Muay Thai "V Block"

[pokeroo]

So, I've been going to my muay thai gym pretty regularly since Christmas, and been there on and off the previous year. I think they're a pretty good club. Anyway, I sometimes try and find videos of the techniques they teach only to discover that the terminology used is a bit different outside the club. Another minor pet peave is that techniques are taught differently depending on the instructor, but I think this can be a strength as well. While I plan on asking for clarification from other members/instructors, I am looking for a video of this one technique and I can't quite find one that gives detailed instruction on it.

The club calls it "V guard" or "V block". I am searching for a video on this because some details seem different depending on who teaches it. In one version you put both gloves just behind the temples and elbows together in front of your face such that only the forehead is exposed, and in the other version I was taught you put your palms on your forehead, and the rest is the same. In both versions we are stressed to keep our eyes on our opponent and weather the storm ready to attack or teep.

There is more to the technique than what I said, and it seems to me that its possible that one version protects against hooks better while the other more jabs and crosses. Just wondering if anyone has any comment, experience, or links to any instructional videos. And yes I will try and ask the teachers at my club about it some more.

[OiScout]

So let me get this straight. This is similar to basically the classic covering up, but instead of your arms covering your body, your arms are covering your face(with your elbows pointed forwards)? And you're utilizing both arms to defend at the same time? Would an incoming straight punch hit the your elbow?

[pokeroo]

Could hit your elbow, but more likely will hit your forearms. Yes, it is like covering up, but they emphasize not to curl up and keep looking forward. It doesn't really protect the body at all. Okay, there is one video I have found of this, but he doesn't really explain the V block in the detail I am looking for.
YouTube- How To Fight: Aggressive Heavy Punch and Muay Thai Clinch

[Khun Kao]

Len muay, taad mala, and taad mala Kwai. They are the traditional guard positions.

[pokeroo]

Thanks. Already I get some better illustrations when searching.

[babo78]

Len muay, taad mala, and taad mala Kwai. They are the traditional guard positions.

Is this elbow block? Sorry I don't know anything about muay thai if my question sounds totally retarded

[pokeroo]

Is this elbow block? Sorry I don't know anything about muay thai if my question sounds totally retarded

Should have asked me in a PM I think. Anyway, people aren't exactly lining up to read my threads so the mods probably won't mind except for the fact you bumped this thread up to ask.

Do a google search on the names and you will see images of these blocks. They are done in a ring with gloves on, and may be less effective without. Basically two of those blocks protect the side of the head from hooks, and one protects the face from jabs and crosses. Your forearm or glove does the blocking.

[MMAMickey]

when describing techniques it is said that pictures and videos help a great deal.

[pokeroo]

when describing techniques it is said that pictures and videos help a great deal.

I'd have added pictures for the technique in my OP if I could, but I made the post because I couldn't find any and was looking for a reference outside of where I train. I'll post pictures tomorrow of the traditional blocks whose names I was suggested to look up.

[WhiteShark]

Learn 2 Internet. Googling Khun Kao's first response yields a thread from Khun Kao no less with pictures of all these blocks.

LEN MUAY (playing with your hair):


TAAD MALA (Place a flower behind your ear):


TAAD MALA KWAI (place a flower behind your opposite ear):


Source Thread:
Muay Thai Blocks - Martial Arts Planet