Muay Thai instructional videos
Razor Rob McCullough
http://www.islandmartialarts.com/index.cfm?ac=ShowProducts&CatID=76&SetCat=1
$55 US
This 5 volume set is one of the best I have seen. Any beginner should have it. Any person that has done Thaiboxing for a while will know most of the basics covered but Volume 5 is a gem and there are lots of good tips to make the set a good purchase even for the more experienced. All types of pads and bags are used in the demonstrations making for great views of the techniques in action.
Rob is a for the most part clear and well-spoken. He uses everyday langauge to get his points across, which is nice, too many others try the baffle with bull tactic. Rob gets by that with clear, honest representation of the moves. He gets a little repetitive at times but it is forgivable as the explanations are good.
Volume 1 is the fundamentals. Rob covers footwork, angles and gives lots of emphasis to the hip rollover in the kick. The explanations using the heavybag for demonstration are great. Good tape for beginners for sure.
Volume 2 moves into the basic strikes. All the boxing staples are here; jab, cross, hook and uppercut. All clearly explained with good poiinters for technique application. The elbow basics are also handled well, with a bonus spinning elbow move or two. The strikes are shown in a variety of ways. Use is made of focus mitts, Thai pads and the heavy bag. Great stuff.
Volume 3 covers the knees. Nothing wildly different here, but good strong coverage of straight knees and the curved or circle knee. Rob covers basic clinch work and delivers some good tips on moving the opponent around by his neck. Also some great pointers on hip movement are included. All around this is a fine video.
Volume 4- we get to the kicks. This tape is delivered in an interesting and effective manner. First the kicks are all shown using the right leg. Then they are all done again with the left leg. I like this idea. There are subtle but important differences between the two sides that can confuse people starting out. So this deliverly helps by letting the viewer get one side down at a time.
Leg kicks, body kicks and the head kick are all covered. With pads, on a bag and my favourite for new learners; just with a partner. I love doing the kicks this way. Sure the purpose eventually is to kick hard and hurt folks. However learning the technique and distancing involved in each kick by aiming at a real person and using control to land in the exact right spot without breaking anybody is a great method of building that power via skill instead of butishness.
Volume 5 is the gem as I said. Though this section is short, all I need to say is the combos given on this video will keep any viewer busy for a long while. Don't just run through them and think you got them. Practice, make them second nature, then you'll be able to use them when it counts.
Go buy these,they are worth every penny.
