Sylvie's Technique Vlog - Static Block for Balance (Patreon)

My "technique vlogs" are not instructional, so much as investigative. It's something I'm working on as a fighter, that I'm thinking a lot about, so I make these videos to kind of think out loud about the technique, rather than teach it or instruct it or whatever. This one, however, I think is so massively important for any and all of Muay Thai, because at its base it's about balance. Balance will improve every single element of your Muay Thai, as well as your overall composure.

So, I've been using static blocks for balance. It's a bit painful at first, as you're firing these tiny muscles to keep yourself balanced in one spot - this might hurt your glutes and legs for a bit. But it will make them stronger, too. And then I always say that anything you practice in isolation should immediately be put into the movement and flow of context, so I also use static blocks (although not held as long) in shadow, to get that element as well. I've already seen difference in my balance on blocks, as well as my ability to get them up quickly and without thinking so much about them, which means timing has come along with the balance, which is a bonus.

What to be careful of: because you're just trying to keep your balance, you might think that being off-balance is counter to what you're aiming for. Not so. You want to move your guard and maybe even hop on the standing foot a bit to imbalance yourself, as your balance is improving. The point is to fire all those tiny muscles for rebalancing. Don't hold anything if you can't balance for more than a few seconds, just balance as long as you can and then try to go for longer. But also try to make it natural. Your arms shouldn't be flailing around to balance you, you want to try to get the block in place with a natural guard, as well as from your natural fighting stance. Move in and out of it, even though it's static while you're balancing.

If you enjoyed this Technique Vlog You Might Enjoy the Others

#16 Sylvie's Technique Vlog - The Diamond Guard (20 min) 

#15 Mental Gym, Beginning to Advanced Visualization (19 min) 

#14 Getting the Right Hand In (13 min) 

#13 Rising on Techniques (6 min) 

#12 Control of the Kick (6 min) 

#11 Body Position First (11 min) 

#10 All About How I Recover (12 min) 

#9 Creating Power and Distance At Close Range (9 min) 

#8 Where Are Your Feet? Foot Position (9 min) 

#7 Evolving in the Long Guard (10 min)  

#6 The Power of Eye Contact (10 min)  

#5 Dieselnoi's Lowkick in the Clinch (12 min)  

#4 Air Knees in the Corner (8 min)  

#3 Acceleration at the End of Strikes (10 min) 

#2 The Kem Pivot (12 min)  

#1 Dealing With Fear, How to Cut it Out (13 min) 

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