Below is a 9 minute extended clip from my session with Sagat Petchyindee, the Thai fighter who was the inspiration for the Street Fighter character Sagat. He now is over 60 years of age, but scary as can be…still. As amazing as the video game character is, the fighter maybe was more impressive with 6 national stadium belts, and over 150 KOs to his name…in an age where KO numbers even in the best fighters tended to be low. In this segment he teaches what he believes develops the most power (and efficiency) in strikes. You start and stay close to the body’s frame, and you accelerate at the end going through the target. For him this is the case in kicks, punches and elbows. This segment is part of my Muay Thai Library documentary project, an effort to archive the greatest techniques and teachers of Thailand. You can see the entire 55 minutes of our session by becoming a supporter (suggested pledge $5), an archive that includes over 34 hours of long for commentary video. You can see everything in the Library thus far, 2+ sessions are added each month. All new video is shot in 1080i 50p HD, putting you right there in the ring.
above, 9 minute clip of the full video in the Muay Thai Library archive
Keeping In Frame – Golden Kick and Elbows
To broaden this principle: this session with Sagat, and one following with another legend, Karuhat, made me aware of what I’ve called the Golden Kick, named as such by a reader for the Golden Age of Muay Thai where it thrived. I wrote in detail about the Golden Kick here. You can see the rough film study of Golden Age kicks that are part of that post, below:
Each fighter has a slight variation, but all of the above exhibit the “start within the frame” principle for what is otherwise often mis-named The Thai Round Kick. It’s the same thing that Sagat is teaching above.
You can see something similar in this Sylvie’s Tips video I made some time ago showing how to narrow the path of your elbows by using a wall. Same principle. Stay in frame, complete the full range of motion beyond your target:
If you find this help and you are not yet a patron, consider supporting the Muay Thai Library documentary project. If you have the patience to study hour long videos with legends and great krus, with commentary, many of them worth several views, the benefits are nearly endless. You’ll also be helping preserve the techniques of past fighters for decades to come. 5% of all pledges also go to the krus, legends & ex-fighters being documented, as do all the profits of shorts and shirts sold here.
click here to see what is in the Library so far
