Before considering competition, I think it’s important to consider ‘why?’
When you found your why, think about ‘how’ it will get done.
Although competition is done alone in the ring it takes a team to get you there.
We are a team of dedicated coaches and community members that strive for the very best of our athletes and are looking for reciprocity in the form of performance.
Through the decade of competition, we have developed and continue to refine our process for developing athletes.
We have had nationally ranked athletes, members of Team USA as well as experience training and competing internationally.
Our vision is to continuously produce athletes that compete and represent TBI at the regional, national and International levels.
Do you want to be a part of it?
The Benefits of Joining
What benefits come with being a part of the 2022 Competition Team/Dev Team?
Camaraderie, access to fight-team fund, sponsorship opportunities, private training, quicker advancement in skill and technique.
Assessment, video study opponent study, customized training guides, nutrition guidance, extra strength and conditioning, exclusive merchandise.
Here is a breakdown of some of the costs we try to subsidize with our sponsorship fund as a way to help out Athletes out:
100% of registration fees.
40-60% of housing
40-100% of traveling
When Do I Know If/When I Am Ready?
Sample Journey if member has ZERO Muay Thai experience.
- Day 1 : Member joins gym, yay!
- 30-Day : Member is taking regular classes 3x / week, takes their first sparring class
- 90-Day : Member is consistently training, taking both sparring and clinching classes
- 6-Mo : Member discusses an interest in competing with Coach or Coach Recommends Competition
- 9-Mo : Member signs up for PKB
- 1-Yr : Member signs up for C-Class Tournament or debuts in local bouts, transitions to Active competition team
Beyond Your First Bout
Our vision is to continuously produce athletes that compete and represent TBI at the regional, national and International levels.
One of our ethos here at The Thai Boxing Institute is ‘Sustainability’.
While it’s ok to just try it once and we will 100% support you and your decision.
Ideally we want you competing for a very long.
Our vision for our athletes is to stay active throughout the year (~5 bouts per year) and to slowly climb through the ranks in a safe and healthy manner.
Furthermore we envision many of our athletes to be competing internationally and then finally professionally.
Match making is generally done by skill level and weight. Every 5 pounds there is a new weight class.
Generally, the standard across the US for Muay Thai skill level for competition goes:
C-Class: 0-3 Bouts
B-Class: 4-9 Bouts
A-Class: 10+ fights
Local vs. Regional/National Tournaments
Local bouts would be LA/SF/SD based single night bouts where you are matched up with a predetermined opponent. Generally match making works with similar experience level, give or take 1 bout (meaning they can one less fight than you, or one more fight than you) and weight.
Tournaments involve more than one bout over the course of a weekend as you ascend your bracket. Opponent number varies but on average can be 3 bouts per weekend.
There are pros and cons to each. I think tournaments are the way to go since you stand to gain much more with the same amount of work involved versus a single night bout.
Finally: All international tournament tends to be A-class and depending on the tournament, A-class can be a mix of professional and amateur opponents.
Requirements
There are technically two different teams:
Development Team
The development team is set-up to help those interested in competition to ramp up technically and to assess whether fighting is something they can commit to at that level. With that in mind, the development team should be the key partners for those in camp on the Competition Team.
Competition Team
This set of athletes is competing at official sanctioned amateur bouts whether its local IKF events or out-of-state regional and national tournaments.
Development Team:
THERE ARE NO DUES FOR OUR ‘DEVELOPMENT TEAM’
ONLY REQUIREMENT BEING A WILLINGNESS TO HELP OUT AND WORK HARD.
In theory, one can perpetually be involved in the ‘Development Team’ and just continuously compete in PKB’s.
Competition Team:
Even if you have years of experience in training and competing in Muay Thai, we require:
Minimum of 3 months of continuous membership at TBI.
If you have zero (0) competition experience:
You need to do (1) Point KB/ Point Muay Thai to gauge coachability/response to stress and pressure.
Winning or losing doesn’t matter. Consider the event as a litmus test to the next level (Competition Team)
Once the above criteria as been met:
*Competition Team membership: $250 yearly due (Must be paid 6 weeks prior to intended date of competition)
Full time membership to TBI once one is on the Competition Team.
Competition Class Attendance 2x month (7PM on Mondays).
Clinch Class Attendance 2x month (7PM on Wednesdays.Thursdays).
Be able to fulfill our ‘Standards and Commitments’. Think an average ’20 hours’ worth of training per week in preparation for an event.
*Competition team requirements are all Non-negotiable and no refund regardless of injury, illness, etc
Development Team vs Competition Team
There are two different styles of competition within our sport.
First option:
PKB/PMT: ‘Point Kickboxing/Muay Thai’ are less serious competition options for those that want to pursue competition casually. I call it glorified sparring against an opponent from a different gym.
Intensity varies. They’re usually pretty good about moderation but nothing is guaranteed. Preparation for that would be to attend training and any extracurricular conditioning one wants to do outside of the gym.
These types of events don’t require a fight camp as the bouts are usually ‘2×2 min’ rounds. You may do more with another opponent, you may not. All subject to availability.
Also, you may have a coach present or may not. Most of the time coaching assistance is done by a senior member or team mate.
These events are a great way to gain experience. Our objective for these isn’t necessarily to ‘win’ but rather to build experience.
Furthermore, this is a great way to to see if you can handle the pressures of competition.
Second option:
Sanctioned, pre-matched events and tournaments.
These are much more serious and require a fight camp. There is huge level of commitment required from our athletes, coaches and team.
Standards and Commitments
What we are NOT looking for:
Don’t be an ‘oppourtunist’. Don’t just show up when you have a fight camp. You must be in class as often as possible to keep learning the sport.
With that in mind, ask yourself whether you can commit to our criteria:
What is ‘Off-season’?
‘Off-season’ generally means when you are not in a fight camp.
Development Team
Off-season
- Still training ~3x / week
- Sparring & clinching regularly
- Volunteering as designated padholders / training partners for Competition Team
- Assisting newer members
In-camp
Prep for un-official competition is less intensive considering the scope of the competition.
That being said, athletes should still be conditioning & training regularly.
- Training ~3x / week
- Sparring & Clinching 2 – 3x / week
- Running 2 – 3x / week
Competition Team
Keep in mind that in order to reach the next level as an athlete, you’ll need your team to level up as well. So when not in camp, you should be investing your time back into the Development Team and the rest of the members.
Off-season
- Still training ~4-5x / week
- Sparring & clinching regularly
- Helping to hold for / train Development Team
- Assisting newer members
- Conditioning & strength-training
Attendance must be recorded by checking in using our login system. Key class attendance will be taken by instructor/front desk.
Failure to adhere to our ‘Standards and Commitments’ will be cause for removal and dismissal from competition team and most likely will be asked to not return.
Competition Camp
Here is a sample of our training requirements for Competition Team. There is where the ’20 hours of commitment per week’ stems from:
Standard Fight Camp Structure
Conditioning:
Cardio (Min. 3x / Week) :
- 3 – 4 Mi. Run, Swim, Cycle, Row, etc.
- Cooper’s Test 1x Week
Calisthenics (every other day) :
- 50 – 100 Crunches
- 50 – 100 Squats
- 50 – 100 Push-ups
- 3 x 5 Pull-ups or Alternative Pull exercise
Plyometrics (every other day) : Interval agility drills
Optional
Ball Exercises
Balance & Foot Strength
Warm-up:
10 Minutes Weighted Jump-rope
2 Rds Weighted Shadowbox
Core Workout :
Periodization – Gradual Ramp up in intensity over two week increments
* Warmup can be any combination of focus mitts, kickshield, or heavy bag work up to Coach’s discretion. In the first few weeks, you’ll be synced with the class and following along with their warmups.
Week 1 – 2:
2 – 4 Rds Warmup
3 Rds Thai Pads
3 Rds Heavy Bag
Week 3 – 4:
* No more holding thai pads
2 – 4 Rds Warmup
4 Rds Thai Pads
4 Rds Heavy Bag
Week 5 – 6:
4 Rds Warmup
5 Rds Thai Pads
5 Rds Heavy Bag
Sparring & Drilling:
3 – 4 Days / week , ~5 Rds ea.
1 – 2 Hard Sparring
Clinching:
3 – 4 Days / week , ~4 – 5 Rds ea.
Cooldown:
200 Push kicks
200 Knees
Stretch & Roll out
Fight Camp Tracker
As the team grows, it’s not going to be scalable for coaches to keep track of everyone’s workout. As an athlete, you’re responsible for making sure you’re getting what you need and putting in enough work over the week.
Handy-dandy Chart for tracking your daily workout
Last Notes
Talk to Coach
If something is hurting, if you have any concerns mentally or physically, if you don’t understand what any of the expectations are, if you have any changes in plans, if you’re not sure about diet or conditioning, whatever. Talk to Coach. Check-in regularly, make sure you’re on the same page through camp.
If Coach scares you, talk to Coach Jeannie.
Don’t be a diva
As an athlete, you are asking for significantly extra time and effort from both the rest of the members and the coaching team. Be gracious and grateful for the support everyone gives you, do your best to give back what you can in and out of camp. Help tidy up the gym, keep your shit clean, be supportive of the rest of the athletes and community. Take feedback mindfully, be patient with your partners. Competing doesn’t make you the star of the gym, it makes you a resource hog.
Sample Schedule
The ideal schedule is the one you can commit to. So whatever days work best to balance life, work, and training is fine as long as you’re in the gym five to six days a week. Mon/Tues/Weds tend to be critical days b/c of clinching and sparring so be there in the PM for those sessions.
Appendix
Resources
Extra resources if this is your first camp and you’re confused about all the things.
Diet & Nutrition
Meditation & Visualization Tools
Meditation is big, if you’re new or need help with mental training, we have a gym Headspace account:
(ask us for info)
Competition Schedule:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16g8b6g-LdC4YfWGh3qMdgYTdMRr8jnxMG3Ga4B-knig/edit#gid=0
Fight Camp video: