Foundations / Defence / Shadow

Long guard / frame

The lead arm posted long at collarbone height, the rear hand at the temple.

The lead arm posts long at collarbone height while the rear hand covers the temple. The long guard posts an open hand on an opponent's collarbone or face to measure range and stop them stepping in, while the rear hand covers the temple. It is a frame, not a punch, and the elbows stay down so it can collapse into the tight guard at once. Without a partner, the study shows the arm positions and the return.

The actions, phase by phase

Muay Thai guard

1. Base. Keep a stance from which either leg can lift.
2. Hands ready. Bring the hands into your coach-taught guard.
3. Balance. Keep the torso upright enough to manage kicks and checks.
4. Reset. Re-establish the base after every action.

Watch for. This illustration does not show clinch posture or an opponent.

Long guard

1. Guard. From the normal guard, the lead hand begins to extend along the centre line.
2. Extend. The lead arm reaches to collarbone height with the hand open, elbow below the hand.
3. Frame. The rear hand rises to the temple, palm out, elbow tucked; the frame is held with the lead arm.
4. Hold. Hold the frame, then bring the lead hand back to the guard.

Watch for. A long guard measures range and posts on an opponent who is not here. The study shows the arm positions; which hand posts and when to collapse the frame back into a tight guard are coaching decisions.

A frame, not a reach

1. Extend the lead arm along the centre line, hand open.
2. The rear hand rises as the lead goes out, elbow tucked.
3. Collapse the frame back into the tight guard before the next beat.

Three faults a pad holder sees

1. Reaching with the shoulder. the arm is long but the shoulder stays down and the trunk stays upright.
2. Rear hand stays at the cheek. the rear hand rises to the temple, palm out, elbow tucked.
3. Frame held with the elbow out. the rear elbow stays inside the shoulder line.

A starting prescription

3 rounds of 45 seconds with 30 seconds between them. Extend, hold three seconds, collapse. Eight per round. Load the study into the session builder with these numbers and change them to suit the round you are preparing for.

What this loop is, and is not

Solo rehearsal of a shape you have already been taught. No partner, no contact, no pad impact, and no coach has reviewed this loop. It shows where the joints go, not whether they should go there for you. This study draws a second figure, an opponent held at one moment of the strike the study answers. It is an illustration of position, not a partner technique to copy without a coach.

Where it sits

Stage: Foundations. Before it: Switch step / return. After it: Rear teep / replace. See also the glossary, the warm-up and the method and its limits.