How to Generate More Power In Your Muay Thai Strikes Posted on April 30, 2023August 7, 2023 By Angela Chang Power in your strikes is more than just hitting hard. And it’s certainly more than just having bigger muscles. Here are 6 pieces of advice you can follow so you can up your Muay Thai game:Please support the continuation of content on Muay Ying via PatreonProper TechniqueProper technique is key to generating more power in your strikes. Make sure you have a solid foundation and are using proper form when throwing your punches and kicks. This will help you be efficient, so you don’t waste any momentum on unnecessary movements.Using Your Entire BodyYour entire body, including your core, hips, feet, should be involved when you throw ANY strike. Using your entire body is always going to generate more power than single a single muscle group.Your hips should be rotating with most strikes, especially with kicks and punches.Photo by Jonathan TomasWorking on building your core strength will help everything “move together” with easy – you can do this with planks and other strength exercises intended to help with stability.Weight TransferAs stated above, your power comes from your body, so make sure you are transferring your weight properly when throwing your strikes. This means shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot when throwing a punch or kick. Shifting your weight with the strike will add momentum (and power) behind it.Keep Your Feet on the GroundYour feet are the foundation of your striking, and proper footwork can help you generate more power in your strikes. When you punch or elbow, both feet should be on the floor. When you are kicking or kneeing, one foot should.In addition to weight transferring, you want to make sure you are pushing off the ground with the balls of your feet. This allows you to generate more force and momentum behind your strikes.Strength & ConditioningLet’s face it – You can’t throw things hard when you are throwing them in slow-mo. Being explosive is a combination of POWER and STRENGTH. In addition to building your core strength, strength training can help you generate more power in your strikes. Incorporating a S&C program geared for fighters will help tremendously in this aspect.Photo by Victor FreitasIntending to “Hit Through”Think about hitting past the pad, mitt, or bag instead of stopping as soon as you make contact. Pretend like you are using your force to “break” it. This will ensure that you are connecting at a high velocity instead of just tapping at the end.Side note: You can apply this concept in sparring but to a much lesser degree so you don’t hurt your teammates. If you are a beginner, don’t apply at all during sparring sessions.With these adjustments and some intention, you’re guaranteed to be generating more powerful strikes in no time.If you want an in-depth guide to training in Thailand, I’ve got just the thing.If you want an in-depth guide to training in Thailand, I’ve got just the thing. Fighting and Training Muay Thai muay thai strikesmuay thai training
Fighting and Training Balancing Fighting and a Full-time Office Job – Is it Possible? Posted on August 26, 2022August 31, 2022I have been living in Thailand now for 2.5 years. I’ve been working off and on during this time, part-time and full-time. I had some fight camps where I trained full-time too, so I have a good comparison between both worlds. Most fighters chose just to fight, and they often ask how I balance the two.I truly believe that you can have a career AND fight on a very high level. There are caveats, as well as limitations you should keep in mind, which I am happy to share. Read More
Fighting and Training Running for Muay Thai: The Benefits, Working Your Way Up to It & How To Prevent Injury Posted on March 17, 2021August 7, 2023There are many aspects to becoming more serious about Muay Thai that are non-negotiable to most coaches. The one that has been talked about by all, dreaded by many, yet tried-and-true, is running. At the top of the Muay Thai pyramid, professional fighters in Thailand do long runs every morning, and have been for decades. It seems like anyone who is to be taken seriously in the sport needs to run a lot, or, at the very least, is expected to at some point. Read More
Fighting and Training Is Muay Thai Good AND Safe for Kids? Pros and Cons of Starting Young and How to Ensure Safe and Ethical Training Posted on September 10, 2023August 7, 2023Muay Thai is gaining increasing popularity as a martial art for children. Parents often choose to enroll their kids in Muay Thai classes to impart self-defense skills, enhance confidence, and boost physical fitness. However, this decision comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, demanding a delicate balance between… Read More