Mechanics of the Basic Muay Thai Kick

Thanks for all the nice comments guys. I hope this stuff is helpful in some way. The more I see, and the more people I train with, the more I learn that there really isn't a definitive version of any technique.

What I look for now is an instructor's ability to articulate WHY they do what they do.

Once I saw Khuen Khru Greg Nelson demonstrate a single leg takedown and he mentioned to put your head on the side of your opponent's body and explained all the reasons why and why it was preferable to putting your head on your opponent's chest. It made total sense to me. An hour later, Ricco Chiapparelli showed the same type of single leg and said to put the head on the front of your opponent's body in the chest plate and explained exactly why and why putting your head on your opponent's side wasn't a good idea.

What I learned from the lessons was that both men had totally valid and important reasons to do things the way they did. I was able to educate myself on the dangers and advantages to doing it one way as opposed to the other, and ultimately I adopted the method that fit best with my own style and tendencies.

What I've presented here is the placement of the arms according to the reasons that best suit my game. There are other methods that are equally good. So long as the demonstrator can explain why they do what they do, I'd say, it's worth taking into consideration.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I thought about tackling him a couple of times and stuffing him in the trunk of my car so that he couldn't go. But then he'd look at me and say "Suh... what you tinking?"

I try to just be happy about getting to spend what time I was able with him. I was really fortunate in my humble opinion.

At the same time, I can't help but wish there were more chances. But as Ajarn is so fond of saying, "Time waits for no one."

Long Live The TBA - Long Live Ajarn Chai!