Beginner Curriculum

Under the Muay Thai Ontario grading system, Brampton Muay Thai uses different colored shorts to reflect student progression throughout the program. A student starts at the beginner level (yellow shorts) and over a period of practice and dedication, can progress to the intermediate level (blue shorts).

The beginner curriculum focuses on two things: first, to build a strong body and second, to build effective skills. Strength and skill are essential pillars of self-defense; they support, not replace one another.

Frequent practice makes lasting progress. If you would like to progress to the next level (and take pride in the skills you hone), you must cycle through all the techniques until you are proficient in all of them.

To reinforce knowledge of physical techniques, it is recommended to train two to three days a week. Training once a week is better than no training at all, but long periods of time between sessions will decrease retention. If you cannot train in-class frequently, it is encouraged to practice the skillsets on your own time.

I. Strong Body

There are dozens of definitions for strength. But let's start with the broadest meaning of strength: the ability to remain, despite a force. In martial arts, this is a relatable definition. After all, conflict involves a force or forces, that one must resist.

The stronger the body, the more capable it is to wield effective skill. Our training will emphasize general strength, conditioning and coordination. We challenge ourselves by pushing our speed, volume, and duration without losing the quality of sound movement. From a training perspective, gaining muscle is the simplest way to obtain strength. For martial artists, gaining muscle isn't for show; it is a result of pursuing the necessary strength to resist potential force (a.k.a. getting hit).

In the end, a martial artist must be strong enough to wield their body as a weapon and protect it from injuries. Below are the fundamental movement patterns that increase coordination and strength:

Stand-Up Exercises: Jumping Jacks, Switches, Twists, Lunges, Squats, Run, Jump

Ground Exercises: Half/Full Sit-ups, Crunches, Side Sit-Up, Plank (High, Low, and Side), Push-Up, Rock Climbers, Duck Walk, Monkey Crawl, Crab Walk, Leg Raises, Flutters, Scissors

Hybrid Exercises: Burpee, Sprawl

II. Effective Skill

Muay Thai is a stand-up striking art with four main weapons: punch, kick, knee and elbow. Each class will focus on building students’ technical fluency of combat movement. Below are the basic footwork and weapon variations (with the Thai translation) and the training modalities used to practice the skillsets:

• STANCE & FOOTWORK

  • Fighting Stance "Jod Muay" (both left and right side forward)

  • The Golden Triangle (Switching between stances from left side forward to right side forward) "Yam Sam Kum"

  • Tiger Step (Stepping in all four directions in the same stance) "Sieu Yam"

  • Horse Step (Switching stance to step forward or backward) "Mah Jong"

  • Fish Step (Stepping forward or backward at a diagonal angle) "Salap Fan Plaa"

  • Turning "Yam See Teet"

• WEAPONS

  Punches

  • Straight Punch (Jab-Lead Hand)/(Cross-Rear Hand) "Matruong Sai/Khua"

  • Side Punch (Hook) "Mat Weyang"

  • Upward Punch (Uppercut) "Mat Ngab"

  Kicks

  • Push Kick "Teep"

  • Swing Kick "Tek" (to the leg, body or head)

  Knee

  • Straight Knee “Khao Trong”

  Elbow

  • Side Elbow "Sok Tad"

  • Uppercut Elbow “Sok Ngad”

• MODALITIES

  1. Bagwork

  The heavy bags are meant to withstand intense and frequent contact, making it the perfect instrument to build striking power and strength.

  *Practice can be individual or with a partner.

  2. Pad work

  Thai pads are used to sharpen power, coordination and precision, with pad holders providing necessary resistance to challenge their partner’s weapons.

  ‍3. Shadowbox

  Individual practice of weapons and footwork meant to refine form, coordination, and speed without impact.

  4. Hand-to-Hand Drills/Playspar

  Light contact is an essential way to improve composure, coordination and precision. “Play” intensity allows students to land and receive weapons on the body without fear of injury, as moves are thrown with skill and without power.