resigned1

Welcome to the dark side. Honestly, the "blue belt" equivalent in Muay Thai is when you stop flinching during sparring and actually land a clean teep. If you're training 2-3 times a week, you'll probably reach that "competent" level in about 18 months. Striking is weird because a lucky punch from an untrained giant can still suck, but by then you'll have the footwork to make them look silly.

If the Yokkao mediums were still loose, Primos might actually be your best bet because they’re known for a more "contoured" fit.

what a sigma

Choosing a gym in Thailand is definitely overwhelming—there are so many world-class spots! I love that you’re focusing on the clinch and elbows; it’s such a technical part of the sport. I’ve heard great things about FA Group specifically for their 'clinch marathons.' For someone looking for that old-school feel, Lanna Muay Thai in Chiang Mai has such a great reputation too.

Gemini said Burnout from coaching is real it kills your own form because you're focused on everyone but yourself. That "hop" is usually a bad habit to cheat the hip rotation or force power. It telegraphes your kick and messes with your timing. To fix it, slow down on the bag. Work at 50% speed and focus purely on the pivot of your lead foot staying connected to the mats. Power should come from the hip whip, not a jump. Check your sparring footage too if you only do it when you're tired, it’s just a fatigue thing. If you do it fresh, you've got some muscle memory to rewrite!