How to Hold Thai Pads Correctly?
Posted by ASLAN SPORTS
Holding Thai pads is benecial to not only the striker but also the pad holder. The pad holder’s job is to provide good targets for their partner with an aim of making the striker better. In doing so, the pad holder has to work on their timing, concentration, and accuracy.
If you actively hold pads for others, here are some basics you should keep in mind during your next training session.
- Stance – Make sure you are in a solid ghting stance. Use the opportunity to also develop your footwork. Positioning – holding pads in the wrong position may cause injury.
- Positioning – holding pads in the wrong position may cause injury.
- Gear – make sure your Thai pads are in good condition and are fastened securely. If you need help, ask your partner to tighten them for you.
- Technique – the goal of the pad-holding session is to improve the striker’s technique. Some power is necessary, but should not be the focus. Having said that, keep combinations simple.
- Communication – let your partner know that they’re strikes are on point. Conversely, if they’re not getting it right, let them know. Communication doesn’t have to be verbal. If they keep dropping their hands, stick them with a jab or two.
Holding Thai Pads for the Jab and Cross
When holding Thai pads fo the jab or the cross, start by holding the pads at eye level to the left and right of your face – in front of you, not to the side. This presents more realistic targets for the striker.
Keep your arms tight close to the moment of impact. If your arms are loose and paired with a strong puncher, you’ll likely get hit in the face with those pads.
At the moment of impact, push slightly forward to give the striker some feedback in the way of resistance. This will resemble what they experience in the ring. Make sure you only meet their punches. Don’t jam their punches. This will not only frustrate them, but make it tough to gure out range.
Holding Thai Pads for the Jab and Cross
When holding Thai pads fo the jab or the cross, start by holding the pads at eye level to the left and right of your face – in front of you, not to the side. This presents more realistic targets for the striker.
Keep your arms tight close to the moment of impact. If your arms are loose and paired with a strong puncher, you’ll likely get hit in the face with those pads.
At the moment of impact, push slightly forward to give the striker some feedback in the way of resistance. This will resemble what they experience in the ring. Make sure you only meet their punches. Don’t jam their punches. This will not only frustrate them, but make it tough to gure out range.
Holding Thai pads for the Hook
The same general rules apply for holding Thai pads for a hook.
Keep your pads at eye level. If they are throwing a lead hook (assuming both of you are in an orthodox stance), you would receive the punch with your left pad – turning the pad to meet the punch. The opposite is true if they are throwing the rear hook.
If you are working on body hooks, the best way to hold the pad is with your st on your hip. In this case, you will use the pad on the same side as their punching arm. Of course, if you have a belly pad, that is preferred for body shots.
Holding Thai pads for Upper Cut
When holding for the uppercut, meet the strikers punches with the opposite hand. If they throw a lead uppercut, you come down with the lead pad.
As with the other punches, direct your pad downward, but do not jam their uppercut. Let them meet your pad instead of you trying to meet their punch. Your pads shouldn’t have to move too far. Their uppercut should be landing at about your chin level.
Holding Thai pads for Roundhouse Kicks
We’ll assume you are holding pads for the body kick. Hold the Thai pads close to your body. The top of the pads should be touching.
When the kick comes, absorb it. Let the striker do most of the work. This will force them to turn over their hips. If you hold your pads too low or move downward to meet their kick, you don’t allow them to get used to throwing the full technique.
Keep your head pointed towards your partner. I see a few people looking down at their pads. If your partner is fairly strong, those pads will end up hitting you in the face.
Holding Thai pads for Knees
Stack your right pad on top of the left. A lot of people get lazy with this technique. Make sure your partner is lifting their knee and pushing with their hips to hit that top pad. The target for this technique is the belly button area.
Image source: Kombat Arts Training Academy
