Marching for Muay Khao

[MikeCote]

This is a question for shorter inside fighters or anyone who marches opponents down. My names Mike. I’m new to the forum and I’m an amateur Muay Thai fighter. I’m 5’9” and 150 Southpaw and I find the forward marching style extremely effective for me. However some are highly against switching stance often. There is the obvious danger of sweeps or getting caught in B range. Do you feel the march is less effective because of constant stance switching? 

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

As with any pattern making, if you become predictable vulnerabilities arise. So look into switching things up. A big one to add is Yodkhunpon's galloping footwork. Here's a public video there is more in the Library:

 

This footwork allows you to cross distance quickly, as with any closing pressure speed is an important factor. You can mix up the march with the gallop. Also, the hop in can also break patterns. Sylvie has that here:

 

And lastly, a really good tool, seriously under-utilized by closing fighters is the teep. If you can mix teeps in in you advance it goes a long way to preventing your opponent from just timing you, and hiding your own rhythm. Mixing in the high-knee march, the hop in, the gallop and the hop in gives you a bunch of different looks. It's just up to you to make your own recipe.

And, of course, once again, the speed of your advance is a big deal. Something that might get you swept at half speed might be untouchable at full speed.

[MikeCote]

Thank you so much . My original styles utilized where mostly backfoot and teep oriented with some muay mat training as well. So I’m very familiar with using my teep as often as my jab. I’m going to watch these, take your advice and get to work! 
 

-Mike

[Kevin von Duuglas-Ittu]

11 hours ago, MikeCote said:

My original styles utilized where mostly backfoot and teep oriented with some muay mat training as well. So I’m very familiar with using my teep as often as my jab. I’m going to watch these, take your advice and get to work! 

When advancing you can also teep the thighs - underutilized - and the hip. This keep people from setting up on you.