Pad Holding Seminar 1 complete!

 On Jan 28 2017, York Muay Thai held a free pad holding clinic for its students. This was the first in a series of seminars designed to help develop everyone's ability to build their partners, who will in turn build them.

This first seminar focused on the very basics of holding for specific techniques- Body mechanics that help reduce the risk of injury (Kru Jen is able to hold for men who out weigh her by up to 70 lbs through pad holding technique, which she introduced this seminar). Drills focused on developing the pad holders ability to adjust their technique to increase intensities of power.

The body mechanics discussed also allowed for the striker to develop better aim and as such, reduce the risk of injury to themselves as well. 

We then focused on the verbal and physical cues that a pad holder can use to command and guide a partner, reducing confusion and increasing synchronicity. Communication after any set of drills was key in order for both the pad holder and striker to develop a better relationship.

Lastly we focused on etiquette- how to make small adjustments to your partner and improve their technique, without over stepping your level of experience or getting in the way of their practice.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions, and gain plenty of practical experience.
It was a pleasure to see more than half of the students stay back after the class ended to continue practicing with others.


In future installments, we will go through free style pad holding, fighter pad holding and more.