Sylvie's Technique Vlog - Getting on Your Toes (Patreon)

This one is something I've been working on in cycles. I get instructed or corrected on it, I work on it, I get better at it, then it falls away as something I've already taken care of and I end up flat-footed again - maybe only in small moments - because I'm no longer thinking about it. So the title of this Technique Vlog is about Getting on Your Toes, but that's not the technique really; secretly, the technique is about being sensitive enough to your body and balance to know when you're not on your toes, and then making the adjustment.

For me, I tend to get flat footed after turns or if I'm tired, or if my partner/opponent is especially big. This is a chicken/egg issue where being tired makes you flat-footed and being flat-footed makes you tired; being off-balance will make you fall to being flat-footed and being flat-footed messes up your balance because it reduces your flexibility. So, focus on when you're not on your toes, not even why you're not on your toes.

Watch the public Sangtiennoi session on Youtube (linked below), as well as his session in the Library (library sessions linked below). Watch any Dieselnoi, both Chamuakpet sessions, and Charnchai and Manop's focus on teeps. There's no style in which you shouldn't be on your toes, none, but if a Muay Khao king tells you to get on your toes for knees (see every single Muay Khao listed above), you know you need to be on your toes. It doesn't matter your height, Sangtiennoi and Dieselnoi are both tall, Chamuakpet is short... get on your damn toes.

Further Study: The Day with Sangtiennoi Film 

I was most recently reminded of getting on my toes when I trained at Sangtiennoi's gym (see it here)

Below are sessions from legends in the Library which if studied you will see how important getting on your toes is for Golden Age techniques:

Dieselnoi (1982 Fighter of the Year):  

#48 Dieselnoi Chor. Thanasukarn - Jam Session (80 min) watch it here  

#30 Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn 2 - Muay Khao Craft  (42 min) watch it here  

#3 Dieselnoi  Chor Thanasukarn  - The King of Knees (54 min) - watch it here 

#76 Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn 4 - How to Fight Tall (69 min) watch it here

Chamuakphet (1985 Fighter of the Year):  

#49 Chamuakpet Hapalang - Devastating Knee in Combination (66 min) watch it here  

#81 Chamuakpet Hapalang 2 - Muay Khao Internal Attacks (65 min) watch it here

See the Sangtiennoi session:

#8 Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj - Advanced Clinch (52 min) watch it here

The Golden Age Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Champion, a legendary Muay Khao fighter who fought all the greats instructs on the finer points of clinch technique. Small differences that make big differences. Advanced tips on the swim-in and turn, and the importance of going from long distance techniques to short distance grab and lock.

The importance of getting on your toes for the teep:

#55 Manop Manop Gym - The Art of the Teep (90 min) watch it here

An absolutely brilliant technician, Arjan Manop who is famed as Saenchai's Yokkao padman, teaches the art of the teep in fantastic detail. Some of his corrections were so small, like the timing of the plant foot, but have made big impacts on my practice. If you love the fine details of beautiful Muay Thai technique this is a session for you.

#82 Chanchai Sor. Tummarungsri - The King of Teeps (54 min) watch it here

Perhaps in all the Library there is no session more devoted to, and detailing of the art of the teep. Chanchai is a Golden Age legend known for his undefeatable teep, and clearly has spent many years dissecting all the small parts that make his teep so incredible, so students can learn it for themselves. Dive into the art of the teep in this one!

#47 Silapathai Jockygym - Master of Teep Distance (64 min) watch it here

One of the great femeu fighters of the Golden Age unlocks the secret of his teep oriented dominance which made him one of the most difficult fighters to face in his day. The lessons here are precious as he unfolds the details of how to use the teep and tempo to always put the fight where you want it.

All my Technique Vlogs for Patrons

If you enjoyed this technique vlog check out my other Patron-only technique vlogs:

#23 How to Use Bagwork in Thailand (17 min) 

#22 Guard: Palms Facing Outward (17 min)

#21 Your Ambient Footwork (15 min)

#20 Jang-wa, Rhythm and Timing (15 min)

#19  Training Ruup & Composure  (13 min)

#18   Closing the Door in Long Guar (11 min) 

#17  Static Block for Balance (9 min)

#16 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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