GJ "This IS my happy place!"

I started early with Jeff doing pad shuttles for 2 x 6 minute rounds. Following that Jeff warmed us up with the regular class:

• Squats
  
• Calf extensions squats
  
• 10 squats w/ partner, 10 calf extensions squats w/ partner
  
• 20 push-ups hold -- 5 clapper push-ups hold -- 10 push-ups
  
• 25 Leg raises (partner throws down)
  
• 20 Variable height leg raises (partner throws down)
  
• Flutter kicks

We then went into thai pad rounds

1. Basic thai warm-up w/ emphasis on the jab
   

   Throwing jab "loaded" combinations, that is, opening with the jab

2. Thai reaction
   

   This round we worked the thai reaction (C-H-RKick) typically off a leg cover or evasion. I do not like permitting my opponent the satisfaction of hitting me. I try to evade to fluster them and make them look bad, however if they land a shot there is no acknowledgment, my own form of iron shirt chi-gung.

3. Three knees three punches and "distance" drill

   All though conceivably a conditioning round as all thai pad rounds are, but it is more appropriate to work on the attributes each drill emphasizes. The three knees three punches drill works on transitions of punch to knee. Although it is a three punch combination it is important to throw four "punches" e.g., cross-hook-cross-lead grab or hook-cross-hook-rear grab. The distance drill works on proper hip position either pushing in defensively, opening up offensively, or turning to relieve pressure/reangle.

4. Conditioning

   • Pitterpat (30 seconds)
     
   • Push-ups (30 seconds)
     
   • Pitterpat (30 seconds)
     
   • Alternating Kicks (45 seconds)
     
   • Pitterpat (15 seconds)
     
   • Alternating Kicks (30 seconds)

The fighters and advanced guys transitioned into several rounds of timing. I reiterate try to remember the keys to timing of working in technique and trying new things. It is impossible to lose a round of timing. If you improved you were victorious.
We then covered three "combinations" of neck control and wrestling

1. Outside grab to plum

   When you throw the single straight knee, grab solidly and hard for the neck, simulate a hooking strike. The transition to plum involves tracing your opponent's head with your gloves, shaving off the ear on first one side and then the other.

2. Plum to side thai clinch

   In this you start in plum and your partner swims inside. Obtain the overhook on this side and trace your opposite glove over their head from inside to outside control. This opens the body and head knee lines as well as the punt to the head.

3. Swimming and pushing

   In this we work on swimming for inside control as detailed previously.

We finished with the modified pitterpat ladder of 30 seconds:

• 1 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• 2 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• 4 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• 8 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• 16 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• Hold push-up position
  
• Pitterpat
  
• Hold push-up position
  
• 16 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• 8 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• 4 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• 2 push-up finish with pitterpat
  
• 1 push-up finish with pitterpat

A note on the strategy of defense: As I mentioned above I try not to allow my opponents the gift of hitting me, so my first objective is evasion. However evasion must be followed by invasion, the judges must never think I am running away but rather strategically repositioning myself. I like to attack and reposition with the Checkmark. If I move in, do my thing, and then exit followed by the pursuit of my opponent I must punish them for the transgression. Thus I like to train the interceptive or even entering tiip following my attack and repositioning. However sometimes I get caught, thus if I cannot evade I cover and react. If I can I evade and react. If my evasion and cover carry me clear but I still get hit, I react. The best defense is always a good offense and an even better counter offense.