Interclub Trainers and Fighters Information

Grandmaster Sken’s Monthly Master Sken Academy Interclub & Basic Muay Thai Tips (for Fighters)

Interclub Competition

Interclub is held once a month at the Academy in Stockport. Clubs from around the country are welcome to join the Interclub event by sending their Club name Instructor and students name with the students weight age and experience. We will match each person prior to the day.
All interclub are regulated and there are no decisions on the fights. This enables the fighter to practice his technique and skill reducing the risk of any injury. Body and head protection are worn and a referee and time keeper will be present at all times through out the fights.
All Family and friends are welcome to support on the day.
Certificates and trophies are awarded on the day.
If you would like to know any further information about this event please Contact Us

1. Do not take your eyes off your opponent – but avoid looking at the point you mean to attack. e.g. by looking high but kicking low (and vice versa) confuse and deceive your opponent. Remember that deception is described by Sun Tzu (in the Art of War) as the divine art.

2. Do not drop your guard when you are attacking. ALWAYS defend yourself at the very same time you are attacking. The ultimate warrior is one that gives NO opening to his opponent.

3. Do not stand with your feet together because you will BOTH be off balance and it will be difficult to launch an effective attack from that weak stance.

4. Do not turn your face away when you are attacking. If you do, your focus will be lost – and with it, the effectiveness of your strikes (even if they connect).

5. Do not tense your muscles until you are about to make contact with your strike. If you are tense your technique will be slow and (thus) weak. Your opponent will also be better able to anticipate your strikes – and be able to avoid and counter with ease. The key to power and being able to last the fight is being correctly relaxed.

6. Do not turn your back to your opponent, unless you do so in order to execute a technique that requires doing so e.g. spinning back fist, back thrust or spinning hook kick.

7. Do not use techniques that you have not practised to perfection – particularly the ones which would expose you to danger from your opponent.

8. Do not allow your opponent to be in continued/sustained attack mode i.e. avoid being in a defensive mode for longer than absolutely necessary. You must counter and seize opportunities to attack/go on the offensive. Remember the general rule: the best form of defence is (effective) offence.

9. Do not take too big a step when side stepping. If your feet are too far apart, your ability to counter attack swiftly and powerfully will be reduced.

10. Do not fight a taller opponent from a distance as you will enable him to use his advantage against you. A shorter fighter should concentrate on close quarter fighting. By doing so, you will play to YOUR advantage while disadvantaging your opponent. (Conversely, a taller fighter should endeavour to stop his shorter opponent from ‘in fighting’ – and learn to master short distance techniques like elbows, knees, hooks and upper cuts i.e. be a master of fighting at all ranges.)

11. Do not fail to observe, remember and exploit your opponent’s favourite techniques. You should: (i) take away the opportunity from him of using them – this is not only defensive but will frustrate and unsettle your opponent psychologically; (ii) avoid/block them; (iii) attack the part of his body which he will need to use in order to apply these (favourite and dangerous) techniques; and/or (iv) force him to change his style to one that you are best able to deal with.

12. Do not (after you have launched an attack) land with your feet too close to each other as you will lose your nimbleness and swiftness of response.

13. Do not stand in a low stance. Even though low stances provide strong balance and attacking power, they rob you of your ability to move quickly and also expose you to far more damage (and ease of entry) from low kicks. Low stances should only used to duck and for hard striking – but get out of these fast. These are ‘in and out’ techniques - you never stand in a low stance!

14. Do not listen to the audience when you are fighting in the ring. Rather, always tune your ear to hear your trainers/seconds. Besides the referee, they are the only ones you should listen to!

15. Do not let your opponent know when you are hurt. When in pain, clinch.

16. Do not obstruct the power from your hip when you are attacking. Let your hips do what they are meant to do – turbocharge your strikes (all of them)! Remember: you must use your hip/pelvic region to generate speed and penetrating power.

17. Do not stand like a statue or dummy (i.e. be immobile) when your opponent attacks with strong blows. If you do so, you will absorb the full brunt of his strikes and the damage you suffer will be far more than necessary. Move/flow to minimise impact and deflect the direct power of his strikes.

18. Do not step backward when the opponent attacks with ‘long’ straight techniques i.e. front kicks and straight punches as you will expose yourself to more of the same linear techniques (which will only increase in power/momentum as they continue). Rather move e.g. side step to counter attack and to neutralise/avoid his techniques.

19. Do not straighten your knees and/or stand flat footed. Your knees should be slightly bent (to avoid knee damage) and you should be standing lightly on the ball of your feet for nimbleness, speed and to be able to move in any direction.

20. Do not lose your temper as an angry (and thereby, out of control) opponent is one who digs his own grave. Your anger will benefit your opponent. By losing your temper, you fall under his control - and you will fight carelessly. Be the matador, not the bull.

Key Principles

1. Be like water: fluid, natural and soft in its flow but capable of generating power to crush rocks. Like water, mould yourself to your terrain (including your opponent).

2. Be nimble and fast – but always in balance. Balance is vital!

3. Trap your opponent by using his strength - as directed by you. (Remember Mohammed Ali’s rope-a-dope against George Foreman.)

4. Practice, practice and practice until you are invincible – leave no opening for your opponent by being in constant defence mode, especially when attacking.