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I've never seen that bent elbow thing purposefully trained. I think there's a tendency toward it because of how pads are held, lots of fighters probably imitate each other, and then it's never corrected. When I see corrections in Muay Thai, it's always toward straighter punches. I've never, ever seen that weird chicken wing punch taught, instructed, or praised. It's just tolerated... a lot.

I think there is a lot to that. Yes, you can pick up bad habits like "dropping your hands" etc, but a little correction, and a continuous emphasis on ruup and defense, goes a long way. The Thais talk a lot about "tamachat" (be natural). When tired lots of the path of least resistance movements come out, I believe.

I had a crossfit coach once who told me to work on gymnastics technique when I am tired. Easier to get it right because the body is exhausted and will naturally use the best technique for the movement to waste as little energy as possible. And you are too tired to overthink stuff.

I do agree that at times Firas can get a little ridiculous with this idea of "not getting sore while working out", I'm personally under the belief that some days have to be hard and you should be feeling it the next day, I believe in max days days from time to time. But being a guy who has personally and consistently done this fight sport stuff for the last I don't know 10-15 years (maybe more) both as a fighter and a coach ( to some pretty good fighters I might add) he seems to have a good idea what he's talking about and I don't think it's just a bunch of malarkey. That being said he's not the end all be all either. I'm sure like everyone else he has his biases and as a business owner I'm sure some of his beliefs perhaps get formed around theories that can be better for business rather than a theory that is perhaps better for the real fighter. Everyone has to pay the bills. I personally love what he does, and also love what the traditional Thais do, and as evident believe there's room for both. Thanks for the input Kevin, really enjoy the discussions. By the way when are we going to see you in one of these privates, I think it would be interesting to see a training session from your perspective. How long have you been training? from what I can gather it sounds like you've trained a good deal along with Sylvie, but I've never really heard much, maybe I missed it.

One of the best inexpensive options would be Rambaa's gym in Pattaya. He runs his gym on a tight budget, full of kids, so any western monthly payment surely would help. He has incredible spirit, teaching a beautiful, dynamic Muay Thai, he gives great pad work, and you feel like you are part of a real gym. But, there isn't a lot of western fighter focus. The last day we visited there were a few French fighters who were training with each other, and seemed to be living across from the gym in cheap rooms. It's kind of wild, wild west. I suggest taking the bus out to Pattaya and visiting the set up, and seeing if it suits you. Westerners have come and gone through the gym. Some staying for a long while, some just find it isn't their cup of tea. But during the downturn it might be a great thing to try. There are lots of smaller gyms in Pattaya you could turn to if it didn't work out. You could also try Petchrungruang which is kind of a 50/50 gym, friendly to westerners while still being part of the family style aesthetic.