WhiteShark

well I kind of have an "advantage" on this topic because I broke my arm in exactly the same way! Always keep your palm in and never reach out to the kick! (that's what did me in)

I'm pretty sure his hand is open because he isn't wearing gloves. Also keeping your hands loose makes your elbows much faster. Thai elbow techniques are always thrown with loose fingers. The right hand catches the kick on the palm for a pass. Basically if the kick is a little short or you happen to be good at the technique you can accelerate his kicking leg past you and down to the ground. This will open up some good targets and often throws them off balance. if you aren't careful you will catch a spinning back elbow or fist. So be careful.

The one thing no one has mentioned is those guys blocked wrong. Their main body movements were probably about right but when the kick hits your arm you have to have your palm IN and your other hand up to lend support with the palm. If your palm is facing out you take the strike on only one bone in your forearm instead of spreading it out over both bones. This is a great picture notice the position of the hands. http://www.gfcmuaythai.co.uk/imagepages/correspimages/Dazahk2.jpg

Because all the best Kickboxers are Muay Thai fighters. And the Thai fighting stance is short. You cannot effectively defend leg kicks with an overly long stance.

Blocking with the upper part of your shin is really the only good way to block a leg kick. Everything else is a nice idea, but that is the most reliable technique. And all of you who recommend taking it have never fought a good Muay Thai fighter or you wouldn't even consider that an option!

Just try it and see if you like it. If your instructor is holding you back, he's a tit.

Depends. And frankly that's always the answer unless you give a lot of detail. For example, Is he a known Wrestler or Football player? Is he staying really low or mostly upright? How much does he weigh compared to you? What's he wearing? Does he have a weapon? What rules are you fighting under?

That is the answer for: Why have different Stances? not the answer for: Why do you ask? SO Why do you ask?

Muay Thai bag, they last longer and are appropriate for low kicks.

Found this site with google seems interesting. http://users.netropolis.net/yawyan/ Yaw-Yan is a Muay Thai-like Phillipino art.

Yes I have a different fighting "stance" for every rule set I fight under. Also depending on the opponent I typically further tweak my stance. Why do you ask?

COUTERPOINT: My GF started training with me about 6-8 months ago. It has only made our relationship better. Before although she would try not to, she would sometimes resent the time I spent training especially if something came up that cut our usual time together short. Now she is there with me training 2 or 3 times a week(I take two courses she takes one). We can spend time together after practice too because we are already seeing each other. It has really helped us in other ways too, we both find it sexy to be in great shape and she likes being able to handle me a little more. For example if we play wrestled before she had no chance and she could tell I was taking it easy. Now with a little training she can hang in there much better.

Tibby that's very true, IF your goals are god-like. What I mean is if one is only lifting for crosstraining and not to be mr. America they probably don't need to isolate themselves and lift like mad. Also a lot of folks who lift as a supplementary activity need the motivation of a partner to stick with it. So just because that kind of personal intense training works for you and your goals doesn't mean it will work for everyone. I know several guys that have made very good gains in the gym but without a partner(in this case me) to help and motivate them they would never have gone back after the first visit.

How old was this "little kid"? And how old are you?

Might want to try the Strategy & Tactics forum.