Mae Sowks Training Package
This package consists of a series of videos going over techniques, conditioning, drills, applications and traditional dances of the mae sowks. The package has been broken out into 6 sections of videos (outlined below): 4 directions, fundamentals, partner drills, solo drills, warm up and sparring. The order of viewing is up to you. However, we highly recommend to start with the fundamentals section before moving on to the other sections.
Videos are instructed by Khru Loki Jorgenson and Khru Pat Gagnon. Both Khrus are certified Buddhai Sawan instructors and Dog Brothers. They have fought and pressure tested the use of mae sowks at multiple Dog Brothers Gatherings and various sparring events over several years.
4 DIRECTIONS
The wai khru ram muay (roughly “respects to teacher fight dance”) is an integral part of the Thai culture. It is how the combat arts are performed culturally and it is how students show their respect to the history and lineage of the arts. It is also a display of skill and stamina to perform the wai khru with control and poise.
The four directions is the initial part of all Buddhai Sawan wai khrus (and most other krabi krabong styles) – it can vary by weapon, art, and school.
FUNDAMENTALS
Mae sowks (or “forearm clubs”) demand specific skills, attributes, and tactics due to their unusual nature. They are extremely short range, offer very little protection to the lower body against longer weapons, and are percussive. To wield them well, the practitioner must learn the strengths and weaknesses and apply them effectively. As with other weapons of krabi krabong, structure is essential and tactics are typically brutal and overwhelming. Conditioning of the lower body requires particular attention to avoid giving the longer weapons too much opportunity.
PARTNER DRILLS
As with other krabi krabong training, working with a partner is indispensable. In fighting other weapons, the practitioner must develop a unique perspective on crossing range, timing, and how effective the weapon can be. Once the practitioner appreciates their strengths – low to the ground and in full frontal attack – confidence provides the “edge” that these clubs are missing.
SOLO DRILLS
When training with a partner is not possible, there are many solo drills that aid in developing strength, mobility, agility, and coordination. Isolating specific attributes or skills for development, these drills prepare the practitioner for partner drilling and sparring.
SPARRING
“They are cool but do they fight?” – an essential question that most practitioners want to know is answered by an emphatic “yes!”. Mae sowks do fight. And extremely well. Not only are they incredibly fun, they are scary and awe-inspiring for your opponent. It is difficult to go full crank with mae sowks because they are so devastatingly effective. Increasingly, mae sowks are appearing in full contact stick fighting, particularly amongst the Dog Brothers fighters.
WARM UP
Training and sparring mae sowks puts tremendous stress on knees, hips and shoulders. With proper conditioning and warm up, the stress is sustainable.
Anyone practicing mae sowks is well advised though to respect their body’s limits and work on moving them upwards and outwards. A proper warm up should be part of every work out and doubly true for mae sowks.