Heatrick Heavy Hitters – Muay Thai Performance

If you're serious about dominating the Muay Thai clinch, you need better Muay Thai clinch training... You've got to go beyond random training and focus on what truly moves the needle.

Is sparring in fight camp a smart move or a dangerous gamble?

As fight night gets closer, every decision you make in training counts, and few choices are as critical—or risky—as sparring in fight camp.

On one hand, it’s an opportunity to refine your timing, reactions, and technique under pressure. But on the other, there’s always the looming risk of an injury that could throw off months of hard work.

In this episode, we’ll explore whether sparring in the final stretch of your fight camp is worth it, or if it’s time to shift gears to safer, more controlled forms of training.

You don’t want to enter the ring compromised. Let’s look at the best way to prepare without taking unnecessary risks.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

00:17 Sparring in Fight Camp: Should You Risk It?

00:30 Two Weeks Out: Time to Shift Gears

00:44 Simulated Sparring: Getting the Fight Feel Without the Fight Risk

01:39 Sparring in Fight Camp: The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/10/25/sparring-in-fight-camp-yes-or-no/

Fight prep sparring isn’t your usual sparring. It’s more “specific.”

If you're anything like me, there was a time you felt silly shadow boxing.  Maybe you still do. Muay Thai is about inflicting damage and having an effect... Lashing out in mid-air feels, well, lame!

But, I eventually realised how I could best use shadow boxing to do much more than just get my heart rate up and make me feel self conscious!

Are you (still) wasting your shadow boxing?

If you’re not making the most of your Muay Thai shadow boxing, you’re leaving a critical part of your training untapped.

Shadow boxing isn’t just about warming up or working through your techniques—it's your chance to mentally rehearse fight strategy and tactics, to build the necessary reps required for instinctive action in the ring.

It’s not only an opportunity to accumulate more random skill practice “clusters” that I’ve spoken of before to enhance your skill retainment over the long term.

But, it’s an often wasted opportunity to try on different fight mode “attitudes” and fight “ranges” for size, and become more comfortable with attitudes and ranges less natural for you...

A chance to enhance the range of chess pieces you have to play with on your chess board.

In this video, we’ll break down how to maximize your Muay Thai shadow boxing by using fight ranges and attitudes/modes to gain the upper hand.

Whether you’re up against a heavy-hitting boxer or a slippery counter-fighter, this method will help you control the fight, think ahead, and execute with precision.

Let’s strip back the complexity and focus on what really matters.

Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/10/04/skill-based-muay-thai-shadow-boxing/

If you’re an orthodox fighter who’s never drilled in a southpaw stance, you’re leaving yourself open to attack—and trust me, that’s a vulnerability you can’t afford in the ring. Whether you’re throwing a punch, missing a strike, or just stepping off-line, sooner or later, you’ll find yourself in that unfamiliar stance. In that split second, you have two options: scramble to get back or confidently launch an attack.

In this episode, I’ll show you why mastering the southpaw stance—whether you’re naturally orthodox or vice versa—can be the difference between getting outmaneuvered or taking control of the fight. Stick with me as we explore how you can use stance-switching to control range, disrupt your opponent’s rhythm, and stay dangerous from every angle.

Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/09/27/learn-southpaw-if-orthodox-and-vice-versa-opposite-stance/

When it comes to calisthenics vs weight training, which is better for fighters? In today’s episode, we’re exploring both.

Calisthenics offers great benefits for mastering body control, stability, and movement patterns, making it ideal for fighters just starting out or focusing on form. But sometimes, even your body weight can be too much. When it comes to long-term athletic progress, free weights can take your training to the next level. Discover the part both calisthenics and weight training play in your fighter development...

Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/09/13/calisthenics-vs-weight-training-for-fighters/

Damien Trainor's method for drilling combos forms a foundation of his Muay Thai coaching.

In the world of Muay Thai, success isn’t something handed out freely; it’s earned through countless unseen battles. Even those at the top of the game haven’t had it easy. Overcoming struggles – paying your dues – is part of the journey for everyone.

Kevin Ross, a seasoned fighter, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to rise to the top.

Kevin Ross on the Reality of Success in Muay Thai: Paying Your Dues

Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/08/30/paying-your-dues-even-the-best-fight-unseen-battles-kevin-ross/

Sound corrected version!! Many fighters and coaches misunderstand just how much Muay Thai training is really needed to achieve the best performance possible.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 A great question!

00:32 How do Thais train so much?

00:48 Thailand training – the good and the bad

01:13 Damien Trainor's experience in Thailand

01:57 The reality for even a young Thai nak muay

02:31 Liam Harrison's experience in Thailand

03:08 Overtraining and burnout is real

03:31 Even the Thais struggle if training changes too much!

04:42 Thai fighters are adapted, not adaptable

05:27 Thai Muay Thai training has hit a ceiling

06:32 Dr Lynne Miller's experience of Thai culture and coaching

07:37 Merging the best of Thailand with a more progressive athletic training approach

In part 4, scientific skills training for fighters is enhanced with deliberate play!

We discuss a continuum from deliberate practice – where skill training is structured and effortful, to deliberate play – where skill training is creative and enjoyable. And how there's a need for both!

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 The Power of Play!

00:19 Deliberate Practice vs Deliberate Play

00:41 Using a Practice to Play Continuum

01:09 Deliberate Play on a Heavy Bag

01:29 Unleashing "Creativity"

01:54 A Playful Mindset is a Growth Mindset

Further notes and resources at https://heatrick.com/2024/08/02/scientific-skills-training-for-fighters-part-4/