Evening all. Thought I should check in as it’s been a couple of weeks since we spoke last. I’ve had a tough few weeks training wise due to winter leargy creeping up on me not once but twice. However, now practically germ free I intend to be back in the mix next week onwards. In fact the little bit of training I have succeeded with this week has been awesome and that’s always a good thing.

I’m still wanting to give a little bit more time than I currently do to writing but self employment, work and life is keeping me on my toes. Being honest, life’s like that and if I want to find the time I guess I will.

Training wise recently I’ve been thinking a lot more about range and movement. I’m still pretty forward thinking and have played around a little with letting taller opponents come to me more whilst countering, but have remembered quite quickly that it’s important to stay close and to keep the pressure on.

In fact, just recently sparring I found my range for my left body kick which has come on in leaps and bounds over the past couple of months. Unless I’m fighting I can get sloppy with getting the timing right with that particular kick unless its low, so I was pleased to get that sorted out. (at least temporarily ) We all miss sometimes but you have to keep your cool and wait for the moment.

Being honest, there’s been a few improvements and I’m doing my best to take my time and look for shots. When I haven’t been training as much as I should it’s not always easy and I get sloppy. I miss stuff, I make mistakes but that’s life. Either way I’m always learning. I guess that’s the way it should be.

We’ve practiced a simple drill recently of throwing a combination and then moving as the other person with the pads walks towards you. As soon as you step off  you open up a whole range of options. I’m getting better at looking at fight situations differently, and I’m still not afraid to put pressure on the person in front of me when I have to and do my best to do something unexpected.

Turning kicks when I’m close enough seem to keep catching people off guard. Not that I’m trying to give my game away, but it’s good to know that there’s still a game left. It’s important to stay close when it comes to combat so your in range for everything you need to throw and although I do get sloppy I’m doing my best to tidy myself up. I’ve been training long enough and know better than to make silly mistakes. But then again I am only human.

You can be a forward fighter and remain aggressive but fight smart too. Like everything else it’s a work in progress. Next week I intend to be down the gym as much as possible and I’m pretty confident I’ll get things back up to speed.

However, regardless of how much or how little I training I fit in, it’s always a good thing and I’m better than I used to be. And that’s a good thing too. I thought I’d leave you this week with Sangmanee vs Superlek a great example of timing, range and fighting “in the pocket”.  Have a great week, train hard and just like the last time.. I’ll see you on that road.

Sangmanee vs Superlek via Muay Ties.