill tells us that A relaxed muscle is more resistant to injury, quicker and more easily moved. All that makes sense to me.
Moves into warmups, works from the top down. Gentle motions just to raise the muscle temperature and let your body know something is coming. After this Bill begins stretching exercises to do alone. This is comprised of a lot of static stretches keeping the tension on for counts between 2-10 seconds. None of the exercises are anything extraordinary but the order they are done in makes sense and flows nicely. This section is a little less than half an hour and Bill recommends doing them every day.
On to partner stretching. Bill stresses safety first with the partner. Another 20 mins or so is spent on these. Again nothing out of the ordinary but all good solid exercises in a nice smooth order. Bill recommedns partner stretching 2-3 times per week as it is harder on the muscles.
The third section is about the 'new fangled' stretching machines. I had one in the early 90's. That was probably when this video was first released. Anyhow the section is as good as it can get, showing a number of exercises to do while strapped into a machine. This is limited but the presentation is good.
Five minutes of review finishes the volume off in style. Bill comes across as an extremely knowledgeable and affable person. You can tell he is a great instructor with lots of experience with the material. The credit say written and performed by Bill Wallace and the preparation shows, unlike some instructionals where the presenter stumbles along never quite sure what to say Bill comes ready to deliver This video is full of traditional Karate or Tae Kwon Do class stretches. I am sure that trained kiniesologist or physiologists or whoever would wince but Bill Wallace is a trained martial arts stretchologist. I trust him to know from experience how to make me be able to kick high.
The video is clear, the sound is good, no annoying Panther slomo repeats. It is a quality show.
Panther Video
Bill Superfoot Wallace
~55 minutes
Availble for about 10$
Bill Wallace has to be the most flexible guy I have ever seen outside the acrobats of a Chinese circus. Who better to lead a video on Stretching. This video focuses on the legs and hips, as world reknown kicker, again who better than Bill.
This video starts with a good introduction to stretching and the basics of the way muscles attach and work. This is clear and easy to understand. Bill tells us that A relaxed muscle is more resistant to injury, quicker and more easily moved. All that makes sense to me.
Moves into warmups, works from the top down. Gentle motions just to raise the muscle temperature and let your body know something is coming. After this Bill begins stretching exercises to do alone. This is comprised of a lot of static stretches keeping the tension on for counts between 2-10 seconds. None of the exercises are anything extraordinary but the order they are done in makes sense and flows nicely. This section is a little less than half an hour and Bill recommends doing them every day.
On to partner stretching. Bill stresses safety first with the partner. Another 20 mins or so is spent on these. Again nothing out of the ordinary but all good solid exercises in a nice smooth order. Bill recommedns partner stretching 2-3 times per week as it is harder on the muscles.
The third section is about the 'new fangled' stretching machines. I had one in the early 90's. That was probably when this video was first released. Anyhow the section is as good as it can get, showing a number of exercises to do while strapped into a machine. This is limited but the presentation is good.
Five minutes of review finishes the volume off in style. Bill comes across as an extremely knowledgeable and affable person. You can tell he is a great instructor with lots of experience with the material. The credit say written and performed by Bill Wallace and the preparation shows, unlike some instructionals where the presenter stumbles along never quite sure what to say Bill comes ready to deliver This video is full of traditional Karate or Tae Kwon Do class stretches. I am sure that trained kiniesologist or physiologists or whoever would wince but Bill Wallace is a trained martial arts stretchologist. I trust him to know from experience how to make me be able to kick high.
The video is clear, the sound is good, no annoying Panther slomo repeats. It is a quality show.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Fighting Strategies of Muay Thai
Author: Mark Van Schuyver with Kru Pedro Solana Villalobos
Pages: ~130
Another skinny Muay Thai book. I bought mine cheap on Ebay but last I looked it was still available online at Chapters.ca and Amazon. There is no cover price on my copy but it runs low. You should be able to get it for around $20.
I have mixed thoughts on this book. It is well written and clearly explained. The production quality is good. Unfortunately the whole book reads more as a commercial for Villalobos' school than a book about Muay Thai. To me it comes off resoundingly tacky.
Although clearly presented there is nothing new in the history or technique sections of this book. Usually there is some insight to why a move is done or an explanation that tackles the art from a different perspective, that is not the case in this volume.
The book moves into a training section where more advertisement occurs: "Since Villalobos has 12 bags in his school..." Who cares, is this guy the only person to have bags hanging? Would have been better presented as 'with access to a heavybag you can do this...' The book is full of little appeals to the person Villalobos not the art of Muay Thai. It drove me nuts.
The weight training section of this book is thankfully short. Ignore it completely and get a better book on sports conditioning. What is printed in the book is once again credited as Villalobos' personal workout, like we should do it just because he does, no science or logic at all.
The sections on fighter types and battle strategy are almost as hokey. Questionaires help you determine which type you are so you can better adjust you training. Not bad in theory I guess but I sum my thoughts up this way: One of the photos in this section shows Villalobos looming over four kneeling fighters and the caption reads "Villalobos and all four types of fighters: aggressive, elusive, counter and tricky. As a universal fighter, Villalobos uses all four styles." How does this guy stand up with his head swollen up like that. Considering he is credited with 15 fights in the back of the book I question his right to the title Universal Soldier or whatever.
There are some good parts to the volume. The glimpse of Villalobos curriculum is interesting and the standard Muay Thai training regimen is worthy of a quick look. There is a short vocabulary included which may make a nice reference.
Overall the book is low on my list of recommendations. These two: Legacy and Distinguished are much better use of money. The section on Thailand which is noted in the subtitle "Secrets of Thailand's Fighting Camps" is a few pages long, the rest is a basic commercial.
Author: Mark Van Schuyver with Kru Pedro Solana Villalobos
Pages: ~130
Another skinny Muay Thai book. I bought mine cheap on Ebay but last I looked it was still available online at Chapters.ca and Amazon. There is no cover price on my copy but it runs low. You should be able to get it for around $20.
I have mixed thoughts on this book. It is well written and clearly explained. The production quality is good. Unfortunately the whole book reads more as a commercial for Villalobos' school than a book about Muay Thai. To me it comes off resoundingly tacky.
Although clearly presented there is nothing new in the history or technique sections of this book. Usually there is some insight to why a move is done or an explanation that tackles the art from a different perspective, that is not the case in this volume.
The book moves into a training section where more advertisement occurs: "Since Villalobos has 12 bags in his school..." Who cares, is this guy the only person to have bags hanging? Would have been better presented as 'with access to a heavybag you can do this...' The book is full of little appeals to the person Villalobos not the art of Muay Thai. It drove me nuts.
The weight training section of this book is thankfully short. Ignore it completely and get a better book on sports conditioning. What is printed in the book is once again credited as Villalobos' personal workout, like we should do it just because he does, no science or logic at all.
The sections on fighter types and battle strategy are almost as hokey. Questionaires help you determine which type you are so you can better adjust you training. Not bad in theory I guess but I sum my thoughts up this way: One of the photos in this section shows Villalobos looming over four kneeling fighters and the caption reads "Villalobos and all four types of fighters: aggressive, elusive, counter and tricky. As a universal fighter, Villalobos uses all four styles." How does this guy stand up with his head swollen up like that. Considering he is credited with 15 fights in the back of the book I question his right to the title Universal Soldier or whatever.
There are some good parts to the volume. The glimpse of Villalobos curriculum is interesting and the standard Muay Thai training regimen is worthy of a quick look. There is a short vocabulary included which may make a nice reference.
Overall the book is low on my list of recommendations. These two: Legacy and Distinguished are much better use of money. The section on Thailand which is noted in the subtitle "Secrets of Thailand's Fighting Camps" is a few pages long, the rest is a basic commercial.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)