Muay Thai footwork

(The video above is done on the shifting mud of the river bank. We used to do that to be able to keep on the mud, without sinking. Obviously that is difficult. But that is the sort of real life training you do, when you are Muay Thai crazy, the way I was and am:)


Foot work in Muay Thai is very special and very difficult. In fact, you can it is rather an advanced practice, though even beginners should keep focusing on getting the form right, so everything falls in place.
Initially you will find that when you focus on punching your footwork falters. Or if you focus on footwork, your punching falters. This is because your mind is still struggling to co-ordinate the various movements. But keep working on footwork separately, perfecting the form so that it becomes very strong soon. The power of a Muay Thai fighter is in his footwork.

Initial problems with footwork that you will face:

• That of co-rdination. 
• Immense pain in the calf, hip and of course, the ankle joints. 
• Pain is also likely in the big toes and/or the toes. This is part of the growth factor in your fighting skills and must be endured. Doing footwork regularly as soon as you start Muay Thai training  will prevent this ...

Main challenges in footwork (I must call it foot art, because that is what it is:)

• You loose your balance. 
• You foot/or feet collapse suddenly as you shift either forward or backward. Or sideways.
  
• Forward/backward footwork is difficult. You find it is easier to do footwork in one place. But that is no use in a fight! 
• Keeping the toes slightly curved inward to maintain balance and for force. If you remember that your power, for your punch or your kick, comes from your footwork, you will find that this particular aspect of your footwork becomes more organised on its own. 
• Remember to involve the shift of the torso, the knee twist/twirl, the hip movement all as part of the footwork. Most beginners think of doing them separately. Combining all these in a flow is the toughest part. 

The next few blogs will focus on footwork exclusively, since this is the most important part of your training.