Muay Thai Sparring 101: 3 Unwritten Rules

In this Muay Thai sparring 101 video, we'll cover 3 unspoken rules of Muay Thai sparring.

In Muay Thai sparring, there are a few key rules you need to know if you want to win matches. In this sparring 101 video, we'll cover the 3 unspoken rules of Muay Thai sparring and help you win more matches!

[thewoolycontacts]

- no push kicks to the face
- be careful of straight knees and round knees to the ribs
- if your partner is dazed or hurt, let off of them and let them recover.
- encourage them when they are tired or relax them when they are getting frustrated
- dont catch every single kick and sweep. Allow them to practice landing their kicks
- even in hard sparring. Never go 100% to their head.
- try not to check kicks with the point of the knee. That could still snap their shin with even solid shin gaurds.
- don't land anything that isnt padded hard; like spinning kicks etc.

[billyg.personaltraining]

If your partner turns away or loses composure, don't overwhelm them. Back off and let them get their shit together.

[tommygun]

Patience with newbies who have been training 6 months or under.

Don't let the ego take over.

Remember how you felt when you first walked in the gym.

Respect.

[Skl]

Im only a teenager, and joined Muay thai a year ago, you inspired me to become one and I want to thank you So much! Ive been following your tips alot these months and it helped me alot! Thank you!

[smorgasborgas]

Don’t keep catching my kicks and hard sweeping me in light sparring. I know you can knock me on my ass whenever you want, be humble and let me work. I’m looking at you Jenkins.

[xXPedoPandaXx]

Communication and respect are the most important to me. Speak to your partner about what is in or out of bounds. No elbows/knees to the head, but that is common sense I hope.

[seany_tev]

No front kicks to the knee. Ive had people do that in sparring, I instantly stop and ask them what the hell they were thinking.

[achille]

Treat kicks and punches as if they were full power, shrugging them off just because they are light isn't gonna teach you anything

[windchimesilo]

No elbows unless agreed upon. My nose was broken in my 20s bc of this. He wasn't wearing any elbow pads either.

[rubenmaldonado]

Acknowledged clean shots don't take them as invitations to go hard. it's something I need to work on

[owenjude]

I’m a beginner only 3-4 months In and at my gym lower skilled guys can ask for no knees and elbows and people always respect it, Ik that just makes it kick boxing but when your at a low level your knees and elbows are not really up to par so it gives you a chance to get your skills up in the heavy bag a bit before attempting it in a spar

[marcmeiser]

You're both there to learn, so if you recognize any big mistakes your sparringpartners make tell them right after the round, so they can adjust right way.

[MrIsles]

Probably not a rule but i like to give encouragement to people who are less experienced if they land a good shot with a head nod or say "nice" just to let them know.

[fer-uy]

Respect and take care of your sparring partners

[Uro_Boros]

1. no spinning back kicks if you can't control them, same for superman-punches...

2. dance and have fun

[KYLE_FROM_THE_FUTURE]

Eye pokes and groin shots are… fair game 👍💯

[muaythaigal]

I'm prepared for anything, just not at 100% power. I don't gaf if you catch my teeps or kicks. It helps me work on balance and countering the catch. Parry my punches, makes me work harder. Why spar if you don't go 100% on your technique? If I don't retract my kicks fast enough, catch them. It'll teach me for next time. One can get lazy sparring light imo

[nakkohmt]

Acknowledge and reset when your partner scores a good point, especially when they are controlled enough not to cause damage (but could have in a real fight)

[CyclingMartialartswithMusic]

Other rules In my opinion are:
1. dont get mad if your sparring partner uses clinch, soft knee strikes and controlled sweeps. Not everybody is training to be a fimeu or a muay mat.
2. Dont get mad if your partner is not a volume fighter. Some of us dont like using strikes that dont score. While some of you likes to thrownm machine gun punches.
3. We are sparring to LEARN, not win.

[ravindave]

Agree on sweeping etiquette before you start, are you catching and sweeping kicks, or just catch and release.