1. AIMS
It is Chao Phraya Muay Thai Academy’’s aim to introduce and promote the art of Muay Thai, Thai Culture & History within our class structure and syllabus. In addition, the academy aims to promote fitness, confidence and well being through our exercise & training prescription.
2. ORGANISATION & AFFILLIATION
The academy will affiliate to organisations that assist, by mutual acceptance, in the growth of Muay Thai and in addition offer one or more of the following benefits:
• Insurance
• Recognition
• Fight sanctioning
• Courses
• Historical & cultural support
3. CULTURE
The academy will introduce and teach Thai culture through the following formats within its syllabus:
• Thai Language – Through class instruction, gradings and the academy web-site.
• Thai History & Culture – Through courses and the academy web-site.
Courses:
> Internal courses such as; Corner-man, Pad-man & hand-wrapping etc.
> External courses such as; Krabbi Krabong, Muay Kaad Cherk and Muay Boran etc.
• Trips to Thailand – Assistance in organising travel, accommodation & itinerary.
4. HEALTH & SAFETY
It is the academy’’s responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all participating student. All instructors, assistant instructors and nominated deputies are responsible for the following:
• Knowledge of fire escape routes.
• Knowledge and operation of fire extinguishers.
• Knowledge of Mains power box.
• Positioning and use of academy first aid kit.
• General first aid.
• Safety checks of all equipment.
• Removal of foreign objects in training hall.
• Ensuring all students sign the class register.
• Ensuring visitors are allocated seats.
In the event of fire:
1. Raise the alarm.
2. Evacuate the building.
3. Dial 999 – ask for Fire brigade.
4. If safe to do so, using appropriate fire appliances, to fight the fire.
5. Roll call, using class register.
5. FIRST AID
All instructors must attend a basic first aid course which can be arranged through the academy. A first aid box is provided for the academy as per health & safety –First aid- regulations 1981.
6. STUDENTS
Chao Phraya Muay Thai Academy tailors it’s training to suit the individual student. The majority of students train for fitness and self-defence. Therefore, the general class training accommodates this. However, every student has several opportunities to succeed and benefit from the academy’s training syllabus:
• Corner-man
• Assistant coach/pad-man
• Assistant instructor
• Instructor
• Fighter
The above opportunities can be achieved by following the grading syllabus and attending the relevant courses that are on offer. Dependant upon their experience and levels of skill students are given the opportunity to participate in the following events:
• Inter-clubs
• Amateur rules Muay Thai
• Professional C, B & A Class fights
INTERCLUBS
These are an excellent way for the student to test their skills in a light to medium contact environment. Inter-clubs, to a small degree, give the student a ‘feel’ as to what it is like to fight in the ring. Generally the rounds are only 3-4 x 1 minute or they can be 3-4 x 1.5 minutes and are of light to medium contact, with the fighters concentrating on technical skills and ring-craft as opposed to brute force.
Trophies and certificates are awarded but there are no winners or losers. Full protective equipment is worn which may consist of the following (m = mandatory):
• Gum-shield (m)
• Groin-guard (m)
• Hand-wraps (m)
• 14-16oz Boxing gloves (m)
• Shin-Pads (m)
• Head-guard
• Body armour
• Elbow pads
As with professional fights, each participant is weighed in and then a sparring partner is allocated dependant upon weight and experience. For students who do not wish to participate in professional Muay Thai, inter-clubs offer a safer alternative.
AMATEUR RULES
Amateur rules Muay Thai is the next step up towards professional rules. Either 3, 4 or 5 rounds of 2 or 3 minutes duration are fought. Generally amateur rules use full Muay Thai i.e. Kicks, punches, elbows & knees. Full protective equipment is required:
• Gum Shield
• Hand-wraps
• 10 – 12oz Boxing gloves
• Groin guard
• Shin-pads
• Head-guard
• Body armour
• Elbow pads
Fighting is full-contact but the scoring system favours clean and technical techniques (similar to Olympic boxing). Some shows also score for Wai Kru & Ram Muay performances. It is hoped that amateur rules Muay Thai will, one day, be included in the Olympic Games. This, of course, would offer tremendous opportunities to aspiring students.
PROFESSIONAL
In Thailand, professional Muay Thai consists of 5 x 3 minute rounds of full contact Muay Thai. Mandatory equipment consists of the following:
• Gum-shield
• Groin-box
• Hand-wraps
• 8-10oz Boxing gloves
In the west there are 3 classifications of fights, these are:
1. ‘C’ Class
5 x 1.5 minute rounds of full contact Muay Thai. No elbows or knees to the head allowed.
2. ‘B’ Class
5 x 2 minute rounds of full contact Muay Thai. No elbows to the head, but Knees to the head are allowed.
3. ‘A’ Class
5 x 3 minute rounds of full contact Muay Thai. Knees & elbows to the head are allowed.
In the U.K the fighter has opportunities to achieve the following titles:
• Area Champion
• English, Scottish, Irish or Welsh Champion.
• National (British Champion)
• Commonwealth Champion
• European Champion
• World Champion
Professional Muay Thai is classed as one of the toughest ring sports in the world and takes a lot of dedication and courage to succeed.